As Ali reported yesterday, One of the ospreys from Sunday stuck around. Although it hasn't been seen yet today, it has been keeping visitors on its toes by covering a large area. On Monday, it was first located over New Fen viewpoint but then spent most of the rest of the day perched in front of Joist Fen viewpoint on this object, which will be familiar to those of you that have visited the reserve:
Image credit: Norman Sills
Just in case you don't know what it is, its a 3,000 year old Fenland bog oak that was dug up while the reserve pools were being excavated. Norman, who created the reserve has always called it the "osprey tree" as he hoped that one day an osprey would perch on it. To date, several bird have been seen using it so it's name is justified. However, it might as well be called the "cormorant toilet" as there is often one perched on there to "do its business!"
Anyhow, thats enough silliness for now! The bird was photographed several times over the course of the day and here are two of the best. Many thanks to Graham Joyce for sending them over:
Image credits: Graham Joyce
It was certainly keeping us all on our toes on Tuesday as it ranged all the way from the washland viewpoint to Botany Bay, at the extreme western edge of the reserve. It even flew right over the visitor centre at one point! This was much to the frustration of Suzanne, our Administrator who had traipsed all the way down to Botany Bay to try and see it! She did see a hobby and two kingfishers on her travels though (and eventually, the osprey!)
It was just as difficult to track down yesterday although Ken, one of our regulars did get a great picture of it from New Fen viewpoint:
Image credit: Ken Clegg
At one point, it was hunting over the washland along with two marsh harriers and a hobby.
Although it hasn't been see yet today, there has been plenty of other things to see. While we were pond dipping earlier, a common buzzard was over Brandon Fen and a hobby was over the washland. There were also plenty of insects on the wing. This included two stunning male emperor dragonflies and two common darters mating over the pond dipping platform. A very late variable damselfly was also perched on one of the children's pond dipping nets! We then went bug hunting, and two eagle eyed children managed to catch small tortoiseshell butterflies.
The sunny weather looks set to continue so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!
It has been great. The bird was still here yesterday (Friday 30 August.) Lets hope it sticks around longer.