Kingfisher at Strumpshaw Fen

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.

The night sky in June (And ISS passes)

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..

Once in a Blue Moon!

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.

Loch Ness Enigma

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:

david_bryant51@hotmail.com

Jupiter and Venus moving together

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! 

Swallowtails at Strumpshaw

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!

Butterfly hunt with Paul

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!

Green week at All Saints, Hemblington

Usually a productive and enjoyable event...

Swallowtails

Some photos of today's Swallowtails at Hickling NWT Reserve, as well as a Small Heath and a couple of Four-spotted Chasers.

Cley and Hickling: high-temperature birding!

An early start at Cley didn't produce anything desperately special, but close views of some common birds (Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Whitethroat etc) were very welcome.

A walk along to Babcock Hide revealed that the Avocets on Watling Water have been more successful in raising a few chicks than those on the main reserve: they didn't seem to be particularly conscientious parents, though...

A move to Hickling gave us our first views of Swallowtails this season: at least four. Other species of interest included a pair of displaying Cranes, all the usual warblers and lots of Four-spotted Chasers