Good afternoon. We have been treated to some nice, warm weather over the last couple of days which has been very welcome indeed. There was plenty to see on the reserve on Friday and our first green sandpiper of the year flew over Joist Fen viewpoint.
Barry, one of our regular visitors had a very productive walk down to the far end of the reserve on the same day. He saw a kingfisher north of East Wood and two cranes from Joist Fen viewpoint. A chiffchaff was singing at the west end of the reserve and a Cetti's warbler was singing along the riverbank.
There was also plenty to see on the washland with a good count of 44 mute swans and two common curlews flew over. A common buzzard was also soaring overhead.
On Saturday, there were at least two bitterns booming near Joist Fen viewpoint. There now seem to be at least three "boomers" on the reserve and hopefully that number will increase before too long!
It was a lovely, warm day yesterday and Les, one of our volunteers photographed this common lizard alongside West Wood:
Image credit: Les Bunyan
We have had a school visit today so everything has been a bit mad. However, there has still been plenty going on. A great tit has been busy in the nestbox with the camera in it so we have enjoyed watching it from the visitor centre. Out first blackcap of the year was singing in East Wood and four jays were chasing each other around the car park.
Ali and Su lead the guided walks for the children and they saw a song thrush in Brandon Fen and two great crested grebes on the washland. A kingfisher was also seen from the washland viewpoint along with a marsh harrier. Dave was lucky enough to see a large grass snake slither across the hard track near the visitor centre. Unfortunately, he was in the reserve vehicle at the time so he couldn't get a photo of it though.
We hope to see you soon!