Fabulous Strumpshaw Fen: Swallowtails, reptiles, birds, plants and odonata!

As I may have remarked in the past: if you're at the Fen early enough, there's almost always something to see: today was no exception! I met Brians S & T in Fen Hide at around 7.00, where we were entertained by some close Marsh Harriers and a flock of eleven Black-tailed Godwit flying through. Cuckoos were calling and the summer warblers were tuning up nicely!

A walk along to Tower Hide produced Variable and Azure Damselflies, as well as Banded Demoiselle: birds were represented by Garden Warbler, Hobby and Cuckoo. Tower Hide wasn't particularly fruitful - Suffolk's beached whales would have been OK in the lagoon today - but Chinese Water Deer and Marsh Harrier came close.

Lackford Run gave Brian Tubby and me our first Swallowtails of the year: two or perhaps three flew in between us too close for a photo-call! The 'Boardwalk' gave us a really green-tinged Common Lizard and a Buzzard, while the Broad and two dipping pools near Reception added Grass Snake, Kingfisher and a closer Hobby. And so off to Wex to pick up my Pentax K3!