Halloween marks the end of October. There are no tricks to be seen here though, only treats. Several of them. What kind of treats? It is that time again to look back at what wildlife highlights that were seen this month. But before we do, there's a couple of things to address.
Firstly, seasonal path closures. The meadow trail is now closed until mid-may next year. The Fen Trail will be closed beyond Tower Hide until beginning of March 2023. We will respond to flood warning as necessary which might result in the river bank being closed from the top of Sandy Wall to Tower Hide. Secondly, noise disturbance. As we move towards winter, our team will be working on the reedbeds and may produce some disturbance on certain days. Please ask at reception for the latest news. Thirdly, winter opening hours, from today reception hide will be open 10am-4pm.
Now to October's highlights. Did anything noteworthy turn up along the Yare Valley? There is only one place to start.
As September turned to October, Hurricane Ian was battering the eastern coastline of North America. Migrant birds travelling to South America were being blown off course by this powerful storm. Some ended up on our side of the pond. At Buckenham, a pectoral sandpiper was seen for just 5 minutes on October 1st. This American wader, that breeds in the Canadian Arctic, wasn't seen again for over a week until it reappeared again on Oct 12th and stayed until Oct 17th. We don't get many American birds along the Yare Valley, so it is a special highlight of the year for us.
Pectoral Sandpiper - Sean Locke (captured previously at Titchwell)
On October 11th, 8 whooper swans (4 adults and 4 youngsters)made a short, unexpected visit to Buckenham. These winter-visiting swans usually are only seen flying over, but these eight decided to land on the actual marshes themselves, something Buckenham regulars rarely get to see. Another surprise on the marshes was a cattle egret that had been following our cattle there for two days (Oct 23rd-24th). Just like the little and great white egrets before them, cattle egrets are the latest species to establish themselves in the UK due to a warmer climate and we expect to see them more often in the future.
Cattle Egret by Andy Egan
And that's not all from Buckenham as cranes have been making regular appearances there within the past month. The highest count so far of pink-footed geese numbered 950 on Oct 19th and we expect more by the end of November. Keep an eye out also for barnacle geese, a flock of brambling, red kites, snipe, black-tailed godwits and the odd peregrine while scanning the marshes, too.
An easterly wind on Oct 19th created a large spur in migration and brought over many amazing bird species across Norfolk, including the county's first ever blue rock thrush at Winterton. Here at Strumpshaw, these winds provided us with 3 hawfinches as well as roughly 25,000 redwings and 22,00 fieldfares. With a bumper crop of fruit around the reserve at the moment, many of these thrushes will be gorging themselves on them. And maybe, just maybe, a flock of waxwing may turn up to feast on them too.
Meanwhile, the first water pipit has arrived at Strumpshaw (Oct 18th). These birds are actually more associated with mountains and not water. They spend the summer in the big European mountain ranges such as the Alps and the Pyrenees further south, where they breed. Many of them head north to the UK, especially to Norfolk, for our milder winters and this is when the water part of their name comes to play as they tend to be found near marshy areas. They look similar to meadow pipits, but are less streaky.
Stonechats have been a regular sighting this month. They seem to be mostly found near the pumphouse at Strumpshaw and the brambles beside the main path at Buckenham. Siskins and lesser redpolls are now also building their numbers in the woodland.
The rook roost at Buckenham is in its early stages and we expect the numbers to grow into an impressive figure by the end of November.
Our marsh harrier roost surveys at Strumpshaw have just begun. So far only 4 individuals have been counted, but this number will increase as the temperature drops in the next couple of months. If you wait it out at either the Tower or Fen hides until dusk, you may be treated to possibly 20 or so of these raptors as they come in for the night. There may even be a hen harrier if you are lucky.
On Sunday a very small flock (50) starlings came in to roost. No murmurations just yet but hopefully the numbers will grow and if they decide to roost outside the reception, we will definitely let you all know.
The insect season is nearing its end with most dying off or entering a torpor state soon until spring arrives. However, there are still a few butterflies around, including one unexpected sighting of a clouded yellow (Oct 1st), which is a migratory species. Common darters, migrant hawkers and the odd willow emerald damselfly are also still on the wing, though not for long. Meanwhile, the ivy flowers have continued to attract all kinds of insects, including many hornets, the largest native wasp in Europe.
The woodland trails have been a great place for those who are fascinated in fungi. A thorough search can provide you with many species. Some interesting finds so far include a cauliflower fungus, black jelly drops (or black bulgar), deathcap, fly agaric, two shaggy inkcaps, candlesnuff, just to name a few. You really do not need to be a fungi expert to appreciate the wonder of them.
Black jelly drops by Sean Locke
Bitterns and bearded tits have been at their best this month. The bearded tits have been forming large flocks of 20-30 and were extremely active. On Oct 3rd, I was fortunate to have seen a bittern poking its head out of the reedy islands in front of reception with the beardies hopping in the reeds around it. Otters have also been seen from reception, while kingfishers have been visiting Fen Hide on occasion and great white egrets have been seen all over the place.
November should be a much quieter and colder month for our wildlife. However, if you are prepared to wrap up in extra layers, I am sure you will be rewarded with some great wildlife. Hopefully, we will see the bean geese return to Buckenham or witness the starlings dazzling us with their amazing murmuration displays. And of course, there's always a chance we will get something unexpected and rare surprising us with a visit.
We have some wonderful events happening during November, Nature babies, Harrier Roost Walks and Photography follow the link to find out more: https://events.rspb.org.uk/strumpshawfen