Good morning. As the weather conditions have not really been conducive for photography for the majority of the week, here are some photos of some of our grazing animals that Site Manager Dave took at the end of last week:
Highland cows:
Herdwick sheep:
Image credits: Dave Rogers
I will start off where I left off on Saturday with some recent sightings. I went up to the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime and saw the following:
Meanwhile further down the reserve, a total of nine cranes were seen from Joist Fen viewpoint along with two bitterns. At least four great white egrets were also seen along the river.
I led a very successful "Long Walk" around as much of the reserve as possible on Sunday. We saw all seven resident cranes on our travels. Three flew north over West Wood at around 10am and the family of four were feeding on the riverbank west of Joist Fen viewpoint just before midday. We were treated to a raptor fest at lunchtime with four common buzzards and two peregrines circling overhead as we ate our lunch in the sunshine.
At the far end of the reserve, at least 87 whooper swans were feeding north of the river and a group of 11 corn buntings flew east overhead. As we walked back along the riverbank, we were treated to some fantastic views of bearded tits alongside the Public Footpath. At least 18 individuals were involved and we had some stunning views of males at very close quarters.
After we got back from the walk, a water rail was showing well at the edge of the visitor centre pond and a "ringtail" hen harrier (most likely an adult female) was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint.
On Monday and Tuesday, there was plenty to see from the Washland viewpoint:
Monday:
Tuesday:
A goldcrest was also seen in Brandon Fen on Monday and a peregrine was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint on Tuesday.
I walked around Brandon Fen before work yesterday morning and had a good view of a barn owl hunting over the grazing marsh. A drake pintail was showing well from the Washland viewpoint along with two shelducks. A female marsh harrier flew over and flushed a flock of around 60 lapwings.
As the day went on, a kingfisher was feeding in the visitor centre pond and three bramblings were feeding in the alders behind the visitor centre. The group of five white fronted geese that have been hanging around the reserve intermittently recently were seen on the washland north of East Wood during the afternoon.
This morning, I went on what proved to (literally!) be a wild goose chase by walking along the riverbank as far and the eastern edge of West Wood. Although I didn't see the white fronted geese. I had fantastic views of a female peregrine harassing a flock of jackdaws over East Wood. I also saw a female yellowhammer skulking on the riverbank, which is a very unusual record for here.
There were plenty of signs of roe deer on the riverbank. Sure enough, I saw two on the riverbank north of East Wood and another slightly closer to the visitor centre. Shortly after we opened the visitor centre, volunteer John M saw three great white egrets and a drake pintail from the Washland viewpoint.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!