After the snowy conditions of last week, the weather has been far more pleasant with temperatures of ten degrees rather than minus five! The reserve was completely frozen apart from a very small patch of water that the coots were keeping open at Reception hide.
Last week’s cold conditions brought a few less frequent visitors to the fen with the undoubted highlight being my first grey plover at Strumpshaw Fen. On the same day we also had dunlin and golden plover on the ice as well as a flyover curlew and increased numbers of woodcock in the woodland, the harsh winter weather clearly got waders on the move. Other cold weather movements included many thrushes coming to bird tables, gardens and anywhere where there was food available. Numbers of redwings, fieldfares and blackbirds rocketed on the reserve, but it appears as though they have all dispersed to the fields once again. The peak blackbird count under the feeders was a whopping 32!
The highlight of this week was….wait for it…. A drake pochard! This is a fairly common duck elsewhere, but at Strumpshaw Fen it is a sign of spring as they return here to breed having been absent for the whole of winter. Other ‘new’ ducks include a flock of eight tufted ducks from Reception Hide too.
An otter has been seen throughout the week from Reception and Fen Hide as has at least one kingfisher. A stoat has also been seen in front of the reception Hide on a few occasions this week. A fine male bittern with a very blue base to the bill was photographed on Wednesday afternoon from Fen Hide, it surely won’t be long until it starts booming now!
As I write this (Friday) it is a clear blue sky day with little wind, I would be very surprised if we do not get our first displaying male marsh harriers today, there are at least three fine grey males out there.
The woodland is in full song with all our resident birds singing well on the fine mornings, goldcrest, marsh tit and treecreeper as well great spotted woodpecker, song thrush and mistle thrush are all worth listening out for while walking through the woods, however you will hear much more than just those species!
Path conditions are good for the woodland circuit, but the snow melt and heavy rain has once again left the riverbank in a fairly muddy condition, I would recommend wellingtons or stout footwear for any visit to the reserve currently. It won’t be too long now until the riverbank is cracked and dry (honestly!), but for now they are a bit slippery in places.