A cooler week with mostly cloudy conditions, a break in the weather on Thursday saw warm sunny spells, but a cool breeze kept temperatures down a little.
A great white egret was seen from reception on Monday and Tuesday, it was photographed well at Fen Hide and then seen flying around the reserve. A fine drake garganey was seen Wednesday and Thursday from Tower Hide, it was calling regularly, which is not always something you hear in the middle of the day. A spotted flycatcher was seen around the field teaching area on Thursday as well as the regular pair of bullfinches. Garden warbler can still be heard and seen just beyond Tower Hide as well as all other warblers still present around the fen. We appear to have held onto our four territories of common whitethroat, but the lesser whitethroats have moved on now. The two main big sounds around the fen at the moment are booming bittern and calling cuckoo, both of which are most audible earlier in the morning. Please report any bittern flights to reception as it appears as though a dark chocolate coloured female is flying about in the fen. Hobbys continue to take insects from the air when the weather is good, at least four were seen together on Wednesday from Reception and Tower Hide. Also at Tower Hide a pair of great crested grebes are busy feeding their striped young, who are often hitching a ride on a parents back.
Insects have continued to increase in number; variable, azure and large red damselflies are now out as well as banded demoiselles, broad bodied chaser and hairy dragonfly. Butterflies have been very evident in good weather; it appears we are just missing the Swallowtail now. As I write this I am half expecting to hear that the first swallowtails are being seen...but not yet, they are running a few days late now, so the next warm sunny day should almost guarantee their emergence. In the meantime holly blue, lots of orange tips, brimstone, red admiral, peacock, green veined, large and small white butterflies will have to do.
A large dog otter was seen fishing from Reception at lunch time on Thursday, also seen at a similar time was Chinese water deer and a muntjack. Common lizards have been seen basking from various places around the fen including the wooden edge of Sandy Wall.
All paths are open and passable. We have opened the meadow trail now, which is a bit wet in places, but should start to dry up relatively soon.
A quick reminder that we are celebrating our 40th year of managing Strumpshaw Fen this Sunday; Moth morning- Free 9-10am, just turn up; guided walks- 10.30-12pm two different walks to look at history of the reserve or try to find as many species in the 40 species challenge as we can-£3/£2, booking essential. 1pm-4pm family friendly activities including bug hunts, pond dipping and eating cake!