Week commencing 4th May 2025

 Thursday 8th May

Cold morning at Burwell Fen. Lots of grey clouds and a nip in the wind. The whole area was quiet with very little moving around. It was good to see a number of Swift over the main lagoon and reed bed. Little Egret were there in good numbers across the site and a single Great White Egret was present.

A Fox was keeping a keen eye on us as we walked back to the car park where a Corn Bunting was singing.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S234483892

Fox checking us out!

Friday 9th May

Warm and very pleasant morning. Walked down to the river behind the railway station and on crossing the bridge was pleased to hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling from the scrubby bit. I haven't heard it for a week or so and had thought that it had moved off, so it was good to hear it. 

Swift have now put in an appearance but not in great numbers and Swallow seem very thin on the ground. Cetti's, Sedge, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were all present and vocal.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S234869107

Week commencing 28th April

 Monday 28th

Parked at Cock Up and walked the central path across Burwell Fen. Weather glorious, warm and still. 

Plenty of Sedge and Reed Warbler calling as well as Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

On the new pool (we do need to get a name for this pool) was a single Greenshank along with two Redshank. On the way back a female Garganey was visible.

On the main pool there was a pair of Garganey along with four Little Egret and a single Shelduck.

At least three Cuckoo calling and three female Marsh Harrier over the reeds.

One Swallow over the bridge but no House Martin. 

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230377243

Tuesday 29th

At work checking the nest boxes. Things are moving along nicely with a number of nests containing eggs. 

Common Sandpiper (3) on the main lagoon and Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit very vocal and active. 

Wednesday 30th

Out to Wicken Fen this evening, parking at The Visitor's Centre. It was a beautiful evening, warm and still and surprisingly very few people around.

Walked to Adventure's Fen to check out the pools. A good number of Little Egret feeding and further birds throughout the walk. The usual wildfowl were present and Grey Heron were also on the pools.

Throughout the walk Cuckoo, Sedge, Reed and Cetti's Warbler kept up a constant sound background. Blackcap and Chiffchaff were also vocal.

As I started up Harrison's Drove a Bittern flew over towards Burwell Fen. Further up the Drove at least two other Bittern were booming from different locations.

At the top of the Drove four Marsh Harrier were coming into the fen preparing for roosting. As the sun set I was pleased to spot two Hobby crossing the river and disappearing into the trees. These were the first for the summer for me.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S231326482

Thursday 1st May

Swift return to over the house today. First heard at 11.00am. At least nine birds.

It's wonderful to hear them back. I always feel that summer has officially started when I hear them for the first time back. Here's to a good summer!

Week commencing 20th April 2025

 Sunday 20th

Evening walk along The Lode at Soham with Annie. Grasshopper Warbler still reeling in the corner by The Cut.

Cetti's Warbler and Whitethroat present and a Buzzard was being harassed by crows.

Full sightings list:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S227543136

Monday 21st

Walked along The Lode to the house and then to Scampers returning across the Common. Nothing new around.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S227754242

Tuesday 22nd

Day checking bird boxes at work. Good to see that things are becoming more active with more boxes showing signs of occupation and three with eggs. 

Cuckoo calling when I arrived in the car park and it was good to hear the near constant call of Sedge Warbler bringing the reed beds alive again. Swallow has returned and two pairs have started to rebuild last year's nest. No House Martin as yet.

Wednesday 23rd

Was planning to go to Burwell Fen but even leaving after 9.30 the by-pass was at a halt from the Shades onwards. The Fordham Road continues to be closed and so beginning to feel trapped. Given the traffic I headed to Barway but with little to see and report.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S228421405

Thursday 24th

Out this evening to Burwell Fen.  A calm and lovely time to walk the bank. Initially there didn't seem to be a great deal around, however on scanning the reeds to the left of the main pool, I was pleased to see a Bittern. It disappeared for a short time but reappeared further along the reed edge. It's ponderous gait was interesting to watch. Usually I only see them flying over so it was good to watch it for at least ten minutes.

Bittern

Moving along the path that crosses to the old barn area, I spotted a pair of Garganey amongst the increasing foliage covering the water.

Garganey 

A Greenshank was on the new pools near the cattle pen. It was silhouetted by the setting sun which made an interesting photo.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S228962406

Friday 25th

Walk along the river this  morning produced five Sedge Warbler, a Little Egret flying over and very little else of interest other than the usual stuff!!

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S229101264

Back to the fens

 Thursday 17th April

Back to the fens after a couple of weeks walking and birdwatching in Spain.

Took a walk along my local patch along The Lode behind the railway station and was pleased to hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling from the scrub. Located it in the bushes near The Cut and was able to watch and record it. Got a clear view of it's tail vibrating as it called. Not seen or heard here last year, but was in 2022 on this exact same date.

Also present were at least three Whitethroat and four Sedge Warbler.

Chiffchaff and Blackcap also present and singing.

Full sightings list at: https://ebird.org/checklist52215

Friday 18th April

With the footpath across Burwell Fen now reopened having been closed for the peat restoration work, I parked at Cock-up and headed out towards the old barns area. I was keen to see if the new pool that was formed by the bund held anything of interest, having a good numbers of Little and Great White Egret but nothing today.

Arriving at the old barn area I was pleased to see a male Ring Ouzel feeding close to the path. It remained in the area allowing me to take a number of photos.

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

This was the highlight of the walk with the exception of increasing number of Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. No Swallow as yet. 

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S226557390

Week commencing 30th March 2025

Sunday 30th March

Out to Burwell in the evening to walk the bank. A really pleasant evening as the sun was setting.

Three Great White Egret present and nineteen Little Egret. Four Water Rail were calling from various locations and one was seen flying across one of the small pools.

Good numbers of wildfowl including a hundred and nine Shoveler. 

A Bittern was booming for a short while.

Full sighting list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S221902816

Wednesday 2nd April

Bright but breezy morning out at Burwell Fen this morning. Arrived a bit later than normal due to the chaos of trying to get out of Soham caused by road closures!

Apparent that wildfowl numbers are dropping and that other than Chiffchaff and Blackcap, we're still awaiting the return of the summer migrants. 

Of interest were five Egyptian Goose at Pout's Hall and nesting Canada Goose on the Tern raft at the same location.

Pleased to hear that the footpath across Burwell Fen will be reopening on the 3rd April.

Full sightings at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S222421237

Thursday 3rd April

Walk along the Lode this morning. Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing and two Canada and Greylag Goose flew over.

Full sightings at:https://ebird.org/checklist/S222596483

Tomorrow we depart for Cadiz for a few days then I'm off to Extremadura for a week of birding and walking.

Week commencing:24th March

Out to Wicken Fen this morning, dry but cold. Good numbers of Chiffchaff and Cetti calling from across the area. 

Large flock of Fieldfare along Harrison's Drove.

Wildfowl included good number of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard and Gadwall. 

Three Marsh Harrier including one male.

Otherwise quite quiet.

Full sightings list at :https://ebird.org/checklist/S220433756

Tuesday 25th March

A Day of volunteering,  checking nest boxes and carrying out water tests.

Three Short-eared Owl in the usual location but no sign of the Barn Owl. Good numbers of Avocet across the site and three or four very noisy Oystercatcher. 

Increased number of active boxes with one at N3 and another at N4, both Tree Sparrow.

A male and female Garganey showing well and at least eleven Great White Egret across the site.

Whooper numbers way down so will not be long till they are all gone.

Full listing at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S220704107

Wednesday 26th March

Out to Burwell Fen this afternoon to walk the bank in hope of Garganey. It's been a while since I've been out to the fen in the late afternoon and it was certainly a most pleasant day, still and while the sun was still up, warm.

A couple of Great White and Little Egret on the pools and a small flock of Pochard still present. No Wigeon to be seen anywhere. Two Barn Owl were quartering the fen but no Harrier present.

Good numbers of Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler.

Full sightings list at: eBird check: https://ebird.org/checklist/S220950967

Thursday 27th March

Up early to a glorious morning. However, by the time I got out to Cock-up Bridge it had turned misty and cold. Walked up Harrison's Drove. 

A large flock of Fieldfare was present, moving from tree to tree. Chiffchaff, Cetti's and Wren continue to be very vocal.

A Bittern was booming from the reedbed at the top of the Drove as were a couple of Water Rail. Turning left at the top of the Drove and headed along the river to view Adventurer's Fen which produced two Pochard on one of the pools. A male March Harrier was calling and then being mobbed by a couple of crows. 

Good views over Burwell Fen, especially the new works area, produced twenty Little Egret and two Great White Egret. The missing Wigeon from yesterday were present on these new pools.

Full sighting list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S221049565 and https://ebird.org/checklist/S221040767

Friday 28th March

Went to Ixworth after visiting the gym this afternoon. Weather very pleasant with little wind and warming up. Walked down to the lake and back.

Chiffchaff calling but not in the numbers that I expected. A couple of Song Thrush were singing by the stream and a Green Woodpecker was calling. There was a number of Skylark were singing above the fields.

Full sighting list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S221321109

Saturday 29th March

Stayed local this morning and walked the short Lode River walk behind the station. 

A pair of Kestrel were displaying and copulating over by the horse field. Further on a Grey Heron stood mopping in the field and a Buzzard was circling high above the fields.

Other than that little else, certainly no other summer visitors.

Full sightings list at:https://ebird.org/checklist/S221454092

Spring is coming to the Fens: 19th March 2025

 An early start this morning. On arriving at the car park I could hear a Curlew calling from somewhere on the flooded fields but couldn't locate it.

Good to hear Skylark in full song. Good number of wildfowl on the tree pool including three Pintail (2 males). There was also a good number of Little Grebe here and in the Pouts Hall pool. This pool also had good number of waterfowl and Black-headed Gull. There was also twelve Tufted Duck. 

Pintail with Wigeon and Teal (digiscope)

Thirty or so Fieldfare were present along the Burwell Lode and Cetti and Chiffchaff were calling from various locations.

The new pools created by the work being carried out for carbon capture held seven Little Egret and one Great White Egret. An additional Great White dropped in later.

Stonechat and Linnet were showing well as did a Red Kite.

 Marsh Harriers were visible on a number of occasions. 

Complete check list at:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S219367859

Cormorant 

Thursday 20th March

A glorious spring morning, bright and warming up nicely. A trip to the dentist gave the ideal excuse to drop into Cavenham Heath to see what was about. 

A couple of Stone-curlew could just be picked out on the newly scrapped area on the far side. Only managed a rather doggy record shot through the heat haze of the spring morning. Other than that rather quiet with just Chiffchaff being the most vocal bird around and the occasional Stonechat putting in an appearance. 

Friday 21st March

Walk with Annie from home to Drayton Meadows to check the bird boxes. Plenty of Chiffchaff calling in the College Woods along with Blue and Great Tit.

Of the ten boxes I put up in Drayton Meadow two are showing signs of activity, either roosting or exploration.

Saturday 21st March

Short walk along the Lode behind the station this morning. Plenty of Chiffchaff calling along with a Cetti's Warbler. 

4th October 2024

Returned to Burwell Fen having been away walking in the Picos De Europa. We did a number of walks and enjoyed a great deal of spectacular landscape. The weather was good with just one day of constant rain, and was great for walking. There was a lot of steep climbs and sharp descents but the great joy was walking through woodlands and meadows.

The bird life was good with lots of Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagles and the greatest pleasure was sitting on the terrace with a beer watching two Golden Eagles circle over head. The next morning to top it was a Wryneck in the garden opposite. A new addition to my list was a resident Middle Spotted Woodpecker in the woods in front of the cottage we were staying in.

View from the cottage over Lon in the evening

Alpine Chough

Panoramic view from the top of Fuente De

Back to Burwell Fen and sadly little to report! Two Stonechat along the side of the path and a small flock of nine Ruff on the flooded area. A small flock of Swallows passed through, will these be the last of the summer?

 

Week commencing 18th August 2024

Sunday 18th 

Reports of a range of waders and a good number of Graganey on Saturday resulted in a visit to Burwell Fen this morning. Sadly only one Green Sandpiper and no Garganey.

Plenty of Little Egret (51) and a single Hobby but other than the usual wildfowl, little else.

Full list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S191893537

Time passes......

Can't believe it's been almost a year since I last posted and no excuse for not doing so. So a quick recap over the last year. 

26th Sept to 7th October: A cruise around the Baltic produced a new addition to my list a White-tailed Eagle at Plon on the 4th October 2023.

May 2024 saw us on a walking holiday in El Hero in the Canaries. This was another trip organised by Inntravel and saw us walking from one hotel to another while our bags were transported for us. El Hero is the smallest island and gets very little tourist traffic, which made it a really great location. The walking was challenging with some very stiff and steep descents off the volcanic ridge, always at the end of the day!

The trip produced 4 new species to my list:

2nd May: Canary Island Chiffchaff: seen and heard most days

                Canary Island Chaffinch

                Bolle's Pigeon

3rd May: Barbary Partridge

The walk on this day took us through some wonderful high meadows and it was great to hear Quail calling from a number of locations and to see Stone Curlew nesting in the fields.

4th May: African Blue Tit

8th-9th May: We spent two days at the Parador to rest and recover! The hotel is on the sea front and so I was able to sit on the balcony in the evening and count Cory Shearwater as they returned to their breeding grounds. We also heard them calling as the sun set.

Berthelot's Pipit

End of May saw us in Donegal for a family holiday. Nothing new but good to cover the old patch. On the return journey I spotted a Great Skua harassing a Gannet and a good number of Manx Shearwater, Kittiwake and Common Tern.

Early May produced reports of a Nightingale along Mereside in Soham and I finally caught up with it on the 12th May.

Reports of a Purple Heron at Burwell Fen proved to be a one off but in searching for it I came across two Black-winged Stilt.

A trip to Cleyspy on the 1st August for a new pair of binoculars (a break from Nikon resulting in an excellent pair of Swarovski 8x42) ended in a trip to Cley on Sea. A good number of Spoonbill and Cattle Egret were present, along with a couple of Wood Sandpiper.

Wood Sandpiper