Good morning. There has been plenty to see over the last week so here are some recent sightings:
Suzanne helped out with the bittern survey last Thursday morning and on the way down, she heard a grasshopper warbler reeling near the photography station. She saw three bitterns chasing eachother over New Fen viewpoint and she also saw two cranes in flight over Mere Hide.
Later on in the day, two little terns were seen along the river. This is the first record of this species on the reserve since June 2013 so it was a welcome addition to the reserve year list.
I went for a walk down the reserve with my parents On Friday and there were two hobbys hunting over Joist Fen viewpoint in the warm weather. We also heard our first singing common whitethroats of the year alongside the hard track.
Local birders Dawn Pete and Bethany were here on Saturday and spotted an Arctic tern over the washland. Dawn also took these pictures:
Two bitterns that were chasing eachother around over New Fen North for eighteen (!) minutes:
Stonechat:
Our first large red damselfly of the year:
Image credits: Dawn Balmer
Thank you very much to Dawn for sharing these great images with us.
On Sunday, volunteer Paul saw presumably the same Arctic tern from Saturday over the washland. He also saw a large red damselfly near New Fen viewpoint.
Local birder Steven was here in the evening and he saw the following in New Fen North, the first area of reedbed:
The Arctic tern was still present over the washland on Monday. Warden Katherine also saw a large red damselfly emerging out of the raised pond bed in front of the visitor centre.
I could hear a grasshopper warbler reeling at the edge of the visitor centre pond when I arrived on Tuesday morning. I saw my first reed warbler and common whitethroat of the year around Brandon Fen. I also saw a single roe deer and I could hear a cuckoo calling in the distance.
Local birder Steve spent some time looking in New Fen North and he saw the following:
The grasshopper warbler was again reeling at the edge of the visitor centre pond yesterday morning and a cuckoo was calling in East Wood. I also saw my first swift of the year over the car park.
Steve was here again yesterday and he saw the following in New Fen North:
I helped out with the bittern survey before work this morning and I could hear two different birds booming in front of New Fen viewpoint. A sparrowhawk flew west overhead and nine black tailed godwits flew into New Fen North. A couple of bearded tits showed briefly from the viewpoint and a single hobby flew over East Wood.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, three bitterns were seen flying together over Joist Fen viewpoint and an Arctic tern flew along the river. A stoat was also seen chasing a mallard along the Mere Hide boardwalk which must have been a sight to behold!
Just in case you are interested, there are still plenty of spaces available on our bat night next Friday night (Friday 4 May). Please follow this link to find out how to book your place.
We hope to see you soon!