Tuesday 4th February

A cold and blustery morning greeted us at Burwell Fen this a.m. And with little hope of there being much about we set off down the bank towards Poat's Hall.

The Tree Pool held the usual large numbers of Coot and Wigeon with Mallard also present. As we moved down the bank the call of a couple of Common Cranes started from the reedbed further up. Sure enough two were on the far side of the grassy area just beyond the reeds and they continued to call for twenty minutes or so. Interestingly a single bird was calling from the Sedge Fen area for part of the time as well.

Common Crane

Common Crane

On the main pool there were high number of Shoveler with the Teal hiding away in the far grass. Interestingly there was a Cormorant in courtship plumage standing on one of the post at the research pen.

Cormorant (nearest) in Courtship plumage

There was at least three female Marsh Harriers present.