Friday 18 June 2010

North Marsh magic

The water voles pictured here are often good entertainment - photographed today harvesting reed grass from the ditch where they live in front of the hide.


However for three consecutive days we have had kingfishers actively hunting the marsh in front of the hide - the first regular activity since December 18th. My previous post saying how thin on the ground they are has obviously been read. Viewing is welcome but please be considerate for the birds and other observers - quietness when approaching the hide and careful opening of shutters is essential to hopefully hang on to the birds here on a more permanent basis.



Now is a great time for orchids with 4 species readily visible around the reserve - more on that later. Likewise a sunny day is still bringing out the broad bodied chasers and also the first common darters around the D woods pond.

Beyond that birdwise a couple of little gulls on South Marsh East and the black swans on D res have been the best. Hobby was frequenting Watton NR and the access road today, and cuckoo has been heard around site often. Disturbingly though we had a green sandpiper yesterday on Watton NR - too late for breeding season - meaning the 'autumn passage' has started!