The spotted flycatchers have been quite difficult to pin down and see this year, but Ernest, our volunteer who fills the bird feeders, had a quick glimpse of one this morning, on his walk to the hide. This is the most regular location for them, but they aren't guaranteed to be around - as I know! A family of linnets are feeding around the back of the car park overflow and another family of mistle thrush are in this area and around the Gatehouse. Yesterday, a red kite flew low over Sandy Ridge and the cuckoo was calling and flying around here for long periods in the morning.
On Friday, several crossbills, I believe the first of the year here, were seen around Galley Hill. They are no doubt part of a post breeding flock that are now dispersing. Hopefully we'll see them at the hide, coming to drink at the pools over coming weeks.
Linnet at The Lodge; Image credit Ray Piercy
Our sixth Wild History, (Time Explorers) event was a great success yesterday, with almost 200 people coming along during the day to see bronze casting and thatching demo's, and lots of hands on activities to help discover how ancient people shaped the world through their crafts. Birch saplings from The Lodge and reed cut from nearby RSPB Fowlmere were used in the event and the new activity of making a birch broom was a huge hit- and we'll certainly be doing this again! Thanks to everyone for coming and to all of our volunteers for their help on a busy day. I'll post some images of the day soon.