Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk (1 Viewer)

After yesterdays hectic dashing around (well, hectic by my standards) had a bit of an unwind today by taking a long overdue trip to Strumpshaw Fen. For anyone who's never been, in addition to the good birds it's also a really nice place to visit, something about this reserve is just so very calm & peaceful.

Highlights of the day :-

From the main hide at least 5 Snipe were showing really well on the island, 1 lonely Whooper Swan and a fellow BF'er - Mike D - nice to meet you Mike and a very interesting chat. Just a slight shame that the Bittern showed up after I left the hide though .... never mind eh.

Further round and amongst others Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest & Gt Spotted Woodpecker all showed up rather well. Bearded Tit, Cettis' Warbler & Water Rail by call, 3 Marsh Harriers (1M, 2 F .... was that an early bit of courtship display I saw ?) and one ringtail Hen Harrier.

Carlos GY said:

3 Marsh Harriers (1M, 2 F .... was that an early bit of courtship display I saw ?)

Click to expand...

Definitely saw display at Stodmarsh just over a week ago.

Hi there Robin.... just thinking about it, I don't suppose there's much else it could've been really. A fair deal of calling as well.

Good to see.

Hi Carlos - I like it when the male Marsh Harriers do the sky dancing. They fly up really high, with big flapping wings like a Lapwing and they call like a Tawny Owl (the sharp 'Kew-ick' type call). What were they up to today?

Hi Andrew, had some fabulous views of that last year so still got that to look forward to, but nothing as spectacular today. Was more an upside down roll by the female to meet up to the male, and the odd bit of close fly-by as well ... though I'm sure there's a more correct term for it !!