Weekly wild news from our reserves - 11 December

Weekly wild news from our reserves - 11 December

Lichen and moss at Redgrave & Lopham Fen - Debs Crawford

This week Bradfield Woods looked magical in the snow, we installed a new bird feeding station, saw an amazing lichen-covered oak and some surprising snaps from our nature reserves!

Lound Lakes new bird feeding station

Lound Lakes Warden, Andy Hickinbotham, installed this brilliant new bird feeding station in the barn garden at the reserve this week. Over 140 bird species have been recorded at the site, and this range of food and feeders will ensure we cater for a wide variety of species throughout the winter months.

Bird feeding station at Lound Lakes - Andy Hickinbotham

Bird feeding station at Lound Lakes - Andy Hickinbotham

Stonechat holds the fort at Carlton Marshes

This stonechat appears to be guarding the barrier to check us humans follow the rules! Thank you to Sid Cole, keen photographer and regular visitor to Carlton Marshes for sharing his brilliant image.

Stonechat at Carlton Marshes - Sid Cole

Stonechat at Carlton Marshes - Sid Cole

Sun-kissed fallen oaks

‘This is one of my favourite spots on the fen’ says Debs Crawford, Valley Fens Assistant. ‘This mighty frame of an oak, having fallen many years ago, continues to thrive and provide habitat for a host of species. The tree’s roots stayed intact for the most part keeping the tree alive and healthy. Over time the branches laying horizontally have now changed course to a more vertical position and have created a line of mini oaks along the prone trunk. Various mosses and lichens have found the conditions favourable in which to thrive reminding me of a miniature world of make-believe where fantastical creatures might live!’

Calm carpeted coppice

With the festive season upon us, this week’s unexpected snow fall made many of our nature reserves glisten and tingle as if from a Christmas fairy tale. If you look carefully at the video below which was taken at Bradfield Woods you might just catch a glimpse of one of our very own woodland elves!

Headless belted Galloway!

This belted Galloway clearly thinks the hay will be much tastier in the middle of the bale! Our conservation grazers are fed hay to supplement their diet in the cold winter months.

Belted Galloway at Carlton Marshes - Nicola Chapman

Belted Galloway at Carlton Marshes - Nicola Chapman