Lakenheath Fen RSPB (6 June 2026)

For birders of a certain vintage Lakenheath meant only one thing- Golden Orioles. The area held a small population of these spectacular yet difficult to see birds in the Bryant and May poplar plantation alongside the Little Ouse river.  Sadly, they are long gone but the whole area has now been transformed by the RSPB into a multi habitat reserve with a wonderful range of birds where there was once carrot fields, arable land and monoculture woodland in regimented rows. This was the backdrop to our visit on a cool, wet and cloudy day as a coachful of R&T RSPB members made the journey to Lakenheath for a day’s birding.

We arrived at the reserve with the promise of improving weather and as the skies became lighter and the rain abated, we split into several groups to go clockwise and anticlockwise around the 3 mile Circular Trail. We had a good start as a Kingfisher flew around the pool outside the reception building. We then went our separate ways- with such a large group- nearly 50, it seemed a sensible thing to do.

The morning bird count was impressive with Cuckoo, Little Egret, the first of many Marsh Harriers, Kestrel, Red Kite, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting and Reed Warblers seen around the periphery of the Washland area and on the Washland itself a good selection of Ducks and Waders including Garganey, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Black Tailed Godwit, Curlew, Lapwing, Avocet, Redshank, Oystercatcher and a single Greenshank. Above were many Swifts, House Martins and Sand Martins hawking for insects. As the cloud began to lift and some blue sky made a welcome appearance the raptors came out. First more Marsh Harriers quartering the reedbed for prey, then it was the turn of the Hobbies dashing around chasing down dragonflies as though inspired by the jets from the nearby American fighter base. Other birds seen were Bittern, Bearded Tit, Sedge Warbler, and another Cuckoo. However, the skies were darkening and looking ominous as we all met up at the Joist Fen Viewpoint Shelter for lunch, then the heavens opened for a short but heavy downpour. During lunch we were entertained by many Hobbies, a pair of Marsh Harriers food passing, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a male Blackcap.

Following lunch we completed the Circular trail and added good views of Sedge Warbler, Little and Great Crested Grebes, Marsh Harriers and Hobbies, but the Bitterns had decided to have the afternoon off as the wind gathered strength and the smaller birds sought shelter.

We returned to reception for light refreshments at the end of a terrific day at the reserve and despite the constant threat of heavy rain, the only downpour we had was during lunch when most of us were able to shelter- it seemed the birding Gods were with us for once!

Many thanks are due to Rebecca and Sandra for the impeccable running of the day and the good humour of the group.

by Roy Pattison

Species List (alphabetically)

Avocet, Bearded Tit, Bittern, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black Headed Gul, Black Tailed Godwit, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Cettis Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Common Tern, Coot, Cormorant, Cuckoo, Curlew, Egyptian Goose, Feral Pigeon, Gadwall, Garganey, Goldcrest, Garden Warbler, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenshank, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Hobby, House Martin, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Red Kite, Redshank, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Robin, Rook, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, Shoveler, Skylark, Starling, Stock Dove, Stonechat, Swallow, Swift, Tufted Duck, Whitethroat, Wood Pigeon, Wren.

Total 75