27/8/2015: Wood Sandpipers everywhere!

27/8/2015

The last few days has seen an increasing number of Wood Sandpipers throughout the country and Burwell Fen has been no exception. The most I've ever seen at any one time on the fen was three last year so when news of over a dozen being seen a trip was in order! Max and I set off a little later than planned and rather than move along the bank I decided that we would cross the fen towards the old barns.

As we approached over the bridge a large number of Sand Martin were very apparent. Mixed in were a few House Martin but it was the Sand Martins that passed low and close by giving excellent views. As we moved along the causeway a couple of Snipe rose from the muddy edges and disappeared towards the Pout Hall end. Initially it wasn't looking too good but then within the long grass on the margins I located not one but four Wood Sandpiper. As I slowly moved up towards them they were joined by two more dropping in from the old barn end.

Settling in for a good look, Max resigned himself that today was going to be a very long but short walk! Mixed in with Wood Sandpiper were a couple of Green Sandpiper and skulking further back a Common Sandpiper. Shortly the Wood Sandpipers moved further back and in doing so were joined by yet two more that passed over our heads as we watched, coming from the flooded area near the cycle path. As I scanned the muddy margins a Spotted Redshank appeared crossing from one muddy patch to other. It then proceeded to forage for the rest of the time I was there, passing in and out of the grassy margins.

I could hear Wood Sandpiper calling further up the Fen and talking to DP he commented on the number that were around and he estimated that he had seen at least twenty on his walk along the bank, how many of these were repeats is anyone's guess but there was certainly a lot around.

Also seen were two Greenshank, a single Ruff , Redshank and Golden Plover,  five Dunlin, and nine Ring Plover, DP having seen 24 at the same spot earlier.

2/8/2015: July passes quietly

Here we are on the 2nd August and looking back at the blog only one posting in July. Well July is always a quiet month bird wish and this July was no exception. However did manage to get a few more trips out than my single entry would suggest.

17th July: another visit to Burwell Fen produced a good number of Green Sandpiper, a single Common Sandpiper and Dunlin, three Ruff and two Greenshank. There were also 14 Black tailed Godwit on the lower section.

18th July: a trip to the Suffolk coast. Esther and friends were off to Latitude so dropped them off and then set off for a long day of bird watching. First stop was Westwood Marshes, a real favourite. A lovely stroll through the woods and then the reed beds on a warm morning is a real treat but little to report bird wish but the usual reed bed species.

Lunch in a very nice pub and then on to Minsmere for the few hours. Highlights included 2 Curlew Sandpiper and 5 Knot. There was also a good number of Spotted Redshank (12) and over 40 Black tailed Godwit.

In the evening I moved up to Dunwich Heath and enjoyed the sight and sounds of the Nightjars churring and flying. Also calling were a couple of Little Owls and a single Tawny Owl.  A very late visit to the Reedbed Reserve not so much for the birds but to have a snooze and listen to the bands before picking up the girls and heading home.

The rest of the month spent out and about around Burwell and Baker's Fen but with little to show other than some nice views of Hobby and increasing numbers of Green Sandpiper. 

Still a lot of water on Burwell Fen but hopefully this will soon drop and produce attractive muddy areas for the autumn movement.