Lakenheath Fen Nature Reserve

Lakenheath Fen reserve comprises a mixture of wetland and woodland south of the Little Ouse in Suffolk. The RSPB has converted an area of arable farmland into a large wetland, consisting mainly of reedbeds and grazing marshes. The new reedbeds have attracted hundreds of pairs of reed warblers and sedge warblers, as well as bearded tits and marsh harriers. Lakenheath forms part of a network of other fenland nature reserves. These include Wicken Fen, Chippenham Fen, Woodwalton Fen and the washlands of the rivers Great Ouse and Nene. Many are now undergoing similar restoration and extension projects.
What we wanted to see on our visit was the Bittern - we had heard rumours of many sightings, so were very optimistic. We were not to be disappointed!
The journey was about 52 miles and was rather slow at the start as we started during the early morning rush. After a very warm welcome from the staff we embarked on a slow wander around the reserve. It is several years since our last visit and the place has been transformed beyond all recognition. Check out their web site here.

Skippers mating - very obliging in front of us! 

Then on to a pair of Ringlet doing the same. 

Further along a Ruddy Darter dragonfly 

This time the Common Darter 

This Brimstone I assume was getting nectar from the bellbine flower. 

This time a pair of Common Darters mating 

One of the main reasons we came here today was to see if we could catch the Bittern that we had heard so much about. Our luck was in. The gentleman in the hide as we entered pointed out the spot where the two juveniles were to be seen, and the rest was down to patience. Below are a few of the images of the day. 

First this youngster appeared 

--- and started walking along the edge of the water 

Then a smaller sibling appeared 

... causing a bit of a domestic for some reason. 

But we decided to go in opposite directions 

Testing the wings 

On our way back to the Center we saw this Reed Bunting 

And finished off with a Comma butterfly. An excellent day, well worth the visit 

 Index of posts

Bittern at Minsmere

One of the birds that is on the hit list of possible the majority of people interested in the natural world, is the Bittern.

On 4th March 2014 we visited RSPB Minsmere, one of our favourite sites because of its diversity (the Scrape to the sea front). One particular hide, which is on the edge of the reed beds, is known as the bittern hide, and for good reason.

We had not been there very long when our bird appeared really close to the hide and we were able to get a few images - magic!

A description by the RSPB: `The bittern is a thickset heron with all-over bright, pale, buffy-brown plumage covered with dark streaks and bars. It flies on broad, rounded, bowed wings. A secretive bird, very difficult to see, as it moves silently through reeds at water's edge, looking for fish. The males make a remarkable far-carrying, booming sound in spring. It's very small, reedbed-dependent population make it an Amber List species. It is also a Schedule 1 species.`

Read more 

Populations of the bittern, a wetland bird that was facing extinction in the UK in the late 1990s, are at a record high, conservationists report.Resident numbers of “Britain’s loudest bird” increased in 2017, and experts – using the foghorn-like booming call of the males to survey the species – have counted at least 164 birds at 71 sites.

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