This week the lovely cool, clear frosty conditions gave way mild, damp and misty conditions, unfortunately these look like they are set to continue for the festive period.
The starlings continue to roost in front of Reception hide and are still numbering at 15-30,000 most nights. They are still mainly arriving between 15.00 and 15.15, but as always it depends on cloud cover. They are not ‘murmurating’ quite as much as they did in late November, but are still impressive as they fall from the sky and head into the roost, they are most active on windy, cloudy days as tend to stay up in the air for longer.
My personal highlight of the week was Wednesday afternoon when a total of 27 marsh harriers came into the roost at Strumpshaw Fen, an impressive 23 harriers were seen up at the same time in one flock, almost in one binocular view!
Otters have been seen daily since Sunday at least, being observed from Reception and Fen Hide on each of the days. There seems to be no great pattern to the sightings, some relate to morning, some late afternoon, so it’s hard to target a certain time of the day.
Other bits and pieces throughout the week in include; an increase in goldcrest numbers along the riverbank and in the woodland, the redpoll, siskin and goldfinch flock remains in the Reception Hide/car park area, a little grebe is present on the river, bullfinch numbers are still quite high across the reserve, a chiffchaff seems to be wintering around the Tower Hide, kingfishers continue to show around the waterbodies, bearded tits have been showing well, but briefly from the trails and a stonechat is still present in front of Fen Hide. A woodcock flew past Reception hide on Tuesday afternoon and a grey wagtail has also been seen several times in the area too.
Buckenham still has up to 18 taiga bean geese, but they seem to be going ‘missing’ for long periods of time, wigeon numbers are still relatively low with around 1000 birds present, at least 300 pink footed geese can be seen at Buckenham or in the fields just North of the reserve.
The riverbank trail has finally reopened after a long period of high tides, the riverbank itself is quite muddy in places so wellingtons are recommended and as always if flooding is encountered, please do turn back. It looks like we may have some high tides over the Christmas period so pay attention to signs on the reserve, if the trail is closed please do not use it.
The reserve is open throughout the Christmas period every day except Christmas day. Thank you for your continued support of the reserve and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year