It's been another quiet week for us here, with not a lot of sightings to report.
Keeping ahead of the rain clouds yesterday were small numbers of hirundines, including five swifts and a dozen or so house martins and swallows. Also overhead were a group of four yellow wagtails.
On the small wash beside Wilton Bridge (not on the reserve), there have been up to two green sandpipers, and single wood and common sandpipers in the last few days. The wee bit of rain we've had recently has meant that there is now a bit of water back on the river washland. Not much, but perhaps enough to attract in a few migrating waders!
Down the reserve at least one great white egret has been showing well from Joist Fen viewpoint, along with the occasional bittern and family of bearded tits. Up to four hobbies have also been seen hawking for insects along West Wood.
A few more lovely kingfisher photo's taken at Mere Hide at the weekend...
Also a bittern from Joist Fen viewpoint...
And finally a little egret from New Fen Viewpoint.
Thank you very much to Jane Davis for sharing these with us.
That's all for just now. Hope to see you on the reserve soon,
Cheers,
Katherine
and where are your crane family?
We're not quite sure where the crane family are! They have been much more secretive this year, and are still keeping us guessing! We think the young one has fledged, as the family have not been seen on the reserve for a couple of weeks now. It is slightly unusual that they have just gone though, as in previous years, once the young fledge, they stick around for a couple of weeks doing longer flights each day before heading away. We will only know for sure if they visit the reserve through the autumn and winter, which they usually do, or if they join the Fens flock. Norman Sills has a very good idea of all the pairs in the Fens, so will be able to pick our family of three out of the flock. We'll do a crane blog soon when we have more of an idea of how the season has gone.