River Wensum, near Sculthorpe (4th March 2018)

With the excessive amount of snow this week, followed by 40mph winds causing snowdrifts, it was unsurprising that Sculthorpe Moor had to close for a few days. The boardwalk was unsuitable to walk on and it was only this afternoon that the snow began to thaw, with temperatures rising to around 8°C.

River Wensum, with Volunteer Hide on the left.

River Wensum

It was because of the above, that I finally decided to walk along the River Wensum, which runs along the southern edge of the reserve. My walk started at the A1065 and I made my way towards Shereford, before heading back in the same direction later that afternoon.

The following was seen since around 1.30pm:
Barn Owl x 1 - It was seen flying along the River Wensum, close to the Volunteer Hide. This was very near to the 'shelter', where it had been reported recently that a pair had taken up residence. The shelter contains a nest box and the pair had been observed preening each other, in recent days. There is the possibility that this bird was one of the individuals that had previously been rescued, and coincidentally, released from the same shelter.
Kestrel x 2 - A pair both seen hunting in lose proximity to The Scrape, on the reserve.
Brambling x 1
Buzzard x 1
Woodcock x 1
Goldfinch x 2
Little Egret x 1
Jay x 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 - A single female perched high in the trees in Dry Wood, near Oak Fen. A possible Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling and drumming, but despite an extensive search it could not be found. At least one bird had been seen on the reserve in recent weeks.

Muntjac Deer x 3 - They number of sightings have increased in recent weeks and they have been observed at several locations around the local area.