Spring Signs at Home and at Snape Maltings

Snape: Aconites and Snowdrops

Snape: Aconites

This small clump of Cyclamen taking over the delapidated decking at home

Our first 2023 Iris, probably Iris Reticulata

Snape, looking from the reedbeds to the Maltings

Snape: wonderful to see so many Avocets, albeit at a distance.

Stonechats, male and female

Snape, looking to Iken Church and Iken Cliffs on the right

The female Stonechat

Wing beats: two Mute Swans overhead

Snape: Iken Church through the rampike

And finally, back at base, a quick peep at the toad house. I so hope a toad finds it in the weeks to come.

 

Beautiful Birds: Avocet Chicks

Avocet chick - such a small frame, such large feet!

When I was a child of about thirteen, we lived in Norfolk and would occasionally play a board game backed by the RSPB, called 'Conservation'. I liked birds at the time, but knew little about them. As a result of playing the game, I learned about the UK conservation status of species like the Avocet, the symbol of the RSPB itself. I don't think I could have guessed then that by 2013 I would have seen my first Avocet chicks back in East Anglia!
   

However, this last Bank Holiday weekend saw us perched in a hide with binoculars and camera, watching three fluffy, feisty youngsters.   

The Avocet had nested on a small area of land surrounded by water, so her chicks could run about in relative safety. 

Do take a moment to read the story of the Avocet's demise and come-back here!

Nature Reserves (2): WWT Welney in the East Anglian Fens

Rainbow iridescence! Possibly Dock Beetles (Gastrophysa viridula) ...

We spent some wonderful hours at WWT Welney, and although the weather could hardly be described as a perfect summer day (dream on!), we thoroughly enjoyed all that the reserve has to offer. The highlights on this occasion were the mammals ... water voles (the prototype 'Ratty') and hares, but there were also other stars such as Avocets and grasshoppers.

Something was stirring in the river bed ...

... and a beady-eyed Water Vole ...

... emerged from the reeds.

A male Reed Bunting perched just outside one of the hides.

I'm not sure that this is the female ... but it was close by. Do you recognise it?

A Marsh Harrier caused some consternation as it flew overhead.

The Oystercatcher seemed unconcerned.

Sadly I don't think we saw a Butterfly ...

... but there were some great insects! I think these are Carpenter Bees ...

There had to be 7-Spot Ladybird (we actually saw two). The white insect is, I believe, small Lacewing.

We heard a Cuckoo (my 2nd this summer). It was perching on this wire some way off.

I love to see Avocets ...

... even at a distance.

We may not have seen butterflies, but this green caterpillar was stunning!

It was too windy for Dragons, but we saw one or two Damselflies ...

... in sheltered spots ...

... and quite a few Grasshoppers.

These distant ears were unmistakable!

... but the Hare didn't hang about for long!

Welney ... what a great place!

Seasonal Splash (6): Spring Sunset at Snape

Serenity . . .

Just before the light went, we managed to see our first Avocets of 2012 at Snape. They were not at very close range, but you could just make out their distinctive white and black forms with the naked eye - and they looked much better through binoculars!

We passed a toad crossing on our journey home, with a volunteer assisting these foolhardy creatures across the road. It brought back memories of toad-watching last Spring in South Wales. We have a toad tunnel in our local area, to allow the toads to cross from Landseer Park to Holywells Park in safety.

Toads in South Wales: last year's photo re-visited

Creatures of camouflage

• Toadwatch - and here

Marshland Habitats (1): Snape, Suffolk, UK

David at Snape, first visit for about 20 years

The landscape known as Snape Marshes is managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The area constitutes a wonderful wetland habitat, bounded by the River Alde in Suffolk.

I spent my teenage years in a village some five miles out of Norwich, close to the home of Norfolk naturalist, Ted Ellis. The marshland at Snape reminded me of Sunday walks on Surlingham Church Marsh, weaving in and out of the reed beds, keeping alert in case a Swallowtail butterfly or a non-native Coypu came into view.

There is something very special about reeds. They sway with the wind and emit a unique fragrance all of their own. There were some workers 'slubbing' (clearing the silted sections of dyke, in a sequence of rotation) with machinery while we were there to ensure that the habitat remains suited to creatures like the Otter.

We ambled out along the track, and turned to look back at Snape Maltings, now a music hall complex with shops and cafes.

If we were fooled by this gallant steed, it was only for a moment ... honest!

What a glorious site! I felt it could be straight out of a Cotman painting. The Thames barge from Harwich wove its way gently and gracefully through the narrow channels.

Suddenly there was a flicker overhead, as a Marsh Harrier (and here) began to hover.

We had seen the best of the daylight, but dusk brings its own rewards - and we THINK this may be a flock of Avocets (and here). I have enlarged and lightened a section of the photograph below in case any of you out there can confirm or refute our attempt at identification!

What an exciting initial foray into the 'wilds' of the beautiful Suffolk countryside. 

Compare with the banner photo here: are these Avocets, I wonder?