Good morning. Before I launch into some sightings from last couple of days, here are some pictures that have been taken here recently:
Wednesday 25 April:
Common buzzard:
Hobby:
Male marsh harrier:
Image credits: Martin Peake
Thursday 26 April
Bittern:
Stoat
Image credits: Henry Page
Thank you very much to Martin and Henry for sharing their images with us.
We had a pleasant surprise late morning on Thursday when a stunning male bittern landed at the edge of the visitor centre pond. It then proceeded to wonder around out in the open for the next ten minutes or so which was nice to see.
Local birder Steve spent some time looking over New Fen North, the first area of reedbed and he saw the following:
He also saw a great white egret feeding north of the river and several orange tip butterflies were also on the wing.
Towards the end of the day, a green sandpiper was seen in New Fen North and four cranes flew over Joist Fen viewpoint, bugling as they went.
On Friday, a little stint was reported in New Fen North and several bitterns were seen from New Fen viewpoint over the course of the day.
I walked around Brandon Fen before work yesterday and heard two newly arrived grasshopper warblers. A group of eight swallows flew over and a cuckoo was calling in East Wood.
As the day went on, local birders Dawn, Pete and Bethany saw a pair of garganeys from the Washland viewpoint. They also saw nine black tailed godwits flying into New Fen North.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, volunteer Roy saw a whooper swan and a water rail from Mere Hide. A wheatear was also reported near the car park.
I walked along the riverbank down to New Fen North before work this morning and saw nine black tailed godwits. Four avocets were also present along with two redshanks.
I also walked around Brandon Fen whilst I was out and about. At least 12 bar tailed godwits flew east overhead and a common tern flew west along the river. When I got back to the visitor centre, a grasshopper warbler was reeling at the edge of the visitor centre pond which was lovely to hear.
There are still plenty of spaces available on our bat night on Friday night. Please follow this link to find out how to book your place.
We hope to see you soon!