As promised, I have now been sent some wonderful pictures of the bittern that was strolling around in front of Joist Fen viewpoint on Friday morning. They were taken by local photographer Ken Clegg. Enjoy:
What are you staring at?
I can show off if I want to!
Poised for the kill
The bitterning posture
That’s all folks!
I am so jealous!
This poem was very kindly sent to us from Richard Whiting from the poetry aloud group in Bury St Edmunds. Enjoy!
The first crane we saw
Was a grey heron;
Masked, comic-book hero
Shallows stalker, fish-eyed,
Statue still.
The next a bittern
In rare flight
Head curled back
Like a lord
Being driven to the races
His pan-piping friends
Left to their secrets.
Between rattling trains
We watched Marsh Harriers sky-dance
Letting the earth race
To meet them
As they tumbled and fell
Into the arms of love.
Then, low over the reeds
A cuckoo, heavy with egg
Scouted for Warbler nests
As foster homes
In moments usually reserved
For the small-screen
During which all gatherings
Of breath were suspended.
In the old match-woods
The fleeting sight
Of a Golden Oriole
Gold, black, exotic
Fluting his enigmatic echoes
Across this jungle of Suffolk.
Night drops in veils;
Two barn owls quarter
The far fields
Each ghosting across the grasslands
Silent death
To voles and shrews,
Life for their nestlings
Destined for days like these
In the years to come.
Ah, but no cranes!
The car fills with memories
Of all we have seen;
The talk seeps through
The windows and out
Into the dark
Fenland night
Where, no doubt
The cranes dance and stalk
In secret celebration
At another successful
Undercover operation!
But then, the joy
Of all we have seen,
And the joy
Of what is yet to come.
After the miserable day that was Thursday, the sunshine returned on Friday. That’s not to say that nothing was seen on Thursday though, as a bittern was lurking around near the visitor centre pond!
Site staff have recently strimmed some areas near both viewpoints and also by the visitor centre pond, in the hope of making some of our reedbed specialities easier to see. We certainly haven’t been disappointed............
On Friday morning, two of our locals were sat in the shelter at Joist Fen viewpoint, and were treated with the incredible sight of a bittern skulking around right in front of them in the newly strimmed area! This bird seemed to be comfortable with being watched and several cracking photos were taken of it. They will hopefully be sent to me, so watch this space!
There were also plenty of bearded tits pinging nearby and hanging off of the reeds like little moustached trapeze artists. Several marsh harriers were hunting effortlessly nearby, obviously enjoying the morning sunshine.
A kingfisher was seen from New Fen viewpoint later on in the day. This bird certainly seems to be a regular customer in that area at the moment! A mouse-like treecreeper was also seen in West Wood, which is a good record at this time of year.
After almost a month of absence, “our” five cranes reappeared yesterday and were all seen from Joist Fen viewpoint. Who knows where they’ve been and we hope they stick around for a while! There was also a large flock of whooper swans feeding in the fields north of the river, so it is well worth looking out for them.
Please note that the Spooky Hallowe’en walk on Sunday October 30th 3.30pm-5.30pm is FULLY BOOKED. Please only travel to the event if you have booked places in advance. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
An intriguing report reached us on Tuesday afternoon (October 24th.) The gist of was that there was a wryneck on the riverbank beyond Joist Fen viewpoint. Sadly, despite several people going down to have a look, the bird was not re-located. Anyhow, this is a first record for the reserve and congratulations to the lucky birdwatcher who found it.
There are at least two bitterns on the reserve and some of our reserve staff were lucky enough to find a used bittern nest in New Fen North on Monday. Marsh harrier numbers seem to be on the rise once again. A total of 13 birds were seen hunting together on Tuesday evening.
When the sun is out the reserve seems to be full of the sound of bearded tits pinging, and with a bit of patience and luck they can be seen at close quarters. Several kingfishers seem to be fishing in New Fen North regularly at the moment, and one was seen from the viewpoint on Wednesday.
There seems to be a peregrine lurking around at the moment, so it is well worth keeping an eye out for them. Three little egrets were seen north of the river on Tuesday. There is also a large flock of fieldfares and redwings roaming the river, so it is well worth looking out for them.
This leaves the cranes. Recent reports suggest that “our five” are over at the Nene Washes, at the western edge of the Fens. They are obviously searching the Fens for the best feeding areas. Hopefully they will return to here before long though...............................