Good morning. February has started very well here and lot's has been seen over the last couple of days:
On Thursday morning, an early blackbird was singing in East Wood. and a drake pintail was showing well from the Washland viewpoint. A water pipit flew up from the riverbank alongside East Wood and a great white egret flew east along the river.
As the day went on volunteer Steve spotted a ruff flying over the visitor centre which is an unusual winter record for here. It flew towards the Washland viewpoint so Suzanne and I dashed up there. Although we didn't see it, we saw a Cetti's warbler near the viewpoint and at least eight lesser redpolls in the alders behind the visitor centre.
At lunchtime, a Chinese water deer made a brief appearance at the edge of the visitor centre pond before disappearing back in cover. Volunteer Steve also found a flock of 50 black tailed godwits in front of the Washland viewpoint, which is another great record for here.
In the afternoon, three cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint along with two kingfishers. At least four bearded tits were also showing well on the approach to Mere Hide.
I went for a walk around New Fen North, the first area of reedbed yesterday morning and two roe deer were feeding on the riverbank. As I walked back along the river, I took a few photos of the view in front of me:
I stopped at the Washland viewpoint and I saw the following:
A skylark was singing overhead and a treecreeper was also singing nearby.
Just before I got back to the visitor centre, I took some photos of Frederick the willow dragon, who now has teeth!:
Image credits: David White
As the morning went on, a water rail appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pond and a green sandpiper was seen from the Washland viewpoint.
There was some excitement in the afternoon when all seven resident cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint. Hopefully, this means that they are all back on territory for the coming breeding season. There was also an intriguing report of a female ferruginous duck on the river north of West Wood. This species has wintered on the reserve before so hopefully this is the same individual.
There were plenty of birds of prey around later on in the day. Some lucky visitors saw two common buzzards and two peregrines over West Wood. Site Manager Dave also saw a merlin over the far end of the reserve.
I saw a little owl on the entrance track as I drove in this morning. I walked along the riverbank down to Joist Fen viewpoint in search of yesterday's ferruginous duck. Although I didn't see it, I had my best morning walk around the reserve so far this year:
I saw two roe deer on the riverbank north of New Fen North and a muntjac deer was feeding in New Fen North itself. A great white egret flew east along the river and a "ringtail" hen harrier (either an immature male or a female) flew right past me at 07.55 near Joist Fen viewpoint.
Although I was pushed for time when I got to Joist Fen viewpoint, I managed to spot three cranes on the riverbank west of the viewpoint and a kingfisher. There were also five marsh harriers and a common buzzard hunting in front of the viewpoint.
As I walked back through the reserve, I was treated to fantastic views of at least five bearded tits that were feeding between Joist Fen viewpoint and Mere Hide. I could also hear a group of Bewick's swans calling north of the river.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!