Despite the weather forecast, October is off to a bright and sunny start here at RSPB Lakenheath Fen. I will begin by sharing some images that have been taken on the reserve over the last week or so:
Bittern at the edge of the visitor centre pond on Tuesday:
Image credit: John Ingham
Otter feeding in the visitor centre pond on Tuesday:
Image credit: Ellie Walliker
Bearded tit:
Image credits: Martin Peake
Thank you very much to John, Ellie and Martin for sharing their images with us.
It was a lovely morning yesterday so I went for a walk along the riverbank first thing. When I got up to the Washland viewpoint, a female marsh harrier flew over and scattered virtually all of the wildfowl present. These were mainly wigeons, gadwalls and teals.
I met local birder Nick just north of East Wood and we enjoyed watching a mixed flock of swallows and house martins heading south. We also saw two late sand martins flying west along the river, overtaking a kingfisher as they went. Shortly after I left Nick, I spotted two stonechats feeding on the riverbank on the Norfolk side of the river.
As I walked back to the centre, it was lovely to hear a chiffchaff singing in the morning sunshine near the visitor centre. Shortly after we opened the visitor centre, a kingfisher appeared at the edge of the visitor centre pond and proceeded to fish on and off in the pond for the rest of the day.
I popped up the Washland viewpoint at lunchtime and I counted seven little egrets. There were plenty of dragonflies on the wing including plenty of ruddy darters and a willow emerald damselfly that was perched up in an inconspicuous spot near the visitor centre.
It was slightly milder than yesterday this morning and I decided to walk around the interior path of New Fen North, which has recently been reopened for this autumn/ winter. Although it was fairly quiet bird wise, I spotted two stonechats perched up on the riverbank. I stopped to say hello to the Dartmoor Ponies that were grazing in the reedbed and stopped at the south west corner of the reedbed, to enjoy my favourite view of the reserve that I haven't been able to appreciate since the spring:
Image credit: David White
As the morning has gone on, a bittern and a water rail have been seen from Mere Hide. I led a group of American Cub Scouts around the reserve and we had great views of a weasel hunting on the riverbank. We heard plenty of bearded tits calling in both New Fen North and near Joist Fen viewpoint. As we walked back through the reserve, we stopped to admire two common buzzards hunting over West Wood and I had a glimpse of a hobby as it shot past alongside Trial Wood.
One thing to update you on is that the cattle have been removed from the riverbank Public Footpath in advance of our Race For Wildlife in two weekends time. Please note that places are now very limited so if you would like to take part, we would recommend booking soon.
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon!