A stark contrast to last weeks warmth and sunshine, this week has seen overcast skies, strong winds and showers, an interesting start to flaming June!
This week’s highlight bird has to be the osprey that was seen on Wednesday and Thursday, closely followed by regular sightings of four red kites. Other birds seen this week include regular marsh harrier food passes, we have at least eight active nests at the fen so the chances are high seeing these great birds. Bitterns have been heard booming regularly as well as being seen quite frequently, any bittern flights should be reported to reception as we collate them and use them for identifying if we have any nests on site. A small number of hobbys are on site, it looks like we may have two pairs at the fen this year, but it is still early days for breeding hobby. Kingfishers have been seen daily around the reserve, there is no particular hot spot to try as they favour different areas depending on wind strength and direction; find a sheltered spot with few ripples on the water and wait!
On the insect front, we still have a fairly good number of swallowtail butterflies on the wing. In the periods of sun that we have had this week there have been between five and seven along the Lackford Run, one was seen at the nectar garden by reception. Other noteworthy butterflies have included painted lady, brown argus (just off the reserve on the hill by the railway gate).
Dragonflies have still been showing well despite the weather, a good number of Norfolk hawkers can be seen along the woodland rides, fingerpost area, pumphouse track and even in the overflow carpark. Scarce chasers can be found along the riverbank and Lackford Run, black tailed skimmers along Sandy Wall and the first of this years emerald damselflies was seen on Wednesday in the meadow. There are still lots of azure, variable and red-eyed and large red damselflies on the wing as well as the magnificent looking banded demoiselles.
A stoat was seen on Wednesday morning as well as the water vole by reception showing quite frequently, an otter was seen on Thursday and the common lizards have been seen mainly down Sandy Wall this week.
The bee orchids, common twayblades, southern marsh and common spotted orchids are all out now and looking particularly good considering the weather that they have had to endure over the past week.
All trails are open and in good condition, although the wet meadow is living up to its name and is a bit boggy in places.