Wildlife SightingsHello and welcome to the latest blog from RSPB Lakenheath Fen. The first month of the year has produced some fantastic sightings and in total our bird list for 2022 now sits at 78 species, thanks most recently to a red kite yesterday (27 January) and recent highlights of corn bunting, Bewick's swan, barn owl, woodcock and mistle thrush. A wintering chiffchaff singing on 7 January also helped! Below is the list so far for the year:6281.2072.2022 bird list.xlsxI am writing this blog on the back of common crane sightings here for two days in a row- six seen by the Thursday work party yesterday (27 January) caused much excitement, and we believe the birds to have been our two regular pairs from 2021, each of which has a fledged chick in tow. They were bugling incessantly and very close together, indicating some conflict or discussion between them over territory boundaries. Whilst we do not know for sure the origin of yesterdays' birds, it is likely from their behaviour and numbers that they are our regular birds. At 11:30 this morning three were spotted again in the same area (looking south-west from Joist Fen Viewpoint, or roughly 10 o' clock as you look out from the viewpoint). They flew in from south of the railway line where presumably they had been feeding. It is quite likely these three were part of yesterdays' six birds which have stayed locally since yesterday. Watch this space regarding whether this means this pair are 'back' now in residence for the spring/summer season or whether it is just a brief winter visit.A bittern was also seen in flight this morning (28 January) over New Fen North (the reedbed area between East, West and Trial Woods) and bearded tits were heard from Joist Fen viewpoint at various points this morning. Last weekend (22-23 January) 'beardies' showed extremely well and several visitors were treated to good views in the reedbed triangle south of West Wood. The cold, clear, bright and calm conditions were ideal and a pair was seen mutually grooming each other, feeding and paying little regard to their human admirers. Lucky them!Today has also seen a group of four whooper swans in flight, and our most recent roost count was on 21 January when 135 were seen leaving the Washland at 9am along with two Bewick's swans. Other washland highlights have included four shelduck and 11 wigeon (both today, 28 January), 6 shoveler on 18 January, 1 snipe on 26 January, 3 common gull on 21 January and over 100 lapwing on 17 January. Yesterday (27 January) a female marsh harrier was quartering the rough grassland at the back of the Washland; in fact a male or female bird, or both, can often be seen there and it is a good place to look for marsh harriers. One great white egret was seen wading through the icy river this morning (28 January) but we have up to 13 locally, as counted flying into roost back in November. Little grebe and great crested grebe have been spotted along the river (almost anywhere) regularly over the past few weeks so always check for these if you find yourself on the public footpath. Yesterday (27 January) during my lunchtime walk I spotted both a grey heron and two little egret along the river, quite close to the B1112 Wilton Bridge.One visitor counted 13 little egret, 5 great white egret and 20 marsh harrier from Joist Fen viewpoint at dusk on 15 January, and this is a fantastic place to be between 5pm and 6pm each day- the harrier roost is usually distant, but egrets and other birds of interest often come closer. Another dusk highlight is our roost of corn buntings along the riverbank footpath- try walking east of the riverbank viewpoint bench until you reach a bend in the river (and path) that takes it east to the Wilton Bridge (on the B1112) and watch from there. Up to 10 water pipit and 30 pied wagtails also feature in the roost. This will be a good spot too to look for some last-minute marsh harrier and barn owl action, and perhaps even spot a merlin- we have had several reports now this winter of merlin in very rapid flight, from all over the reserve, as they zip past visitors who visit at dusk.Back at the bird feeders, long-tailed tits, reed buntings and marsh tits are regular visitors at the Visitor Centre feeders, whereas the great spotted woodpecker and greenfinches prefer the Photography Station feeders as they are generally quieter in terms of visitor footfall- both these species are shy and tend to find the feeders on the balcony at the Visitor Centre a bit busy. Our now-famous water rails at the Photo Station often delights visitors who are able to wait and watch for a little longer here- half an hour is often productive- as periodically it creeps out of the reedbeds behind to collect a few seeds. Occasionally, two birds are seen at once here. And what would a blog be without some stellar visitor photos? Here are some lovely images sent in by a regular visitor, Robin Johnson, of some of Lakenheath Fen's beautiful resident 'beardies': Photo credits: A pair of bearded tits mutually grooming each other. Taken by Robin Johnson on 22 January.
Upcoming EventsIf you would like to try to see these wildlife highlights on a guided walk, we do have some spaces left on our upcoming Winter Walking Safari, which is on 6 February (9am to 3:30pm). The walk will follow a route of around 6.5 miles and is comprehensive- taking in every habitat and area we have at Lakenheath Fen, including parts of the reserve beyond Joist Fen that are not normally open to the public. You stand a good chance of seeing bittern, marsh harrier, bearded tit, common crane, great white egret, whooper swan, amongst plenty of other wildlife. It won't be long before our common cranes are settled back into their breeding territories so we run this event before there is any chance of us disturbing them. Two of our superb volunteers will lead the walk, and there will time to stop to enjoy the view and for lunch too, as well as the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like! To read more and for booking, please click here and click on 'Winter Walking Safari'.Our FacilitiesI hope you have enjoyed this latest round-up of our news. As always, if you have any queries about visiting us or our facilities, please give us a call on 01842 863400 or an e-mail at lakenheath@rspb.org.uk. We will answer the phone or respond to e-mails between the hours of 9am and 4pm each day.As a quick reminder of our facilities:Outdoor Welcome Point, takeaway refreshments and toilets from 9am to 4pm daily. We have an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities.Accessible car parking at New Fen - available from 9am to 4pm daily (by obtaining a permit from the Welcome Point).Visitor car park - open daily from dawn until duskAll trails, viewpoints and Mere Hide open daily from dawn until dusk.Binocular hire (RSPB puffins) available from 9am to 4pm daily at the Welcome Point.For more comprehensive information, please visit our website here.Hope to see you soon!Best wishes,Heidi Jones (Visitor Experience Officer, RSPB Lakenheath Fen).