A week of mixed weather, ranging from 24 degrees and full sun right through to cool and cloudy by the end of the week.
The highlight of the week was the fourth record for Strumpshaw of red backed shrike. A female was seen from Fen Hide and Reception on Tuesday, unfortunately the news did not get out for more to enjoy this rare visitor.
Other highlights included sightings of bittern from reception, four hobbys and two spotted flycatchers all seen on Thursday, also a red kite drifted over the fen on Monday. Marsh harriers are still very active over the reedbed, giving fantastic views of food passes from Fen Hide and all around the trails. At least two cuckoos are still present at the fen, their song (or should that be call?) can be heard throughout the day.
Kingfishers have been seen darting to and from their nest sites carrying fish throughout the week. Great crested grebes have chosen to build a nest in front of reception so hopefully in a few weeks we will be treated to their humbug young from the Reception. All warblers from recent weeks are still very much present and singing well; grasshopper warbler has been heard infrequently at the river end of Sandy Wall and whitethroats continue to sing in good numbers compared to recent years. A garden warbler has been seen near Tower Hide on a number of occasions, quite frequently seen having territorial battles with a male blackcap.
Buckenham and Cantley have produced some good passage waders throughout the week, including spotted redshank, grey plover, wood sandpiper and greenshank all on Tuesday. Other waders include a flock of 21 ruff, which include at least five full summer plumaged birds which are lekking to the females, a rare site here in Norfolk and certainly one to look out for.
Insects have continued to increase in number; hairy dragonflies can now be encountered when the sun shines as well as good numbers of large red damselflies and the first few azure damselflies. This week if the forecast is correct we may not see many new species of dragonfly, however if it gets sunny I would expect to see blue tailed damselfly and four spotted chaser added to the reserve list.
Butterflies have had a good week with numerous holly blue, orange tip, red admiral and brimstone on the wing.
What happens for the next week rests largely on the weather, if it remains as predicted- relatively cool and cloudy we may not see a huge change throughout the week. However if it does warm up we are in the swallowtail butterfly emergence window so the next 20 degree day could well see our first swallowtails. As well as the potential for swallowtails, various dragonfly and butterflies should also be emerging over the next two weeks.
This is our 40th year of being an rspb reserve and next weekend (22nd May) we are celebrating by having a birthday party and will be putting on some special events; open the moth trap with me from 9am-10am, no booking required; at 10.30am you have a choice of two walks, one with me trying to see as many of the 40 species challenge species as possible and anything else that may be on show or have a walk with Tim the site manger to walk back in time and discover more about the history of the fen. These walks will continue until about noon and booking is essential so phone the office on 01603 715191 to book your place. After these events (1-4pm) there will be a selection of family friendly events including pond dipping bug hunting and craft activities.