Floods and starlings.

Well what a week we've had here at the reserve. The heavy rain over we had during Sunday and Sunday night led to the River Lark flooding which in turn meant that several trails around the reserve were closed, cutting off some hides in the process.

Some paths were a bit wet.

As of today, we still have some flooding on site with limited access to the East Lakes, Atlas hide being the only one available there. But the Kingfisher trail is now fully open.

Sightings

Still Goosander, Goldeneye, Kingfisher and Goldcrest are being spotted and the Tree sparrows have been seen too. 

Goldcrest by Rich Berry (via Twitter @BritishWhiskey) 

The Starling murmuration is going from strength to strength with the estimated number of around 15,000 birds, which are giving wonderful displays right behind the Visitor Centre. This is a perfect way to end a wonderful day walking around the reserve. There is always something good to see on the reserve, including a Pintail which turned up today, or the flocks of Siskins which can be seen along the paths. Another treat to look out for are the Bullfinches which can also be spotted along the paths. The time the murmuration starts varies from day to day, but it's best to get yourself in the Visitor Centre by 3pm, where, after a nice walk around the reserve, you can enjoy a cup of tea/coffee/soup and a nice slice of lovely cake whilst waiting for the wonderful display to begin. Who knows, you might even get to see the Kingfisher whilst you wait, it has been showing a lot later at the centre lake.

We have tried to get some video of the murmuration, but it doesn't do it any justice, so it's best if you  get yourself down here and experience it for yourself. After all, that really is the best way to see it, especially when they begin to dive down into the roost, which is best viewed from the centre itself.  

A very small part of the murmuration over the reserve.

Murmuration

Murmuration!

Last week we reported that there were around 800 starlings roosting at Lackford and that we could only hope that this would get bigger. Well it seems a lot of you were hoping too, because this week the murmuration increased to over 8000 starlings! As you can imagine, this is a sight to see and is well worth the trip. The murmuration happens right outside the Visitor Centre so you don't have to stand outside in the cold waiting for it to happen. You can come in and sit in the warmth with a cup of tea, coffee or chocolate and a nice slice of cake and wait for the aerial display to begin!

A small video can be seen here on our Facebook page. For those of you who cannot see this post on Facebook, here's some images. Hopefully, we'll get some more video that we can upload next week. In the meantime, if you have any pictures that you taken of this murmuration that you would like to share with us, please do, the link is on the right.

At ~8000 birds, this murmuration can be impressive, but don't forget, it wasn't many years ago when Lackford had over 30,000 birds murmuring here. So keep your fingers crossed. The best time to be here to grab a seat is around 3pm.

Just part of the murmuration over the Bernard Tickner hide

The path towards Bernard Tickner's hide.

Other sightings

We forgot to mention last week that Tree Sparrows were still being heard around the reserve, although not seen. So it's nice to know they are still about. Other sightings include 7 Goosanders, Goldeneye, Redwings, Coal and Marsh tits and Fieldfare, which seem to be on the increase this week. We've also heard via Twitter, that Waxwings have started to arrive on the Suffolk coastline, so here's hoping some make it further inshore too.

We also found this beauty visiting the Visitor Centre on Thursday 20th.

Peacock Butterfly looking for somewhere to overwinter.

These along with some other butterflies are always looking to come indoors now to sleep the winter out and if you find one in your home the best thing you can do is place it in your shed. Just make sure your shed has a few holes in it so that it can escape come spring.

Steggall's Hide

Work at the new hide has been proceeding well and it is now starting to look more like a hide thanks to all the work put it by our reserve team volunteers.

The walkway to the hide with screened sides.

In all weathers, the team work hard.

Looking good

Reserve Manager Will with some of the volunteers

The birds view of the hide.

Roof section on and the wonderful volunteers

Upcoming events

Don't forget to always check our forthcoming events on the righthand side of the blog, there may always be something there of interest for all. Next up is the Bird Identification and Song Guided Walk with our bird expert Paul Holness. We still have spaces, so if you're interested, get in touch and book your place!

Stoats and Starlings

Well there hasn't been much change of late with sightings on the reserve. Goosander, Snipe and Goldeneye are still showing well and Siskin, Redwings and Fieldfares are also being seen. There were still Common Darter dragonflies still being spotted on Wednesday. 

We had a possible sighting of a Goshawk on Sunday, unfortunately, no photo. One for you to keep your eyes open for and if you get a photo, we would love to see it.

There seems to be a Stoat living in a hole in front of the visitor centre and spent most of today (Friday) catching and bringing back Shrews to his hole. Again, no photos, but we might try and get the trail cam set up to see if we can get some good pictures of it.

One new sighting this week however, was that of a Grey Wagtail by Sarah Steggall and what's more Sarah sent us the photo of said Wagtail, thanks Sarah.

Grey Wagtail © Sarah Steggall

The Sparrowhawk has also been making regular visits to the feeder area outside the centre, looking for an unsuspecting Blue tit or similar. David Ward sent us this photo of it flying around the reserve.

Sparrowhawk © David Ward

 David also shared his pictures of our most favourite visitor to the reserve, the Kingfisher.

Kingfisher with fish © David Ward

Diving Kingfisher © David Ward

People have also been sharing their photos with us on Twitter (@SWTLackfordLake) as well. Here's one from Nick Ford

Kingfisher by Nick Ford

If you would like to share your photos with us on the blog, we would welcome them. Just send them to us in an email lackford.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Starlings!

Tonight we had around 800 starlings fly in and roost on site. This is a huge increase to the 100 or so last week and we can hope that it will only increase and that the murmurations just get bigger, such a fantastic sight.

Winter Dusk Walk

There are still places available on our Winter Dusk Walk with Site Manager Will Cranstoun on Friday 21st November 2-4pm. This will be a very informative walk looking at our winter wildfowl including the spectacular Gull roost and is good for all ages. Whats more, it's only £3 per person, but you will need to book beforehand to secure your place. You can do this by either calling the centre on 01284 728706 or by email lackford.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org Don't miss out!

Christmas Cards

Have you bought your Christmas cards to send to friends yet? If not, why not come down to us and buy your cards here from our lovely Christmas collection.

Our lovely Christmas cards from £2.75 a pack

You can enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of cake and look for Kingfishers whilst you decide what cards to buy. But be quick, they're going fast!

  

Stoats and Starlings

Well there hasn't been much change of late with sightings on the reserve. Goosander, Snipe and Goldeneye are still showing well and Siskin, Redwings and Fieldfares are also being seen. There were still Common Darter dragonflies still being spotted on Wednesday. 

We had a possible sighting of a Goshawk on Sunday, unfortunately, no photo. One for you to keep your eyes open for and if you get a photo, we would love to see it.

There seems to be a Stoat living in a hole in front of the visitor centre and spent most of today (Friday) catching and bringing back Shrews to his hole. Again, no photos, but we might try and get the trail cam set up to see if we can get some good pictures of it.

One new sighting this week however, was that of a Grey Wagtail by Sarah Steggall and what's more Sarah sent us the photo of said Wagtail, thanks Sarah.

Grey Wagtail © Sarah Steggall

The Sparrowhawk has also been making regular visits to the feeder area outside the centre, looking for an unsuspecting Blue tit or similar. David Ward sent us this photo of it flying around the reserve.

Sparrowhawk © David Ward

 David also shared his pictures of our most favourite visitor to the reserve, the Kingfisher.

Kingfisher with fish © David Ward

Diving Kingfisher © David Ward

People have also been sharing their photos with us on Twitter (@SWTLackfordLake) as well. Here's one from Nick Ford

Kingfisher by Nick Ford

If you would like to share your photos with us on the blog, we would welcome them. Just send them to us in an email lackford.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Starlings!

Tonight we had around 800 starlings fly in and roost on site. This is a huge increase to the 100 or so last week and we can hope that it will only increase and that the murmurations just get bigger, such a fantastic sight.

Winter Dusk Walk

There are still places available on our Winter Dusk Walk with Site Manager Will Cranstoun. This will be a very informative walk looking at our winter wildfowl including the spectacular Gull roost and is good for all ages. Whats more, it's only £3 per person, but you will need to book beforehand to secure your place. You can do this by either calling the centre on 01284 728706 or by email lackford.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org Don't miss out!

Christmas Cards

Have you bought your Christmas cards to send to friends yet? If not, why not come down to us and buy your cards here from our lovely Christmas collection.

Our lovely Christmas cards from £2.75 a pack

You can enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of cake and look for Kingfishers whilst you decide what cards to buy. But be quick, they're going fast!

  

Say cheese!

Well the unseasonal weather continues here at Lackford with butterflies and dragonflies still being seen. Our Goosander numbers are slowly increasing from 2 last week, they are now up to 6 and are often found on Slough, Steggall's or the sailing lake. It's best to check first at the centre for their location when you arrive. Goldeneye's have also arrived at the reserve and hopefully many more will not be far behind.

Goldeneye at Sailing lake and Bess'

Our usual array of ducks have been showing well too along with a few wigeon too. Snipe are still visible at Steggall's despite the building of the new hide.

Looking away from the water and into the trees and bushes the smaller birds have been seen and heard. Cettis Warblers have been heard along some of the paths and Bullfinches have been seen flitting amongst the trees and bushes throughout the reserve including the car park. On the feeders we have a newcomer in the shape of a Coal tit.

Coal tit showing its distinctive white crest stripe.

The Marsh tits are still visiting the feeders regularly and provide entertainment for those watching and waiting for the Kingfisher on the Centre pond, which still turns up frequently.

Marsh tit.

A Fieldfare was spotted on the berry bush in front of the centre this weekend and Redwings are in abundance around the reserve. Also being spotted in varying flock sizes from a couple to around 50, are Siskin's.

Siskin

In the evenings near dusk we have been seeing a small (~100) starlings beginning to gather and beginning to start a rather small murmuration. We can only hope that as time goes on, this flock will grow bigger and bigger.

Other wildlife

The stoat is still being spotted at various parts around the site including the centre where it can often be seen running past the observation windows to much excitement to those watching on.

For the past 2 weeks, we've had a trail cam set up on the reserve to catch whatever may pass in front of it and wow did we catch some wildlife. First up to take advantage of the scattered peanuts we had laid down as bait was a Rabbit.

Rabbit caught early evening.

Then there was the Muntjac

Muntjac just passing through

Then the morning came and with it a curious Jay

A Jay eyes up and possibly wonders how did those peanuts get there?

Maybe it's got something to do with this camera on a tree?

The rabbit was back again

Found another peanut nom nom nom...

Then something a little bit smaller and always a favourite in any garden, a hedgehog.

Hedgehog making a hasty retreat after eating his fill.

Then last, but not least, we captured what we were hoping to get

Badger!

Nom nom nom

So good

So the trail cam got some lovely images and hopefully we'll get some more in the future, watch this space.

In other news

The hide construction at Steggall's is coming on very well and many visitors have been saying how excited they are for its completion.

Flooring in place

Volunteers get to work

A well deserved tea break.

Our Winter Book Fair is also on this weekend, so come on down and grab yourself a bargain!

All those lovely books looking for a new home

Photos please

There are many good photographers that visit our reserve and we really want to see and share your photos please. So if you want to showcase your work on our blog, please get in touch.

Also don't forget, you can follow us on Twitter (@SWTLackfordLake) and on Facebook too!

A warm Halloween

Well, what unseasonably warm weather we're having of late, so much so, that butterflies are still on the wing down here at Lackford. There have been reports of Peacock's, Brimstone and Clouded yellow and that's not the only insect to be seen, Common darters have also been spotted by our visitors.

Peacock butterfly.

At this time of year, people begin to find butterflies in their sheds and outbuildings, sometimes they even find them in their house. It's quite fair to think that they have become mistakenly trapped and many people catch the butterfly and release back outside. But you shouldn't. Not many people realise this, but some species of butterflies actually hibernate for winter by spending their time tucked away from the cold and the frosts in an outbuilding or shed. Here, they will wait patiently for spring's arrival and begin the search for a mate as soon as the temperature begins to rise.

So if you find a butterfly in your shed, the best thing you can do to help it, is to leave it alone. And if you find one in your house, carefully catch it (glass and paper, like a spider) and place it in a shed or garage, somewhere it will be able to find its way out of unaided and somewhere that isn't heated, otherwise it will emerge too early.

Birds

This weeks sightings include all the usual suspects at the feeders, but there has also been some new seasonal sightings such as Goosander and Redwings. Redwings are a species that spends it summer days much further north than the UK such as Iceland and Scandinavia. Come the winter, as food in their summer lands becomes scarce and temperatures fall, they head south into Europe and the UK in search of our winter berries, which they like to gorge themselves upon. Only a few have been spotted so far, and as the weeks roll on, many more are expected to arrive, along with their larger cousin the Fieldfare.

The beautiful Fieldfare

Unfortunately, we don't have a photo of a Redwing to show, but this is where you can get involved. If you have a photo of a redwing, especially if it was taken at Lackford, then we would love to show it here on the blog. Obviously, we can't pay you for it, but we will credit your photo. In fact, if you have any photo's you would like to share with us that were taken at the reserve, then please get in touch, we would love to share them. You can email us at lackford.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

The Tree Sparrows spotted for the first time in 2 years last week, have not returned sadly, so they were maybe just passing through. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed they make a return. A new visitor to the feeders at the centre was a Coal tit and Snipe are still showing well down at Stegall's as is the building of the new hide which our Reserves Volunteer Team are doing a grand job with. 

New hide under construction at Stegall's

Snipe taken today by Peter Rutt

                           

Events

One of our events this week was the Family Night Walk where everyone got to hear Tawny Owls calling, saw some bats flying, went on a torchlight mini-beast hunt, made witches potions and broomsticks. 

Witches broomstick.

They also got to do other stuff such as owl pellet dissection and making stick skeletons.

Some fantastic stick skeletons.

A great turn out.

If you would like to attend one of our many events, then keep a check on our events listings on the right-handside of this blog and book up early, as often, our events get fully booked.

We hope you have a fantastic Halloween weekend and that you come visit us soon.

Happy Halloween!