Good morning. Although we have had some chilly (and foggy!) mornings recently, we have seen plenty of sunshine which is very welcome at this time of year!
I will begin with a brief detour back to two weeks ago when Harpenden Photographic Society came for a walk around the reserve with Steve, one of our volunteers.
They kindly sent us some of the photos that they took on the day. We hope you like them:
Joist Fen viewpoint:
Little Ouse River:
Image credits: Harpenden Photographic Society
Little Ouse River north of Joist Fen viewpoint:
The Washland:
Image credits: Shelagh Collingwood
Thank you very much to Harpenden Photographic Society for sharing these great images with us.
There was plenty to see on Friday including an obliging kingfisher that was fishing in the visitor centre pond. Bearded tits were showing very well at the Washland viewpoint and an otter was photographed at New Fen viewpoint.
A group of five cranes were also seen from Joist Fen viewpoint during the afternoon. This was most likely to be the pair that we know as “Little & Large” with their youngsters plus two associated hangers on. Our first peregrine of this winter period was reported over the car park and a hobby was tearing around the sky over the visitor centre just before we closed.
A treecreeper was calling in the fog behind the visitor centre yesterday morning. Once the fog had lifted, three common buzzards were circling over the car park.
Volunteer Roy spent some time down at Joist Fen viewpoint in the afternoon. He saw two marsh harriers, a common buzzard and a kingfisher. A grey wagtail was also feeding in front of the viewpoint, which is a good reserve record.
I went for a walk this morning and I saw presumably the same grey wagtail from yesterday over the Washland viewpoint. A flock of 16 lapwings were circling overhead and a common snipe also flew over.
As I walked along the riverbank, a flock of bearded tits were calling north of the river and a meadow pipit flew over. As I walked alongside East Wood, there were still plenty of marbled orb weavers and garden spiders to admire.
Another group of bearded tits were calling in front of New Fen viewpoint and a lesser redpoll flew over. I met Dave, our Site Manager just after I left the viewpoint. He spent some time at the viewpoint and saw a flying bittern.
Shortly after we opened the visitor centre, a kingfisher was fishing in the visitor centre pond and a treecreeper was singing behind the visitor centre.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!