On the reserve, Spring is well underway now with many migrant birds making their first landfall in recent weeks. The first dates we have so far (21 April) are below:
We aren't waiting on many more species, as you can probably gather! However, common tern, swift and spotted flycatcher aren't here yet. However, the first swift in Suffolk was reported today (21 April) so this may be the next to arrive! We usually keep records of several species of passage waders, like wood sandpiper, green sandpiper, greenshank and dunlin, who drop in during the Spring to refuel and rest on the Washland. However, because of above-average rainfall in March (which we badly needed), the water level on the Washland is quite high and likely too high to attract many waders, as the muddy edges they love to feed on are largely underwater. However, this does make the Washland popular with a variety of ducks, including garganey (last reported on 21 April). On 16 April our volunteer Paul did a headcount in the morning and had 13 shelduck, 13 gadwall, 9 tufted duck, 2 wigeon, 28 shoveler and 4 mallard. As well as looking for these ducks, listen for several sedge warblers singing in the vicinity of the Washland Viewpoint, as well as throughout the reserve wherever there is reedbed. A bit of practice is needed to distinguish the complex songs of the sedge warbler with their relative the reed warbler, but generally that of the reed warbler is a touch slower, with the slightest pauses between each note. Have a listen here, if it helps:Reed warbler recordings: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Acrocephalus-scirpaceusSedge warbler recordings: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Acrocephalus-schoenobaenusIt's also less 'jazzy' and chaotic, with less grating notes. But the difference is tricky and sometimes it's just best to enjoy their presence after several months of absence from the reedbeds! Other sounds emanating from the reedbeds at the moment include the abrupt Cetti's warbler, and the deep booms of the bitterns. We believe we have between 8 and 10 males booming across the reserve at the moment, so as well as standing a good chance of hearing one (especially if the weather is fine) you may see one in flight too. There's also plenty of marsh harrier activity too- with males sky-dancing over the reedbeds, females watching on and encouraging them to bring back food items to prove their hunting abilities. Photo credit: A beautiful bittern from Mere Hide recently, photo taken by Tushar Bala.We've also had a few interesting fly-overs recently- yesterday (20 April) a group of 20 bar-tailed godwits flew north-east over Joist Fen Viewpoint, and on 17 April, four raven flew over the same viewpoint. Our raven sightings are becoming increasingly regular, but we haven't had as many as four before. It is quite common to see lapwing, redshank, curlew or oystercatcher in small numbers (1-4) flying over the reserve, especially as they move between the north of the reserve (the Washland, river and arable fields) and the farmland south of the railway line. We also had a return visit from a white stork and a cattle egret too. Photo credit: An amazing photo of a coot in flight, showing the incredible lobed feet, and two coot chicks from Mere Hide recently. Both taken by Tushar Bala.
As well as a wealth of birds, we have now recorded five butterfly species on the reserve in 2023- first on 15 February was a single peacock- and for several weeks we saw no further butterflies. Then, the weather turned warmer and we have now seen brimstone, small white, green-veined white, holly blue and small tortoiseshell here. Any day now, we should find orange tip, comma, speckled wood and large white so do let us know if you have seen or do see any of these in the coming weeks. Our warden Katherine spotted a few large red damselflies down the western end of the reserve, but do look for these anywhere with still or slow-flowing water, especially in sunny sheltered spots. Bee-flies, hoverflies and bumblebees are plentiful here on sunny days- the crab apple outside the Visitor Centre, between the raised beds, is a great place to look for pollinating insects.An unexpected surprise sighting for us this week was a beautiful brown hare, photographed close to the railway line. Brown hare is a rarity for us but thanks to Tushar Bala sending in more of his wonderful photos, we can share these gorgeous images below that document its time here:As well as the hare, roe deer and muntjac deer have been spotted regularly this past week, and we had another visit from an otter on 17 April, in a pool in East Wood visible from the path (near the accessible car park). We haven't had any stoat or weasel sightings recently but this short-tailed (field) vole is getting quite bold in coming out for spilt bird seed under the feeder in front of the Visitor Centre: Photo credit: A field vole (also known as short-tailed vole) by Emma Nunn. Other news from the reserve
Our weekly work parties have been busy with tasks suitable for the bird breeding season- they have continued with the resurfacing of the hard track down the middle of the reserve to make it more accessible for visitors and vehicles. One of our newer volunteers, Amy, has been working hard for a couple of weeks on tidying up our wildlife garden in front of the Visitor Centre. She has added a few features, like more log piles, half-buried plant pots (on their sides) and extra pollinator-friendly plants, so it’s looking much better and should provide a super display in the summer to come. Some of our other volunteers have worked their way through the middle raised bed in front of the Visitor Centre, carefully cutting the sedge in there to allow the emerging flowering fen plants such as marsh marigold, common meadow-rue and purple loosestrife more space and sunlight. We have the rare marsh pea in there too, and last year the cutting of the sedge really seemed to help the marsh pea to increase it’s numbers- we saw more individual plants in there in 2022 than we had for several years.I hope you have enjoyed this blog. As usual, if you have any queries, please get in touch with us in person, via our e-mail address (lakenheath@rspb.org.uk), over the phone (01842 863400). Our social media pages aren't monitored daily so phone and e-mail are often quicker ways to speak to us, or by popping into the Visitor Centre (open daily from 9am to 5pm).With best wishes,Heidi Jones (Visitor Experience Officer, RSPB Lakenheath Fen).