This week saw some much needed rain at times, however has ended with a beautiful bright, freezing day on Friday, where the first proper frost of the season has arrived at Strumpshaw Fen.
The avian highlights this week have without doubt been the starlings, the roost appears to have remained stable at about 12,000 birds. These starlings have been coming in to roost from about 15.30, depending on weather and light conditions, they have been roosting directly in front of the Reception Hide offering fantastic views from the relative comfort of the hide. The starling numbers appear to be stable, but have been known to suddenly disappear over just a couple of days, so we cross our fingers that the 12,000 remain for a little longer.
The starling flock are also pulling in predators in hope of catching a snack before bedtime, which means that very good views of sparrowhawk and marsh harrier can be had at dusk from Reception hide too.
Marsh harrier numbers are between 15 and 20 in the roost at present, although we are due to do a formal count on Sunday so I will give a better update next week. This week we have seen two green wing tagged harriers at the fen ‘ZC’ and ‘65’, continue reporting these tag numbers to reception where we are making a note and reporting them further. Bitterns appear to be in good numbers this winter with approximately five individuals seen mainly in flight over the reedbed. Bearded tits have been showing well on occasion from Fen Hide and along Sandy Wall. Kingfishers have been seen at the regular fishing points around the reserve, including Fen Hide, the sluice, Tower Hide and all along the riverbank. A pair of stonechats have spent the majority of the week at Fen Hide and the water pipits are still using the cut reed plots in the Fen hide area too, but mainly just seen in flight.
Buckenham wildfowl has started to increase in number with just under 1000 wigeon, around 1500 pink-footed geese and the flock of 30 white-fronted geese still present, but prone to wandering. We are still awaiting the first of the ‘taiga’ bean geese on the reserve, it may only be a couple of weeks to wait now.
An otter was seen well from Reception Hide on Thursday lunchtime, a young marsh harrier was mobbing it as it swam the length of the broad, which was certainly an interesting bit of interaction between the two species.
The reserve flooded on Sunday night and I have just received information that the river is flooding again today (Friday) so the trail to Tower Hide may well be closed for part of the weekend as the tides are due to rise even further, please report to reception to find out the latest information and please take note of path closure signs. When the trail re-opens I would recommend wellingtons for the trail to Tower Hide and the Lackford Run.
The woodland loop and Fen Hide remain open and in good condition. There are two harrier roost walks scheduled for this Sunday and next Sunday so we will be closing Tower Hide from 14.30 until dusk on each of these dates to accommodate the walk.