[Andrew Whitehouse]

Thought I would make a quick post about my birding activities last weekend. I was in Norfolk for work on Friday so thought that afterwards I'd spend a day or two at one of my old haunts. Back in those halcyon days of the early 90s I worked for about a year-and-a-half at Strumpshaw Fen. I've been back a few times but in the past decade my only visit was a brief one about three years ago. So, I stayed in Brundall for two nights and spent all of Saturday and then Sunday morning around Strumpshaw and at Buckenham and Cantley. I'm pleased to say it's still a very good area for birds, but it's interesting to see the changes both to the reserve itself and to the abundance of various species.

Saturday at Strumpshaw was a misty day but very calm. A smart male Brambling was at the very busy feeders. Feeders weren't something we had in 'my day', which is a shame. Maybe the budget's a bit better nowadays. The woods were busy with Long-tailed and Marsh Tits, Jays and Siskins. Something I was particularly impressed by were the numbers of Cetti's Warblers. I had wondered if they had been diminished by recent hard winters but, if they have, then there are still loads of them left. I was rarely out of earshot anywhere along the River Yare and had good views of one individual in some low weeds. They were fairly numerous in the early 90s but my impression is that they've increased significantly since then. Lots of Bearded Tits were calling from the reedbeds too. Most views were brief but later in the day I had some lovely looks at a group along the riverbank at Buckenham. This is another species that seems to be doing well at the moment.

At least three Marsh Harriers were quartering the reedbeds. Twenty years ago these were rare in the winter - outnumbered by Hen Harriers in fact - but wintering birds are now quite normal. A few Water Pipits were around but weren't seen well. One was heard by the pumphouse and another two flew over calling near the Fen Hide. The highlight was a Bittern which I saw early in the afternoon at the back of the Old Broad. It flipped up briefly when a harrier flew over and I was then able to watch it stalking the edges for a minute or two before it melted back into the reeds. This was only the third time I've seen a Bittern at Strumpshaw, a measure of how much they've increased.

I was impressed with how much more water there is these days at Strumpshaw with lots of pools being dug out adjacent to the riverbank. Duck numbers weren't massive but there were lots of Teal. Also about were a Kingfisher and a few Snipe.

In the afternoon I carried on to Buckenham and Cantley. These marshes were in the process of being purchased by the RSPB when I was working in the area. Management means that there's a lot more open water at Buckenham nowadays, which is good for waders. A Black-tailed Godwit flew over and there were quite a few Lapwing and Golden Plovers and six Dunlin. Two Peregrines were standing sentry on the gateposts - a bird I don't think I ever saw here in the 90s. There were quite large numbers of duck on the fields but the numbers of Wigeon were much lower than 20 years ago, when 5000 or more might be expected at any time during the winter.

At Cantley I eventually managed to find a small flock of Taiga Bean Geese - about 37 in all. Also in the area were several White-fronted Geese and well over 100 Pink-footed Geese. A small flock of (presumbaly feral) Barnacle Geese added to the goosefest. I know the numbers of Bean and White-front have diminished in recent years but it's interesting to see so many Pink-feet. A Barn Owl drifted along the river edge, three Brambling flew over, a Water Rail was glimpsed briefly in the reeds and several Chinese Water Deer lolloped about the fields like giant hares.

I wondered if the famous corvid roost would materialise. It was almost dark before any were around at all but then a great stream of several thousand Rooks and Jackdaws arked through sky as they flew from Claxton to Buckenham Carr.

On Sunday I saw a similar selection of birds at Strumpshaw. Fifty Pink-feet flew over, a Peregrine dashed across the reedbeds, a Barn Owl was in the nestbox on the Thirties and a Water Pipit was again seen in flight. A surprise was a hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow that was present all morning near the reception hide. It showed a greyish crescent on the breast and a grey triangle on the mantle. I wonder where it's come from.

A lot of the birds at Strumpshaw seem to be doing well, but a few are perhaps harder to find than they were in the 90s. Are Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and Willow Tit still in the alder carr, I wonder? Hen Harriers seem to be far less regular, for perhaps obvious reasons. But I was really pleased to be able to spend a bit of time at one of my favourite places. I hope I get back again soon.

[NoSpringChicken]

Many thanks for your wonderful report Andrew. Strumpshaw is one of my favourite places anywhere and it is fascinating to read your comparisons between the reserve now and when you worked there all those years ago. I have seen Bitterns just about every time I have visited recently and it is easy to take them for granted now.

Strumpshaw has become noticeably more popular in the five years or so that I have been visiting, which is not surprising considering the exotic wildlife which can be seen so close to Norwich. We visited on Sunday and decided to stay to watch the Starling roost. At about 3.00pm as we were heading towards the Reception we were surprised by the large numbers of people coming the other way. We were even more shocked to discover all the car parks full to overflowing and the Reception hide packed. We watched the Starling roost, which was magnificent, and it was only afterwards that I discovered that it had been featured on Anglia TV a few nights previously.

Thanks again for posting your fascinating report Andrew.

Ron

[dbradnum]

Lesser-spot is still there, albeit in small numbers, I think. I reckon Willow Tit have almost certainly gone, though.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Good to know Lesser-spot is still there. It wasn't too common 20 years ago either.

I didn't get to see the Starling roost, which is a shame. That's another new development.

[apbarr]

Originally Posted by dbradnum

Lesser-spot is still there, albeit in small numbers, I think. I reckon Willow Tit have almost certainly gone, though.

Had my first ever Lesser Spot there back in the eighties, lovely place if I remember correctly after all these years (22nd May 1985 according to my Logbook with Cetti's heard but not seen)

[Lightthiscandle]

Originally Posted by dbradnum

Lesser-spot is still there, albeit in small numbers, I think. I reckon Willow Tit have almost certainly gone, though.

No: I've seen Willow Tit on several occasions this year, generally along the 'old' woodland path. Tell you what is a lot scarcer: Nuthatch....

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Originally Posted by Lightthiscandle

No: I've seen Willow Tit on several occasions this year, generally along the 'old' woodland path. Tell you what is a lot scarcer: Nuthatch....

Actually I was also wondering where all the Nuthatches were too.

[apbarr]

Originally Posted by Andrew Whitehouse

Actually I was also wondering where all the Nuthatches were too.

Heading north to Aberdeen due to climate change

[joannec]

I, too, enjoyed reading your report Andrew. It isn't a place I've been to but it was interesting to read of your observations of the changes over the years.

[Sandra (Taylor)]

Good to read your report on Strumpshaw Andrew. It will always have special memories for me. We visited for the first time in February this year. We were staying in north Norfolk and we met up with an old friend who lived near Bury St. Edmunds. We had a lovely day catching up with chat and walking round the reserve. Sadly we have just returned from Suffolk where we attended her funeral - hence the special memories.

Sandra

[scabs6]

I am new to the wonderful world of birding but strumpshaw is very near to me and I loved reading ur report. Thanku

[O.Reville1989]

It always seems to through up something special, seen many first time species here for me so it holds a special place with me.
Some of the most special memories include hearing 6 water rails calling one evening in May, 2 female Goldeneye on the water near Tower Hide back in February, My first ever sighting of a Bittern flying in front of Tower Hide, Arriving for the first time, walking to Fen Hide and within 30 seconds having a family of 6 Bearded Tits land on the reeds just in front of the hide, the magical call of the Cetti's warbler, how are they so loud for such a small bird?
It really is a wonderful place and recommend it to anyone!