Lakenheath RSPB and Weeting NWT - Sunday 26th May 2019

Not quite as early this morning and arrived at Lakenheath at just before 8am.  Almost 30 years since I last visited this area.  Back then I was walking alongside the river, having climbed over a gate, to walk a mile to a Poplar wood that contained Golden Orioles.  The Orioles may have gone (hopefully the work being done on the woods may encourage their return) but the new reserve is fantastic.  Doesn't seem much when you arrive, but a few minutes walk along the river and you see the new habitats stretching for miles into the distance.

I made my way to Joist Fen viewpoint and made myself comfortable.  For the next hour at least 5 Marsh Harriers showed off, 2 Cuckoo's kept flying past, and 2 Bitterns were seen in flight.  Then just after 9am I glanced up and there were 2 Common Cranes overhead!  Amazing!  Calling as they flew, they remained in sight for the next 5 minutes as they flew to the far end of the reserve.

A walk back through the reserve back to the visitor centre meant an opportunity to look for Dragonflies.  I was very jealous of Simon as he had seen Scarce Chaser the day before.  A bit more wind today meant my luck was out.  Hairy Dragonfly, Four Spotted Chaser, Variable and Blue-Tailed Damselfly were seen though.

Just round the corner I popped into Weeting Heath NWT.  A Red Kite drifted over before I made my way to East Hide, where a pair of Stone Curlews showed very well.

A brief stop off at Mayday Farm produced another Firecrest but little else.  It was then back to BTO headquarters where Simon entertained me with his experiences... more to follow from Simon :-) 

A great weekend!