RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, UK
It was Happy-Dave's birthday and with his love for nature he chose to spend his day with me at one of his favourite RSPB nature reserves, Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk. Happy-Dave was really hoping to show me a Swallowtail butterfly during our visit as they are the largest butterfly in the UK, and are one of the rarest.
Strumpshaw Fen is located on the River Yare in Norfolk, around six miles east of Norwich. The reserve is great for taking a walk around and spending time with family, it has a great range of Broadland habitats and wildlife. The weather was a little 'moody' but we managed to avoid the rain for the most part and it made for some quite dramatic skies.
Happy-Dave took his Nikon Z9 camera with Sigma 150-600mm zoom lens, and I had my Huawei P30 Lite smartphone with me.
David
Common Lizard
Despite the less than perfect British weather we managed to get some good sitings of various birds and a couple of lizards. The photo on the left is of a Common Lizard, it was enjoying the warmth of the wooden sleeper.
Happy-Dave was very excited to capture his first photo of a Bittern, he had seen them a few times in the past but had never been lucky enough to get an image of one until today. And as if that wasn't exciting enough, he then saw his first Cuckoo and managed to get a photograph of that too.
Marsh Harrier
Bittern
Cuckoo
Great Crested Grebe
Regardless of the weather, the views were quite impressive, we also saw people enjoying the surroundings as they cruised passed on their boats.
The images below show a Carrion Crow and a Marsh Harrier tussling in the skies above our heads, it was a truly impressive display.
And in typical fashion for this year, as we neared the end of our walk around the reserve the heavens opened and we quickened our pace back to the shelter of the welcome centre for a delicious hot chocolate and sweet treat. The welcome centre also doubles-up as a bird hide so we enjoyed our refreshments with an impressive view.
The staff were very welcoming and knowledgeable. The refreshments available ranged from hot & cold drinks, pre-packaged snacks and ice creams. There are onsite toilets available close to the entrance. Dogs are not allowed at this nature reserve, and so Roxy did not join us on this occassion.
Sadly, we did not see a Swallowtail butterfly during this visit in late May, but it gave us a reason to return again in June or July when we will stand a better chance of seeing one. Here is a photo that Happy Dave took of a Swallowtail butterfly back in June 2021.
Swallowtail Butterfly June 2021
We had a lovely time and we highly recommend a visit to RSPB Strumpshaw fen.
If you would like to find out more about public transport links, disabled access, events, etc. at this particular nature reserve, please visit the RSPB's website.
Watch the full video of our adventures
at Strumpshaw Fen here...
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