The recent strong, northerly winds have made the reserve feel rather wintery once again. We have also been treated to several large rain and hail storms over the last couple of days. This has made wildlife watching a bit more difficult than usual, especially as far as our golden orioles are concerned. They have been even more elusive than usual and have not been calling much. There seems to be a male and a probably female present so hopefully they will show themselves better once the weather improves!
A bittern flew through the gap between Trial Wood and West Wood on Tuesday and the red footed falcon was feeding over New Fen North with two hobbys. Here is another stunning picture of the “red foot” taken by David Carr:
Photo credit: David Carr
A female type golden oriole was also seen flying between West Wood and Trial Wood.
On Wednesday morning a cinnabar moth was resting on the visitor centre lawn close to some pretty dovesfoot cranesbill that was in flower nearby:
Photo credit: David White
I lead the Wednesday walkabout and there was a cuckoo calling well in East Wood. A grasshopper warbler was reeling in New Fen North (the first area of reedbed.) The red footed falcon was tearing around over the reedbed nearby along with three hobbys. A common tern was also feeding along the river just north of West Wood.
A bittern was booming in front of Joist Fen viewpoint and several marsh harriers were hunting nearby. On the way back, we stopped to admire the water violet that is still showing well in one of the bays alongside Trial Wood. Here is a picture of it that I took a couple of weeks ago:
Photo credit; David White
We had superb views of the red footed falcon from the Trial Wood viewpoint and a cuckoo was calling in West Wood. A bittern was also seen in flight from New Fen viewpoint later on in the day. There was also an unseasonal report of two goosanders flying over the reserve.
I did my bird survey early yesterday morning and there was plenty going on. I saw a Cetti’s warbler at the edge of East Wood and I also saw a garden warbler singing right out in the open. A treecreeper was also singing in the wood along with a chiffchaff.
After my survey, I took a stroll down to the poplar woods and I saw a female type golden oriole flying between West Wood and Trial Wood. The red footed falcon was perched up on the eastern edge of West Wood along with a hobby. At one point, a marsh harrier flew out of the reedbeds and the “red foot” flew around for a while before settling back in the wood. A grasshopper warbler was reeling nearby and another garden warbler was singing in Trial Wood.
The red footed falcon was feeding over New Fen North with eight hobbys later on in the day and a single crane was seen north of the river near Joist Fen viewpoint. Two bitterns were also seen in flight in front of New Fen viewpoint.
The weather is really rather foul this morning but several interesting things have been seen despite the heavy rain. A turtle dove was seen drinking in a puddle on the entrance track and an otter was seen splashing around in front of New Fen viewpoint. A disgruntled bittern was also booming in the reedbed. Lets hope the weather improves soon and we look forward to seeing you on the reserve.