Sunday, 26 May 2019

25/05/2019 East Grinstead RSPB Local Group visit to RSPB Lakenheath in Suffolk and Weeting Heath for Stone Curlew

Saturday 25th May 2019

15 members made another long journey, this time to Suffolk to take in RSPB Lakenheath as our primary venue but hoping to finish off at nearby Weeting Heath to look at the resident pair of Stone Curlews.

RSPB Lakenheath
 
There were no surprises here but the staples were well worth coming to see.
  • Last week there were dozens of Hobbies here.  We had to settle for much less but we still saw at least 10 as we enjoyed lunch at the far end of the reserve.
  • Bitterns are also here and, despite a crowded Mere Hide, we all managed to get good views of a couple.  At lunch we got superb views as a Bittern flew a short distance over the reed bed.
  • We heard Cuckoo's soon after we arrived but it wasn't until lunchtime that we got the flight view we were craving.
  • Marsh Harriers thrive here too and we had excellent views throughout our stay.  We even witnessed a food drop by the male to the female below it - very impressive!

A species count of over 50 meant we saw a good variety of bird life.





Weeting Heath NR
 
We finished off with a brief visit to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust site at Weeting Heath.
  • The Stone Curlews were present and showing well from the East Hide with the female on the nest to the left of the cameras and the busier male to the right.

It's always great to see this strange looking bird!


No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.