Buckenham Marsh and Strumpshaw Fen 13th April 2022 (with Andy Egan)

I was up at 0230 ready to depart for Strumpshaw Fen to meet up with my very good friend Andy Egan for a mornings birding at this very special habitat for birds and other wildlife.  I arrived at Strumpshaw at 0415 in the early morning darkness and met Andy to the calls of a few Tawny Owls.

Our Route

From Strumpshaw, Andy and myself set off for a walk along the still dark lanes to Buckenham Marsh. The air was beautiful to breathe, it was calm and quite mild.  It was here that we saw the setting moon which appeared to have a stunning orange glow to it which Andy got a lovely shot of.  We walked the track between the marsh, eventually arriving at the beautiful River Yare.

We then walked back along the track to meet up with the road and onto Strumpshaw Fen where we were to spend a few hours watching the delights it had to offer. We visited Tower Hide for spectacular views over the water and marsh.  On our return we also visited Fen and Reception hide.

Birds

The first part of our walk in the early morning darkness took us along the road from Strumpshaw to Buckenham Marsh, along this initial walk a few Tawny Owls, most were males with a female sometimes heard.  

Once on Buckenham Marsh we walked the track to the River Yare.  A hint of dawn light beginning to appear in the eastern sky.  At least 2 Cetti's Warblers sang with one close bird near the river.  Wildfowl calling on the marsh included the sweet whistle of a male Wigeon.   

Walking back along the track towards the station at Buckenham two Sedge Warblers sang from within Bramble cover and Elder.  To our right, a Chinese Water Deer casually strolled over the marsh.  

Upon leaving Buckenham Marsh we heard the song of a Whitethroat coming from a Bramble patch by the rail track.  Close by next to a dyke another Chinese Water Deer and Muntjac were seen.

Andy and I then entered Strumpshaw Fen where Andy predicted a Barn Owl would be seen, and having stopped by a bench to overlook the marsh, sure enough, a beautiful Barn Owl was watched hunting. Also here, a Marsh Tit was singing in woodland, and a Great White Egret was briefly seen in flight.  The walk towards Tower Hide along the River Yare produced several Willow Warblers on territory in willows and reedbed scrub.

We then continued our walk through the marsh and made for Tower Hide, on route, several Cetti's Warblers were in song.

Tower Hide, what a fantastic place to stop and overview the broad and the extensive marshland beyond. The light was very good indeed giving excellent visibility.

Garganey at Strumpshaw Fen 13th April

An initial overview from the hide revealed several wildfowl species including Gadwall, Teal, and Greylag Geese.  The noisiest birds however, was several Black-headed Gulls, one which was seen collecting nesting material.  To our distant right, another Sedge Warbler was heard in song.

On the water was at least 3 Garganey, a stunning migratory dabbling Duck which arrives with us from Africa usually in March.  The male Garganey is a stunning and unmistakable Duck species with its brown head and distinctive cream head stripe.

Marsh Harriers were seen from the hide hunting over the marsh, a distant female was sitting on a bush within the reedbed.

Having left Tower Hide, Andy and I made our way slowly back to the reception area of Strumpshaw Fen, on route we heard more Willow and Cetti's Warblers, and Marsh Harriers continued to feature as the most frequently seen raptor species.   Another Chinese Water Deer was seen on the marsh.

Finally, back at the car park, it had turned out quite warm in sheltered spots, but to be perfectly honest, whatever the conditions it is just so therapeutic to get out doing something I love with a very dear friend who has always been there for me in troubled times.  Andy, thank you so much for a wonderful morning, as always, I thoroughly enjoyed your company and I really look forward to our next meeting.