A largely fine, warm week with warm nights, dry except Thursday afternoon when there were heavy showers.
This weeks star species has to be garganey, for the past week we have had up to 11 of these migrant ducks in front of Tower Hide. They are currently in eclipse plumage so not the dapper looking ducks that we had in April, however they are close enough to see very well and we have a range of males females and juveniles.
Hot on the heels of the garganey for rarity value, with add ahhh factor are the very small juvenile water rails in front of Fen Hide. While this species is not at all unusual at the fen, seeing the black fluffy juveniles with their white bills searching for food just in front of the hide is certainly a noteworthy sighting.
Also around the fen; the kingfishers are being seen well all around the fen, anywhere there is water and a perch is a possible location for this brightly coloured beauty. Bitterns have been seen on and off from Fen Hide throughout the week and the marsh harrier young are beginning to depart the fen and fend for themselves, so are not being see as frequently as in recent weeks.
Bearded tits have started to climb to the top of the reeds to feast on the new seeds, as well as being seen feeding low down in the reeds from all three hides. The bearded tits have been showing particularly well from Reception and Fen Hide, where they can be seen feeding low in the recently cut reed edges.
The spotted flycatcher family has been seen on and off through the week between the main railway gate and the woodland path, but they are difficult to see and surprising secretive. The bullfinch family continue to be seen regularly around the reception and railway crossing area, favouring the ripe cherry trees.
New dragonflies on the wing in numbers now are the migrant hawkers, these small dragons can be seen congregating in groups at many pen areas around the fen and surrounding fields. Willow emerald damselfies are emerging in small numbers and small-red eyed damselflies can be seen in front of reception and in the small pool next to reception.
Butterflies are continuing to have quite a poor year, although we do have regular sightings of white admiral throughout the woods. A very late swallowtail butterfly was seen on Thursday near Tower Hide, this was a late individual, judging by its battered wings, rather than a second generation butterfly.
We carried out our annual swallowtail caterpillar survey, searching the selected 10 points around the fen. The results found 80 swallowtail caterpillars compared to 93 last year, so slightly down, but far better than I first feared given the cool conditions and very heavy showers.
Buckenham Marshes have seen the first wave of passage waders return, with a flock of 71 black tailed godwits, six green sandpiper, four dunlin, seven whimbrel and four avocets all seen this week.
The competition with Frampton Marsh RSPB reserve, to see who can see the most species from their reception hide is beginning to hot up now. We have seen 122 species from the Reception at Strumpshaw now, but are still missing a few species which can be added in August. The full list is on the reception desk at the back of the black clipboard, see what you can add.
All trails are open and in good condition, the vegetation in front of all hides has now been cut extending the viewing pleasure too.