Week commencing 12th November

Monday 12th

Weather: 12 degrees C, Wind NEE, 19km/h, Visibility 11km, Cloud 60%

Over to Burwell Fen and parked at Reach Bridge. While getting ready a Green Sandpiper passed overhead calling as it went. Little to see at the lower half of the Fen but the increasing flood further up is beginning to attract the waterfowl. Increased number of Wigeon present and large numbers of Greylag present with more joining them. Amongst them was a pair of Whooper Swan with two juveniles.

A Red Kite put in an appearance over Pout's Hall 

Female Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard were also present in the same area.

The flooding of the fen continues with the top section looking very tempting at this moment. Interesting how the level of the small pool at Pout's Hall has dropped greatly revealing a large number of fallen trees. I'm unsure if the two are linked but I seem to recollect that a similar thing happened last year.

Nice to see a Kingfisher and Stonechat at the top end and Bearded Tit continue to move along the river.

Number of species seen: 24

Return of the SEOPs

Each winter Burwell Fen plays host to a number of returning SEOPs. This unusual species is only rarely seen at other times of the year, but come winter the SEOPs return in significant numbers. Sometimes they gather in just ones and twos, standing forlornly for hours in their hunt for a particular quarry. At other times great flocks of up to thirty have been reported. 

Mainly the SEOPs remain within their territory uttering their strange cry of 'Have you seen any around?' but occasionally one or two decide to break away from the flock and head off alone or in small groups into the fen, leaving behind the flock and the footpath provided for their well being. At these times they can fall prey to the pissed off birdwatcher as they plough through the undergrowth disturbing not only that that they seek but everything else! Such a rogue creature  was present today at Burwell Fen, how many more we will see as the session of Short-eared Owls continue! 

Have you seen this rare SEOP?

Unable to remain in its territory it seeks another location in the middle of a highly sensitive area! 

Tuesday 13th

Set off this morning for Sutton Gault and to walk the washes towards Earith. 

Sutto Gault: towards Earith

It was a beautiful morning, clear sky and a gentle breeze. Took the central path and headed out over the washes. Little flooding as yet but a few pools present but with no wildfowl on them. A nice group of Whooper Swan (c100) were down towards Chain Corner. 

Whooper (and a few Mute) Swans

A couple of Marsh Harrier were quartering the fen. At least five Grey Heron present.

Returned to car and went down to Earith with little to add.

Called in to Burwell Fen on the way home parking at the Reach Bridge car park. An increasing number of SEOPs were on the far side but all was quiet on this! 

Walked towards Pout's Hall but little around. The flooding continues and everything is looking very tempting for winter waterfowl. All we need is a cold spell!

Day 13 of the flooding of Burwell Fen

On the way up spotted a cracking Red Fox moving towards us on the other side of the fence. Fortunately something attracted its attention and it stopped very close to where we were stood allowing opportunity for photos.

At Pout's Hall the water level continues to be dropping. However the benefit of this is that more mud has been exposed and a couple of Water Rail were feeding, sadly missed getting a photo!

Pout's Hall Lake

While here a flight of over 100 Whooper Swan came in from the Upware Washes direction. Making a right racket as they flew over they landed in the newly flooded area, calling and displaying as they did.

Incoming Whooper Swan

Whoopers over head

As I was at the top end of the Pout's Hall pool it took a little while to work my way back towards our new arrivals. As this was the largest group of Whooper I've seen on Burwell Fen I wanted to get an accurate count. However it was not to be! For some reason the suddenly rose up and with a great deal of calling headed out towards Tubney Fen.

Departing Whooper Swans

I was unsure of what might have caused the sudden departure of the swans but had my suspicion! Sure enough a wandering SEOP had left the herd and walked into the fen and up to the water's edge!

Wayward SEOP looking for the herd?

For the second time this week these strange creatures have entered a sensitive area in the hope of what? 

The SEOP checks his camera to see if he got the killer shot of a hundred plus Whooper Swans departing, possibly he is wondering why they have left?

Once he has scattered all the wildlife he returns to the herd!

The SEOP returns to his herd

Needless to say I was spitting feathers and after phoning The Centre decided to confront this wayward SEOP and let him know what I felt about his thoughtless, stupid and reckless behaviour. It takes about 20 mins to get to the old barn from where I was so a full head of steam had built up! Needless to say his excuses were pathetic, he initially denied walking down to the water edge but soon changed his excuse to 'I didn't see any signs not to enter' when shown the photographic evidence! I got the strongest feeling that he hadn't got a clue as to the fact they were Whoopers or the impact that such behaviour has on wildlife. It was refreshing to note that a lot of the other SEOPs were annoyed by his behaviour and let him know.

The Whoopers had moved onto the wheat field on Tubney Fen so was able to get an accurate count of 115 Whoopers and 9 Mute.

Whooper Swan on Tubney Fen

Wednesday 14th

Down to the railway sidings and along the river to cover my local patch this morning. The usual knot of House Sparrow in the bushes by the gate were being very vocal. 

A number of Bullfinch were calling but only one female put in an appearance!

A single Redwing was in a tree by the railway line and a Sparrowhawk present.

In the afternoon went up to Burwell Fen to cover the area from the Reach Bridge to Pout's Hall. A number of SEOPs around and spotted three Short-eared Owls round and about, one by the bridge. 

Had a good chat with BM as the dogs played together. BM had been down counting the Whooper Swan and had found a couple of Bewick Swan in with them. The swans were on the far side of Newman Drove and as I only had binoculars decided to photograph the lot and check through them at home. On doing so found four possibly five Bewick in the herd or whiteness of Swans. I had a count of 129 Whooper.

One unseen to the left, three with a Whooper and what's the one with its back to the camera

Thursday 15th

Weather14 degrees C, Wind: N: 11mph, Cloud 39%, Visibility 7 miles

Spreading my wings a bit and off to Mepal to cover a bit more of the Ouse Washes. Did plan to walk Engine Bank side towards Welches Dam. However the footpath closed signs are still up and not too sure when they will be down! So walked out from Mepal Village and certainly the light was behind and so turned out to be a better prospect. Must remember in the morning back to the Cathedral so the sun is behind!

Home Sweet Home

A Grey Wagtail was at the sewage works and there were a significant number of Fieldfare moving around. 

A good number of Mute (29) and Whooper Swan (127) present on the Washes and a female Marsh Harrier quartering the area.

Views across Washes

Two Common Gull headed over towards Witcham Gravel as well as Herring Gull and a single Great Blacked-Backed Gull.

Fieldfare with a single Goldfinch

Total species recorded:29

Friday 16th

Welney all day doing various bits and pieces. The hide check first thing produced 32 species in the 45 minutes or so that it took to check my two hides. Highlight was three squabbling Water Rail that seemed to be having a territorial dispute.

A Great White (or just Great) Egret was opposite Nelson-Lyle Hide on my way back to the main hide. Good numbers of Black-tailed Godwit on the main lagoon and increasing numbers of Whooper Swan (1000+) with just a few Bewick on the reserve but not seen.

Total number of species: 32