Good morning. The recent rainfall has had quite an impact on the reserve's wildlife so here are some more recent sightings:
I went for a walk before work yesterday morning and I saw a barn owl from the Washland viewpoint. I saw five avocets which is the highest count of this species here for quite some time. I could also hear some cranes bugling from the far end of the reserve. This probably means that the group of six that were around last weekend are still in the area.
I walked around Brandon Fen and heard a female cuckoo which was good to know that there is still at least one around. When i got back to the visitor centre, I saw a kingfisher at the edge of the visitor pond.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, the reserve team were busy doing a bittern survey. Suzanne and Emma were positioned down the far end of the reserve and saw plenty of good birds. This included five juvenile bearded tits, two kingfishers and a hobby.
There were plenty of bittern sightings during the survey, with the majority of them coming from the area near Mere Hide. Warden Alan saw the leucistic wren near New Fen viewpoint. Apparently, it was seen carrying food so perhaps we will be seeing some slightly unusual looking wrens on the reserve soon!
I went out on the reserve armed with my camera this morning and took these photos. I hope you like them:
Visitor centre pond:
Hemp agrimony:
Yarrow:
Pyramidal orchids on the approach to Mere Hide:
The view from New Fen viewpoint:
Cinnabar moth caterpillars feeding on ragwort:
Mallow:
The view from the Washland viewpoint:
Image credits: David White
I heard plenty of bearded tits calling on the approach to Mere Hide. I saw at least four avocets and two oystercatchers from the Washland viewpoint.
Shortly after we opened up the visitor centre, a kingfisher appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pond and it has been feeding out there on and off all morning.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint.
We hope to see you soon!