The main purpose of my visit was to record any spring/summer migrant birds plus Bittern which I had yet to add to my 2025 UK list.
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen is part of the Mid-Yare Valley along with Surlingham, Rockland, Buckenham and Cantley in the Norfolk Broads. The valley protects a mosaic of wetland habitats which is home to a wide range of important species.
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen has the designations Site of Special Scientific Interest , Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation. It has the full range of broadland habitats including reedbeds, wet woodlands, wet grasslands, ponds and ditches and orchid-rich meadows.
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I managed to record Bittern during my visit as expected.
In addition, I unexpectedly recorded White Wagtail plus there was a good selection of other spring/summer migrants.
I also recorded my first ever Variable Damselfly and my first Hairy Dragonfly for 2025.
The highlights during my visit were as follows (heard only records in italics): Bittern (1), Little Egret (1), Mallard (9 including 2 females with 5 and 12 juveniles respectively), Gadwall (12), Mute Swan (c.25), Greylag Goose (c.20), Canada Goose (c.20), Coot (7 including a pair with 6 juveniles), Great Crested Grebe (2), Common Tern (2), Cormorant (3), Common Redshank (2), Lapwing (5), Cuckoo (2 calling males), Sedge Warbler (at least 20 singing males, 3 seen), Reed Warbler (at least 20 singing males, 3 seen), Willow Warbler (3 singing males, 2 seen), Blackcap (4 singing males, 1 seen), Chiffchaff (6 singing males, 1 silent/unsexed bird seen), White Wagtail (2), Bearded Tit (at least 5), Cetti’s Warbler (7 singing males, 1 seen), Reed Bunting (2 singing males), Meadow Pipit (1), Goldcrest (1), Stock Dove (1 calling male), Marsh Harrier (2 males and 2 females), Common Buzzard (2)
Addition to 2025 UK list: Bittern, White Wagtail
In addition, I saw the following: Hairy Dragonfly (1), Variable Damselfly (1), Orange Tip (1), Red Admiral (1), Speckled Wood (1), Small White (3)
A major disappointment was failing to see the Otter and 2 cubs that a RSPB volunteer said that he had seen a few minutes before I met him!
Here are some photos
from my visit ….
Photo: Willow Warbler
Photo: Willow Warbler
Photo: Sedge Warbler
Photo: Marsh Harrier
Photo: Marsh Harrier
Photo: Great Crested Grebe
Photo: Great Crested Grebe
Photo: Great Crested Grebe
Photo: female Mallard and ducklings
Photo: Mallard ducklings
Photo: Coot and juvenile
Photo: Coot and juvenile
Photo: Coot and juvenile
Photo: Greylag Goose
Photo: Greylag Goose
Photo: Canada Goose
Photo: Red Admiral
Photo: Variable Damselfly
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