Some nice bits and pieces at Strumpshaw Fen

Norman and I met at Reception at around 6.45 and enjoyed a walk around the Fen together. The vegetation in front of Fen Hide is pretty high, so only obscured views were available of a pair of juvenile Water Rails that scuttled back and forwards. Several Marsh Harriers and Herons flew in and out without landing, so we moved on to Tower Hide.

As is usual this time of year (with water levels low enough to expose a strip of mud) there were some waders feeding in front of the hide - three Ruff and two Snipe - while a Green Sandpiper flew through and kept going! A Buzzard and several Marshies continually disturbed the ducks and waders and a distant Bittern flew along Lackford Run. Another interesting bird was a juvenile Cormorant that dried its wings on the 'spit', while several times a couple of Kingfishers flew across the lake.

No sign of the Great or Cattle Egrets, either at the Fen or Halvergate (which I inspected on my way home!) and no Osprey either...