Week commencing 16th August 2026

 Tuesday 18th

Day spent at Welney doing the nest box checks and other duties. Plenty of Ruff and Snipe on the main lagoon. At the back were three Green Sandpiper  and later in the day a single Glossy Ibis and a couple of Little Egret. 

The Swallows and House Martins are beginning to collect in large numbers and there were a few Sand Martins mixed in.

A single Golden Plover was at Lyle and a Hobby was resting on one of the gates and a Water Rail was showing at Friend's.

There was an impressive number of Yellow Wagtails gathered in front of the Main Hide feeding.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384667479

Wednesday 19th

Rain over night only the second rain we have had for a while. The weather is now much cooler and more pleasant but we need a lot more rain.

Went out to the new pools at Burwell Fen. I was surprised to see how low they have got in the last few weeks but where the water was it was up to the bellies of the Highland Cattle who seemed to enjoy standing in the pools that remained. While the water levels were low at least the mud areas look very inviting for migrant waders fingers crossed.

Walking slowly along the centre path I was able to get a good luck at the various parts of the pool. Three Green Sandpiper were feeding on the far side and there was a good number of Lapwing in the area. A couple of Black-headed Gull were also present but no wildfowl seen at all. A group of eight Swift were feeding over the water

On reaching the cattle pen areas a scan produced a single Yellow Wagtail and a number of Whitethroat.

Whitethroat (Digiscoped)

On the way back I was able to locate two Ringed Plover, one of which was a juvenile on the pool and five Ruff flew over, circled a couple of times then moved on! 

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384911416

 

Week commencing 9th August

 Monday 10th

An evening visit to Burwell Fen in hope of hearing a Quail that had been reported the day before. It was a warm evening with a bit of a breeze which made it very pleasant. The new pools were looking good with a good amount of water but good areas of exposed mud. 

The pool by the bridge had two Ringed Plover on the edge and a single Green Sandpiper. 

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Ringed Plover

The pool towards Pout's Hall had good water levels but other than Mallard and a single Little Egret little else. The main pool by the path to the cattle pens had plenty of Black-headed Gull, a couple of Herring and Lesser Black Backed Gull. There was also a couple of Green Sandpiper as well as Lapwing and another Little Egret.

While walking along the path towards the old barn area I put up a juvenile Cuckoo. Sadly no Quail was heard but at least it was good to see the Little Owl back on its wood pile in the horse, now goat, field. 

Full sightings list:https://ebird.org/checklist/S382056360

Tuesday 11th

Reed Warbler

Another hot day at Welney! Swallow nests and the second brood House Sparrow checked and a new Swallow nest located in Rb Hide.

There was a good number of Snipe feeding on the main lagoon as were a couple of Green Sandpiper and good numbers of Ruff. 

Snipe

An adult and one young Avocet were also present as were a large number of Greylag.

Two Wood Sandpiper dropped in in the early afternoon and a single Hobby was being mobbed by Swallows.

Full sightings list:https://ebird.org/checklist/S382263651