The 2013 Lakenheath Fen Big Year

Happy New Year to you all! Some of you may be aware that here at Lakenheath Fen, we have a "reserve year list challenge" between the staff and some of the volunteers. The idea is very simple: To see as many species of bird on the reserve in a year as possible. There are a few rules though! Firstly, as long as you were standing  (or sitting!) somewhere on the reserve, you can count what you saw. Secondly, it is necessary to actually SEE the bird the call instead of counting it if you just heard it. The only exceptions to this rule were spotted crake and quail, as both of these species are incredibly difficult to see. 

I have attached the full reserve list that includes all of the species that were seen on the reserve during 2013 by staff and volunteers. A total of 145 species were seen which is a pretty respectable total. I am very pleased to say that after finishing second last year behind Katherine our warden, I won this year! HOORAY! Again, it was very close though, as you will see by the final scores below:

Me (Information Officer): 130

Katherine Puttick (Warden): 129

Suzanne Harwood (Reserve Administrator): 124

Ali Blaney (Assistant Warden): 120

John Wightman (Visitor centre volunteer): 117

Dave Rogers (Site Manager): 116

I am sure we will be running the competition again this year so let the games begin! I have been out on the reserve this morning and already seen 32 species so I have had a good start! (more about that tomorrow though!). 

I thought I would finish with photos of three of my personal highlights from 2013:

The long staying red footed falcon:

Image credit: David Carr

The reserve's first ever Savi's warbler

Image credit: Tim James

One of the long staying ospreys:

Image credit: Ken Clegg

Let's hope that 2014 is equally as good! A "recent sightings" post will follow tomorrow morning and we hope to see you soon!