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

Across the meadows to Shelly

It never fails to amaze me that so much wildlife live so close to us, and yet it is so easy to miss. However, if you go out with looking for wildlife, or photographing as in our case, then you can often be enchanted or amazed by the variety around you. Today was a walk across a local meadow and by the River Brett, with an aim in mind of seeing anything in the way of dragonfly or such. We were not disappointed.

The first thing we spotted by the old Mill, was the Wagtail. This grey wagtail is a member of the wagtail family, Motacillidae, measuring around 18–19 cm overall length. The species looks somewhat similar to the yellow wagtail but has the yellow on its underside restricted to the throat and vent. The top of the bird you will see is more gray.

Our Wagtail flew to a perch on a branch and then down onto the Lily pads on the river surface, where he did some hunting for insects.

Once in our intended spot by the river, it was fairly easy to get images of the Banded demoiselle, which were everywhere. This one is a female.

And this one is the male.

And when you have one of each then this is what happens - as usual!

Then a Gatekeeper butterfly settled nearby.

Followed by a Meadow brown.

And then a Small White.

Large Bindweed covered in Flower Beetle (Altica lythri). All within a mile of the front door!

 Index of posts

Evening on Bridlington harbour

We stayed on the edge of Bridlington for our 4 nights and it was only a short walk to the harbour. So, after a day at Scampston Hall, we decided to visit the harbour in the evening especially as I wanted a photo of the bronze statue I had spotted on the harbour wall.

Bridlington is a minor sea fishing port with a working harbour and is well known for its shellfish. It has a mix of small businesses across the manufacturing, retail and service sectors with its prime trade being tourism during the summer months.

The origins of the town are uncertain, but archaeological evidence shows habitation in the Bronze Age and in Roman times. 

Last ship in for the day? 

The bronze sculpture, named The Gansey Girl, has historic and sentimental meaning in that she reflects the fishing history in Bridlington as well as the families in the town. She depicts a young woman sitting on a plinth knitting a gansey, a traditional jumper that contains a rich pattern of symbolism passed down through generations of fishing families. 

The Gansey Girl is positioned so that she bids farewell to fishermen leaving the harbour, as well as welcoming them back home to their families.

The shipping forecast, courtesy of BBC.

Another view of the harbour as the sun was going down.

The boat lift in Bridlington harbour.

Moored up for the night

 Index of posts

Scampston Hall walled garden and estate

Looking for something different to visit in our short stay in Yorkshire, we picked a renowned country house and famous Walled Garden- Scampston Hall. 

The Hall was built in the late 1600s for William Hustler. The estate was bought in the 1690s by Sir William St Quintin, 3rd Baronet, who was Receiver General for Ireland and Member of Parliament for Hull. The estate and title were inherited in 1723 by his nephew, also William, who was MP for Thirsk. He married Rebecca Thompson, a wealthy heiress, and was thus able to expand the estate and employ Capability Brown to landscape the park. The serpentine park of about 1.7 square kilometres was laid out first by Charles Bridgeman and later by Lancelot "Capability" Brown in 1772. It includes an unusual iconic "Bridge Building," concealing the end of a sheet of water and closing the view. Unfortunately, on our visit this was covered by sheets of tarpaulin and workmen! 

In 1959 Scampston passed to the Legard (or Le Gard) family as Colonel Malone's daughter Mary had married Sir Thomas Legard, 14th Baronet in 1935. The estate is now owned by their grandson Christopher, who was High Sheriff of North Yorkshire in 2018/19.

A main purpose of the visit was to visit the famous Walled Garden. To quote the sites web page:

Set within the 18th century walls of the original kitchen garden for Scampston Hall, today the Walled Garden has an exciting and unashamedly modern feel to and complements the adjacent 18th century 'Capability' Brown parkland.

The garden had been derelict for nearly fifty years when Sir Charles and Lady Legard undertook the huge renovation task. The Legards enlisted the help of leading Dutch garden designer, Piet Oudolf, and the design for the walled garden was conceived in 1999. 

Since opening to the public in 2005, it has received a great deal of international acclaim. Although Oudolf's planting ideas are now much imitated, the Walled Garden is an outstanding example of how he combines his skill as a designer with his authority and knowledge as a plantsman. It still remains his largest private commission in the UK.`

Drifts of Grass - this area changes as the year passes. In summer, when the grass is long, it must look like waves of corn.

Spring Box Borders

In the borders of the Spring Box Borders section.

Silent Garden - 24 round columns of Yew, with their square clipped bases, are allowed to reach 3 meters before the tops are leveled. A real quiet spot.

The Conservatory built in 1894. The William Richardson conservatory and the adjacent bothies have been brought back to life with a new focus thanks to the help of a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The space has now been transformed into an exhibition space and provides facilities for education & adult learning. 

The exhibition rooms in the bothies allow visitor to discover more about the history of gardening on the estate, and the characters that have worked here. There is also an exhibition which explores the modern day architectural restoration of the building which was finished in 2015 thanks to a significant donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

Also, as far as we were concerned, a place for a coffee and some lunch! 

One of the Cut Flower gardens. 

In the Perennial Meadow.

The front of the Hall, although I preferred the side views (below)

Part of the estate lake system

The Ice House (1759) has recently been restored.The walls are multi layered which used to keep the ice from the lake insulated

Old Horse Shelter, typically used for brood mares but now home to bats and owls.

This pair of Gate Posts date from around 1770s and mark the start of an avenue which was one of the early entrance routes to the Hall from the Scarborough direction

Where the fairies live. After all, they have to live somewhere on the estate!

 Index of posts