Good afternoon. I will begin by sharing some images of the view from Joist Fen viewpoint at various points over the course of the day. As you will see, the reserve team were busy strimming!
Image credits: Emma Cuthbertson
In terms of recent sightings, there are still cranes present and at least three were seen north of the river near Joist Fen viewpoint on Thursday. A bittern was at the edge of the visitor centre pond on Wednesday morning and one was exploring the newly strimmed area in front of Joist Fen viewpoint yesterday.
There are still a couple of hobbys around. Mere Hide and the Washland viewpoint tend to be the best places to see these aerobatic falcons at present. Kingfishers have been showing very well recently and up to four have been seen fishing in the visitor centre pond during the week.
There are still waders present in front of the Washland viewpoint including a fairly large flock of lapwings. Three common snipe were showing well from the viewpoint on Thursday and two common sandpipers were reported from the viewpoint yesterday. A little ringed plover was also seen from the viewpoint on Monday.
A barn owl was seen hunting from the Washland viewpoint on Thursday morning. Staying on the theme of white birds, two great white egrets were seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint yesterday.
A whinchat has been seen around Brandon Fen today which is a good record for here. Small numbers of meadow pipits and tree pipits have also passed through the reserve this week.
Stoats have been seen around Brandon Fen on several occasions this week. A common lizard has been showing well on the raised pond bed in front of the visitor centre for most of the week and I saw a roe deer along the entrance track as I drove in this morning.
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!