Good afternoon. As I am going to work at RSPB Arne in Dorset for the next week or so, here are some recent sightings just before I go!
I will begin with some late news from last Tuesday (24 July): An otter was seen from Mere Hide which is a great record for here.
One species that is becoming more and more conspicuous on the reserve at the moment is the striking wasp spider. Here are some pictures that Warden Emma took last week:
Image credits: Emma Cuthbertson
Although these pictures were taken in a part of the reserve that isn't open to the public, there may well be more of them near the reserve paths so keep an eye out for them. Last year, a female set up territory alongside the hard track adjacent to Trial Wood, the middle poplar plantation on the reserve. If you would really like to see one of these impressive arachnids, please ask on arrival and we can point you in the direction of the best place to look.
Friday 27 July
Despite the humid conditions, there were still several people out and about on the reserve. A stoat was seen near the Washland viewpoint and a bittern was seen from Mere Hide.
Saturday 28 July
There were 19 black tailed godwits and three avocets feeding on the washland first thing. A kingfisher was fishing at the edge of the visitor centre pond and our first hummingbird hawkmoth of the year was spotted feeding on the buddleias in front of the visitor centre. While we were setting up for our Big Wild Sleepout event, we saw a fox in Brandon Fen and once everyone was set up, two barn owls were hunting near the camping area which were lovely to see.
Sunday 29 July
I got up shortly after first light on Sunday morning to open the roadside barrier and to cover up the moth traps. I saw a tawny owl in flight over the entrance track and when I got back to the visitor centre, a kingfisher was feeding at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
Unfortunately, the local bird ringers couldn't do their planned bird ringing demonstration due to the strength of the wind which is a shame. However, they did provide us with some good bird records from Sunday morning nonetheless (thanks guys!) from the washland and Brandon Fen:
Monday 30 July
Volunteer John saw a common sandpiper on the washland in the evening which is the first record of this species on the reserve for a while. He also counted at least 46 black tailed godwits from the Washland viewpoint.
Tuesday 31 July
Suzanne saw a sparrowhawk over Brandon Fen.
Wednesday 1 August
There was a stock dove singing in front of the visitor centre on Wednesday morning which is not something we hear very often from our office window! Suzanne saw a bittern and a buzzard in flight over Brandon Fen during her early morning walk. Local bird ringers Simon and Terry saw five whimbrels and six green sandpipers on the washland and a lucky visitor saw a turtle dove in Trial Wood, the middle poplar plantation.
Meanwhile. closer to the visitor centre, a hummingbird hawkmoth was playing hide and seek with the local photographers and I spotted a smart willow emerald damselfly near the Washland viewpoint. An unidentified bird of prey put everything up on the washland in the afternoon. Judging by the panic that whatever it was caused, I am pretty sure it was either a peregrine or an osprey. I guess we will never know now though!
If you are planning to visit the reserve, please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint. Please also note that Lakenheath village is currently closed to through traffic so if you are visiting the reserve from the south via the B1112, unfortunately, you will be diverted. This is due to be the case until around Friday 24 August. Please ring 01842 863400 or e-mail: Lakenheath@rspb.org.uk; for more information.
We hope to see you soon.