After a fairly hot August, the temperature has since dropped as September progressed. It has become a bit cooler and the rain and the flooding has returned (follow our Facebook page for updates). Autumn is here! Of course, autumn is a great time of year to spot wildlife as migration kicks in. Though we still await something rare to show up, we still had plenty of great wildlife sightings. It is that time again to look back at what has been seen this September.
Tower Hide has been the place to be this month. There were more birds there then anywhere else on the reserve. Open up a window early in the morning and a decent number of ducks may welcome you there (mostly mallard, shovelers, gadwall and teal). Amongst them were up to 3 garganey. Looking a little drabber than they did in the spring, they can be picked out with their white supercilium (stripe above the eyes). They've been seen at the hide since late August, but they have possibly moved on since mid-September.
Garganey - Sean Locke
Ducks are not the only things to be seen from Tower Hide. At least 7 great white egrets were fishing there together and there's been plenty of bittern activity from this hide too. In fact, bitterns were believed to be booming in the latter half of September. Something that's fairly unusual, but apparently does happen in autumn on rare occasions.
The first pink-footed geese have started to arrive at Buckenham. Around 100 of them were seen there on Sep 23rd and the numbers are already increasing. On Sep 28th, we are pleased to hear that two Taiga bean geese have arrived at Buckenham as well, though it is yet to be confirmed. At least for now, of course. Will they stay is another matter. On Sep 18th, we also had a lovely sighting of a whinchat posing on the fence posts bordering the marshes.
Wheatears have been showing up by the meadows and the first siskins have returned in the woods. Osprey sightings began to peter out by the second week of the month, while hobbies continue to swoop the skies along with swallows and house martins. Green sandpiper sightings are also increasing recently and the long-staying red-throated diver continued to travel back and forth along the river.
Kingfishers have been becoming a daily occurrence from all three hides and along the river. Fen Hide have been providing some great views with at least 2 or 3 showing up there quite often, though they've been visiting reception quite regularly also. Bearded tits are starting to become fairly vocal as are water rails. Sandy Wall is still the place to spot basking lizards. However, on the 14th, one lucky staff member encountered a mole scurrying beside the sleepers. For a creature that spend most their lives underground, they really move faster than they look. Another mole was recorded in the woodland trail on Sep 26th, so September seems to be a good month to see these secretive animals out in the open.
The last moth event of the year attracted a lot of interest as it was fully booked. Sadly, because of the chillier conditions, only 45 moths (25 species) were caught, a far cry from what we caught over the summer. However, though the catch was on the low side, the team did manage to get one of the best moths around; a red-underwing! Though just another brown moth with the wings closed, it is when the wings are open that make this moth spectacular as it reveals a flash of brilliant red of its underwings.
Migrant hawkers and common darters have been quite abundant this month. However, scan the willow branches draping over the pond near reception and you will see willow emerald damselflies laying their eggs in the branches, which scars the bark, forming a series of bumps along the bark's surface. It is the only damselfly to lay their eggs in trees.
Willow Emerald - Sean Locke
Finally, plant of the month. To be honest, new plant species are becoming hard to find these days, but the one causing a bit of a buzz this month has to be ivy. Their flowers have been out since late August, but it is this month to study them well as ivy bees have emerged to make the most of the plant's nectar and pollen.
Spooky season is almost upon us as we move into October. Expect Halloween activities in the latter half of next month with plenty of activities planned for families https://events.rspb.org.uk/StrumpshawFen Hopefully, we will also get a few more migratory species from redwings to something more exciting and rare as the autumnal weather blows them over in our direction. See you next month!