A freezing start to the week brought ice to much of the reserve, but with clear skies it was a most pleasant until Friday when a mass of warmer air arrived, bringing cloud and rain to the fen.
The colder conditions did not push the hoped for wildfowl to the area, perhaps it was too little too late? However we did get the drake pintail back at Reception Hide, where it continued to display to the female mallards. The marsh harrier roost totalled 26 birds on Sunday afternoon. Bearded tits have been seen around the fen in small numbers from Sandy Wall, Fen hide and the Lackford Run. At least 12 buzzards were seen from Reception Hide on Monday morning, they appeared to all be drifting East, 12 were counted in a five minute period so I suspect there were plenty more going through. Three woodcock were seen at dusk on Thursday late afternoon heading out to their feeding grounds, the reception area is often the best area for this species on the reserve, particularly just as light is disappearing. Bitterns have been seen nearly daily, mostly from Fen and Reception hide, there appear to be two males and possibly one female at the fen currently.
The small birds have started flexing their vocal chords around the wooded areas with bullfinch, goldfinch, siskin and chaffinch all in good song when the sun shines. Goldcrests can be seen in the evergreens dotted around the reserve, while nuthatch, jay , great spotted woodpecker and the usual tit species can all be seen well at the feeding station.
At Buckenham and Cantley there are still good numbers of geese with 1200 pink footed and around 100 white fronted geese present. Lapwing are looking like they are gearing up for spring as they are now beginning to pair up and getting slightly more territorial. Raptors are in good supply across the marshes with upwards of eight buzzards, 5 marsh harriers, four kestrels, two barn owls and two peregrines regularly patrolling the grasslands.
The paths on the reserve remain muddy so willies are advised for any visit. The riverbank between Sandy Wall and the pumphouse is closed for Environment Agency flood defence works, but we have opened a temporary diversion through the meadows to keep the woodland circuit open (again willies are essential!) We have now created a raised sandy trail to the Fen Hide so it is now accessible without wellies.
A special mention should go to Sean Locke, as his blog was recently highly commended in the BBC Wildlife Blogger 2015 Awards. Sean is a reception volunteer and is usually in on a Wednesday morning so if you want t take a look at his blog about Strumpshaw and wider travels in Norfolk please visit it here- http://seanspetmonster.blogspot.co.uk/
Also a final reminder that next weekend (30-31 January) is Big Garden Birdwatch weekend, have a look online to see how you can take part in the biggest citizen science survey in the UK. The rspb will be taking over Norwich castle for a big family weekend with lots of activities, craft and information. For more information please visit the Strumpshaw Fen website.