Slowly the summer migrants are leaving us and the autumn migration is now in full flow. We still have some summer migrants moving out while the winter thrushes and finches arrive as the temperatures drop in Scandinavia.
I write about the visible migration of diurnal migrants each year and this year in particular the migrants have been less obvious, however last Wednesday saw a great 2 hour count from one of our regular visitors, the count included;
7250 redwing
2 ring ouzel
48 blackbird
124 song thrush
72 skylark
49 brambling
47 siskin
31 lesser redpoll
Which just shows what passes over our reserve when the conditions are good!
Other recent sightings have included;
Marsh harrier- just 5 coming in to roost each evening- I expect this figure to rise sharply as the north wind and cooler conditions arrive.
Gadwall, shoveler, teal and mallard- upwards of 350 birds in a mixed flock at Tower Hide currently.
Snipe- regularly seen from Tower Hide
Great white egret- one, mostly seen from tower hide as well as a little egret also at the same location.
Water rail- regular from Fen Hide and also seen from Reception Hide
Bearded tits- still small flocks seen at end of sandy wall in cut plot.
Kingfisher- seen regularly along the riverbank
Otter- seen most frequently from reception
Common darter and migrant hawker are still flying when the weather is warm enough as well as peacock and red admiral butterflies.
The recent mild and damp conditions have meant that fungi have put on a spectacular display throughout the reserve, particularly in the woodland with lots of shapes and colours to look out for.
Buckenham is starting to attract its winter spectacular flocks, these are just beginning to arrive at the moment and hopefully many more birds will arrive in the coming weeks.
1300+ pink footed geese
2 white fronted geese
500 lapwing
1 dunlin
3 ruff
12 golden plover
330 wigeon
Stonechat- pair around the hide
Peregrine- a male was back on its winter territory on Wednesday
This year we have a series of rather high tides throughout the end of October and into November, these are especially high predicted tides but weather conditions can make the flooding worse than predicted…. As it is doing right now, the northerly wind alongside high tides have meant that we were flooding this morning at low tide, as such the riverbank path to Tower Hide has been temporarily closed. Please bear in mind that the trail is likely to be wet from this point onwards and wellingtons are recommended if walking the Fen Trail. The woodland trail remains open and in good condition.
Next week we have our ‘Wizard School’ back up and running for half term so bring the family and have some fun in the woodland areas, find out more here- https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/8554