It’ll come as no surprise to learn that it’s been a bit wet here at Lakenheath Fen over the past couple of days. This hasn’t stopped us getting on with our outdoor work, although admittedly some time has been spent in the office drying out. Yesterday was rather wet but we had scheduled in a particular job that needed two reserve staff and we had to take advantage of the fact that two of us were free at the same time! So Dave and I got properly togged up in our waterproof coats and thigh waders and off we went.
The task involved moving a boat through Botany Bay and bringing it down the reserve, ready for putting out the rest of the fish refuges. We did manage to get one refuge out a couple of weeks ago before the fish actually arrived, however there was a slight mishap trying to get the second one out......the fibreglass boat had an ‘altercation’ with a pointy corner of a breezeblock and came off worse! Luckily, I spotted that we were quite rapidly taking on water before volunteer Roger B and I had paddled too far from the shore and we made it back without having to swim. It did put paid to getting the rest of the refuges out however.
The boat we moved yesterday is metal, so I’m confident that should any more breezeblock related accidents occur, the result won’t be quite as damaging to the boat! It was quite peaceful and tranquil rowing gently along the ditches in the pouring rain. These are quite new ditches, created the winter before last so it's nice seeing what sort of aquatic plants are growing up along the edges. Our decision not to wear waterproof trousers as well as waders did result in a couple of soggy bottoms though, as 'rowing gently' through our ditches does involve getting in and out of the boat numerous time to drag the boat across culverts, paths and tracks that divide up our ditches, exposing the seats to the torrential rain! My decision to drive the truck afterwards while still wearing my jacket meant that unfortunately Katherine then joined the soggy bottom club later in the day, when she took the truck out without realising I'd got the drivers seat rather wet. Sorry Katherine!
Continuing with the wet theme, Dave has been tweaking our new pond outside the visitor centre. This involved lowering the water level over the past couple of weeks to add in more peat and make our shallow end a bit shallower in places. Happily, the large volume of rainfall we've had over the past couple of days meant it was not difficult to refill the pond - Dave emptied one of our water butts into the pond TWICE yesterday and volunteer John emptied it again this morning. The pond is now looking nicely full.
It hasn't been wet all week though and it was fairly pleasant on Bank Holiday Monday. While out on car park duty with volunteer Roger B, I spotted a very pretty moth flitting about in the grass. I didn't recognise the moth and when resting it held its wings closed like a butterfly to try and confuse me. It settled in a Scots pine near me, so I quickly radioed David in the office and he brought out a pot and the moth book. We identified the moth as a bordered white and after inspecting Katherine's comprehensive Lakenheath Fen moth list, it turned out this was the first time a bordered white had been recorded on the reserve - how exciting!
Photo credit: Ali Blaney - bordered white moth
This morning I carried out a quick hide inspection to make sure everything was ok there. Before I'd even left the centre a barn owl flew past, with breakfast in its talons. En route it was nice to see the hobbys out and about so early and hear a bittern booming from New Fen North reedbed. Our wildlife was clearly taking full advantage of a break in the rain to get out and feed! From Mere Hide itself I saw at least three bearded tits showing very well, a male stonechat perched on the 'kingfisher perch' and a smallish pike lurking in the pool under the hide. A sedge warbler was singing loudly and I could hear a green woodpecker calling as it flew from New Fen South grazing marsh into West Wood. Lots of aquatic invertebrates could be seen zipping about in and on the water and a female marsh harrier flew over the reeds. The wildlife didn't mind at all that I was sweeping up, moving the benches about and doing some sand-papering. A wealth of wildlife in a short space of time!
Tomorrow we have bittern watch number two in the morning. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a break in the rain - the forecast changes every time I look at it! It's really interesting seeing the footage of the bittern nest at RSPB Minsmere, as part of BBC Springwatch. Seeing the action unfolding at the nest site itself is amazing and I'll be picturing that in my head when looking out for our bitterns tomorrow. Hopefully we'll see the feeding flights which will indicate the presence of a nest. I'll update you on our Lakenheath bitterns next week but you can keep up to date with the unfolding Minsmere action and further Lakenheath Fen news via the RSPB Suffolk Facebook page!