Hello and welcome to the latest blog from Lakenheath Fen. This morning (22 January) we arrived to a reserve shrouded in hoar frost and fog that has not yet lifted (12 noon!)- probably because the air is calm and very cold. It was -6c here at 8am and is now at -2c. Everything is covered in frost, and it looks absolutely beautiful- every branch, leaf, tiny plant and fence post is glittering with ice particles. It makes for a lovely walk around the trails, no matter your interest- whether you are a birdwatcher, an admirer of natural landscapes or just someone who enjoys the fresh air and exercise (or perhaps you are a bit of all three!). The bird feeders are VERY busy with plenty of long-tailed tits, blue tits, great tits, reed bunting, goldfinch and a few greenfinch and marsh tit too.
A water rail was foraging underneath the feeders at the Photography Station early this morning, and didn't move far when I filled them up. I expect he or she will be there on and off all day- with occasional visits from the great spotted woodpecker. We don't see the woodpecker as often at the Visitor Centre feeders, perhaps because it's busier there with people and they are shy birds. However moorhens and mallards are lying in wait for seed spilt onto the frozen pond from the feeders above. Some scattered seed by the side-gate is being enjoyed by chaffinches, marsh tits and collared doves; mainly species that generally feel more confident feeding on the ground. It's quite possible we will see a brambling here before the day is up, as the first one of 2022 was spotted at the Visitor Centre on the 19th, and where there are chaffinches in winter, there are often bramblings too.
Photo credit: Water rail at the Photo Station, by Kim JonesOur bird list for this year now stands at 80 species (you can view the list below) with song thrush and greenfinch being the latest additions. Yesterday (21 January), a raven was showing well from Joist Fen Viewpoint, looking westwards- the latest in several sightings of one in recent weeks. Unlike today, yesterday was clear of fog and so bearded tits could be seen as well as heard and were spotted in several places throughout the day- from the Washland Viewpoint, New Fen and Joist Fen. 6 common cranes were seen too, at various places and this also follows a trend of them being seen here almost every day for the past week. This probably tells us that they are either thinking of returning to their breeding territories early, or that where they were (Welney area) is frozen and the search for food is making them look elsewhere; to other places they know and have been to before. Whooper swans continue to be seen on the reserve daily, as they roost on the Washland and spend the daytime feeding nearby, including on the arable fields of Sedge Fen (south of us). To see small groups flying around at any time of day is quite normal, and they are often calling as they go- their beautiful, ghostly and soft 'hoop-hoop' which is unmistakable once you've heard it.
If you want to see whoopers in large numbers here, then aim to be at the Washland Viewpoint for 8am at the latest as their roost tends to disperse between dawn and 8:30am. If you see the bulk of the group, you could be looking at thousands of swans! Also on the Washland in recent days have been singles of great white egret and little egret, plus a few little grebes in the river and three shelduck on the Washland itself. You may see woodcock flying fast and direct across the water, particularly if the frequent marsh harrier is cruising overhead! Wigeon, mallard, gadwall and shoveler have been seen there too, in small numbers which vary from day to day. Redwing and fieldfare were in the bankside vegetation at the Washland in good numbers this morning (22 January) but these can be spotted almost anywhere on the reserve.2630.4885.4428.Sightings List (birds) 2023.pdf
Our marsh harrier roost at dusk from Joist Fen is still going strong, with around 21 birds there now. They roost anywhere in the reedbed from the viewpoint westwards (to the distant bungalow 1.5. miles away in Botany Bay) and peregrine (14 January), merlin and barn owl may put in appearances too. We have recorded a short-eared owl on the reserve twice in 2023 so one is about and may be visible if you are watching the marsh harriers. Another raptor visitor which is a possibility is one or more hen harriers- so do keep an eye open for a small, faster harrier- if it's very pale with black wingtips it's likely a male, or a brown one with distinct barring on a long tail (if you get a good look is likely a female or juvenile (both termed 'ringtail'). We have now records this winter so far but most winters we do record one or two so keep an eye out! Although it is the prospect of roosting in a safe and sheltered location- and communally- that attracts marsh harriers to the reedbed, the main attraction for the human admirer is not the roost itself but the acrobatic displays prior to the birds settling down. Any amount of wind makes flying around a bit irresistible to harriers- they will often rock back and forth on wings held in a 'V', gliding around and twisting in their air as they mingle together. There may even be the first signs of courtship between birds- after all, several pairs will nest here in the Spring. If they can begin to get to know the other marsh harriers here now, it could give them a head start and better luck in the upcoming breeding season. If we get rain at dusk it tends to dampen the activity, as the birds hurry into bed before they get too wet- they'll fly almost directly into their favourite spot and you may only see each bird for a few seconds. Photo credit: A couple of photos from a previous year of a short-eared owl hunting along the riverbank in winter. Photos by John WightmanTalking of Spring...Last week (15 and 17 January) our previous Site Manager Norman, current Site Manager Dave and warden Katherine went out to mark, cut and rake up 'landing strips' near potential crane nest sites for 2023. It's thought that cranes like to have a clear area to land in when they are in the throes of breeding, so that they can touchdown with good views all around them to ensure that no ground predators are nearby, then to be able to walk in to the nest site without unwittingly being 'followed' by potential predators. So a landing pad encourages them to re-use the reserve to nest on in the coming breeding season. It's anyone's guess how well they will do here in 2023, but what we can do is try to help them in ways like this.Big Garden Birdwatch!As you may be aware, next weekend (Friday 27 to Sunday 29 January) is the annual Big Garden Birdwatch. It's an opportunity for anyone- of any age, ability or mobility to count the birds they see in their garden or local green space. The count last an hour, and you can either use a printed sheet to tally up the birds, or keep a record yourself if you are confident listing the birds you get by name. Then, you can either post your printed form back to the RSPB to be counted, or enter your results online. One important thing to remember is that you are looking for the total number of each species you see at one time, so if you spot four blue tits on your feeder and three later on, your total is four and not seven! Taking part in projects like Big Garden Birdwatch is only getting more important with time- the more of us that put pen to paper and stop to watch and count what we see, the better the picture conservationists have of how our everyday wildlife is faring. And the better the data, the more we, the RSPB, and others can speak up for nature and use your records to support demands for change and propose solutions for the nature and climate emergency. So, if you and those you know are able to spare an hour, you really will make a difference for nature next weekend. Plus, it's a fabulous way to get people new to birdwatching involved, and a great way to relax and take time out to enjoy nature's beauty.You can find out more and register here to take part: https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatchI hope you've enjoyed this blog and found it useful. With best wishes from me and the team here at Lakenheath Fen for the week ahead,Heidi Jones (Visitor Experience Officer).