I know this may seem a slightly optimistic proclamation in November, but it certainly felt like Spring is just around the corner this morning! Although it was fairly chilly, there was some warmth in the sun as it rose and this encouraged several of "our locals" into song. This included the strident, two note song of a great tit and the "flat, merry burble" of a dunnock. Several wrens were blasting away their accelerated trill of a song in Brandon Fen and a Cetti's warbler was "shouting" away nearby. Just to complete the picture, a robin was singing its melancholy song behind the visitor centre.
There were also several plants still in flower which reminded me of spring. This included some common ragwort, white campion and this lovely common knapweed up on the riverbank:
Image credit: David White
Admittedly, It wasn't entirely spring like though. I was reminded of this by this lovely looking fungus in Brandon Fen:
I focused most of my attention on the washland viewpoint this morning and there was plenty to see. Four stonechats kept popping up in front of the viewpoint before they were scattered by a much chunkier water pipit. A yellowhammer flew over and two common snipe flew into the edge of the pool. A little egret was also showing well and a female marsh harrier flew over the pool.
I braved the muddy riverbank yesterday and saw one of the great egrets on the washland just north of East Wood. It was feeding with eight little egrets and two more flew over. Also of note, a grey wagtail flew over the washland and four skylarks flew south over the visitor centre.
We hope to see you soon!