In the Visitor Centre, we keep a clipboard and recording sheet handy to take down visitor sightings. These records get used in multiple ways- we update the whiteboard in the Visitor Centre for all visitors to see, and volunteers and staff make good use of it to catch up on the notable sightings from days they haven't been in. We also have a volunteer who transfers all the information from the paper chart onto Merlin, the RSPB's company-wide recording software. I thought it would make a nice change and perhaps be very useful for potential visitors to see what we have recorded in October so far- so here goes:

Species Count Location Date
Common Crane* 2-4 Flying over reserve

6 Oct- three birds

3 Oct- two birds

2 Oct- four birds

Little Egret 3-8 Washland

6 Oct- three birds

4 Oct- eight birds

Great White Egret 2-6 Washland

6 Oct- two birds

5 Oct- six birds

Coot 5 Washland 6 Oct
Wigeon 5 Washland

6 Oct

Mute Swan 12-21 Washland

6 Oct- 12 birds

5 Oct- 21 birds

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Visitor Centre feeders 6 Oct
Swallow 1 Visitor Centre pool 6 Oct
House Martin 2 Visitor Centre pool 6 Oct
Common Buzzard 3 Above Visitor Centre 6 Oct
Bearded Tit 4-8 Joist Fen, Mere Hide

5 Oct- four birds

3 Oct- eight birds

Hobby 1-2 Across reserve

6 Oct- one bird

5 Oct- two birds

Sparrowhawk 1 New Fen viewpoint 5 Oct
Kingfisher 4 River (viewed from public footpath) 5 Oct
Bittern 1 Mere Hide 5 Oct
Hen Harrier 2 Washland

3 Oct- male

4 Oct- female

Marsh Harrier 1-2 Across reserve, Washland popular 4 Oct
Common Snipe 2 Washland 4 Oct
Cormorant 2 Washland 4 Oct
Grey Heron 3 Washland 4 Oct
Kestrel 2 Flying over Washland 3 Oct
Blackcap 1 Scrub behind raised beds 3 Oct
Shoveler 50+ Washland 3 Oct
Barn Owl 1 Hunting over reserve 3 Oct
Gadwall 250+ Washland 2 Oct
Roe Deer 2 Brandon Fen trail (doe + older fawn 3 Oct
Long-tailed Tit 14 Visitor Centre trees 3 Oct
Red Fox 1 Riverbank 3 Oct
Grey Wagtail 1 Visitor Centre (flying over) 3 Oct
Coal Tit 2 Visitor Centre feeders 3 Oct
Siskin 2 Visitor Centre 2 Oct
Stonechat 1 Washland 2 Oct
Stoat 1 near old Dipping Pond 30 Sep

*Just to add, these Common Crane sightings may be a little misleading- generally speaking, we don't see them regularly between when 'our' breeding pairs leave the reserve in August/September following the breeding season, and when they return to breed again, usually in late February of the following year. However, the water level at the nearby Ouse and Nene Washes (where the communal wintering flock can usually be found) has risen very rapidly over the past two weeks, and it is now too wet there for the cranes to forage for food and roost at night. This may explain why on multiple days this week we have spotted 2-4 cranes- these birds could be 'our' breeding pairs taking the chance to return to check their breeding grounds are still available, uncontested by other cranes and to see how flooded they are. Cranes appear to be very forward-thinkers, and they like to know how things stand at their breeding grounds during the winter months. It may well be that we do not record cranes here for many weeks after today- who knows- so whilst they are a great sighting, we wouldn't recommend coming here just to see them- as it is unlikely that you will.

The general feel on the reserve is that we are sliding into Autumn with some very nice weather- it's been sunny and warm most days this week. As a result, the Hobbies are still here- feeding on large insects that persist like the numerous Migrant Hawker and Ruddy Darter dragonflies. It's still easy to see Red Admiral, Large White and Comma butterflies too.

We haven't had many visitors in recent weeks which is a terrible shame as there is so much wildlife still to see at this time of year, and it's all the more enjoyable for the favourable weather too.

As always, if you have any questions or want to contribute your sightings, please give us a ring on 01842 863400, e-mail us at lakenheath@rspb.org.uk or pop in to see us. 

Our events programme can be found here and our next events are an Accessible Reserve Tour on 17 October, Treasures of the Moth Trap on 24 October and an Amazing Autumn Guided Walk on 27 October.

With best wishes from the reserve,

Heidi Jones (Visitor Experience Officer)