Good morning. To be honest, I am never sad to see the back of November! However, there have been some interesting reserve sightings this week so here is what has been seen:
I went for a rare walk out on the reserve during the day on Monday and things started well when I spotted a green woodpecker perched up in East Wood. A small group of bearded tits were feeding near the disable parking bay next to New Fen viewpoint and a stonechat was also feeding near the viewpoint.
As I walked along the interior path along the southern edge of New Fen North, the first area of reedbed, I caught a glimpse of the leucistic wren. I also saw another small group of bearded tits in the south west corner of the reedbed.
Just before I got to Joist Fen viewpoint, I spotted a smart male marsh harrier hunting over the reedbed. Females outnumber males here in the winter so it was nice to see a male!
I popped up to the Washland viewpoint before work yesterday morning and I saw a Cetti's warbler out in the open on the approach to the viewpoint. A great white egret was showing well in front of the viewpoint itself and a flock of around 40 lapwings were wheeling around overhead.
There was plenty to see from the visitor centre window yesterday. A great spotted woodpecker was making regular appearances on the peanut feeders and a lesser redpoll was also on the feeders.
A brambling made a brief appearance and a flock of redwings were feeding in the alders. A coal tit was singing in front of the visitor centre and a chiffchaff was feeding in our staff car park.
The reserve team were down the far end of the reserve in the afternoon and they saw good numbers of birds of prey. This included at least 25 marsh harriers and a male merlin.
It was really rather chilly this morning but I popped up to the Washland viewpoint shortly after I got here. There were at least 150 whooper swans present and a stonechat was feeding in front of the viewpoint. A great white egret was also feeding just to the right of the viewpoint.
I also took some photographs which I hope you like:
Image credits: David White
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. This means that the riverbank is very muddy in places so we recommend you wear wellies if you are planning to walk along this path.
We hope to see you soon!