Lakenheath Fen

Golden oriole

David White — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:54:14 GMT

Just a quick note that a golden oriole was cat calling and making a few subdued fluty sounds In West Wood this morning. Better late than never! Here is a picture of a male from last year:

Photo credit: Paul Foster

What a busy week!

David White — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:14:00 GMT

It has been another amazing week here at RSPB Lakenheath Fen. It was hard to know where to base yourself on Sunday: On the one hand, you could be at New Fen viewpoint watching the male red footed falcon pelting around the sky with the local hobbys. On the other hand, you could stay around the visitor centre, where we had three cranes and a red kite circling overhead (although not at the same time unfortunately!) Two turtle doves also flew over nearby, although you had to be a bit further down the reserve to see them!

On Monday, Suzanne returned for her holiday and soon cured the fact that she was the only staff member that hadn’t seen the red footed falcon yet. It was feeding over New Fen North with at least eight hobbys and fifty swifts which must have been a sight! Two common terns were also on the washland.

It’s amazing what being busy does to you. I spent most of my day off on Tuesday sorting things out at home. I decided to pop down to the reserve for a walk. Although most of you won’t believe me, I had honestly forgotten about the presence of the red footed falcon until I arrived here. On the way down the riverbank, a turtle dove flew over the visitor centre. I quickly picked up the “red foot” feeding low in front of New Fen viewpoint with at least five hobbys. This was the first time that I had actually had a good view of it. I could even see its red eye and feet! It was truly a wonderful bird to watch.

It was really rather windy on Wednesday morning and there were 12 tufted ducks on the second washland pool along with two shelducks. A hobby was briefly hunting over New Fen North before perching up in Trial Wood (the middle poplar wood.) A barn owl was also hunting in front of the visitor centre slightly later on. The red footed falcon spent most of the morning perched up in West Wood (the furthest poplar wood) before hunting over New Fen viewpoint once again.

I did my bird survey yesterday morning and took my camera out to get some early morning shots. Here are two of my favourites:

Brandon Fen in the morning mist:

A garden snail:

Photo credits: David White

I was extremely lucky to see a dog otter on the riverbank near the visitor centre at around 06.30 and amazingly, Dave also saw one from New Fen viewpoint while he was doing the bittern survey around an hour later. Other highlights from yesterday morning included two garden warblers singing in East Wood and a willow warbler singing in the poplars near the visitor centre. A nightingale was also singing in Brandon Fen

The red footed falcon appeared at around 09.30 and was feeding over New Fen viewpoint with up to 15 hobbys. A whimbrel was seen north of the river and a pretty little green hairstreak butterfly was fluttering around near the public car park. One lucky couple also saw a stoat on the prowl in Brandon Fen.

Yesterday was also notable for several reports of those elusive golden orioles. There were reports of both “cat calling” and singing in West Wood, the furthest poplar wood. There was also a report of a male flying out of West Wood and across the river. These are all great signs so hopefully we will be able to confirm the presence of these beautiful and rare birds over the next couple of days. Rest assured, when we know, we will put the word out as soon as practically possible. We hope to see you soon!

Flying low

Ali Blaney — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Not a reference to any sort of trouser malfunction you’ll be pleased to hear but rather the feeding frenzies taking place over the reedbeds at the moment. The weather is the cause – low pressure and the low cloud base are bringing the insects down and in turn the bird species that feed upon them. At New Fen North in particular with the poplar woods on three sides, the predators and their prey are taking further shelter from the breeze and flying below tree height. This is all leading to one thing – spectacular views of swifts, swallows, house and sand martins, all swooping low over the reeds and our heads! And let’s not forget the hobbies and our welcome guest the red-footed falcon. The falcon has moved down to the reedbed closest to the visitor centre over the past few days, which meant not only have visitors been getting closer views but we could finally get to Joist Fen viewpoint and do some strimming without disturbing too many people!

Photo credit: David Carr - hobby

It’s fabulous to stand at either of the viewpoints and have swifts flying literally around your head, especially at Joist Fen as they move between the reedbeds either side of the shelter. It's surprising how large swifts are – it’s the classic ‘is it small, or just far away’ conundrum! When you normally see them so high up in the sky, it can be difficult to judge their size so being able to get amazing close-ups of these graceful flyers is a real treat. Although it does sometimes feel like they’re playing a game of chicken with your head! I have complete faith in their aerial ability however. If you afford the reedbeds just a quick glance then it’s easy to think the skies are empty so stand a moment and make sure you don’t miss this spectacle taking place just above the reeds.

In other reserve news, Tuesday morning saw Katherine and I following a trail left by cattle. We were slightly surprised to find ‘evidence’ of cow by the staff gate and therefore had to try and work out which cows might have paid us a visit and where they were by that time. Following the trail we discovered a small number of cattle had enjoyed quite a trip around Brandon Fen, look out for the evidence yourself if you’re in the area! The puzzle was solved when Katherine approached the kissing gate on the riverbank to discover it was swinging wide open. The cattle were found and safely returned to the riverbank by our grazier. Signage is now in place by the kissing gate to politely remind visitors that livestock are on the riverbank and gates should be kept firmly shut!

Despite the changed plans for Tuesday morning, we still found a window of opportunity before the heavens opened to start our regular spring and summer strimming plan. The vegetation is shooting up fast and we’ll become a familiar sight with our brushcutters as we work to keep the trails open and viewpoints tidy. Trial Wood path was our main target – even the new raised section needed a trim. Although there is still bare earth in places, this trail is open so if you haven’t been round it before why not take a look?

Yesterday we took delivery of some new benches and with the help of our volunteers these will soon start appearing at the viewpoints and other locations. We have had to remove some of the older benches already so new seating will be welcomed I’m sure! The first instalments are planned for this afternoon, after we carry out another booming bittern survey first thing in the morning. We're hoping that the survey will finally help us pin down the exact number of boomers as a couple of the reedbeds may hold more than one. We'll also be focusing on the marsh harrier behaviour to get our nest count sorted. Updates will follow as always!

Dawn patrol

David White — Sun, 12 May 2013 09:08:00 GMT

Firstly, please excuse me if I don’t sound completely coherent this morning, I have lead two dawn chorus walks in the last two days! As you will hear later though, they were both rather good! I will begin though with a quick summary of the end of last week:

The weather was distinctly patchy on Friday but it was rather bright in the morning. I couldn’t resist going to take some photos of the water violet that is currently in flower alongside Trial Wood:

While I was out, I heard a grasshopper warbler in New Fen North and there were at least 20 swifts over the reedbed. A garden warbler was also singing in East Wood which was rather nice.

A crane was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint and a bittern flew between New Fen North and Joist Fen viewpoint. A ringtail Montagu’s harrier also flew west along the river just north of West Wood (the furthest poplar plantation.)

The male red footed falcon appeared over New Fen North at around 1.30pm and spent a happy afternoon tearing around the sky with around eight hobbys. Les took this record shot of it:

Photo credit: Les Bunyan

I did dawn chorus number one yesterday with our Wildlife Explorers club. As we didn’t start until 6.30am, I sneaked out for a little walk beforehand. It was a good job that I did, as I saw my first turtle dove of the year flying over the visitor centre. A cuckoo was perched at the edge of the car park and a barn owl was over the washland.

We had a very pleasant dawn chorus walk and we heard a bittern booming in New Fen North. We were also entertained by the antics of two common terns that were feeding at close quarters in the second washland pool.

When we got back, a muntjac deer was wandering around at the edge of the visitor centre pond and our first female hairy dragonfly of the year was seen alongside Trial Wood. The red footed falcon appeared over the washland at around 10.30am before relocating to the skies above New Fen North. Once again, it was tearing around the sky with at least 10 hobbys for most of the afternoon. A water vole was seen in a ditch alongside the railway line and three arctic terns flew over Joist Fen viewpoint.

I lead dawn chorus number two bright and early this morning and things started rather well: A bittern flew over East Wood and landed almost in front of us just west of the visitor centre. Another bird was booming in New Fen North and a male marsh harrier was hunting over the reedbed.

A cuckoo was calling just south of Joist Fen viewpoint and a single crane was north of the river just north of Joist Fen viewpoint. We counted at least eight marsh harriers over Joist Fen. As we walked back along the riverbank, a hobby flew out of West Wood and a barn owl was hunting over the washland. We retired back to the visitor centre for a well deserved continental breakfast shortly after! We hope to see you soon.

Bigging up the little things

Ali Blaney — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:29:00 GMT

A noticeable change has taken place at Lakenheath over the past week or so – insect numbers are definitely on the up! This is good news for all those insect eating animals out there and they are of course fascinating individuals themselves, so I’m weaving some appreciation of the smaller creatures into my blog this week.

Last weeks volunteer party started with an early morning bittern survey, listening out for those booming males. At the moment we’re confident we have four booming males across the reserve with another possible two or three to try and pin down. I’ve been mainly listening at New Fen North reedbed so far and the boomer there isn’t the best I’ve heard I have to say – he tends to do one loud boom, which catches your ear so you listen to try and locate it properly.... and nothing else follows. He certainly likes giving us just one boom at a time! Maybe a grunt or two before or after if you’re lucky so you have to listen hard for that one. The male nearest the Joist Fen viewpoint is much more vocal! Further display flights have been seen which is great news too.

After the bittern survey we continued with the trail maintenance, laying down more limestone dust to top off our pot hole repair work. And what a beautiful day to be working outside – butterflies were the thing to see and while walking back from New Fen North I took a picture of a lovely green-veined white:

Photo credit: Ali Blaney – Green-veined white butterfly

The bank holiday weekend was extremely busy for us and during these peak times we all lend a hand in the visitor centre and out in the car park. The lovely weather and the arrival of the infamous red-footed falcon meant we were a very popular place to visit and Monday was one of our busiest days ever, with Katherine on car park duty recording a peak count of over 140 cars. Volunteer Janet and I were manning the visitor centre and unsurprisingly ice cream was the big seller of the day – who could resist after a nice walk out in that strong sunshine!

Our work this week has been mainly focused on having a bit of a tidy up at the viewpoints (the grass is starting to grow very quickly now!) and over Wednesday and Thursday our time was spent looking after three groups of lovely people who kindly donated funds toward our land purchase at the end of last year. We took everyone over to the new land and talked about how we intend to revert it from arable to wet grassland. The groups on Wednesday were very lucky to see cranes including the one-legged individual, who we wintnessed being turfed out of a field by one of our resident cranes who was being very territorial! Back on the main reserve we saw bittern, marsh harrier, hobbies, swifts and even the red-footed falcon. Some guests had never visited Lakenheath before – what an introduction to the site! The hobbies were great to watch as they caught insects with their feet, there were St Marks flies around and plenty of small flying insects buzzing just above the water at the viewpoint pools – the fish were jumping and making the most of an easy feed. David saw his first common millipede of the year and although this picture isn’t of that particular individual, I too saw one today and managed a quick photo - you can just about see the 'waves' of the many feet moving along.

Photo credit: Ali Blaney – Millipede near the visitor centre

Yesterday saw a marked change in the weather and the wind was whipping up the peaty top soils of the fens – I think it’s the worst ‘fen blow’ I’ve seen so far. Our group braved the elements though and were treated to views of the one-legged crane again as well as hobbies, although the wind was keeping the insects down so hobby numbers were lower too. Despite returning from the excursions with a slight gritty taste in the mouth, wind-swept hair and a covering of fine, peat soil, everyone had a great time and as always we were more than happy to show off the reserve and talk about the work we do here.

Today the fen blow has thankfully died down, although there is still a stiff breeze around. Dave and I carried out our territory surveys regardless this morning and it was certainly worthwhile even in the wind. Cuckoos could be heard from quite a distance and I a witnessed a buzzard being chased off by a rook. Whitethroats were making themselves known and the wheatear was still present on the Brandon Fen grazing marsh. I also had a good count of robins today, a couple were carrying food so there must be hungry mouths to feed somewhere. Insects are lying low from the wind and we spotted this lovely cinnabar moth hunkering down right outside the visitor centre, staying put for the meantime anyway!

Photo credit: Ali Blaney – Cinnabar moth

Flowers are springing up all over the reserve, adding a splash of colour in amongst the grasses. Speaking of grass, my brushcutter is calling me away from the computer and out onto the reserve to start strimming our overflow carparking areas – if this weekend is anything like the last one then we’ll need all the space we can find!

These are the days!

David White — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:27:00 GMT

The last couple of days here have just been magical! The weather has been fantastic and there has been plenty to see. Things started well on Sunday morning with a grass snake swimming across the visitor centre pond. Here is a picture of one from later on in the day:

Photo credit: Tim James

The ring ouzel was seen in Brandon Fen and there was a report of a lesser whitethroat singing near the washland viewpoint. A grasshopper warbler was singing in Brandon Fen and the female wheatear was also present nearby.

I had the pleasure of leading the hobby walk and it was just fantastic. There was so much to see. It proved to be the first time that I have lead a guided walk and seen a bird that I have never seen before. If you follow our blogs recently you will have probably guessed that it was the red footed falcon. Here is another rather nice picture of it from Tim James:

Photo credit: Tim James

It was feeding with at least 25 hobbys just west of Joist Fen viewpoint. Although it was quite difficult to pick out at times, we did get some great views of it. While we were in the area, we also saw the one legged crane north of the river and at least eight marsh harriers were over the west end of the reserve. When we got to the viewpoint, we were treated with a fantastic view of an adult crane flying out of the reedbed before heading north of the river.

When we got to New Fen viewpoint, a pike was showing well in front of the viewpoint and we just missed two grass snakes swimming across the pool. Later on in the day, a red kite flew over Joist Fen viewpoint:

Photo credit: Tim James

Our first large red damselfly of the year was also seen at the west end of the reserve.

Bank Holiday Monday continued on in a similar vein and the red footed falcon was seen by many visitors along with at least 12 hobbys. The purple heron also made a brief appearance over New Fen North. A barn owl was over Brandon Fen and the female wheatear was also present nearby. Two red kites flew over the washland and two whimbrels flew over the west end of the reserve. A male whinchat was also seen near Joist Fen viewpoint.

I came for a walk with a colleague from The Lodge yesterday morning and it was just fantastic. There were three common terns over the washland and a grasshopper warbler was singing in New Fen North (the firs area of reedbed.) A male barn owl was hunting along the riverbank near Joist Fen viewpoint and several bitterns were booming nearby.

We eventually picked up the red footed falcon although it was rather elusive. Our highest hobby count was at least 23 birds which was great to see. Both the one legged crane and one of our resident adults were feeding north of the river which was lovely to see.

I went out for a little walk this morning and heard a nightingale singing near the ramp on the new trail. A male cuckoo also flew over my head. A colleague from The Lodge was also very lucky to see a male Montagu’s harrier flying west along the river. As I type, there has been no sign of the red footed falcon today so far or any hobbys. It is rather chilly though so there can’t be much for them to eat. Hopefully they will reappear soon though. I have just seen my first common milipede of the year in the mens loo though! We hope to see you soon.

Caught red footed!

David White — Sun, 05 May 2013 06:38:00 GMT

Well, it turned out that Friday was definitely a day to be out on the reserve with lady luck on your side. Things started exceptionally well with a ringtail Montagu’s harrier flying west along the river which is a rare spring record indeed. Those of us who were in the office had to be contented with great views of a grass snake swimming across the visitor centre pond! This, of course was fantastic to see.

A kingfisher was feeding in the Fen pools near the visitor centre and there was plenty of bittern activity over New Fen North. The highest count was three birds flying together with another booming in the reedbed. Here is a picture of two of them courtesy of Tim James:

Photo credit: Tim James

Tim was also very lucky to get this lovely shot of the Brandon Fen ring ouzel:

Photo credit: Tim James

The female wheatear was also still present in the same area.

Things than got really exciting when we received a report of a male red footed falcon feeding over New Fen North at lunch time. It spent some time over the first area of reedbed before joining at least 15 hobbys that were feeding over Joist Fen viewpoint. Here is a picture of this magnificent bird:

Photo credit: Tim James

Sadly, it hasn’t been seen since Friday afternoon but let’s hope it reappears with the hobbys later on today or tomorrow in the warm sunshine. On a personal note, I am definitely hoping to see it as I have never seen one before and I started working here in October 2008. This was only around four months after a male and female “red foot” spent over two weeks here. I might as well admit that I am very jealous!

There was also an intriguing report of a Mediterranean gull over the washland that was feeding with a group of black headed gulls later in the afternoon. I headed down to Joist Fen viewpoint in the evening and saw several great bittern flights, probably involving the same bird. First, it flew from New Fen North into what we call New Fen North triangle. It then flew from there, right in front of Joist Fen viewpoint before landing near the bog oak.

There was plenty of crane activity and we saw two flights from single birds. This included the one legged individual. There was also a grasshopper warbler reeling between Joist Fen viewpoint and the riverbank.

It was really rather windy yesterday morning and I saw a bittern fly from Joist Fen into New Fen North. The poor bird was blown sideways as it ambled through the gap in the poplar woods! A female sparrowhawk dashed into Trial Wood and a treecreeper was singing in East Wood.

Later on in the day, the one legged crane was seen north of the river near Joist Fen viewpoint and two garganeys flew into New Fen North. There were around five hobbys pelting around the sky and a red kite flew over Joist Fen viewpoint. Several bearded tits were also seen in front of Joist Fen viewpoint. Some lucky visitors also saw a stoat running along the hard track alongside Trial Wood.

It was a beautiful evening yesterday once the wind had dropped. Over 100 swifts were hunting over Joist Fen viewpoint and a hobby was steaming around in the distance. I saw both of our resident male barn owls. One was hunting along the riverbank near Joist Fen viewpoint and the other was over the washland. What a great couple of days and lets hope our luck continues!

Red footed falcon!

David White — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:32:15 GMT

This is just a quick note to say that a male red footed falcon appeared on the reserve at lunchtime. It was first seen over New Fen North at around 1pm. It then spent some time feeding with the hobbys over Joist Fen viewpoint. If you are not familiar with this species, its basically the Eastern European equivalent of the hobby and a very rare bird here indeed! Here is a picture of the female that was seen here in May 2008:

Photo credit: Ian Goodall

Lets hope it sticks around!

Come what(ever) May

David White — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:28:00 GMT

I will begin this morning with two record shots of the purple heron from Tuesday evening. Many thanks to Ian Goodall for sending them over:

Photo credit: Ian Goodall

The bird was seen again on Wednesday evening at around 6.30pm. It was seen in flight between Joist Fen viewpoint and the railway line in a roughly south easterly direction.

As usual, there has been plenty going on here this week. The ring ouzel and wheatear in the Brandon Fen family trail have stuck around and were both still present yesterday afternoon. Eight bar tailed godwits flew over the same area on Monday which was a great record. A male whinchat was also photographed north of the first area of reedbed on Monday evening.

I walked down to Botany Bay at the west end of the reserve on Tuesday evening. Both chiffchaffs and willow warblers were singing in small numbers and a common buzzard flew over. A cuckoo was calling nearby and a bittern was booming from the reedbeds.

It was a lovely day on Wednesday and there was plenty to see from New Fen viewpoint. A grass snake swam across the pool and a pike was also seen in the pool lurking around threatingly.

Meanwhile, hobby numbers were picking up gradually throughout the day and the peak count was 18 birds. Hopefully numbers will continue to pick up as I am leading a hobby walk on Sunday. There are still places available so if you would like to book on, just click the link above. Some of you may know that on May 4 2011 we counted at least 65 over the reserve at the same time!

We did a bittern listen yesterday morning and although it was cold, there was plenty going on. We counted at least four booming males which was a pretty good result. Several of us were based in and around New Fen viewpoint and there was plenty going on. A family of coots with three young were pottering around on the pool and two cuckoos flew over the reedbed.

A barn owl was over the washland and the ring ouzel was showing itself on and off in Brandon Fen. A short eared owl was seen from Joist Fen viewpoint in the evening and a yellow wagtail flew over.

I went for a little walk in the warm sunshine this morning and the “New Fen North” bittern was booming very well. A grasshopper warbler was reeling well at the edge of Trial Wood. I also got a rubbish picture of a roe deer skulking about in East Wood. Its mainly a question of whether you can actually spot it:

The early birders came back reporting two nightingales singing by the road bridge and a drake garganey on the washland. That pesky purple heron was also seen in flight over New Fen North (the first area of reedbed) at around 8am. There is plenty to see at the moment so we hope to see you soon.

Ssssurveys, ssssurprises, ssssunshine and ssssnakes

Ali Blaney — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:13:00 GMT

I'll start off with the ssssnakes (and the dragonfly of course), just to keep you happy! The benches are finally in place and they look amazing, even if we do say so ourselves! Katherine and our volunteers installed them nice and securely by the dipping platform last week:

Photo credit: Ali Blaney - Katherine with volunteers Phil and Robert

Photo credit: Ali Blaney - Dragonfly bench

I think you'll agree they look great. The photos don't do them justice either, as they don't show the amount of detail that has been painted onto the dragonfly wings. The dragonfly has been painted to look like a southern hawker and thanks go to volunteer Rob for his artistic control over the dragonfly! Everyone who got involved has done a grand job.

Staying on the subject of snakes, grass snake sightings are on the increase which is exciting, and some of our visitors were lucky enough to see a large individual in front of New Fen North viewpoint this morning. It swam across the pool, slithered out onto the bank right in front of them, travelled a short distance then went back into the water and swam off. My only grass snake sighting this year has been a very small, young snake trying to get into the gents toilets - hopefully I'll be lucky like those visitors and have a better sighting soon!

We've been completing the work at the fen pools near the visitor centre over the past few days. While we finished the physical work of creating the viewing portals into the pools with the railways sleepers a couple of weeks ago, the pools have unfortunately remained dry. So we've been pumping water out of Brandon Fen and into the pools and they've been filling up nicely - as you'll see in the photos below it wasn't long before we had visitors!

Photo credit: Ali Blaney - pumping the water in

Photo credit: Ali Blaney - The Fen Pool Appreciation Society

We've pumped in more water than it appears we need really, but as the ground is so dry we need to get it saturated first before the pools will hold water for any length of time.

I'll move on to a brief overview of our surveys. Territory surveying continues and things are definitely hotting up. I saw and heard many blackcaps and whitethroats around Brandon Fen and it was lovely to stop for a while and appreciate their song. I then encountered my survey surprise - I'd been thinking it strange that I hadn't seen a blackbird by that point, then I thought 'aha, there's one' - but it turned out to be the ring ouzel! And I didn't just see it the once - although it had flown off, once I'd completed my loop it had returned to its original position and I saw it again! It was still being spotted today too. I also spotted the wheatear in the grazing marsh which was lovely to see, it's a very obliging wheatear that has been showing well so do make a point of going down to see it in Brandon Fen if you're coming for a visit. Suzanne and Dave saw and heard a cuckoo during their survey at the western end of the reserve and also saw a lot of bittern action, which although not part of their transect, is still worthy of note. Suzanne saw three bitterns in flight over Norfolk Fen whilst also hearing another individual boom at the same time. We then had another report of two bitterns in flight at the same time over New Fen North - so we have at least six birds on site, including some females! We have another booming bittern survey tomorrow so we'll see how things go then.

Last but certainly not least, onto the sunshine. It's been such a lovely day here today that I couldn't not mention it. I led our weekly, free guided walk today known as the Wednesday Walkabout and it was very nice to be out around the reserve, talking about the work we do and pointing out the flora and fauna of Lakenheath to our visitors. Butterflies were everywhere today, with many peacocks, brimstones and green-veined whites about. We also saw a male orange-tip and a small white. Warblers were warbling with gusto, particularly the whitethroats which seemed to be everywhere! We had a a good number of visitors today too and everyone was enjoying the fine weather. It certainly lifts the spirits to feel the sun on your skin, see butterflies aplenty, hear beautiful bird song all around and get close to nature. And what better way to end such a walk than with a delicious ice cream back at the visitor centre. I went for Norfolk gooseberry - very refreshing (but I still prefer the chocolate fudge brownie)!

Nocturnal nature camp out: Friday May 3 CANCELLED

David White — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:21:49 GMT

Please note that the nocturnal nature camp out on Friday May 3 has been CANCELLED due to lack of bookings. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused. There are still placed available on the following camp outs:

If you are interested in booking places, please follow the links above.

A purple haze?!

David White — Wed, 01 May 2013 08:14:01 GMT

Just a quick one: There was a distinctive hazy mist when I drove into work this morning. I had a good feeling about today. It’s May 1 and we have had a touch of east in the wind. This usually brings in something unusual. Sure enough, when I turned my computer on, I found an e-mail with some photos of a purple heron that was taken here yesterday afternoon. Well fancy that!

If you are not familiar with these birds, they breed as close to us as Holland and a pair even nested at RSPB Dungeness a few years back. They are a scarce but regular visitor to Britain during April and May each year. Here is a picture of one that was taken here in May 2009:

Photo credit: Lee Gregory

According to the description, the bird was seen in flight close to the railway line just this side of Joist Fen viewpoint. If it is seen again, rest assured that we will let you know.

A touch of the north

David White — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:45:00 GMT

There has been a distinctive northern feel to some of our sightings over the last couple of days. Three northern breeding summer migrants have featured rather prominently: A ring ouzel, a wheatear and two whinchats.

The ring ouzel, which is presumably the same male that has been around on and off all week was seen around the Brandon Fen family trail on Friday morning:

Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Shortly afterwards, a couple came back reporting four wheatears on the riverbank just north of East Wood:

Photo credit: Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)

Meanwhile, further down the reserve, four cranes were seen in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint and a common buzzard was over the visitor centre. Katherine went for a walk around Brandon Fen just before closing time and saw the ring ouzel and a female wheatear feeding together. How lucky is that!

I went out early yesterday morning determined to see the ring ouzel and sure enough, I did. Third time lucky! It was feeding in some path side ruts near where the new trail branches off in Brandon Fen. I enjoyed a fantastic view of it through my ‘scope for at least five minutes.

While I was admiring the ring ouzel, I could hear a grasshopper warbler reeling in the distance. I eventually located the pesky little warbler and enjoyed views of it singing right out in the open which was fantastic. A couple got some fantastic video footage of it shortly after I left. As I plodded along the riverbank, I saw two shelducks on the washland near the ramp and a barn owl was hunting at very close quarters over the river. Very nice indeed!

We kept dashing out between us between rain showers and a female wheatear was located in Brandon Fen. It was perched on the newly excavated mounds in the middle of the grazing marsh. It was soon joined by the ring ouzel, so the two could be seen together once again! A hobby also flew over the visitor centre at lunch time.

There was great excitement when presumably the same two whinchats from earlier on in the week were seen feeding in teasels on the riverbank just north of New Fen North (the first area of reedbed):

Photo credit: Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)

I am sorry to say that at this point, I abandoned what little dignity I had left and “hastened” down to the appropriate spot. I was treated to fantastic views of both male and female whinchat which was fantastic. They were not only the first whinchats that I had seen for over two years, they were also my first ever Lakenheath Fen whinchats. How exciting!

I lead the marsh harrier & bittern walk this morning. Moreorless as soon as I got out of the car, I heard a bittern booming from New Fen North. The walk started well with fantastic views of a barn owl hunting over the washland pool. Our resident whooper swan was on the river along with a mute swan and an Egyptian goose.

As we walked further along the riverbank, we could hear a bittern booming in the distance. I located the two whinchats near the start of West Wood and we had a superb view of the male through my ‘scope for quite some time. As we walked alongside West Wood, we were also enjoying the distinctive aroma of the poplar blossom and leaves. Although it is difficult to describe, it will always remind me of here!

When we got to Joist Fen viewpoint, there were at least seven marsh harriers ducking and diving high over the reedbed. We could hear at least three individual bitterns booming and a Cetti’s warbler was “shouting” away near the viewpoint. We also had a great view of a common whitethroat perched on the top of a bush. Sadly, most of the group missed two cranes flying over as we left the viewpoint. As we walked back, we saw two coots with three young in front of New Fen viewpoint.

Just after we got back, at least three hobbys took to the air and two were photographed perched in West Wood. There were also at least 20 swifts pelting across the sky over the reserve. The male ring ouzel was also relocated in Brandon Fen. Plenty of butterflies are also out an about including plenty of peacocks, orange tips and green veigned whites. A stoat was also seen running along the hard track. There is plenty to see at the moment so we hope to see you soon.

Marsh harrier & bittern walk this Sunday: FULLY BOOKED

David White — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:09:13 GMT

Please note that the marsh harrier & bittern walk on Sunday is FULLY BOOKED. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. The next early morning guided walks with places available are:

If you would like to book places on either event, please click on the event name for more details.

So much to see, so little time!

David White — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:06:00 GMT

There has been so much going on here over the last week! I will try to update you on the most exciting bits! Things started well on Sunday with a group of ten bar tailed godwits circling over the washland. This included two birds in their eye catching brick red breeding plumage. A greenshank was on the river just west of the washland pool and two cranes were visible near Joist Fen viewpoint.

There was a little trickle of swifts passing through in the afternoon and a hobby was over the washland. A red kite was over Joist Fen viewpoint and a lesser whitethroat was singing near the big willow. The latter is a scarce bird here so it was a great record. I also saw my first common lizard of the year toddling across the path near the visitor centre. The final report of the day was of 10 whimbrels flying south of the Joist Fen viewpoint.

Probably the same two whinchats from Saturday were seen just north of New Fen North on Monday morning before being flushed by a common buzzard. A grasshopper warbler was singing between Trial Wood and West Wood (the furthest two poplar woods.) I also saw my first comma of the year at Joist Fen viewpoint. Here is a photo of one that was taken here last year:

Photo credit: Gerry Studd

On Tuesday, two cranes were visible from Joist Fen viewpoint. There was also great excitement when Katherine and Ali found a male ring ouzel in Brandon Fen. There was also a good count of eight great crested grebes on the washland.

I had a lovely view of a male barn owl hunting over the Brandon Fen family trail on Wednesday morning. Suzanne heard a cuckoo in Trial Wood and Roger heard a nightingale singing by the reserve entrance at around 7am. Simon, our local bird ringer heard and saw our first turtle dove of the year at the eastern end of the Brandon Fen family trail.

There were two bar tailed godwits briefly on the washland north of New Fen North and three yellow wagtails flew over the same area. There was a rather humorous moment later on in the day when a grass snake tried to get in to the mens toilets. How bizarre!

I did my Common Bird Census (CBC) in the beautiful sunshine yesterday morning. A barn owl flew over Brandon Fen and I could hear a bittern booming in the distance from New Fen North. I also saw my first cuckoo of the year which flew over the visitor centre and headed south of the railway line.

Meanwhile, further down the reserve, two cranes were visible from Joist Fen viewpoint and two bitterns were displaying in front of New Fen viewpoint. Suzanne and I went out for a walk at lunchtime and there was a great count of ten great crested grebes on the washland. A coal tit was singing in Brandon Fen and we had a lovely view of a brimstone and a green veigned white.

We returned to then visitor centre to find out that we had missed presumably the same ring ouzel from Tuesday in Brandon Fen. Oops! Meanwhile, there were at least eight hobbys over Joist Fen viewpoint and seven swifts were tearing around in the sky above Brandon Fen.

This morning the blackbird in East Wood was keeping me on my toes by repeatedly doing very convincing golden oriole impressions. Pesky bird! He has certainly ramped up his effort recently hopefully in anticipation of some “real” orioles arriving in the next week or so! When they arrive, we will let you know!

Talking about mimics, a jay kept doing impressions of a common buzzard in Trial Wood. In fact, I kept seeing groups of these colourful birds this morning. A group of four flew between West Wood and Trial Wood and two flew north over New Fen viewpoints. One of the latter was doing impressions of a herring gull as it flew over. Very strange!

When I opened up the visitor centre, two great tits were busy building a nest in our nestbox with camera which was great to see. A muntjac deer has also been wondering around at the edge of the visitor centre pond for most of the morning. We hope to see you soon!