A fine sunny start to the week gave us t-shirt weather while working for the first time this year. This warm sunny weather broke on Thursday afternoon when all of a sudden 12 hours of rain hit us.
The fen has seen a busy half term week for people, luckily there were good viewing opportunities for some of our specialist species too, however nothing gave itself up easily. Kingfishers have been seen zooming up and down the river, bearded tits have been seen and heard from various areas around the reedbed. Bitterns have been quite shy this week with just two sightings in flight over the reedbed. Marsh harriers have been busy displaying when the weather suits them, with their calling ringing over the reedbed once again you cant help but get a spring like vibe. Other spring like hints include four summer plumaged great crested grebes back on the river and the first little grebe of the year on reception broad. The best otter sighting of the week was by two residential volunteers on Tuesday evening; they saw two otters ‘playing’ in the river while a barn owl drifted overhead in the same field of view. Two goosanders at Tower Hide on Tuesday, 29 marsh and a female hen harrier also roosted on the reserve at dusk. The 2 first pochards of the year have been in front of reception, two fine drakes, better late than never!
The woodland volume switch is slowly being turned up each morning, great spotted woodpeckers are drumming well now and all tit species are in fine voice all being supported by thrushes, blackbirds, chaffinches and the occasional outburst by a nuthatch.
As the weather improves the marshes at Buckenham and Cantley has subtle changes; the wildfowl numbers are still good, with 450 pink-footed geese seen this morning along with just a small flock 4 of white-fronted geese. Wigeon are still in good numbers along the track at Buckenham and the hares are getting prepared for their ‘mad March’ boxing contests.
The water level in the fen is now nearing its spring level, this level is between 550-600 on the reception gauge board. It is important to maintain the water level at this height until June so that reedbed species such as bitterns and marsh harriers feel it is a safe place to nest without getting flooded.
While on the watery theme there are some high tides due for the next week, so it will be important to check the tide times at reception before setting out along the riverbank. Hopefully the water level will remain unchanged and we wont get any saline water in the fen as a result of the high tides, however I fear that the trails may become a little more muddy as a result. All trails are currently open and in fair condition, come and enjoy a stroll around and see what you can find.
Lapwing-Ian Robinson