Good morning. We have had a lovely couple of days here at RSPB Lakenheath Fen. If I start where I left off on Tuesday, a lesser redpoll flew over the visitor centre and a stoat was rampaging around the visitor centre veranda. All of its hard work paid off, when it caught an unfortunate rabbit in front of the visitor centre.
I went for a walk before work yesterday morning and there were several chiffchaffs singing between the visitor centre and East Wood and a Cetti’s warbler was singing near the big willow behind the visitor centre.
I met local photographer Matt Walton at New Fen viewpoint and after spending some time there after having only heard some bearded tits pinging, I decided to head back to the visitor centre. This proved to be one of the worst decisions that I have made for a while!
Shortly after I left, Matt took these fantastic photos:
One of two otters that spent at least 10 minutes playing in front of the viewpoint:
A kingfisher:
A green sandpiper showing off it’s distinctive white rump:
Image credits: Matt Walton
Thank you very much to Matt for sharing these great pictures with us.
I had to console myself with great views of a brimstone and two small tortoiseshells feeding outside the office window. This at least put a smile back on my face!
As the day went on, fellow local photographer David Capps spent some time at New Fen viewpoint. He saw three hobbys and a male sparrowhawk hunting over the viewpoint.
I popped up to the Washland viewpoint after lunch and there were at least five little grebes in the large washland pool. A common buzzard was also being harassed by at least two juvenile hobbys, that were making quite a racket whilst doing so!
It was another lovely morning this morning and I walked around the interior path of New Fen North, the first area of reedbed for the first time since it reopened. A chiffchaff was singing in Trial Wood and a meadow pipit flew south overhead.
On the way back, I stopped at New Fen viewpoint and saw a small group of bearded tits feeding in the reeds. A kingfisher shot across the pool and although the otters didn’t show themselves, I suspect they were nearby as most of the wildlife that was present seemed pretty flighty.
I returned to the visitor centre via the Washland viewpoint and there was a mixed flock of around 40 wigeons, gadwalls and shovelers. Although they were mostly still in eclipse plumage, this was definitely a sign that winter is on its way.
If you are planning to visit this weekend, here is a quick reminder that Lakenheath railway crossing will be closed all day on Sunday. It will therefore be necessary to access the reserve from the north (.i.e. via Brandon, Weeting and Hockwold). Please read this blog post for more information. We hope to see you soon!