Good morning. We have had a reminder that winter is still here over the last couple of days. Before I get to some wintery pictures though, I will report some sightings from Sunday:
I went for a walk before work and there was plenty to see from the Washland viewpoint. This included three shelducks and two great crested grebes. A barn owl was hunting north of the large pool and it flushed three water pipits that were feeding nearby on it’s travels. A female marsh harrier was hunting near the river bridge and a great spotted woodpecker was drumming in East Wood.
Meanwhile, further down the reserve, two great white egrets were feeding north of the river just west of Joist Fen viewpoint. There was plenty of crane activity from Joist Fen viewpoint and both resident pairs were seen in flight over the course of the day.
It was a really frosty on Tuesday morning and Emma took these lovely photos:
Image credits: Emma Cuthbertson
Thank you very much to Emma for sharing these great pictures with us!
She went up to the Washland viewpoint and saw around 30 wigeons and 11 tufted ducks. She also saw a stoat at the base of the path up to the viewpoint. Later on in the day, she saw a bittern from Joist Fen viewpoint.
It wasn’t a bad day here yesterday and the highlight of the day came at lunchtime when Katherine and Suzanne saw two pintails from the Washland viewpoint. These elegant ducks aren’t seen too often here, so this was a great record.
I went for a walk around Brandon Fen and a barn owl was perched up at the edge of the grazing marsh. As I walked along the riverbank towards the Washland viewpoint, two cranes flew east along the river before landing just behind the large pool. There was some wader activity on the washland with both redshank and dunlin calling near the Washland viewpoint. A small gull was also flying around, which I was almost certain was a little gull. However, it was too far away to clinch it’s true identity so it will have to remain a probable unfortunately. I had a quick detour back around Brandon Fen and found three roe deer skulking at the edge of the car park.
Just before I go, I will just let you know that Lakenheath High Street (the B1112) is currently closed to through traffic and it will be closed for around two weeks. Therefore, if you are accessing the reserve from the south, you will have to follow the A1065 past RAF Lakenheath and turn left at the traffic lights down the Wangford Road. You will then rejoin the B1112 at the end of this road. If you have any question or queries about this, please ring 01842 863400 or e-mail lakenheath@rspb.org.uk;
There is plenty to see at the moment so why not come and visit? We hope to see you soon.