Little Bittern at Lakenheath Fen.

My Daughter and husband Stuart went to Birmingham for Sunday and Monday to see Maroon 5; whoever they are,   while we babysat.   We did go on Friday and came back Monday,  and because the grandchildren  are 15 and 11  I did get a chance to get out and do a bit of birdwatching,  thanks Bon.   Lakenheath Fen is only 25 minutes from Downham Market so I thought I would have a try for the Little Bittern;   not for those who are in a rush,  because first of all you have the half an hour walk to New Fen where the bird has found itself,  if you stop on the way like I did when you see Hobbies, Harriers,  loads of Cuckoos,  and Bitterns flying around it can take a bit longer.   Saturday morning was the first visit and I saw all these birds plus the Little Bittern which has made its home at the moment in the triangle at New Fen.   It had disappeared for a few days but lucky for me it made a return that morning and I saw it twice.   It does bark from time to time and gives its position away and when it takes to the air which it does every so often its only for about 5 seconds and down again.    I did return early Monday to Lakenheath and had a similar morning arriving at the spot around 8. 45am just as the Little Bittern took to the air ( lucky me)   in the next couple of hours I saw it twice more.   Never seen so many Cuckoos,  seem to be everywhere.   Good couple of days birding.

Bad  Record Shot Little Bittern

Stonking male Red-Backed Shrike

Thanks to Alan Bell locating an unexpected and mega male Red-Backed Shrike at Fairlop Waters.    After spending 2 hours this morning without it showing again I shot back this afternoon to find the boys had it in their sights,  What a bird! What a find!

Ingrebourne Valley Tuesday 12th May

Spotted Flycatcher,  3m Cuckoo,  Hobby,  Buzzard, Kestrel, 30 House Martins, 20 Swifts, 5 Swallows, Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Lesser Whitethroat.

Just one Youngster, Stillwell Lake.

Sunday 10th May Ingrebourne Valley

40+ Green Hairstreak, They are doing great and spreading.

Ingrebourne Valley up to friday 8th May

Pair of Hobbies still hunting the marsh mainly over Lowfield wood.  All the main Warblers seem well established,  still haven't heard a Gropper though.   Plenty of butterflies emerging especially when the suns out,  lots of Green Hairstreaks,  counted 12 with 6 on one Green Alkanet plant at the same time.

Sunday 3rd may Ingrebourne Valley

Dick Jeffries finds a Common Sandpiper at the Viewpoint,  keep em coming.   One pair of Hobbies have installed themselves in the Valley.  

Common Sandpiper

Cuckoo at it's nest, (HaHa)

Hobby

LTT

Hobbies galore saturday 2nd May

At least 6 Hobbies were hunting the Valley this afternoon,  should imagine reports will show it isn't the only place they are in good numbers.

Green Hairstreak