Good morning. I will start by introducing our new member of the team: Emma Cuthbertson! Emma is our new Warden and she started on Monday. She joins us from RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB St Aidan's in Yorkshire. I am sure you will join us in welcoming Emma to the team and if you visit the reserve regularly, you will probably cross paths with her in the near future.
Once the fog had lifted on Sunday morning, there was plenty to see including two great white egrets on the washland and a peregrine perched up near Joist Fen viewpoint. A single golden plover flew over the visitor centre with around 12 lapwings and a very late peacock butterfly was on the wing over the riverbank.
A new reserve record was set on Monday morning when volunteer John saw three great white egrets moreorless together from the Washland viewpoint. A single great black backed gull was also present, which is an unusual bird for here.
It was a bit miserable on Tuesday but I still made the effort and walked down to Joist Fen viewpoint before work, I saw a great white egret on the washland and a male roe deer on the hard track near the Trial Wood viewpoint.
It was a lovely morning on Wednesday and local photographer Matt Walton captured this great image of the sun rising over Brandon Fen:
He also photographed one of at least two great white egrets that were present that day:
Image credits: Matt Walton
Thank you very much to Matt for sharing these brilliant images with us.
I was lucky enough to see two species of owl before it was fully light yesterday morning. A little owl was perched on the visitor centre roof when I arrived and a female barn owl was hunting over Brandon Fen. A brambling was calling in the big willow near the visitor centre and at least three water pipits were present on the washland.
As the day went on, there were two great white egrets on the washland and at least 100 lesser black backed gulls bathing just north of New Fen North, the first area of reedbed. A male stonechat was also seen near the washland viewpoint.
I was a bit pushed for time this morning so I only had a short and brisk walk. Despite only being out for 20 minutes, I saw two great white egrets, two barn owls and a female marsh harrier. "Not too shabby" as they say!
The weather forecast is looking cold but nice for most of this weekend so why not come and visit. Tomorrow, there should be the added attraction of two "Black 5" steam engines passing the reserve with their train at around 11.45am and 5.10pm on their way to and from Norwich. Full times can be found here if you are interested. We hope to see you soon!