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

Beautiful Birds (7): Cute Coots

I spent my teenage years in rural Norfolk,
the setting for part of Arthur Ransome's Coot Club tale
about the Callum children.

Perhaps this is why I find Coots fascinating.

The female above
was photographed at the National Botanic Garden of Wales
some weeks ago.

This young Coot was spotted
in May, along the banks of the Thames.

We also saw those controversial Green Parakeets,
but they flew around in a frenzy and were too fast for the camera!

Mother Coots must be adept
at making the most of the material to hand.

It may be a case of the 'town mouse' and the 'country mouse'
(to mix metaphors for a moment);
but if I was a young Coot,

I know which nest I would choose!