Hello to one and all and welcome to the latest blog. This week has been peppered with lovely moments- we have had the first big groups of whooper swans on the Washland (300+ early this morning, 15 October and 294 on 12 October), redwing in an almost constant stream overhead and a spectacular, if slightly worn, clifden nonpariel moth in a trap that Katherine set on the evening of 13 October. This is only our second record for the reserve, the first being this time last year (a bit of a smarter specimen!). In all, around 25 individual moths were caught, made up of eleven species which were; pale-lemon sallow, pink-barred sallow, sallow, large wainscot, large yellow underwing, setaceous hebrew character, frosted orange, red-line quaker, beaded chestnut, dark chestnut and of course the clifden nonpariel. Here's a photo of the lovely clifden: Photo: Clifden nonpariel moth by Katherine Puttick We have also had regular sightings of red admiral and peacock butterflies, both hardy species that cope well with wet, windy and harsh weather so long as they can find a sheltered spot. Here's two lovely photos taken by a regular visitor, Chris Robinson: Photo: Red admiral butterfly by Chris Robinson
Photo: Peacock butterfly by Chris Robinson
Dragonflies continue to enjoy calm days in warmer spots such as this lovely migrant hawker, again taken by Chris Robinson and very generously shared with us here at the reserve: Photo: Male migrant hawker dragonfly by Chris Robinson In terms of bird sightings, the whooper swans have been a real highlight- they are joined on the washland most days by a few mute swans and increasing numbers of shoveler, gadwall and pochard. Little egret and great white egret have been seen almost daily from up here, as well as kingfisher flying and fishing along the river. On 6 October we had twelve snipe in flight over the Washland, and most days some can be spotted in the muddy margins of the washland. Look out too for the usual redshank, oystercatcher and lapwing up there, keeping the snipe company. In the past couple of weeks otter sightings have increased significantly and the bend in the river just west of the Washland Viewpoint is a good spot to look for these. Other places to look include the Visitor Centre pool, where two were seen together on 12 October (likely a dog otter and a female, as one was significantly larger than the other and they were happily sharing the pool), the pool at Joist Fen Viewpoint (one on 11 October) and the pool at New Fen Viewpoint (a record of one from 10 October). They especially seem to like wetter weather, and records of them fishing are nearly always when it is raining- given that we often have fewer visitors (but more otter sightings) during the rain it strongly indicates that the rain triggers the otters to go fishing. So if the heavens open while you are here, don't despair- you can always go looking for otters! Another good species to look for near the Visitor Centre is water rail, who like sifting through the freshly-cut fringes of the pond or scavenging for spilt seed from the feeders- I heard one this morning (16 October) as we do most mornings. One was spotted at the Photo Station too on 10 October. Yesterday (15 October) we had large numbers of stonechat sitting on the vegetation on the south side of the river at around midday, so keep an eye out for these as well as reed buntings and Cetti's warblers which like the same habitat and can often be found in the riverside bushes.Here's our migrant bird list for the autumn so far:
Siskin first heard on 10 SeptemberRedwing and Whooper swan, both first recorded on 26 September
Fieldfare seen on 10 October
You might easily see redwing in bushes (especially berry-bearing ones) and on paths around the reserve if you visit in the coming days- they are often conspicuous soon after they make landfall, and are often mixed in with good numbers of blackbirds which they often migrate with. Fieldfares are less common at the moment as they usually migrate a little later, but listen out for their harsh chattering; they can often be found associated with redwings. Siskin are easy to hear around the Visitor Centre in the tops of the alder trees, but almost exclusively on this species of tree as the cone seeds of the alder are a staple winter food for them, though check the conifers in Brandon Fen if you are walking there too. Later in the winter they should be attracted to the feeders at the Visitor Centre and Photography Station as their natural food supply dwindles and they go looking for handouts... especially nyjer seed! Another small bird that has shown well this past week has been treecreeper- two were seen in Brandon Fen on 14 October- check the poplar and willow trunks for these and at this time of year they begin to associate with mixed flocks of long-tailed tit, marsh tit, blue tit, great tit, coal tit and goldcrest- these are lovely when they pass you nearby or overhead, distracted by the search for food, so keep an eye out for them.Our bearded tits continue to be a highlight with Suzanne, our administrator, seeing a flock of fifteen in flight over the Visitor Centre pool on 14 October and the same number seen at New Fen on 12 October. Generally the best place to look for these is anywhere with reedbeds; the stretch of path between New Fen and Joist Fen being especially reliable, though as this week shows they can turn up anywhere.
Whilst the first of the autumn and winter birds have arrived, we have not yet said goodbye to the last of our summer visitors, with two hobbies seen at New Fen on 12 October and seven house martins in flight over the Visitor Centre on 8 October. For quite a while yet we could still have house martins and swallows passing through, and some don't leave the UK until November.
If you plan to visit us in the coming days, the weather is looking brighter with less rain than in recent weeks. Here's a quick reminder of the facilities that we have at RSPB Lakenheath Fen now that we are fully open once again:
Please note: Inside the Visitor Centre we are only permitting one visiting group at a time (up to six people), via a one-way system where we politely ask that you wait outside the front 'IN' entrance until the Visitor Centre is free of other people before entering. We also ask that you do the now mandatory Track and Trace facility upon entering the Visitor Centre, and to both wear a mask (unless exempt) and sanitise your hands before entering either the Visitor Centre or Mere Hide.Thank you for your co-operation in helping us to open up the reserve in a safe way and I hope you have enjoyed this weeks' blog- see you soon on the reserve!Best wishes,Heidi Jones (Visitor Experience Officer, RSPB Lakenheath Fen).