Good afternoon. Despite the fact that the weather has not been very kind over the last couple of days, there has still been plenty to see on the reserve so here are some recent sightings from Tuesday onwards:
Local birder Steve spent some time at the Washland viewpoint on Tuesday evening. He saw 28 black tailed godwits and eight greenshanks. He also saw four ruffs which flew out of New Fen North, the first area of reedbed towards the washland.
I ended up coming down twice on my day off on Wednesday. I saw two stonechats in Brandon Fen during the morning and seven hobbys over West Wood, the furthest poplar plantation in the evening. I also saw a sparrowhawk that had a pop at the black tailed godwits that were (until then) feeding peacefully on the washland!
I had a nice walk before work yesterday morning and I saw the glossy ibis on the washland shortly after I arrived. I saw a grasshopper warbler briefly just west of the Washland viewpoint and heard a garden warbler singing in the crack willow near the visitor centre. I also saw my first spotted flycatcher of the year feeding in the tall poplars behind New Fen viewpoint.
As the day went on, a great white egret was seen along the riverbank and four bitterns were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint. At least 36 hobbys were feeding over the far end of the reserve and a little ringed plover was seen from the Washland viewpoint late afternoon.
Additionally, this uncharacteristically showy lesser whitethroat was photographed near New Fen viewpoint:
Image credit: Cat Serpant-Barrett
...And volunteer photographed the stonewort in the pond raised bed in front of the visitor centre:
Image credit: Roger Horton
Thank you very much to Cat and Roger for sharing their images with us!
I stayed down at Joist Fen viewpoint until it got dark last night and despite the fact that it was pretty chilly, I saw the glossy ibis flying to roost north of the river and I saw a single crane in flight. I also saw a bittern and two barn owls.
As I walked back through the reserve with my bat detector, I heard a Daubenton's bat and a common pipistrelle bat near New Fen viewpoint. I also heard several greenshanks calling on the washland after dark.
This morning, I saw the glossy ibis and a barn owl from the Washland viewpoint first thing. I heard the same grasshopper warbler from yesterday reeling near the Washland viewpoint and I saw a pair of reed warblers collecting nesting material near New Fen viewpoint. I also took these photos in the morning sunshine which I hope you like:
Image credits: David White
There was some excitement shortly after we opened when two wood sandpipers were found in front of the Washland viewpoint. Sadly, by the time several of us got up there, they were very difficult to see and they disappeared completely shortly after. However, two smart spotted redshanks in breeding plumage turned up in front of the viewpoint shortly after which proved to be a lot more showy.
As the day has gone on, two bar tailed godwits were seen from the Washland viewpoint and a stoat was seen near the viewpoint. There was also a large flock of hobbys feeding over the far end of the reserve, with at least 57 individuals counted by reserve volunteer Pete! He also saw a bittern in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are currently cattle grazing on the riverbank. We hope to see you soon!