Week commencing 6th August

Monday 6th

One of the advantages of living in an agrarian  area is that from time to time in order to remove nematode worm fields are flood for a period of time. This has happened nearby at Barway, just over the railway lines that run through my local patch. Its also on the way to an enjoyable walking area for the dogs. So given the dearth of bird life at Burwell Fen I gave this area a go this morning.

A handy pull in allowed good views of the flooded fields and the twenty-nine or so Little Egret that were spread out across the whole area. Also present were seven Cormorant, one juvenile Great Crested Grebe, three Shelduck, eleven Teal and two Snipe flying over. There was also a good number of Black-headed Gull and a couple of Grey Heron hunting the edges and two snipe flew over.

While scanning the area a head popping up from the nearby long grassed caught my attention. It was the briefest of glimpse but what caught my attention was the colouration, dark with light patches on the ears  which made me think immediately of a Polecat, a mammal I've not seen before....at least alive.

Flooded fields at Barway

The dogs need walking before the heat built up AGAIN! Yes it's still hot! So on to the Barway Triangle, an enjoyable walk along the Lode till it meets the Ouse and then back over fields. 

At the fishing ponds something was causing the local Blackbird a lot of anxiety but I was unable to locate it.

The poles along one of the drainage certainly seem to be leaning a little more than last time I was out there!

Leaning Poles

On the Ouse, two Great Crested Grebe were present with one of them giving their young chicks a ride.

Great Crested Grebe and young

Great Crested Grebe and young

Great Crested Grebe and young

Great Crested Grebe and young

A number of female Mallard around but no male. Four or five Reed Warbler present as  were the same number of Grey Partridge.