Anglian Adventures, Day 3 - 16th June, 2023

Herewith my account of the third day of my break in Norfolk. If you missed the previous two days, you can find them here:-  https://peglerbirding.blogspot.com/2023/06/anglian-adventures-day-1-14th-june-2023.html, and here:- https://peglerbirding.blogspot.com/2023/07/anglian-adventures-day-2-15th-june-2023.html

Friday, 16th June                    Strumpshaw Fen

It had been my intention to have an early start this day, and make a pre-breakfast visit to Strumpshaw Fen to see if I could find a Barn Owl to photograph. I was then going to come back to my room for breakfast and follow it up with a gentle day somewhere.

I'd set the alarm on my phone to wake me at 05.00, so was horrified to wake in the morning and find that it was already 08.15. I never sleep through an alarm, but what I'd done was select the time OK, but neglected to press 'save', so it hadn't activated.

I had my usual breakfast of cereal and dried fruit before leaving for Strumpshaw Fen, arriving at about 09.30. Having paid the entrance fee, I set off towards the Meadow Trail to see if I could have any better luck with Norfolk Hawkers in flight.

There was a bit of activity in the channel that runs beside the trail and I photographed a Four-spotted Chaser that was nicely posed.

Four-spotted Chaser (Sympetrum quadrimaculatum) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

A fellow with a camera pointed out something that he was not sure of the identity of - it was a dragonfly exuvia. I subsequently found out that it was that of a Norfolk Hawker.

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isoceles) (exuvia) - Strumpshaw Fen

I suddenly noticed a Barn Owl in the far distance. It was between 400 and 500 metres away, and I took some record shots before rushing, via the trail alongside the River Yare, to my favourite spot for watching them, beyond the Pump House. 

Barn Owl (Tito alba) - Strumpshaw Fen

On the way, I stopped briefly to try and photograph a pair of birds that seemed to be having a squabble. I only got some poor shots of just one of them and I think it is just a common Meadow Pipit - please let me know if you think I'm wrong.

Meadow Pipit ? (Anthus pratensis) - Strumpshaw Fen

I had not had any further sightings of the Barn Owl after leaving my original position, and spent an hour and a half at what should have been an ideal spot, patiently waiting for one to appear again. Even the dragonflies were playing hard to get at this point, but I did find one obliging Norfolk Hawker before I decided to give it up as a bad job.

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isoceles) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

It was time to head back to the Visitor Centre via the Woodland Walk to see if I could find some butterflies. I had been hoping to find White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary, but it seems that it was too early in the season for these. The best that I could find was another Brimstone!

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

From the Visitor Centre, I crossed over the railway line to the car park and spent a little time resting my legs and enjoying another picnic lunch. I then set off down Tinker's Lane, seeing nothing of interest as I went, and crossed the railway line again at the far end to head back into the reserve. Just inside the reserve were a few orchids, of which species I do not know.

Orchid sp. - Strumpshaw Fen

Further on, I was pleased to find a few damselflies, including a Variable Damselfly in an area that I'd seen my first ever, a few years ago.

Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) (female) - Strumpshaw Fen

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)(female) - Strumpshaw Fen

Halfway along Lackford Run, I stopped to try and photgraph a distant Marsh Harrier. A month ago, I would not have stood a chance, but I'm now getting a little more used to the camera, although I still have a fair way to go!

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

Beside the River Yare, I took photos of a colourful hoverfly and another Brimstone, before reaching Tower Hide. I can't ID the hoverfly beyond genus.

hoverfly (Parhelophilus sp.) - Strumpshaw Fen

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

I found Tower Hide to be almost full of people but did manage to find a space. Once again, there seemed to be little happening in front of the hide but, way over to the left, there was some Marsh Harrier action. Again, this was a little too distant for pleasing photography.

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) (female) - Strumpshaw Fen

The harriers disappeared and I continued my travels alongside the Yare. 

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) - Strumpshaw Fen

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) - Strumpshaw Fen

At one point, I found a person taking photos at a gap in the landward belt of trees. He pointed out that a grebe was out on the water with a chick riding on its back. 

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) (adult with chick) - Strumpshaw Fen

The chick eventually hopped of the adult's back and I was interested to note that it had regained its buoyancy.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) (adult with chick) - Strumpshaw Fen

The two of us left the area and were chatting as we went. Turning left down the trail that leads to the Visitor Centre, I almost immediately said "stop!" to my companion. On the trail, way ahead of us, was a Brown Hare, and it was heading our way.

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) - Strumpshaw Fen

We stood stock-still, taking photos, as it came forward, stopped a while came forward again, stopped again, and then came forward until it can't have been much more than four metres from us.

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) - Strumpshaw Fen

Remarkably, it stopped there long enough for me to set my camera to take some video - note the sound of a Blackcap in the background. 

You might find it interesting to see that video in slow-motion.

My companion and I then continued to the Meadow Trail and spent some time there photographing dragonflies and damselflies. I also managed to collect that exuvia which features in the second image in this blog post, and it is now in my small collection of exuviae.

 

A large part of Meadow Trail was closed off, due to the presence of longhorn cattle, including a bull.

Longhorn cattle - Strumpshaw Fen

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

Four-spotted Chaser (Sympetrum quadrimaculatum) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isoceles) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) (male) - Strumpshaw Fen

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) (female) - Strumpshaw Fen

It seemed to have reached ovipositing time, as several species were observed in this activity at around 17.00.

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)(male+female ovipositing) - Strumpshaw Fen

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isoceles) (female ovipositing) - Strumpshaw Fen

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) (female ovipositing) - Strumpshaw Fen

I'll supplement that last image with a bit of video:-

 

I had been on site for getting on for eight hours and was getting to the end of my stamina. My walking distance was not far short of the previous day's record. It was time to leave Strumpshaw Fen, head a short way down the road to 'The Scottish Restaurant' for some speedy refreshment, and then return to the Travelodge. 

 

When planning this trip, it had been my intention to spend the following day at somewhere fairly local and then head home after hiving some lunch. However, a couple of days before my departure from home, I received a message to say thay I'd got a place on a visit to a dragonfly hot-spot in Northamptonshire on 17th. As this is a place that is not open to the public, I was keen to go. It did, however, mean I had to make a relatively early start in order to travel the 125 miles (201 km) and arrive at 10.00. This meant that I, once again, turned in relatively early.

Although I felt that, for some reason that I cannot fathom, there were far fewer dragonflies and damselflies around on this day, it had been another highly enjoyable time.

If all goes according to plan, I'll be publishing my next post in about a week's time. In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature.

Thank you for dropping by - - - Richard

 

A Visit to Rutland Water - on 4th April, 2023

It had been a while since I last visited Rutland Water, largely because of Lindsay's post-surgery knee problems - I didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone for any great length of time. Things in that direction are beginning to get back to normal, however, and I at last felt that a longer spell out was in order. 

The weather forecast for this particular day was quite favourable and so, having packed a picnic lunch, I set off rather late in the morning for Rutland Water, taking my usual cross-country scenic route.  This route is not as happy a one as it used to be as, at one time, I had nine Little Owl nest sites along it and it was not that unusual to spot ten different owls during the two-way journey. Sadly, on this occasion, I noted that only two of those sites still looked as if they might be able to support a Little Owl, and one of those was very dubious. The main issue was one of natural tree decay, but tree removal or drastic reduction (2 cases), and building decay (2 cases) were also evident. 

At Cold Newton, a pheasant sauntered across the field beside me.

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (male) - Cold Newton

As I approached Newbold I noted a Red Kite but by the time I stopped the car and got my window down it was a bit more distant.

Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - near Newbold

I stopped for my picnic by what was my Little Owl Site No.34, and was disappointed to see further decay to the nest tree and is, therefore, the one that I labelled as 'dubious' above.

It must have been a few years since I last saw a hare, so I was delighted this day to see one streak across the field beside me.

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) - Newbold

While having my lunch, a message had come through about a Bearded Tit being seen from one of the hides. Arriving at Rutland Water, as I left the car park, I noticed a thrush in the paddock beside the car park. At first, I assumed that it was a Song Thrush, but it turned out to be a Mistle Thrush.

 

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) - Rutland Water, Egleton

I made my way directly to Shoveler hide, from which the Bearded Tit had been spotted just two hours earlier. I arrived to find seven people in the hide, none of whom were aware that this bird had been seen there earlier. Shortly after my arrival another message came through to say that the bird had been heard fying away about half an hour after it had first been spotted.

 

I settled in for a while to watch what was in front of the hide, where the water level was higher than I'd ever seen it before.

 

A Coot came drifting by. I am not sure if that is a long black tongue that it is showing, or something that it is trying to swallow. I didn't notice it at the time that I took the shot.

Coot (Fulica atra) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

A drake Pochard kept its distance.

Pochard (Aythya ferina) (male) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

A pair of Gadwall were a little more cooperative than the Pochard.

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) (male) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) (female) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

A Cormorant posed rather nicely on one of the small platforms.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

There were many Shelduck out on the water, but only one came close, and another flew by.

Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) (male) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

Appropriately, a drake Shoveler presented itself for a photo.

Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) (male) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

It is always a delight to see when a Cormorant (or Shag) spreads its wings, and I was pleased to catch this one.

 

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

A Greylag Goose presented itself too.

 

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)  - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

Shortly after taking that last shot, I took a stroll down to Buzzard Hide where little was visible, except at a great distance, and then moved on to Crake Hide, where I was disappointed to see the water level was so high that the usual scrape area was completely under water. I didn't stay long, as nothing was happening and so returned to Shoveler Hide.

 

Once back at Shoveler Hide I caught a second Cormorant with spread wings.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

Somebody in the hide alerted the rest of us to an extremely distant Marsh Harrier flying across in front of us. I raised my camera, more in hope than expectation, and managed to just about get a record shot.

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) (female) - Rutland Water, from Shoveler Hide

A gentleman arrived at the hide and, in conversation, mentioned that there were several (he thought maybe twelve) Avocet on Lagoon 4. As it was nearly six years since I last saw an Avocet, I was keen to go and try to find these, so I headed to Plover Hide, which overlooks the north-east corner of Lagoon 4.

I had forgotten how small Avocet are, and didn't find them for a few seconds after opening the hatch in the hide (it was empty when I arrived). I soon had them spotted however. I didn't count them but think that the estimate of twelve wasn't far off the mark. They kept me entertained for the next quarter of an hour or so, although they never came closer than about 50 metres.

Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) - Rutland Water, from Plover Hide

I was occasionally distracted from the Avocets by the activities of Black -headed Gulls.

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) - Rutland Water, from Plover Hide

There was another distraction when I spotted a Brimstone butterfly approaching from the left of the hide. I kept my eye on it for a while, hoping it would come in front of the hide, but it kept its distance and I only got a record shot.

 

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) (male) - Rutland Water, from Plover Hide

Here's one last shot of an Avocet, with a Great Crested Grebe for size comparison.

 

Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) - Rutland Water, from Plover Hide

I was not able to stop late as our daughter and granddaughter were coming for tea, and it is an hour and a half, or more, from Rutland Water to home, so I set off back towards my car.

On the way back, I called in at Osprey Hide and got a departing shot of a drake Teal. I have never before noticed that the 'teal green' on the head can dramatically change colour in some light conditions.

Teal (Anas crecca) (male) - Rutland Water, from Osprey Hide

As I left the hide and walked down the tree-lined track, I noted a small bird flitting about up in the branches to my right. It shot across the track and onto a tree trunk on my left, and I saw it was a Treecreeper. It was on a dark trunk, and I was facing strait into the sun. I'd got totally wrong settings and the only shot that I managed to salvage was this one, which doesn't show the salient features of the species - except for its relatively cryptic plumage!

 

Treecreeper (certhia familiaris) - Rutland Water, from near Osprey Hide

I also called in at Redshank Hide where a pair of Greylag Geese were fairly close by. I have absolutely no idea why it crossed my mind to make goose-like noises, but I was amazed that one of the geese responded and, for a little while, we enjoyed an intimate conversation! Here's a shot of that goose, responding.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)  - Rutland Water, from Redshank Hide

My journey home resulted in an owl-free day, but I did have another sighting of a Hare at Newbold.

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) - Newbold

I needed top stop to answer the call of nature near Burrough on the Hill, and was more than surprised to see yet another Hare - no sightings of Hare for years and then three separate sightings in a day!

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) - near Burrough on the Hill

Thus ended my excitement for the this outing.

I had throughly enjoyed being at Rutland Water, but found the journey there and back to be depressing on two counts - the previously mentioned disappearance of the Little Owls, and the fact that I used to take this route every Thursday with my old pal, John Truman, who sadly died a year and a half ago.

I have a suspicion that my next blog post, which I will probably schedule for a week's time, will be rather different to any blog post I have produced before.

In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature. Thank you for dropping by - - - Richard