Good afternoon. Well, whether or not there is ever a dull moment here at RSPB Lakenheath Fen, we have certainly had plenty of dull weather recently! It has been cold, murky with the odd snow flurry just for good measure.
However, there has been plenty to see nonetheless so here are some more recent sightings from Thursday lunchtime onwards:
I went up to the Washland viewpoint and I saw the following:
Suzanne walked around Brandon Fen shortly after I got back and saw a common buzzard perched up in the snow.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, the work party team saw three cranes in flight near Joist Fen viewpoint. They also saw four pochards (two drakes and two ducks). Although these weren't on pools that are visible to the public, they may well appear elsewhere over the next week or so. Wardens Emma and Alan were down at Joist Fen viewpoint until dusk and Alan spotted a male hen harrier. It's great to know that there is still at least one around.
I had a surprisingly productive walk around the reserve on Thursday morning. Shortly after I left the visitor centre a female barn owl was hunting over Brandon Fen. When I got to the Washland viewpoint, I spotted eight whooper swans (five adults and three cygnets) which were whooping away happily to each other.
As I walked along the riverbank, I was pleasantly surprised to see a bittern flying east over the large Washland pool. When I got to the washland pool north of East Wood, four Bewick's swans flew up and headed north west (three adults and one cygnet.
I saw at least six roe deer along the riverbank including three north of East Wood and three north of West Wood. There were two common buzzards perched up north of the river and a very pale barn owl was hunting over the washland north of West Wood.
As the morning went on, a water rail was showing well at the edge of the visitor centre pond and a goldcrest was showing exceptionally well in front of the visitor centre during a snow shower. A kingfisher also made a brief appearance in the visitor centre pond which was nice to see.
Our Regional Reserve's Manager went past the reserve on the train during the afternoon and he spotted three cranes feeding on the reserve. Later on in the afternoon, all seven resident birds were seen north of the river.
Emma and I went down to Joist Fen viewpoint in the afternoon and we saw a great white egret over the far end of the reserve. We also saw a female merlin over Joist Fen viewpoint which was great to see.
I was a bit pushed for time yesterday morning so I just took my telescope up to the Washland viewpoint for 15 minutes. Despite the fact that it was very chilly, I saw:
Shortly after we opened up, a water rail was skulking at the edge of the visitor centre pond and a sparrowhawk was perched up by the bird feeders. I took the Wildlife Explorer's club for a short walk and we had a good view of a great white egret in front of the Washland viewpoint. We also spotted this interesting species of fungi growing in Frederick, the willow dragon:
Image credit: David White
As yet. I haven't manage to identify it so watch this space! I went for a quick walk around Brandon Fen after lunch and I spotted a male stonechat perched up north of East Wood. A great crested grebe was also feeding in the river.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, volunteer Roy saw five marsh harriers and two kingfishers from Joist Fen viewpoint. A bittern was also skulking at the edge of the pool in front of the viewpoint, but apparently it was very difficult to see. I went up to the Washland viewpoint just before we closed and I could see at least one barn owl hunting in the dull light of dusk.
It was mainly snowing for my walk around the reserve this morning and as I walked along the very soggy riverbank Public Footpath, I saw a great white egret and two drake pintails. When I got back to the visitor centre, a water rail was showing well at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
If you are planning to visit the reserve this week, please note that Lakenheath High Street will be partially closed. This will affect access to the reserve from the south. Please read this blog post for more information.
We hope to see you soon!