Today is my last day at work before the Christmas holidays. I thought I would just post one last management and sightings blog before closing up the visitor centre. Last Saturday I was working at Lakenheath Fen and we had really good sightings of goldcrest with at least 3 birds flitting around in the gorse and bramble in front of the visitor centre along with some blue tits.
Goldcrest - by Dave Rogers
We have had good numbers of marsh harriers roosting in the reedbeds, with counts of 20+ birds in the last few days. The great white egrets are still with us and are often to be found along the river or in the large wash-land pool across the river. This morning whilst working out on the reserve I saw a bittern flying high over New Fen North in the lovely sunshine and a sparrowhawk darted though the trees in East Wood on my way back to the visitor centre. I was also treated to good views of a stoat this morning who ran along the decking at the back of the centre, peering in through the windows as I was turning on the Christmas tree lights.
The view from New Fen viewpoint now looks very different. The excavator continued cutting reed on Monday and with the help of the volunteer team we finished burning up behind him by Tuesday lunchtime. Thanks once again to our wonderful team of volunteers for helping to manage the reedbed over the last few days and for all their help this year.
Reed piles being burnt with the digger working behind and looking back towards the New Fen viewpoint - Dave Rogers
The digger will be coming back for a few more days cutting in mid January to finish off the remaining reed cutting and then we will be looking forward to rising water levels slightly and then getting some cattle in to graze the reeds probably in May.
Finally I would like to wish you all a happy Christmas and New Year. The visitor centre will be open again from 27th December but of course the car park and reserve will remain open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day should you fancy a festive walk.
Best wishes,
Dave Rogers - Site Manager
David Rogers Senior Site Manager - Lakenheath Fen