Hello there. Apologies for the lack of updates recently, I have been away for most of the week.
I will start off where I left off with some sightings from Sunday afternoon. The probable wood sandpiper that was reported on the washland earlier on in the day was confirmed at about lunchtime. A little ringed plover was seen in the same area and a bittern was seen in flight over the large pool in front of the Washland viewpoint.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, three cranes were seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint before landing north of the river. These are most likely to be the three juveniles that fledged on the reserve last year.
I spent some time looking over the washland before work on Monday morning and saw:
A family of stonechats were feeding along the riverbank and a green woodpecker was calling in East Wood. Alan saw a green sandpiper on the washland later on in the morning.
Alan and I did a butterfly transect around Brandon Fen during the afternoon. Our highlight was seeing a very smart brown argus butterfly on the wing between the car park and the visitor centre. We also saw a silver y moth on our travels.
There were again a good selection of waders on the washland on Tuesday including:
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, local photographer Martin Peake took these photographs in the area around Mere Hide:
Bittern:
Bearded tit:
Image credits: Martin Peake
Thank you very much to Martin for sharing these great images with us.
On Wednesday, Alan and Dave stayed late to look for cranes. They saw three in flight over the reserve from Joist Fen viewpoint, just before dusk.
Yesterday, a bittern was posing on the boardwalk on the approach to Mere Hide and a kingfisher was fishing at the edge of the visitor centre pond. Volunteer Lawrence spent some time looking over the washland and saw:
I spent some time looking over the washland this morning and I saw:
I walked down to New Fen viewpoint and as I approached the viewpoint, a stoat was carrying a prey item along the track. A kingfisher was also feeding in front ff the viewpoint itself. It was hovering regularly which was a treat to see.
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint.
We hope to see you soon!