24.01.2026 - Outdoor Meeting : Buckenham Marshes & Strumpshaw Fen

Leader: Drew Lyness

Morning Report: Buckenham Marshes – Wigeon Saturday! By Kathy Blake

Sixteen members of the club headed to Buckenham Marshes on a crisp, cold but beautiful morning under the splendid leadership of Drew Lyness of the RSPB. The low winter sun lit the landscape exquisitely and the photographers among the group had a field day. Visibility was great and we could clearly see Cantley sugar beet factory three miles away. 

After crossing the main Norwich to Great Yarmouth line, we headed towards the river along a wide track with bird filled marshland both sides. At the start we passed the site of the biggest corvid roost in the UK, mainly Rooks, which has up to 60,000 birds and is very old and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
It soon became apparent that there were Wigeon everywhere. Drew told us that they were neither diving or dabbling ducks but preferred to walk around feeding on the vegetation. The numbers here during the winter exceed any other UK sites.
Looking across the marshes, we could see lots of Chinese Water Deer around. At one point two of them started what can only be described as a boxing match, similar to that seen in European hares. Presumably this is to do with territorial disputes or mating rights. None of the group had ever
witnessed this behaviour before.
As we walked down to the river, we frequently witnessed large skeins of Pink-footed geese heading for the sugar beet fields. Occasionally they were joined in the sky by large groups of startled Lapwing and Wigeon put up by raptors. This is a prime hunting ground for them with such huge numbers of birds. We saw Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Peregrine hunting and a Red Kite waiting to take advantage of any remains. Eagle eyed members even spotted a Peregrine on one of the sugar beet factory chimneys.
At the hide on the river we turned east and saw some of the many Mute Swans that were in evidence today.
The footpath became quite muddy here. We walked along it as far as the Beauchamp Arms looking quite spooky on the other bank. We turned around here and headed back. On the way we observed our only Snipe of the morning in flight.
After returning to the cars, the group then headed off to Strumpshaw RSPB reserve for lunch. We sat outside near the feeding station and watched Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Dunnock and Great Spotted Woodpecker as we ate.

Afternoon report: Strumpshaw Fen by Cath Robinson

The feeders at Strumpshaw are back in action after a pause because of rat activity. The birds were making up for it: a mixed group of tits, Chaffinch and also overhead Redpolls and a Great Spotted Woodpecker posing well for photos in the sun against a deep blue sky (even if the photographers
were distracted by an otter in the pool in front of the reception hide).
Kathy had passed the report baton on to me as Drew began the afternoon session. 
We stopped for a briefing, distracted by Goldcrests and a flock of Long-tailed tits, and then moved on to the woodland area which was quite quiet. So back along the path to the river as Drew regaled us with the amazing qualities of Long tailed tits: we probably all knew about their wonderful nests of moss, Lichen, feathers and spider silk but maybe didn’t realise that they expanded as the brood grew (that has to be the spider silk) and who knew that that they had different alarm calls for Kestrel and Sparrowhawk? We heard about the cyclical cutting of the reed beds to maintain the habitat and reduce succession: reeds were used for thatching, composting heaps and, when necessary, were burnt.
Along the riverbank we began to see the first Marsh Harriers and gulls which were commuting from Norwich down to Breydon water for their roost. Some seemed to follow the river while others were more southerly maybe following tree lines. Drew proudly pointed out that Strumpshaw had recorded 5 UK owls: and maybe still had Long-eared Owls somewhere. I must be more owl aware when I’m down there! He pointed out the pump house and tower which has recently been restored and said that it was one of only 2 in Norfolk which were still in existence and functioning. Oh, he
really shouldn’t have said that because someone then asked which was
the other one?? Maybe Emily knows.
Drew said that the Marsh Harrier roost had split between the 2 sides of
the river and the reserve so we stayed by the river for the one which
might yield the best views. They gradually started coming in while we also
chalked up several Fieldfares flying over, several Blackbirds, our only Little
Grebe of the day and a solitary goose flying downriver: solitary goose,
looking a bit different... what could it be? Well of course if you’re Drew
you can get it in the scope and identify it as a Russian White-fronted
Goose flying downstream.
It was a glorious evening and sunset and we were looking west towards it to see the harriers circling. The final count was 30. And although we didn’t see a late Hen Harrier dashing in at the end I think we were all very happy with our afternoon’s excursion. And were quite pleased to get back into some warmth!
With many thanks to Drew for his really informative excursion and for selecting such wonderful weather to do it. A substantial donation to RSPB Strumpshaw is on its way in his name.