A very hot sunny week, breaking the records for hottest September day since records began. Needless to say the insects enjoyed it, the birds were slightly more muted than usual, and the wardens continued to have fires in the reedbed, raising the temperature even more!
The glossy ibis has bid farewell to us; after its three week stay the ibis was seen gaining height on Monday morning and flew off to pastures new. The bird certainly fed well during its stay and I would not at all be surprised if it is currently over France or Spain given the good thermals aiding its migration and a full stomach.
Fen Hide has produced some good chats, not just within the hide but also in the newly cut viewpoints. At least two whinchats and up to three stonechats have been feeding in the burnt areas all week. The two juvenile birds were a slight talking point, but their identification has been confirmed as stonechat. Whinchat is a scarce bird at the fen so always a nice addition to the year list, this migrant tends to be seen on the coast more than inland in Norfolk and even then they only stay for a day and then move on, this pair certainly seem to enjoy being here.
Tower Hide has continued to produce the best array of birdlife at the fen at the moment; a flock of 15 ruff, at least two garganey, three or more water rails, up to eight herons and six little egrets have been seen throughout the week. Other oddities that have been reported include spotted redshank, green sandpiper and common sandpiper. The number of duck species is rising from the hide and thankfully they are now coming out of eclipse plumage so are more recognisable.
Marsh harriers have mostly abandoned the fen for the majority of the days now, returning at dusk to roost in small numbers. Two new tagged birds have been seen in the past week including TV and VH, I will look into these birds and let you know where in Norfolk they were tagged.
Kingfishers have been quite obvious throughout the fen, regularly being seen from Reception Hide and Fen Hide.
Bearded tits have not quite yet started to eat the reed seeds in a flock but it really will be any day now, I have had a report of a group at the river end of Sandy Wall this morning, which is the classic place for the September beardie flock.
Willow emerald damselflies have been very obvious right across the reserve this week in optimum conditions, they have certainly continued their spread across the valley.
The moth traps have been surprisingly quiet this week, given the warm weather, the highlight of the traps was a fine false ladybird (photographed above) on Tuesday. This is a scarce species in Norfolk, it feeds on bracket fungi and one I have not knowingly seen before.
There were no sightings of swallowtail reported to us this week despite very good conditions, so it looks like we may have to wait until May to see them again now.
Next week we will be closing the left side of the overflow car park for resurfacing so that we can continue to use the car park throughout the winter on busy days, please follow onsite instructions..
The reserve is fully open except for the first part of the meadow trail, which is still being grazed by the highland cattle. Path conditions are still good in most places, although the Lackford Run still has a few wet areas that are bridged by duckboards.