The stunning yellow wagtails have arrived in force, as we hoped; they are just one of our summer visitors on show now. Whinchats have passed through but the whitethroats have stayed and are using our ‘headlands’, as are the corn buntings.

The headlands are wide field margins, that only get cut every few years. They support a wide range of wildlife throughout the year, from invertebrates to small mammals and birds.

We are also blessed with resident grey partridges at the Great Fen, and now the diminutive quail has also arrived for the summer. Flying in from Africa to join us, this small bird runs around in the pastures and arable fields at the Great Fen, and is rarely seen, so you have to listen out for the distinctive 'wet my lips' call!

Early dragonflies, such as the fabulous scarce chaser and the hairy dragonfly have emerged. They are out on view now, in time for the last bank holiday in May (this weekend), as usual. More damselflies are also emerging, following on from the early the large red damselflies, now joined by various ‘blue’ species.

Great crested newts can be more easily seen at this time of year. The eggs have hatched out and the larvae are growing fast in the warm, shallow water; don’t disturb them, as they are protected, just watch and enjoy. You will be able to get closer than ever to this special ‘water dragon’, at the forth-coming Eco Tour next month.

Mammals also have young now and we are always interested to receive records of these juveniles. The adults are very active, finding food for their families and I expect to receive more sightings of various species, from water voles to polecats. In the case of the latter, I received yet another sighting, south of the Great Fen, only a week ago; a useful record for our project.

The meadows are now transitioning from being full of the spring cowslip to summer common knapweed, so will provide a good show shortly, along with butterflies and other insects, that benefit from the increase in nectar sources available to them.

Enjoy the view.

Henry Stanier (Great Fen Monitoring & Research Officer)