They’re Back

My first visit to the Fen for quite some time, it was great to be back out there again. The light was lovely and as soon as I arrived I was greeted by the scratchy jazz song of the Sedge Warbler. The Summer migrants are back! There were a good number of them singing away, so I spent some time trying to photograph them.

Not bad for a first effort, just a shame about that reed crossing him, but better than last year already!

Continuing my walk, I found Linnets busy collecting nesting material, several Whitethroats singing from the hedges, Reed warblers, Chiffchaffs, and Blackcap, one of my favourite songsters. A Cuckoo called and a Buzzard soared overhead.

Suddenly, an unusual sound caught my ears, a ventriloquial reeling, which could only be a Grasshopper warbler, the first I’ve ever heard. What an odd, un-bird-like sound, like the reedbed itself is buzzing. Fading in gradually and then stopping so abruptly, a noise you only notice when it’s gone. I closed my eyes to listen, the sound was distant, drifting on the wind, now louder, closer, coming from all around and right in front of me. I opened my eyes and saw nothing but reeds.

Further along, a Roe deer buck was nibbling dandelion flowers in the meadow and clouds of Swifts, Swallows and House martins were hunting insects. I can’t help feeling that Summer is nearly here!

Subscribe

Sign up to receive blog notifications and exclusive content!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Similar Posts

  • Sculthorpe Moor

    Sunday morning was beautifully sunny so I headed over to the Fen, where disappointingly there were no more exotics! All was a bit quiet, except for lots of small birds chirping away. After a long walk, I returned home with exactly zero photos. Not a problem really, I’d say 90% of a wildlife photographers time…

  • On the Fen

    Nice to get behind the lens again. Visited the Fen (Redgrave and Lopham Fen) this week. Lot’s of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies about, as well as a couple of Kestrels, I had a lovely close encounter with one. Unfortunately I only had my macro lens with me! Here’s a slightly worn Speckled Wood butterfly. (With…

  • Hush Wing

    It’s 7.30AM and it’s snowing heavily. I’m questioning my reasoning behind stepping outside with my camera this morning, but with my new found determination to do more photography this year, I know I have to. I’ve been watching the Barn Owl’s on the fen and I know they’ll be out hunting at this time of…

  • Fieldfare

    Back in the orchard again today… (Click images to view larger…) If you like what you see, please consider sharing!   Current favourite books, click for more info:

  • Exhibition News

    I am very excited to announce that I will be exhibiting my work in Santiago’s Art Café in Botesdale, Suffolk. It’s actually my first exhibition in many, many years, so I’m really looking forward to it. There’s something about seeing photos printed that is so refreshing in our increasingly digital world, and that was one…

  • Small Coppers

    Had another go with these teeny butterflies on my afternoon off last week. The light was much better, if a little harsh, and the butterflies were loving the warm sunshine.   I really wanted some side on views with their wings closed, but in the sun they normally rested with wings open, only flicking them…

2 Comments

Leave a Reply