Good afternoon. We have had some good weather for bearded tits over the last couple of days so here are some more recent sightings:
It was windy and wild for my walk around the reserve before work yesterday morning. However, I just about managed to keep my telescope vertical for long enough to see 180 lapwings and two ruffs from the Washland viewpoint.
Despite the fact that it was still rather windy, a flock of around 40 bearded tits were roaming around the reserve throughout the morning. They were mainly favouring the reeds in front of Joist Fen viewpoint and the approach to Mere Hide. Dave and Emma also saw a bittern in flight near Joist Fen viewpoint.
Meanwhile, closer to the visitor centre, a hobby was feeding overhead and a grey wagtail landed briefly on the visitor centre roof. Suzanne walked around the 5k route for our Race for Wildlife mid-morning. She saw a bittern and four bearded tits from New Fen viewpoint on her travels.
In the afternoon, there were at least five ruffs on the washland and several hobbys were hunting over the visitor centre. A lesser redpoll also flew over the visitor centre calling as it went.
I was a bit limited time wise for my walk this morning due to unforeseen circumstances (car issues!) However, I saw a kingfisher at the edge of the visitor centre pond and there were a couple of waders on the washland. This included two black tailed godwits and a green sandpiper. There were lot's of little birds on the move overhead, the highlight being a group of seven lesser redpolls flying west low over the Washland viewpoint.
I took some photos while I was looking over the washland. I hope you like them!
Image credits: David White
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, at least 40 bearded tits were feeding alongside the boardwalk on the approach to Mere Hide. Local photographer Matt saw two stoats alongside Trial Wood and a great white egret made a brief appearance on the washland.
A group of four whooper swans appeared on the washland at lunchtime which was the first record of this species this autumn. A marsh tit has been making regular visits to the feeders behind the visitor centre and several migrant hawker dragonflies have been flying around in the autumn sunshine.
As I said in Wednesday's blog post, the cattle have now been removed from the riverbank Public Footpath in advance of the Race for Wildlife. Please note that the path is currently muddy in places so boots are recommended!
In terms of the Race for Wildlife, please note that the event is now almost fully booked. Therefore, the reserve is likely to be vert busy on the morning of Sunday 15 October. If you are planning to visit the reserve on that day, we recommend that you either visit early or come after 2pm, in order to ensure that you can get a parking space.
We hope to see you soon!