Good afternoon. The local hobbys have been out and about this week and here are a few pictures that were taken here earlier on in the week:
Image credits: Matt Walton
Thank you very much to Matt for sending these great images over.
I have been elsewhere for most of the week but I returned today to lead a special guided walk for a couple who wanted to see the kingfishers that are currently calling the reserve home. Although the kingfishers played hard to get, we did eventually see them (more about that later though!)
We started off at New Fen viewpoint and there were no kingfishers! It was very breezy which provided us with good views of a female marsh harrier and a distant hobby over West Wood.
When we reached the gap between Trial Wood and West Wood, there were two hobbys overhead being mobbed by a carrion crow. We had also had a quick look from the south west corner of New Fen North, where we found large numbers of migrant hawkers and ruddy darters feeding in the sunshine.
We got to Mere Hide and there were still no kingfishers. However, we saw two bearded tits flying low over the reedbed and a kestrel hunting in front of the hide. We also saw probably the same hobby and marsh harrier that we had seen previously from New Fen viewpoint.
We decided to head down to Joist Fen viewpoint for one last throw of the dice and suddenly, there were kingfishers. Thank goodness for that! Two birds circled around the pool a couple of times before disappearing off again. We could see a couple of marsh harriers hunting in the distance and a meadow pipit flew over, calling as it went.
We walked back along the river and got good views of a little egret fishing at the water's edge. There were also two common buzzards circling nearby along with a hobby.
All in all, it turned out to be a great walk and we (eventually!) saw what we were hoping to see. If you are interested in hiring a guide here at RSPB Lakenheath Fen (it doesn't have to be me, just so you know!) please ring the office on 01842 863400 or e-mail lakenheath@rspb.org.uk; We hope to see you soon.