Good morning. There has been plenty to see in the sunshine over the last couple of days so here are some recent sightings from Wednesday onwards:
I had a very pleasant walk around the reserve first thing and was rather surprised to fund an Arctic tern feeding in front of the Washland viewpoint first thing. A barn owl was hunting nearby and I saw a grasshopper warbler just east of the viewpoint.
I was armed with my camera and took these photos. I hope you like them:
Red admiral:
Ladybird:
Hoverfly:
Banded demoiselle (the best I could get despite seeing lot's):
Caterpillar sp.:
Image credits: David White
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, volunteer Colin saw four bitterns in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint.
The marsh warbler was singing in it's usual spot just west of Joist Fen viewpoint and a short eared owl was hunting over the river nearby. A single crane was seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint mid-afternoon and a treecreeper was singing near the visitor centre.
Yesterday, the marsh warbler was still present and the short eared owl was again hunting nearby. A single black winged stilt also appeared in front of the Washland viewpoint and was present for the majority of the day.
I was in meetings elsewhere for most of the day but I did come down for a walk in the evening. I saw a pair of stonechats on the riverbank north of New Fen North and a bittern also flew over New Fen North. There were also several smart female scarce chasers feeding over the riverbank near Joist Fen viewpoint.
There were six ringed plovers on the washland early this morning and I saw presumably the same short eared owl that has been present for the last couple of days hunting east of the Washland viewpoint just before 7am. Apparently, it was hunting with two barn owls at one point which would have been a sight to see!
The marsh warbler has again been reported this morning just west of Joist Fen viewpoint ans there has been plenty of cuckoo activity around the poplar woods. I also saw a very smart four spotted chaser feeding alongside Trial Wood as I walked through the reserve.
Please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath.
We hope to see you soon!