Lakenheath Fen has a good population of nesting Bitterns and at this time of year they are feeding young so there are plenty of flights from the feeding areas to the nests and back, so time for a visit. The site isn't yet fully open with the visitor centre and Mere Hide still closed, but the area is so vast that social distancing is not a problem. Today the route to Joist fen at the far end was via the reed beds and willow carr.
The most noticeable feature today was the large number of butterflies present, predominantly Peacocks and Red Admirals, and some clumps of Lesser Burdock would have up to eight butterflies on it.
The only bird in song today was this male Reed Bunting which was singing its heart out in one of the Sallows.
Further along the track we came across a patch of Large-flowered Hemp-nettle. This is the only patch on site as it is very rare in Suffolk, but I am sure the number of plants has increased over the last couple of years.
Taking up position at the Joist Fen viewpoint the first visitor to the pool was a Common Tern which had just one fishing attempt before moving off, possibly disturbed by this juvenile Marsh Harrier.
At that point my attention was drawn to a shrieking noise coming from over the fen which turned out to be coming from a juvenile gull which was being mobbed by a couple of Hobbys.
There are five Common Cranes at Lakenheath at the present time, one non-breeding pair plus a pair and one flying juvenile. Unfortunately, they tend to keep their distance but this pair did go on a fly-round to allow a few shots to be taken.
But the stars of the show today were the Bitterns which put on a good show even if they did insist on a number of occasions of flying into the sun, still mustn't grumble. What an absolutely wonderful day!!
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