Good morning. It may well well be Hallowe'en today but it is also the reserve's twenty first birthday! On 31 October 1995, the first sod was dug to begin the creation of the reserve. Although I won't dwell too much on the history of the reserve today, I am sure you will all join me in wishing the reserve a very Happy Birthday!
The reserve team went out to the edge of Brandon Fen on Friday with some contractors. A male merlin flashed across the grazing marsh which was a pleasant surprise. A great white egret was seen from New Fen viewpoint and two very late reed warblers were also reported nearby.
On Saturday evening, volunteer John went up to the Washland viewpoint after locking up and saw two whooper swans. Surprisingly, this is the first record of this species on the reserve during this winter period so it was a very welcome sighting indeed. There was plenty of great white egret activity on the reserve yesterday with up to three birds on the washland and in New Fen North, the first area of reedbed.
I was rather disappointed when I arrived this morning that it was so foggy as it was my first morning back at work after the clocks went back. I got in extra early as well to make the most of the lighter morning.
Anyhow, that's enough grumbling from me! I took these atmospheric pictures of the reserve:
Fungi:
New Fen North looking east:
More fungi:
New Fen viewpoint:
Visitor centre pond:
Image credits: David White
I flushed a woodcock off of the entrance track as I drove in and when I got out of the car, a mixed flock of lesser redpolls and siskins flew over, calling as they went. I walked along the riverbank and heard at least two water pipits between the Washland viewpoint and East Wood. I also heard a stonechat and a kingfisher.
I walked around the interior path in New Fen North and flushed a water rail which disappeared into the reedbed. A linnet was calling overhead and I caught a glimpse of a roe deer skulking at the edge of Wast Wood. When I got to New Fen viewpoint, a kingfisher flew low over the water through the fog.
Please note that the stile that links the riverbank Public Footpath to the path down to New Fen viewpoint is now CLOSED for the winter. The stile is marked on this map just in case you are struggling to picture where I mean. An alternative route through the cattle corral will be open by the end of the day. This is situated around 100 metres east of the stile and will be signposted from both paths.
The weather for the coming week doesn't look too bad so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!