A week of all weathers, we have had blue sky and sunshine, full cloud, warmth, cold and even heavy sleet, you could say it has been a typical late winter/early spring week.
This week’s highlight was a fine male penduline tit, seen and photographed well by a single observer for just five minutes from Fen Hide, unfortunately it has not been seen again, but is almost certainly still around somewhere. This species is still a very rare visitor to our shores, however it is slowly becoming more frequent, it is not far from being annual in Norfolk now, it could even be annual at the fen as it is a very discreet small bird which favours large reedbeds.
While hoping to see the penduline tit there were plenty of other birds to see from Fen Hide; a Jack snipe has been present in front of the hide all week being accompanied by three common snipe. A juvenile female hen harrier has been seen throughout the week at dusk along with 21+ marsh harriers still roosting and barn owls frequently seen hunting. Bitterns have been seen on and off all week from Fen and Reception Hide and kingfishers have been busy along the riverbank.
The woodland has continued to be alive with bird song, with all resident species in fine voice, bullfinches are still singing in the woodland close to Reception Hide and the woodpeckers are busy drumming throughout the reserve. Also present in the alder glades are a flock of singing siskin along with a couple of redpoll and even a brambling on Sunday.
The wet grassland at Buckenham and Cantley have started to attract some spring waders; yesterday the marshes held 1069 lapwing, 86 dunlin, 42 ruff, 92 curlew, 460 golden plover and the first returning pair of oystercatchers. Also present on the marshes were 1920 wigeon, 17 shelduck, eight buzzards and two peregrines, a very pleasant morning and good to see the marshes springing to life.
The work party yesterday morning were treated to a flyover great white egret, which flew east over Surlingham Church Marsh, heading towards Strumpshaw?
On the non avian front we have had 3 three otter reports throughout the week, two stoats were seen along Sandy Wall and the first common lizard of the year was seen near the fen boardwalk. Scarlet elf cap fungi is brightening up the woodland floor, as our the many snowdrops.
All paths are open, but there is still a diversion through the meadows as Environment Agency are still working on the riverbank between the pumphouse and Sandy Wall. Wellingtons are highly recommended for your visit to Strumpshaw Fen as many of the paths are muddy after the heavy rain last night and high tides throughout the week. You are able to access Fen Hide, Sandy Wall and the woodland without wellingtons (but not the circuit through the meadows).
Enjoy your visit, there is lots to see and each day more birds are singing, more marsh harriers are displaying. It shouldn’t be too long until the bitterns begin to flex their vocal chords and the first passerine migrants return.