These glittering emerald beetles feed on pollen and love open flowers like dog-rose, meadow buttercup and ox-eye daisy. If you are interested in insects, it is worth looking for the beautiful thick-kneed flower beetles on the lovely open flowers of the dog rose, which is flowering well along the riverbank. Our latest Friday Foray on 3 June saw several reed bunting pairs and a couple of stonechat perched on vegetation lining the edges of the river, and there were lots of banded demoiselle and four-spot chaser dragonflies gliding over the river itself. 7 redshank, 2 oystercatcher and 20-30 lapwing have been present most days up there, and it can be a fairly reliable spot for hobby, who like to swoop and glide close to the water surface to catch dragonflies. The water level on the Washland has risen considerably overnight but the 2-3 avocet nests up there seem to remain well clear of the water's edge, thankfully- as their parents chose their nesting spots when the water level was very low a few days ago. The resident birds haven't failed to delight visitors though with varied sightings across the week- a great-crested grebe family with two chicks and a water rail family (also with two youngsters) and young moorhens have been pleasing pilgrims to Mere Hide, whilst a kingfisher spent some time at the Visitor Centre pool on Friday, as did a grey heron, catching fish at the back of the pond, unperturbed by admiring visitors. But, as with the purple heron, we've had no further sightings. The last time we had a red-footed falcon, it was here for nearly three weeks in May 2013 and so we were wondering if it was time once more for one to take a liking to the reserve and spend some time here. Early on 2 June also saw a record of a female red-footed falcon, flying high up east over New Fen reedbed. We haven't recorded the cattle egret since but we do have cattle and sheep in several locations locally, some of which are publicly viewable and some aren't- and whilst we haven't spotted them anywhere else they do have a habit of reappearing. Then early on 2 June, our cattle egret which had been here for a few days prior was joined by two more, and throughout 2 June the trio could be admired as they mingled and fed amongst the Hereford cattle along the riverbank footpath. Photo credit: Purple heron by Steve Cale- from 24 April 2021.Įvery year or so we pick up a record of a purple heron so we suspect one is in the local area and visits us on it's 'rounds' every now and again. It hasn't reappeared since, but our last record was a bird photographed by Steve Cale on 24 April 2021- at the time he sent us in this photo from Joist Fen, which it flew over: First up was a purple heron who put in a brief appearance by landing near the upright bog oak during the early morning harrier and bittern survey on Tuesday (31 May). This week has been an interesting one- with three scarce species putting in an appearance in the space of a few days. 1 June was officially the first day of summer, so here's to hoping the season ahead gives us plenty more much-needed rain. As I write this, it is drizzling on-and-off outside and we had 45mm of rain overnight which the reserve really needed, after a dry winter and spring. Hello and welcome to the latest blog from the reserve.
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