Having arrived shortly after 6am, we had the reserve to ourselves for the first couple of hours. We decided to walk the grass bank alongside the River Little Ouse. Beginning with a scan of the Washland. A drake Garganey was soon found along with several Ruff in various colours. An almost completely black individual and a brilliant white bird really stood out. We continued along the bank and enjoyed the sight and sounds of several Whitethroats, Reed and Sedge Warblers, and also a distant Grasshopper Warbler reeling. Cuckoos were calling from various locations and two were seen perched in nearby bushes and trees.
We arrived at Joist Fen viewpoint and enjoyed several sightings of Cranes and Bitterns. A Kingfisher flashed through on a number of occasions but never settled. We saw our first House Martins of the year but Hirundines were only present in very small numbers. Grey overcast skies and low temperatures weren't ideal for seeing any Hobby and none were seen either flying or perched in nearby trees.
Bearded Tits were heard "pinging" and we eventually had several views as they flitted among the reeds from Mere Hide.
A final stop at New Fen viewpoint produced more flight views of a Crane and another Bittern.
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