Good morning. We have had a good start to 2016 so far. I took a couple of trips up to the Washland viewpoint on New Year’s Day to look at gulls. There were at least four herring gulls present at lunchtime and by mid-afternoon; at least three yellow legged gulls were present. A group of four shelducks were also present.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, a bittern was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and two great white egrets were seen on the washland.
It was a dull start to the day yesterday morning but there was plenty to see nonetheless. At least six meadow pipits flew south over Brandon Fen and two roe deer were skulking around at the edge of the grazing marsh. Two water pipits were showing well in front of the Washland viewpoint along with two shelducks.
As the morning went on, a barn owl was seen near Joist Fen viewpoint and a stoat was hunting near the visitor centre. We saw it on the visitor centre veranda first and then around half an hour later on the track towards the car park.
I went up to the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime. I saw two redshanks and two stonechats, which were nice to see.
One of our regular visitors headed down to the far end of the reserve in the afternoon. He saw 14 common snipe along the riverbank and two great white egrets alongside the river just west of Joist Fen viewpoint.
I had start to the day this morning. As I was driving to work, a barn owl flew across the road in front of me and as I drove sown the entrance track, a muntjac deer ambled across in front of me. I went out for a walk armed with my camera and here are some pictures of the rather dramatic looking sky:
Image credits: David White
As I walked between the visitor centre and the Washland viewpoint, a sparrowhawk flashed across in front of me. Two shelducks were present in front of the viewpoint and as I walked along the very muddy riverbank Public Footpath, I had fantastic views of two barn owls hunting just north of East Wood.
As I walked down towards New Fen viewpoint, a stock dove and a song thrush were singing in East Wood. On the way back to the visitor centre, a common snipe flew over and a small flock of redwings were feeding in the alders behind the visitor centre.
Volunteer Paul Holness has literally just been up to the Washland viewpoint where he was lucky enough to see an otter. It’s great to know that they are still around!
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!
Some lovely sightings there, David. Stunning photos of the sunrise!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.