Lakenheath Fen

Blog post: Winter has returned!

David White — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:40:00 GMT

The recent strong, northerly winds have made the reserve feel rather wintery once again. We have also been treated to several large rain and hail storms over the last couple of days. This has made wildlife watching a bit more difficult than usual, especially as far as our golden orioles are concerned. They have been even more elusive than usual and have not been calling much. There seems to be a male and a probably female present so hopefully they will show themselves better once the weather improves!

A bittern flew through the gap between Trial Wood and West Wood on Tuesday and the red footed falcon was feeding over New Fen North with two hobbys. Here is another stunning picture of the “red foot” taken by David Carr:

Photo credit: David Carr

A female type golden oriole was also seen flying between West Wood and Trial Wood.

On Wednesday morning a cinnabar moth was resting on the visitor centre lawn close to some pretty dovesfoot cranesbill that was in flower nearby:

Photo credit: David White

I lead the Wednesday walkabout and there was a cuckoo calling well in East Wood. A grasshopper warbler was reeling in New Fen North (the first area of reedbed.) The red footed falcon was tearing around over the reedbed nearby along with three hobbys. A common tern was also feeding along the river just north of West Wood.

A bittern was booming in front of Joist Fen viewpoint and several marsh harriers were hunting nearby. On the way back, we stopped to admire the water violet that is still showing well in one of the bays alongside Trial Wood. Here is a picture of it that I took a couple of weeks ago:

Photo credit; David White

We had superb views of the red footed falcon from the Trial Wood viewpoint and a cuckoo was calling in West Wood. A bittern was also seen in flight from New Fen viewpoint later on in the day. There was also an unseasonal report of two goosanders flying over the reserve.

I did my bird survey early yesterday morning and there was plenty going on. I saw a Cetti’s warbler at the edge of East Wood and I also saw a garden warbler singing right out in the open. A treecreeper was also singing in the wood along with a chiffchaff.

After my survey, I took a stroll down to the poplar woods and I saw a female type golden oriole flying between West Wood and Trial Wood. The red footed falcon was perched up on the eastern edge of West Wood along with a hobby. At one point, a marsh harrier flew out of the reedbeds and the “red foot” flew around for a while before settling back in the wood. A grasshopper warbler was reeling nearby and another garden warbler was singing in Trial Wood.

The red footed falcon was feeding over New Fen North with eight hobbys later on in the day and a single crane was seen north of the river near Joist Fen viewpoint. Two bitterns were also seen in flight in front of New Fen viewpoint.

The weather is really rather foul this morning but several interesting things have been seen despite the heavy rain. A turtle dove was seen drinking in a puddle on the entrance track and an otter was seen splashing around in front of New Fen viewpoint. A disgruntled bittern was also booming in the reedbed. Lets hope the weather improves soon and we look forward to seeing you on the reserve.

Forum post: Re: Early Morning Visit

ronni1956 — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:25:00 GMT

Hi Steve,i have been to the fen a few times that early and without doubt it has always been most rewarding.Walk along river bank to joist fen viewpoint is your best bet to spot Barn Owl hunting along river bank.Keep an eye out to the left in woods for deer too.Also drive slowly along driveway to car park as there is often a surprise in the trees there , one morning a Buzzard was perched only 8ft on top of a small tree ! Wish you good luck. Cheers Ron.

Blog post: Bitterns and benches

Ali Blaney — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:06:00 GMT

You'll be pleased to hear that the bench replacement work has begun! Last Thursday, after our weekly bittern listen (more on that later) we loaded up the truck and trailer and headed off to Joist Fen viewpoint. Surprisingly, for this time of year, the sun was out and it was nicely hot for such back-breaking work. Once you see the photos of the new benches you'll understand why it was back-breaking - these benches are HEAVY! They came to us in flat-pack form and while some were constructing the benches, others were digging the holes ready for insertion. As always with flat-pack furniture, it took a while to work out why part A wouldn't connect to part B. Katherine luckily came to the rescue with the suggestion of putting the bolts through the holes in the other direction. Despite repeated explanations, I don't think I'll ever understand why, when holes drilled through two pieces of wood are lined up, a bolt will go through in one direction but not the other....I'm not going to lose any sleep over it though and for some reason it worked and the benches went together! Here is some evidence of our work:

Photo credit: Ali Blaney - Katherine, Dave and volunteer Rob start the cementing in process

Photo credit: Ali Blaney - The second bench goes in

Photo credit: Ali Blaney - Volunteers Phil, Rob and Roger confidently test out the new installation

I think you'll agree the benches look pretty sturdy and they should last us a good long time. They are very comfortable too! We'll be putting another two in at Joist Fen viewpoint tomorrow before the rain arrives, then we'll focus our attention on New Fen viewpoint seating.

On to the bitterns and since my last blog we've carried out two surveys. We're still trying to confirm whether our number of booming males is four or five - lets hope its five! Display flights have been seen and hopefully they'll be pairing up very soon. We'll then start monitoring the feeding flights. During my bittern survey this morning I saw a single bird and later a pair in flight, which was a lovely sight on a pretty chilly morning! I also saw a pair of cranes, heard and saw a cuckoo and was easily distracted by a sky full of swifts. Marsh harriers were particularly busy and I saw food drops and nesting material being transported. Our volunteers around the Joist Fen reedbed reported that the bearded tits were being very visible, so if this is a bird you keep missing try heading down to that viewpoint. Very exciting times!

In other news our busy visitor period continues, with Sunday topping the last Bank Holiday Monday as our busiest day ever! The red-footed falcon, which is still here and enthralling everyone, is really pulling in the crowds and we're all on hand at the weekends to marshall in the car-park and help out in the visitor centre. Our volunteers are being as amazing as always and working harder than ever so that we can provide the service our visitors expect, even with the numbers we're getting in. Our star bird is eliciting comments such as 'surely it's radio-controlled' - the performance it's putting on for everyone is that perfect. I got my best view of it yet this morning on the way back to the visitor centre from the western end of the reserve - it was perched happily atop a dead tree in Trial Wood, the middle poplar plantation, posing for the many people stood beneath.

The brushcutters have been wielded this week and our focus was on the bays we have cut into the reed edge, on the southern edge of New Fen North reedbed. These bays provide great views into shallow water, with plants and insects being the main attraction. As David has mentioned previously, some of the bays have beautiful water violet on display so be sure to take some time to look for that. They will also be good places to see dragonflies and damselflies when they start appearing in higher numbers. They've been a bit slim on the ground, as with many things this spring so far, but we have had reports of variable, azure and large-red damselfly plus hairy dragonfly. Keep your eyes open for those over the coming weeks too - there's so much to see you won't know where to look first!

Forum post: Re: A Bank Vole on my first vist to Lakenheath Fen

David White — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:02:00 GMT

Hello there,

We are glad that you enjoyed your visit.

Davud

Forum post: Re: Awe-inspiring

David White — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:01:00 GMT

Hello Matt,

Thsi sounds fantastic! You were very lucky!

David

Blog post: Busy times

David White — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:11:00 GMT

Firstly, we would like to aplologise for the lack of updates this week. We have been very busy and hopefully normal service will resume this week. Anyhow, don’t you just love May?! Several factors conspired to make this past weekend the busiest of the year so far. Not only had at least one golden oriole arrived, the rather smart male red footed falcon was still around and entertaining visitors:

Photo credit: Ian Goodall

The male golden oriole was singing away intermittently in West Wood on Friday and a peregrine was seen south of Joist Fen viewpoint.

On Saturday, the red footed falcon was showing well over New Fen viewpoint along with six hobbys. There were at least 60 swifts over the car park and two avocets flew over Brandon Fen. A stoat was also seen near the Fen pools and a bank vole was also photographed:

Photo credit: Phil Smith

Les was luck enough to get some great pictures on Sunday including the red footed falcon:

And a cuckoo:

Photo credit for both images: Les Bunyan

There was an intriguing report of a female golden oriole in the poplar woods yesterday which is a really encouraging sign.

I went for a walk early this morning as I hadn’t heard a golden oriole yet this year. Although I didn’t hear one, there was plenty of other things to see and hear. There were noticeably more garden warblers around then the last time that I had walked around the reserve. There was at least one singing in each of the poplar woods and another one in the bushes alongside the railway line. A blackcap was also singing in Trial Wood just to keep me on my toes.

The local cuckoos were very vocal with at least three individuals out and about. One was calling in Brandon Fen and another was in West Wood. I also saw one in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint.

The local marsh harriers were conspicuous and one was carrying prey in front of Joist Fen viewpoint. I heard at least three bitterns booming and I saw the same bird several times in flight from Joist Fen viewpoint. There were plenty of Cetti’s warblers singing away and I saw a mute swan with five cygnets which was rather nice.

A hobby was perched in West Wood and a grasshopper warbler was singing between Trial Wood and West Wood (the furthest two poplar woods.) I also heard a probable spotted flycatcher calling in Trial Wood and a golden oriole was singing in West Wood just after I got back to the visitor centre. The red footed falcon was also perched up in West Wood.

There was fantastic news this morning when we discovered that the great tits that feature in our nestcam are now feeding young! It seems like all five eggs hatched on Sunday evening and both adults are now very busy bringing food in for the little ones. It is absolutely fantastic to watch!

We have several lost property items from this weekend. If you were here over the weekend and you are missing some car keys and/ or a camping chair just give the office a ring on 01842 863400 and we will see what we can do to get them back to you. We hope to see you soon!

Forum post: Visit to Lakenheath Fen 19/05/13

rtingey — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:03:00 GMT

Fabulous beautiful morning - my first cuckoo sound of the season, a lonely fox cub, a co-operative Hobby and sight of the Red Footed Falcon (didn't manage a photo though).

(Please visit the site to view this file)

Photo: Red Footed Falcon

Ronnie — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:02:00 GMT

Managed to get the Red Footed Falcon on Saturday 18th May 2013.

It was not easy to photograph as there is not really a good viewing area for photographers,

most the time I could only focus on the reeds in the foreground.

Well worth the trip from Nottingham.

Regards,

Ron Fullelove

Blog post: Golden oriole

David White — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:54:00 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

Blog post: 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!

Forum post: Re: Going to Lakenheath Fen

David White — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:30:00 GMT

Hello there,

We hope you enjoy your visit!

Many thanks,

David White (Information Officer)

Blog post: 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!

Blog post: 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.

Photo: Cuckoo

Old man of Minsmere aka John Richardson — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:53:00 GMT

If you want to see Cuckoo's come to Lakenheath Fen!!!

Photo: Red-Footed Falcon

Old man of Minsmere aka John Richardson — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:50:00 GMT

Another shot of the great little fella

Photo: Red-Footed Falcon

Old man of Minsmere aka John Richardson — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:48:00 GMT

Visited the Lakenheath Fen again, it always produces some great birds, I had to wait 5 1/2 hours to finally see the Great looking adult Red-Footed Falcon, a very hard bird to photograph it flies very fast in a very strong wind!!

Blog post: 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 famous 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!

Forum post: Re: So Much to See In May

David White — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:09:00 GMT

This just sounds fantastic!

Lucky you,

David

Blog post: 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.

Photo: Hobby versus Fly

timjames1963 — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:04:00 GMT