The RSPB: Strumpshaw Fen

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We chose a beautiful day to visit, after promising ourselves for a long time. Although I only had my Sony RX100 with 100mm zoom, the few images I managed, are below. Strumpshaw Fen is a nature reserve managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It is situated at Strumpshaw on the River Yare in Norfolk, around 6 miles east of Norwich.


Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) is a rare species, with clear wings, green eyes and the characteristic yellow triangle shape on the dragonfly’s body which make this endangered dragonfly very distinctive. The Norfolk hawker, which has its stronghold in Norfolk, is a nationally rare dragonfly it is classified as endangered and is fully protected by law, so we were pleased to find this one hanging on the underside of a leaf in someone's garden.


Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) is also known as the 'Bloodsucker' for its striking red appearance, but it is harmless to humans. It has a narrow, rectangular body with longish antennae. There are about 40 species of soldier beetle in the UK, displaying various colour combinations of black, red and orange.


Eyed Hawk-moth (Smerinthus ocellata) We were very pleased to find this moth after a tip off from a fellow visitor to the Fen. Fairly well distributed throughout England and Wales apparently, this species has a sombre, camouflaged appearance at rest, but if provoked, flashes the hindwings, which are decorated with intense blue and black 'eyes' on a pinkish background. Unfortunately we only saw it at rest, but were pleased just to see it.
The adults fly from May to July, inhabiting woodland and suburban localities, and must make quite a sight with their large wingspan of 70-80 mm.


Swallowtail - (Papilio machaon) is our largest native butterfly, and also one of our rarest. This spectacular insect is our only resident butterfly of the Papilionidae family, which is one of the largest butterfly families in the world. The British race is the subspecies britannicus which is confined to the fens of the Norfolk Broads. This is partly due to the distribution of the sole larval food plant, Milk-parsley. Seeing the adult butterflies flying powerfully over the Norfolk Broads is a sight to behold, and one near the top of the list of most British butterfly-watchers. For me to get an image on my compact - magic!




Location: Low Rd, Strumpshaw, Norwich NR13 4HS

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