Friday 27 June 2014

Lakenheath and breckland

After a few weeks off to scotland (more on that later) and the back to work a nice weekend was insstore so headed to Lakenheath for my annual visit a bit later than usually which turned out was a productive visit with Hundreds of Small Tortoiseshells around along with Green-veined Whites, Commas and singles of Red Admiral and Painted Lady on the butterfly front.

Birdwise walked to the first view point where had lots of Warblers singing and Wrens and woodland birds in the woods. From the viewpoint itself Reed warbler and Reed bunting showed themselves from the Reeds a nice flyby kingfisher and in the distance a Hobby and Marsh harrier were hunting.

Then headed down to the new hide where a Cetti Warbler was singing and Dragonflies where hunting over the water mainly Black-tailed Skimmer and Four-spotted Chaser. Then had a bittern fly through which more than likely was nesting in the reeds and a lovely flock of Bearded Tits flew through.

Then walked down to the last viewpoint where a few Swifts where feeding high up and a pair of Marsh Harriers hunting before walking down the river where a pair of Cranes where feeding before walking back along the river which was full of insects life a real hot for the butterflies and a few Five-spotted Burnet moths and Azure Damselflies, Banded Damselflies and a super Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle.

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Reed Warbler
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Young Bearded Tit
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Singing Reed Bunting
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Wren in the reeds
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Comma
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Small Tortoiseshell feeding
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Five-spotted Burnet Moth
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Banded Damselfly
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Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle
Then ended the day at Weeting Heath where there where 7 Stone curlews where present though distance. but the highlight was from the hide with lots of small birds around the water including a Super pair of Spotted Flycaychers, Yellowhammer and lots of young Goldfinches then back a brief view of a feeding Treecreeper in with the coal tit flock.
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Spotted Flycatcher posing
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Down for a drink
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Foraging treecreeper
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