High pressure has brought a fairly settled week of weather, mainly mild and dry during the day with cool nights. The northerly and easterly winds have kept temperatures down and also held back some of the early returning migrants, although there was some evidence of migration.
This week did see some good birds across reserve; the penduline tit was heard calling at the river end of sandy wall on Tuesday and then seen briefly on Thursday along the Lackford Run, this bird really does get around! On Sunday a North American green winged teal was found at Cantley, also present was a great white egret at Buckenham. Four cranes were seen from Fen Hide on Thursday, where the jack snipe was also still present. The final bird of note was the female goldeneye, which is still present on the reserve, being seen from Fen Hide and the broad near the sluice.
More routine birds included bittern sightings from all three hides, kingfisher from Tower Hide and along the riverbank, two water pipits are also still lingering in the reedbed. Marsh harriers have been displaying well on the bright calm mornings, visible from all over the reserve. Wildfowl numbers have continued to be good with pochard, tufted ducks and gadwall all in good number. Many coots are now sitting on nests, including a bird in front of reception who has been sitting since 10th March.
The woodland and riverbank scrub are full of birdsong with song thrush, siskin, treecreeper, bullfinch and goldcrests all in fine voice. The first wave of migrant chiffchaffs have just about made it to our reserve now, at least five were singing around the reserve on Thursday, a marked increase on last weeks one.
Non avian highlights have included the first of the newly emerged butterflies of the year- the splendid brimstones. Peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies have also been seen throughout the week, particularly in the warm sun on Thursday, a grass snake was also found enjoying the suns warmth.
The wet grassland at Buckenham ad Cantley marshes continues to gear up for spring with good numbers of displaying lapwing, the first noisy redshank, oystercatchers and avocets have also arrived in number. On Sunday there were 107 dunlin, 15 black tailed godwit, 47 ruff, 52 curlew as well as a fine drake pintail on the marshes, while Tuesday saw a herd of 21 Bewick’s swans at Buckenham.
The reserve is fully open, but there is still a diversion through the meadows as the riverbank is still being worked on by the Environment Agency, it should be open by the end of next week. The riverbank is drying out thanks to the recent dry weather, however this can change quickly with rainfall or flooding.
This coming week chiffchaff numbers should increase, bitterns should start booming and waders should continue to build in number at Buckenham and Cantley.