This week has mainly seen very mild conditions, with sunny spells, but very wind. Towards the end of the week cold air has plunged from the North bring some frost and far colder conditions, this is due to continue until the end of the month now.
We still have upwards of 20,000 starlings roosting in front of Reception Hide, which is providing quite a spectacle. The fact that is at reception means that it is very accessible and can be enjoyed with a nice cup of hot chocolate!
At least 20 marsh harriers have been seen coming into the roost for the majority of the week and a single male hen harrier was also seen on Sunday evening. Other roosting species include fairly good numbers of reed bunting 30+, as well as redwings and fieldfares roosting in the scrub around the trails.
With the onset of cooler conditions we have seen a small increase in winter passerine migrants including a few bramblings flying over as well as siskins regularly being seen in the alders around the car park and sand pit areas. Bullfinches are a fairly common sight at Strumpshaw Fen, however this week we have seen some relatively large flocks, including a group of at least ten near the sand pit, which is quite unusual. These birds are either family groups or possibly migrants from further north due to the cold conditions in Scandinavia. Redpolls have been seen with the siskin and goldfinch flock, however they don’t appear to be staying for long. At least two pairs of stonechat can be found perching on the tops of scrub at the fen at the moment, it seems that a pair has been seen in the Fen Hide area and another pair are more likely seen along Lackford Run
Wildfowl numbers are relatively low for the time of the year, however with the cooler weather we are hoping to see an increase in wigeon and goose numbers at Buckenham. Currently there are about 50-100 teal, 30-50 gadwall, and five tufted ducks on show from Tower Hide with similar numbers from Reception Hide.
Bearded tits have been seen in small flocks from various places around the fen, bitterns have been seen in flight from Reception and Fen Hides and 2 otters have been seen on and off throughout the week from Reception hide , Fen hide and from the riverbank.
All trails are currently open, however we did flood last weekend so the trails are quite muddy in places. Unless the mud is frozen next week, I would recommend wellingtons to get to Tower Hide and beyond. Fen Hide will be closed on Sunday (26th) for a roost event from 14.00 to 17.00, apologies for any inconvenience caused. The starlings have been coming in to roost from 15.15 until 16.00, depending on light conditions and appear to perform best on windy evenings.