Good morning. Well, December is here once again! Here are some sightings from Thursday afternoon onwards:
On Thursday afternoon, A sparrowhawk dashed over the visitor centre pond and a group of goldcrests were feeding in front of the visitor centre.
On Friday morning, at least 75 whooper swans were on the washland first thing along with a great white egret. A green woodpecker flew over the visitor centre and a kingfisher was feeding at the edge of the visitor centre pond. A dunnock was also singing in front of the visitor centre in the morning sunshine.
As the day went on, a marsh tit was on the feeders behind the visitor centre and a chiffchaff was calling behind the visitor centre. A woodcock also flew up at the edge of the visitor centre pond at dusk.
On Saturday, there were three goldcrests feeding at the edge of the car park. A pair of stonechats were feeding in front of Mere Hide and a little grebe was also feeding in the same area.
Local birder Nick was around in the afternoon and he saw two great white egrets. There was one on the washland and another north of West Wood. A water pipit was also on the washland and he flushed a woodcock out of West Wood.
Yesterday, a brambling was on the visitor centre feeders. Most of the whooper swans were feeding south of the railway line during the day and a barn owl was hunting behind the visitor centre late in the afternoon.
It was really rather frosty this morning and here is the view from the visitor centre:
Image credit: David White
Volunteer John went up to the Washland viewpoint first thing and he saw at least 150 whooper swans. A great white egret was also present. A group of around a dozen lesser redpolls were also feeding in the alders behind the visitor centre.
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 path is also very muddy so wellies are currently recommended!
We hope to see you soon!