Trip away from SS15 – NNR Westleton Heath and RSPB Lakenheath Fen, Suffolk – 27th April 2025

The main purpose of my visit was to record any spring/summer migrant birds and especially Dartford Warbler and Woodlark at NNR Westleton Heath and Garganey and Hobby at RSPB Lakenheath Fen, all of which I had yet to add to my 2025 UK list.

NNR Westleton Heath is part of the best remaining tract of heathland in Suffolk and located just outside the village of Westleton. In medieval times a large area of heath known as the Sandlings (on account of its dry sandy soils) stretched along the Suffolk coast. Today only about 20% of the heathland remains and the rest has been lost to modern farming and forestry. The site is particularly good for heathland and woodland species.

I managed to record both Dartford Warbler and Woodlark during my visit as expected.

In addition, there was a good selection of other spring/summer migrants.

The highlights during my visit were as follows (heard only records in italics): Dartford Warbler (3 singing males plus 2 other birds), Woodlark (3 singing males, 1 seen), Nightingale (3 singing males, 1 seen), Cuckoo (1 calling male), Common Whitethroat (3 singing males, 1 seen), Lesser Whitethroat (1 singing male), Garden Warbler (1 singing male), Blackcap (2 singing males, 1 seen), Chiffchaff (at least 10 singing males, 4 seen), Yellowhammer (4 singing males, 3 seen), Stonechat (2 males), Linnet (2), Skylark (2), Treecreeper (1), Goldcrest (1), Coal Tit (1), Chaffinch (2 singing males, 1 seen), Common Buzzard (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Egyptian Goose (2 flew over)

Additions to 2025 UK list: Dartford Warbler, Woodlark

In addition, I saw the following: Red Deer (7), Reeves’ Muntjac (1)

Here are some photos from my visit ….

Photo: male Dartford Warbler

Photo: male Dartford Warbler

Photo: male Yellowhammer

Photo: male Stonechat

Photo: male Stonechat

Photo: male Chiffchaff

Photo: male Chiffchaff

Photo: male Common Whitethroat

Photo: male Common Whitethroat

Photo: male Lesser Whitethroat

Photo: Red Deer

Photo: Red Deer

Photo: Red Deer

After a successful visit to NNR Westleton Heath, I drove 60 miles west to RSPB Lakenheath Fen.

RSPB Lakenheath Fen is a remarkable site: former carrot fields transformed from 1995 into a 500 hectare area comprising wetland including reedbeds, wet grassland and grazing marshes plus woodland. It forms part of a network of fenland nature reserves in the region including NNR Wicken Fen, NNR Chippenham Fen and Woodwalton Fen. These, together with the washlands of the River Great Ouse and the River Nene, ensure some of the region’s natural character and variety of wildlife are protected.

I managed to record Garganey and Hobby during my visit as expected.

In addition, there was a good selection of other spring/summer migrants.

The highlights during my visit were as follows (heard only records in italics): Garganey (1 pair and a single male), Teal (c.30), Gadwall (c.30), Mallard (c.10), Shoveler (7), Lapwing (c.20), Avocet (5), Black-tailed Godwit (2), Common Redshank (2), Oystercatcher (2), Grey Heron (1), Egyptian Goose (2), Greylag Goose (c.10), Canada Goose (2), Mute Swan (8), Coot (c.30), Moorhen (3), Cuckoo (2 calling males), Sedge Warbler (at least 10 singing males, 3 seen), Reed Warbler (at least 5 singing males), Common Whitethroat (2 singing males plus a female), Chiffchaff (3 singing males), Blackcap (2 singing males), Swallow (1), Hobby (1), Common Buzzard (1), Kestrel (1), Cetti’s Warbler (3 singing males, 1 seen), Reed Bunting (1 singing male), Stonechat (1 pair)

Additions to 2025 UK list: Garganey, Hobby

In addition, I saw the following: Green-veined White (1), Peacock (4)

Here are some photos from my visit …. 

Photo: male Garganey

Photo: male Garganey

Photo: male Garganey

Photo: male Garganey

After my visit to RSPB Lakenheath Fen, I drove along the long unmade track known as Cowles Drove to where it joins the River Little Ouse. This is an area that I have had previously had some success in seeing Turtle Doves although on this visit I could not find any. However, I did see 2 Hobbys and heard a calling male Cuckoo.

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