Saturday 1 February 2014

RSPB Lakenheath Fen - Crane Sighting


We visited RSPB Lakenheath Fen for the first time on Saturday ...

... and enjoyed exploring the wetland landscape.

This Little Egret caught me off-guard, but it's always good to have a record shot!

There was a new boardwalk ...

... leading to the new Mere Hide.

I loved the textures and patterns of the reeds in the dyke.

Apparently you can occasionally see the Golden Oriole in the poplar woods in the summer.

The reserve runs along the railway - there were plenty of trains!

We always enjoy seeing Greylag geese overhead ...

... and listening to the wind in the reedbeds.

This murmuration began at dusk, and continued for about forty minutes.

This is a close-up of the silhouettes.
We were about to make tracks when I noticed this fine bird ...

... flapping gently away from us.

It was the first time we had seen a Crane in Suffolk (though the Norfolk border was almost in sight!)

The light was fading fast, so my photos are very grainy ...

... but at least we could make out the shape of the Crane ...

...as it floated off ...

... into the sunset.

The warden said he thought the Crane was probably a juvenile from last year's brood since most cranes fly in pairs. The only other Common Cranes I have seen in the UK were in Norfolk.

Other highlights of our visit included this verdant patch of star-shaped moss ...

... plus a Coot ...
... or two ...
... and a few pairs of Mute Swans.

Happy World Wetlands Day everybody!


Postscript: The Rook and Jackdaw roost at Lakenheath Fen involves about 3,000 birds.
The Rook and Jackdaw roost at Lakenheath Fen in Suffolk involves around 3,000 birds but is still an impressive sight. - See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/2012/december/ps-a-waxwing-winter.aspx#sthash.ZqPPZR19.dpuf
The Rook and Jackdaw roost at Lakenheath Fen in Suffolk involves around 3,000 birds but is still an impressive sight. - See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/2012/december/ps-a-waxwing-winter.aspx#sthash.ZqPPZR19.dpuf
The Rook and Jackdaw roost at Lakenheath Fen in Suffolk involves around 3,000 birds but is still an impressive sight. - See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/2012/december/ps-a-waxwing-winter.aspx#sthash.ZqPPZR19.dpuf
The Rook and Jackdaw roost at Lakenheath Fen in Suffolk involves around 3,000 birds but is still an impressive sight. - See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/2012/december/ps-a-waxwing-winter.aspx#sthash.ZqPPZR19.dpuf
The Rook and Jackdaw roost at Lakenheath Fen in Suffolk involves around 3,000 birds but is still an impressive sight. - See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/2012/december/ps-a-waxwing-winter.aspx#sthash.ZqPPZR19.dpuf
The Rook and Jackdaw roost at Lakenheath Fen in Suffolk involves around 3,000 birds but is still an impressive sight. - See more at: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/2012/december/ps-a-waxwing-winter.aspx#sthash.ZqPPZR19.dpuf

2 comments:

L. D. said...

You captured some wonderful pictures. I like how cranes do seem like they are moving in slow motion. I suppose the wingspan causes the slow easy movements. You have a new walkway which looks really nice.

David Gill said...

A memorable visit with large East Anglian skies - and our first Suffolk crane.