Another very warm week for late September, although the autumn nights are beginning to take hold as the temperatures dropped to just six degrees on Wednesday night.
There was a late contender for bird of the week, with ‘the’ glossy ibis making a return after a two week absence (Photo on above by Brian Tubby). If it is the same bird, it has been hiding well for the past few weeks as there have been no reports in Norfolk or Suffolk. It was seen briefly flying towards Rockland on Saturday morning, but not again by mid afternoon.
Bearded tits were the main draw this week, a flock of 30-40 have been showing on and off at the river end of Sandy Wall, this flock is now feasting on the reed seed heads and will hopefully continue for at least two to three weeks. To get the best chance of seeing the bearded tits I recommend standing along Sandy Wall between 9.00 and 11.00 on a calm sunny day and listen out for the distinctive pinging call.
Wildfowl numbers have risen slightly on last week with good numbers of shoveler now to be seen from Reception and Tower Hides as well as gadwall and an obvious increase in coot numbers too.
Kingfishers continue to be seen throughout the reserve at all times of the day, two bitterns were seen on Friday, which are the first to be reported for a few weeks now. Marsh harriers are coming in to roost in the evenings, but as yet numbers are not known, the first formal roost count will be coming up soon, I saw at least five individuals this morning from Reception Hide, but there are likely to be many more.
At least one whinchat was still viewable from Fen Hide until Friday, but no reports at the time of writing on Saturday.
Willow emeralds continue to be seen around the trails, as are migrant hawkers. A Very late swallowtail was seen last week, but not since.
An otter was busily hunting on Saturday morning in front of Reception hide.
Butterflies continue to decrease, apart from red admirals, which seem to have had a late surge, with 40 seen on one buddleia today along the riverbank.
The trails are in good condition although we have had a few large tides, which have overtopped the Lackford Run in the past week. The meadow trail is still partially closed for grazing, but everything else is fully open and passable.
I will be on annual leave for the next two Fridays, so there may be no updates for a couple of weeks, apologies.