Since the last update we have had quite a mixture of weather conditions including temperatures of up to 17 degrees and full sunshine, through to storm Doris which provided 70+mph gusts of wind. So it is inevitable that the wildlife has responded to the warmer weather with butterflies such as brimstones being seen as well as lizards, bees and other early emerging insects.
The avian highlights of the past week have included a great white egret on Wednesday, a stunning subadult male hen harrier on Sunday and Thursday as well as late news of two cranes flying over two weeks ago and a little gull from Tower Hide in late January.
Kingfishers have been seen throughout the week from all over the reserve, bitterns have been seen from Fen Hide and Reception Hide. A Jack snipe was seen very well from Reception Hide on Thursday afternoon along with a common snipe for comparison. Bearded tits are showing well on occasion from various points around the reserve when the weather allows, at least two water pipits are still present from Fen Hide. Bullfinch continue to brighten up the bare trees around the Reception as well as the riverbank. Reed buntings have really started singing in the past week so it may not be too long now before the bitterns start cleaning their pipes by grunting at dawn and dusk. Marsh harriers are ever present and the number of fine grey males has increased, especially after the period of southerly winds late last week.
Buckenham and Cantley have started to attract passage waders with small numbers of black tailed godwit, curlew, dunlin and redshank passing through. The first few oystercatchers have arrived as well as the lapwings sounding far more in breeding mode than last month.
The warmer weather two weeks ago brought out at least seven brimstones, multiple red admirals and peacock butterflies as well as bees and a small number of lizards along Sandy Wall. Otters continue to be seen with luck and patience. The mammal highlight of the month happened on Friday morning from Fen Hide, two red deer were seen and photographed in the reeds. Red deer are less than annual on the reserve, but can’t have a population too far away as they keep exploring the reserve.
The first sand martins and wheatears have arrived in England this week as well as a few very early house martins. The first migrants at the fen are usually sand martins and could well arrive very soon, they are best seen coming in to roost at dusk, where they appear out of nowhere to use the reedbed as a safe stop for the night.
We had some minor flooding of the trails this week, but all trails remain open, although a little muddy; wellingtons are still recommended for your visit.
Our full events list is now available on the website, there is one place left on the bird identification course, so if interested, book quickly.