Good morning. I will begin by sharing some great photographs that were taken over the weekend:
A smart female scarce chaser:
Image credit: Rob Nichols
A flying bittern:
Image credit: Dave McGough
An otter:
Image credit: Tim James
This otter picture was taken early on Saturday morning when at least three individuals were seen. One was in front of the Washland viewpoint, one was on the washland north of East Wood and one was on the washland north of West Wood.
Although the weather was a bit patchy on Sunday, there was still plenty to see. The little bittern was seen from the western edge of New Fen North triangle (which is visible from the path behind Joist Fen viewpoint, just in case you don’t know.) A “big” bittern was seen in flight over the same area and two turtle doves also flew west.
Meanwhile, closer to the visitor centre, we had a wonderful view of a red kite that drifted low west over the visitor centre.
There were plenty of bittern sightings on Monday and at least six individual birds were seen over the course of the day. The little bittern was still barking away in New Fen North triangle.
It was a bit of a wild day here yesterday but the little bittern was still barking in the same area.
I returned from two extremely enjoyable days volunteering at RSPB Minsmere during BBC Springwatch. I was even in the audience of BBC Springwatch Unsprung on Monday evening, so if you know what I look like, you may have seen me!
Anyhow, I had a walk around Brandon Fen this morning and I found a very colourful false oil beetle. I also saw a stoat hunting in the staff car park.
Local photographer Matt Walton was here very early and got these cracking pictures of a barn owl hunting:
Image credits: Matt Walton
Thank you very much to Rob, Dave, Tim and Matt for sharing these great pictures with us.
We have just had a great view of an adult great spotted woodpecker feeding its recently fledged youngster on the visitor centre veranda and the little bittern was seen in flight earlier on this morning. There were also plenty of drinker moth caterpillars out and about.
I will finish with a notice that will be relevant if you are planning to visit the reserve during the next week:
There are now cattle on the riverbank Public Footpath between the visitor centre and Joist Fen viewpoint.
We hope to see you soon!