Good morning. It is a lovely morning here at Lakenheath Fen so here are some recent sightings from the last couple of days:
I will begin with an image of the female wasp spider from last week, which I am very pleased to say has now been re-found in the same area on the reserve:
Image credits: Tim James
If you would like to see it, it can be seen along the southern edge of New Fen North, the first area of reedbed. Please ask in the visitor centre for more detailed directions on where to find her!
Once the fog lifted on Saturday morning, there was plenty to see on the reserve. At least four hobbys were over the visitor centre late morning and a common buzzard was over Brandon Fen. A marsh tit was calling at the edge of the car park and a kingfisher was over the washland.
As the day went on, a sparrowhawk flew low over the visitor centre pond and and a goldcrest was calling in front of the visitor centre. Meanwhile, further down the reserve, a family of four spotted flycatchers made a brief appearance in West Wood in front of Mere Hide and our first peregrine of the autumn was reported in the same area.
Local photographer Lee was out and about on Saturday this afternoon and kindly sent us these images:
What looks like a four spot orb weaver with a ruddy darter in its web:
Four spot orb weaver:
Male migrant hawker:
What looks like a female ruddy darter being "photobombed" by a four spot orb weaver:
Pair of ruddy darters:
Image credits: Lee McCarthy
Thank you very much to Tim and Lee for sharing these images with us.
Lee also saw a stoat running along the bridge at the edge of West Wood.
In the afternoon, local birder Steve saw the following on the washland:
He also saw two willow emerald damselflies in tandem over Brandon Fen.
On Sunday, a kingfisher was fishing at the edge of the visitor centre pond and two late swifts were feeding over the washland. A small red eyed damselfly was also feeding over the visitor centre pond.
Volunteer Paul spent some time looking over the washland on Tuesday and saw:
A kingfisher was also feeding at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
Yesterday, morning a marsh harrier was hunting over the washland first thing and there were a couple of waders present. This included a ringed plover and three dunlins. A kingfisher was also feeding at the edge of the visitor centre pond.
This morning, there were at least 12 house martins feeding over the washland first thing. A goldcrest was also feeding in front of the visitor centre.
Please note that there are still cattle grazing on the riverbank Public Footpath between the Washland viewpoint and Joist Fen viewpoint.
We hope to see you soon!