Guest blog by volunteer Karen Langley:
"It has been a mixed week of weather, from sunshine up until Wednesday changing to overcast and rain for the rest of the week. Despite this there has been an excellent variety of sightings; with bitterns continuing with feeding flights and bearded tits being particularly conscientious in showing themselves. After the five red kites and the return of the red-footed falcon on Sunday, it was hoped the good sightings would continue for the rest of the week.
The highlights on Monday were probably three bearded tits on the reeds at New Fen and a bittern also at New Fen. Tuesday was a quiet day with sedge warblers and white throats spotted feeding in Brandon Fen. The great spotted woodpecker family were frequently seen flying around the visitor centre and cuckoos could be heard near the pond-dipping area.
Wednesday was a busier day for bird sightings. Turtle dove were seen at Joist Fen viewpoint along with two bearded tits which have been showing well recently. A pair of cranes, most likely Little and Large, were spotted in Humphrey’s paddock south west of Joist Fen viewpoint and have been showing themselves quite well recently. A cuckoo was also seen from the visitor centre, though sadly not by me who has heard them quite frequently but not had the luck of actually seeing one.
Although the weather turned slightly on Thursday, there were nine sightings of bittern flying from New Fen viewpoint, along with several bearded tits, two kingsfishers and two hobbys that are continuing to stick around. Five sightings of bitterns also occurred at Joist Fen view point, along with a single kingfisher and even a grass snake swimming in the pool; and three cuckoo were spotted in and around Trial Wood.
Finally today has been surprisingly productive birdwatching-wise considering the rain this morning and grey skies for the remainder of the day. Three cuckoos have been viewed flying together in the Joist Fen – West Wood area. Five swift were seen by our volunteer Lawrence over the Washland, who also heard a Cetti’s warbler in the morning right outside the visitor centre. Two hobbys were again hanging around New Fen viewpoint, one being described as looking disgruntled whilst sat in a tree, maybe due to lack of their dragonfly dinner being available. Finally Joist Fen was awash with activity, with two cranes flying over from Humphrey’s Paddock, five bearded tits again being busy feeding on the reeds and five sightings of bittern in flight".
Many thanks to Karen for writing the blog today - we're going to finish off with a fantastic picture of a water vole that was taken by Samantha Zientek on Sunday. The water vole was seen swimming across one of the bays that we have cut into New Fen North reed edge, this time along the eastern edge. Beautiful!
Photo credit: Samantha Zientek - watervole in New Fen North