Strumpshaw Fen, 20/02/10

Living back in Norwich is awesome! The fen is no real distance from our new place in the north east of the city, so it was agreed a pre-dinner walk was in order.

We walked out to the remains of the old pumping station, chasing up a description a visitor had handed in that sounded suspiciously like a drake Smew. Few Teal on the flashes, but a grotty looking Mallard may have been the bird in question. 3-4 Chinese Water Deer were positively romping in the meadows adjacent to the river.

With dusk closing in and the reserve quiet, we finished up in the Fen Hide. The Redhead Smew was present with some Gadwall. One Marsh Harrier was soon joined by another four, making up a small roost. Corvids headed towards Buckenham. Cettis Warblers, Bearded Tits and Water Rails called; the sights and sounds of the broads. I had hoped we would be lucky and see the Otters that have been reported more frequently of late, but on this front we were unlucky.

We walked back in near darkness to the beautiful liquid sound of the Song Thrush, and a brief sighting of a Tree Creeper topped off the evening nicely. Driving back through the village a Woodcock flew over the road.

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Notes from the valley

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