The last couple of days here have just been magical! The weather has been fantastic and there has been plenty to see. Things started well on Sunday morning with a grass snake swimming across the visitor centre pond. Here is a picture of one from later on in the day:
Photo credit: Tim James
The ring ouzel was seen in Brandon Fen and there was a report of a lesser whitethroat singing near the washland viewpoint. A grasshopper warbler was singing in Brandon Fen and the female wheatear was also present nearby.
I had the pleasure of leading the hobby walk and it was just fantastic. There was so much to see. It proved to be the first time that I have lead a guided walk and seen a bird that I have never seen before. If you follow our blogs recently you will have probably guessed that it was the red footed falcon. Here is another rather nice picture of it from Tim James:
It was feeding with at least 25 hobbys just west of Joist Fen viewpoint. Although it was quite difficult to pick out at times, we did get some great views of it. While we were in the area, we also saw the one legged crane north of the river and at least eight marsh harriers were over the west end of the reserve. When we got to the viewpoint, we were treated with a fantastic view of an adult crane flying out of the reedbed before heading north of the river.
When we got to New Fen viewpoint, a pike was showing well in front of the viewpoint and we just missed two grass snakes swimming across the pool. Later on in the day, a red kite flew over Joist Fen viewpoint:
Our first large red damselfly of the year was also seen at the west end of the reserve.
Bank Holiday Monday continued on in a similar vein and the red footed falcon was seen by many visitors along with at least 12 hobbys. The purple heron also made a brief appearance over New Fen North. A barn owl was over Brandon Fen and the female wheatear was also present nearby. Two red kites flew over the washland and two whimbrels flew over the west end of the reserve. A male whinchat was also seen near Joist Fen viewpoint.
I came for a walk with a colleague from The Lodge yesterday morning and it was just fantastic. There were three common terns over the washland and a grasshopper warbler was singing in New Fen North (the firs area of reedbed.) A male barn owl was hunting along the riverbank near Joist Fen viewpoint and several bitterns were booming nearby.
We eventually picked up the red footed falcon although it was rather elusive. Our highest hobby count was at least 23 birds which was great to see. Both the one legged crane and one of our resident adults were feeding north of the river which was lovely to see.
I went out for a little walk this morning and heard a nightingale singing near the ramp on the new trail. A male cuckoo also flew over my head. A colleague from The Lodge was also very lucky to see a male Montagu’s harrier flying west along the river. As I type, there has been no sign of the red footed falcon today so far or any hobbys. It is rather chilly though so there can’t be much for them to eat. Hopefully they will reappear soon though. I have just seen my first common milipede of the year in the mens loo though! We hope to see you soon.