Long overdue: I zipped across to Strumpshaw before breakfast and finally managed to connect with a Barn Owl - albeit at extreme range! I was very much time constrained, so couldn't try to get closer: hopefully Brian & I will catch up with the species at Bempton in June! Also saw a couple of Twayblades: probably the least impressive of our wild orchids!
I was delighted to discover that 'our' striking white male Buzzard is still in the area: he's been a regular visitor for five years or more. Last night, while Linda and I were enjoying a glass of fizz on the patio, another handsome male raptor flew over - this time a Marsh Harrier.
Hoping for a Barn Owl (a species I still haven't seen this year!) I arrived at the Fen at 04.45 to find the meadows bathed in a glorious golden light, but obscured by ground mist. I walked around to the pumphouse, checking out both nest boxes and all the usual perches, but not a sign, unfortunately.
Plenty of Reed and Sedge Warblers, as well as at least four booming Bitterns and three calling Cuckoos. I finished the session in a surprisingly busy Fen Hide, where we all enjoyed close views of a very obliging Kingfisher, as well as Bittern, Cuckoo and Bearded Tit.
Just finished chatting with Jules Button on her very entertaining 'Suffolk Sound' radio show: as promised, here's the information about what you can expect to see next month..
On Sunday night the second full Moon of the month will rise just after sunset: when this happens it's popularly referred to as a Blue Moon (Although it will actually look pinkish!) In the summer months the Moon is lower in the sky, so you'll need a clear south eastern horizon to see moonrise at around 10.00pm
Meanwhile, at 3.20 this afternoon, I'll be talking with Jules Button on Suffolk Sound radio about what you might see in the June night sky.
My latest book has had its first print-run! It won't be on Amazon (or the usual outlets) for a week, but you could buy a copy (signed if you'd like!) for £15. Contact me on:
On June 9th these two planets will appear side by side in the sunset sky, a spectacular conjunction which becomes even more impressive a week later when the thin crescent Moon and Mercury join the party!
What a difference a couple of hours make! The second visit to the Fen was much more fruitful, with ridiculously close views of a number of Swallowtails around the Reception area. Paul was like a puppy with two tails!
Paul - one of our oldest friends - makes an annual pilgrimage to Norfolk to look for Swallowtail butterflies. He lives three hours away from these scarce and engaging creatures, while there are two excellent locations within half an hour of our front door!
First stop was Strumpshaw Fen, where a walk around the usual locations proved negative: we decided to move on to Hickling NWT reserve, where I'd seen a couple yesterday. Since today was cooler, we hoped for better results: in the end we saw just a single specimen, along the raised path to Whiteslea. Paul enjoyed close views of about fifteen Common Cranes, as well as several Painted Ladies and Hairy Hawkers. A cup of tea, then a twenty minute drive back to Strumpshaw!
Some photos of today's Swallowtails at Hickling NWT Reserve, as well as a Small Heath and a couple of Four-spotted Chasers.
