I am very pleased to be able to write this latest blog whilst surrounded by signs of Spring. On Tuesday, our first booming Bittern survey resulted in seven booming males- we have never had so many this early on in the season so we hope this bodes well for the coming Spring. One was seen and heard booming by a visitor on 7 March from Mere Hide, and the area here is always a stronghold for booming. Marsh harrier numbers are good too with up to five being reported from New Fen Viewpoint in recent days. Look out for them sky-dancing over the reedbeds, where males perform energetic swoops and dives designed to impress watching females, and you may see some collecting of nesting material too. At this stage in early Spring nesting items like dry reeds or twigs are likely to be more tokens of intention from either bird, which they will place on or near their preferred nesting site. The other bird will 'get the message' and may agree or suggest somewhere different!The reedbeds are not as quiet as they were a couple of weeks ago- the explosive calls of Cetti's warbler and Little grebes can be heard fairly regularly, especially around New Fen, as well as the soft nasal 'quacks' of Gadwall. There are at least six pairs of these viewable from the Dragonfly Platform today (8 March) along with 10 Tufted duck from New Fen Viewpoint, though these were mostly males and in a loose group. Whilst you are here it's hard to miss the distant whistles of Teal from the Washland, who are energetically displaying to each other at the edges of the Wash. Paul's count this morning (8 March) was impressive; 2 Great white egret3 Little egret2 Cormorant1 Great crested grebe (though a pair were present in the river at midday today)13 Mute swan3 Shelduck56 Teal41 Shoveler102 Wigeon4 Mallard20 Gadwall25 CootAlso - 1 Great black-backed gull seen on 7 March by volunteer Lawrence at lunchtime.We've also had a drake Garganey since 4 March, first reported on the main Wash, then on the small pool north of the new ramp at New Fen (6 March) and this morning it was seen with a female in the river there by multiple visitors. Numbers of Garganey should build over the next few weeks, making them easier to spot. A real star highlight this week has been our first Great white egret in full breeding plumage- it was spotted on 4 March and has a jet-black bill, lime-green 'lores' (the area of bare facial skin between the eyes and bill base) and reddish legs. It also has a rather fetching skirt of long plumes that emerge from the base of the wings and drape over the body and the upper legs as the bird walks. It is really quite different to the usual appearance of a Great white egret and we hope that this is a promising sign that finally they may be looking to breed locally, though we have seen no signs of nest-building yet. There are several other Great white egrets on the reserve, and often on the Washland (6 on 7 March), but only one 'mature' individual at present. This afternoon, a cold but sunny walk along the riverbank footpath rewarded me with a pair of Great crested grebe in the river by the Washland Viewpoint, 10 Oystercatcher resting on the far bank of the river at New Fen, and two Redshank on the small pool between the new ramp and the river. Earlier in the day, two Pink-footed geese were reported, mixed in with Greylag geese north of the river at Joist Fen. They didn't stay long, as when the reporter checked again later, they had gone. It's well worth checking Greylag flocks for 'Pink-feet' and also Tundra bean geese- who readily mix with them and during passage migration, do turn up occasionally. In February 2023 we had a small number of Tundra bean geese turn up in the same area and as they are creatures of habit when they move distances, we may well see them again.Our Common cranes are keeping us guessing at present- we have up to seven birds here which are still fully mobile (and therefore not yet incubating eggs) as all were seen in flight today in two's and three's by our volunteer Neil. There was a bit of territorial bugling going on between them, and we don't expect it will be long before they settle down to nest again. Smaller birds to enjoy include the often hundreds of Fieldfare enjoying the flooded paddock in Brandon Fen during the daytime. A few hundred Redwing mix with them and if disturbed or resting, they will scatter themselves in the tall poplars at the edge of the paddock- on the bare trees they are easily appreciated. At dusk they disperse in batches to wherever they are choosing to roost at night. Whilst around the eastern end of the reserve, Curlew are frequently heard at the moment- up to 10 are mobile and feeding on the fields south of the reserve, but often call and fly over the Visitor Centre, sometimes to the Washland and back. We still have hundreds of Siskin around the Visitor Centre, attracted by the Alder trees and the sunflower hearts we put out for the birds. It won't be long before they depart for their summer breeding grounds so we will appreciate them whilst we can. At the Visitor Centre, Long-tailed tits, Marsh tits and a Great spotted woodpecker are frequent visitors to the feeders, and a Sparrowhawk stops by once or twice a day too.Mammal sightingsMuntjac deer are always frequent on the reserve and a small group of Roe deer, including a young buck with antlers no longer than his ears, frequent the woods either side of the entrance track. They are often especially noticeable early and late in the day. A couple of Bank vole can sometimes be seen by peering over the northern end of the balcony onto the pile of cut reed- where they are increasingly habituated to visitors. If they are there, it gives us a good chance to look at a very pretty mammal quite close up!Insect sightings As is to be expected, it's too early to report and dragonfly sightings, but as of today we now have three species of butterfly seen on the reserve in 2024. Two Small tortoiseshell were seen in a sunny and sheltered spot by a keen-eyed visitor today, joining Brimstone and Peacock, which were both seen on 15 February. Cooler weather since has meant not many butterflies have been seen in the intervening period. I wonder what species will be next? Statistically speaking, based on previous years, Holly blue, Small white or Green-veined white is likely to be next, but not until early April. However, we should see more and more of the three species we have seen so far as the weeks progress.Flowering plants on the reserveThere isn't a great deal in flower on the reserve yet, but Colt's-foot is putting on a good show in areas on the riverbank with short turf. The cheerful, bright yellow starry flowers are easy to spot and a good species to learn- when little else is out to confuse things!The weather this weekend looks dry and fair- so a visit to us will hopefully reward you with a few Marsh harriers and hopefully one or two booming Bitterns. There's also a wealth of ducks up on the Washland and a few waders around to appreciate too. Any day now we should see the first Sand martins passing through, so keep your eyes to the sky! We are always grateful to receive your sightings from your visit, and to see any photos you wish to share with us, so please get in touch if you'd like to on 01842 863400 or lakenheath@rspb.org.uk.By Heidi Jones (Visitor Experience Officer).