Hobbys at Lakenheath Fen

3rd May 2023

At this time of year Hobbys gather at Lakenheath Fen to feed up on the many insects and dragonflies over the reed beds before dispersing to their breeding grounds, so time for a visit to see how the numbers are faring. The action started before we even got into the visitor centre where a Wren was building a nest against the front wall.

Along the trail to the Mere Hide there were signs of spring with this stunning male Orange Tip butterfly nectaring on Dandelion.

There was quite a ot of action along the trail with Sedge and Reed Warblers and Whitethroats all singing away but keeping low or deep in bushes, with only this male Reed Bunting posing for a photograph.

In position now at Joist Fen and a lone Common Crane flapped slowly across the fen before disappearing into the reeds.

So now to the Hobbys. Normally the main concentration is over Joist Fen with on occasions 80+ birds present with smaller numbers of 3-5 over New Fen. Today there were none at all over New Fen and just 30 over Joist Fen so let the fun begin. Luckily the sun came out showing off the birds at their best and they were performing well.

This one has just spotted an insect and is going in for the kill.

And when you are an insect this is the last thing you want to see!!!

What a fabulous day and we will be back in a few weeks to hopefully photograph the Bitterns.