Hello to all and welcome to this weeks' blog. While we haven't seen our cranes much lately- just a sighting every two or three days, last Sunday (22 November) we had five here and they were showing well from Joist Fen viewpoint, looking south west. It is likely to have been our 2020 family (pair A2 and their chick) and another pair, which may or may not have been our other pair- there was lots of bugling going on between the birds which could indicate the second pair were strangers, both to the family of three and to the reserve, but we'll never know for sure! Now the 2020 season has more or less come to a close, we can reflect with a few interesting facts which i'd like to share- compiled by Norman Sills, our previous site manager and crane enthusiast:- The breeding population in the Cambridgeshire Fens has now risen from two pairs in 2007 to twelve this year!
- In those 14 years, there have been 76 'pair years' which is the total number of pairs per year, added up- so you could think of it as 76 potential opportunities for breeding
- Those 76 'pair years' have resulted in 59 fledged young
- Each year. the average number of chicks produced per pair (covering the full 14 years of data) is 0.77
- Given the mortality rate of common cranes, this 'productivity' rate of 0.77 chicks per pair per year, is roughly four times higher than it needs to be to maintain the population size, which explains why crane numbers locally are rising fairly quickly.
It seems as if the winter flock is favouring the Nene Washes over the Ouse Washes this winter, having first been displaced there by widespread flooding at the Ouse Washes (the usual spot) in early autumn) and 63 were counted on 18 November there, 11 of which were juveniles from 2020. The cranes hate disturbance and people getting too close so it may be that the essential works on the railway line and safety flood bank at Ouse Washes are deterring them from returning for the time being too. If you do come down to the reserve, do listen out for the cranes- I was here for a walk on 22 November and could hear them from halfway along the riverbank, a good mile or so from where they were bugling, so their calls carry far, but for sightings Joist Fen is likely to give you your best chance.In the past few days the hard track through the centre of the reserve, between New Fen and Joist Fen has been productive for bitterns and bearded tits, with sightings most days though if it is bearded tits you are after then cold, clear mornings when it is quite calm are best. Bitterns can be seen in any weather but are a bit more conspicuous when it is quieter- so the far reaches of the reserve or early mornings might offer you a better chance. This morning (28 November), David had a grey wagtail along the river during his walk and also a tawny owl being mobbed by corvids at it's daytime roost in East Wood- they are a species that is resident here and sometimes heard but rarely seen so it's nice to get a record of one! Other species to look for if you peer into East, West or Trial Wood will be marsh tit, kestrel and great spotted woodpecker, records of which have been numerous this past week. We also had two raven overhead at Trial Wood on 25 November and a treecreeper in West Wood on 23 November. Treecreeper are frequent here but usually tricky to see- the Brandon Fen trail can be a good place to look as well as for barn owl at dusk as well.
David also identified a yellow-legged gull in amongst the black-headed gulls, lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls on the Washland this morning and this is the latest in a series of records lately so it could well be the same bird that is here for the winter. If gull-spotting is your thing then why not see if you can find it? Whilst the Washland has been quiet in terms of waders and ducks lately, there are some goosander using the river between here and Hockwold, so keep an eye out for these sleek and colourful 'sawbill' ducks if you take a walk along the river. If you do see any ducks on the Washland, look closely amongst them for pintail, which were last reported on 22 November and is the latest of several records this autumn/winter of up to five birds. Back at the Visitor Centre, there is lots to see including daily visits from the local kingfisher on the pond and a variety of interesting species on the feeders, such as marsh tit, siskin, long-tailed tit and the occasional lesser redpoll, as well as good numbers of chaffinch and reed bunting at times. One of our volunteers just had two shoveler flying over the Visitor Centre too! Here's a lovely photo of two marsh tits using a feeder at the Photography Station on 26 November, taken by Matthew Dick, another of our volunteers: Photo credit: Marsh tits by Matthew DickAs I write this we are looking into the identity of a ringed great white egret that was photographed on the reserve this morning (27 November) as initial reports indicate it may have flown all the way here from Lithuania, but we are waiting for confirmation. Watch this space! Up to three can be seen most days in or around the river and it's banks, generally not far from the Washland Viewpoint. Up to seven are in the local area.
In other news, today is the second stint of the mini-project to replace the rotting reed-thatch roof of New Fen viewpoint (or bus shelter!) with timber and roofing felt, which should prove more durable in the long run. We have also had some heavy machinery in during the week to help cut areas of reed in and around New Fen South (an area of reedbed that sits just south of West Wood, running diagonally NE to SW and following the southern edge of the path to Joist Fen. The aim of this work each winter is to maintain a variety of reed areas at different stages of maturity- dense and well-grown, a bit more sparse and younger, and some freshly-cut 'stubble' areas. More variety means more habitats suitable for different purposes- fishing, hunting, roostin and nesting in- for a wide range of species such as bittern, little egret, great white egret, heron and water rail. Bearded tits are less fussy and like dense stands of reed to nest in with reed seeds to feed on, with the odd pool to drink from and bathe in. Doing this work during winter means no disturbance to the breeding season too.
As you will know from the news, the Second Lockdown is due to come to an end on 2 December and we are planning to reopen the Visitor Centre and Mere Hide from that day onwards. The Visitor Centre will operate as it did prior to this lockdown, where it is one household at a time inside, of up to six people. We will be able to offer for sale our pin badges and greetings cards once more and takeaway refreshments will continue to be offered. As a quick reminder of our facilities which are open:
Visitor Centre currently closed, with an outdoor Welcome Point at the front instead ; but open 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 16:00 at the weekend from 2 DecemberAccessible toilet ; open 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 16:00 at the weekend. Please wear a face mask inside unless exempt.
Mere Hide currently closed but open from 2 December from dawn to dusk daily ; you will need a face mask to wear inside (unless exempt).
All trails and the visitor car park open from dawn to dusk daily.
We do have a limit on a herd or flock of six visitors at a time, per visiting group (in line with government guidance) so please do not exceed this number unless you are exempt from this rule. Until 2 December our outdoor Welcome Point is situated at what would be the entrance to the Visitor Centre and there will be a member of the team here during opening hours to assist you with your visit, answer questions, record your sightings, explain where to go to see what you want, and to make refreshment orders.To finish, here is a stunning sunset photo taken by warden Emma this week- looking west from the back of the Visitor Centre, we really do get some stellar views when the sun goes down! Photo credit: Sunset from the Visitor Centre balcony, looking west over the pond and towards East Wood; beyond is New Fen. Photo by Emma CuthbertsonWith best wishes for the week ahead,Heidi Jones (Visitor Experience Officer, RSPB Lakenheath Fen).