As someone who has been self-isolating since retiring little has changed except for the restriction on travel. So more time for covering my local patch. My patch along the old sidings has suffered greatly in recent weeks due to planned building.
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| To the right there used to be Blackberry Bushes |
The only plus that I can see is that in doing the clearing and by dumping into the ditch they have created a couple of "pond", during the recent heavy rain. Hardly surprising as this is a flood area.
Tuesday 24th
A beautiful spring morning, quiet like a Sunday morning heralded the first day of lock down and the return of 2 of my usual 4 calling ChiffChaff along the sidings. We await the return of the other two shortly. Last year I recording them calling constantly from the 15th March and I did hear one calling on the 21st. However prior to the lock down I had been back and forth to Addenbrooke due to Debbie having to have a total hip replacement following a fall from her horse so may have missed this years start date.
Earlier this month a couple of Woodcock were present in the newly flooed area. These have not been seen recently.
Good numbers of Dunnock showing and gently singing and Goldfinch present.
Wednesday 25th
Chiffchaff still totalling two. Other than that just the usual.
Thursday 26th
Two more Chiffchaff calling this morning as we made our early morning rounds of the sidings and river. Long-tailed Tit and Blue Tit were moving through the willows and a male Reed Bunting was calling from the far end of the walk.
Friday 27th
A Blackcap was singing for the first time this morning along the sidings its rich song adding to the feeling that spring is here and the hope of warm weather might drive this virus away. Chiffchaff were calling well and also showing well as they flitted from bush to tree.
A Greenfinch was very vocal and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling.
Saturday 28th
Change in the weather has brought back a cold wind and grey skies this morning, still its nice to be out of the house for a while especially given the lock-down. It's noticeable this morning how quiet the birds are with the change in weather. The Chiffchaffs were still calling but the rest were somewhat muted and no sound of the Blackcap.
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| Chiffchaff: Not in Lockdown! |
A Sparrowhawk passed over stirring up things for a while. Tomorrow I think we'll have a change of scene and head down river and see what can be found in the horse paddocks.
Monday 30th
A cold and grey morning to the start of the week. Chiffchaff calling along the sidings and plenty of activity from Dunnock, Robin and Blue and Great Tit. Three Stock Dove flew over and a Grey Heron was on the bank.
Did a little path trimming as we went round and as it is likely that the lockdown will go on for quite a while I need to make sure my paths are kept clear, unlike previous years when brambles and nettles took over.
Tuesday 31st
Pleasant but cold morning. Out by 8.00 am and little additional to report other than Red-legged Partridge by the railway gate.
Wednesday 8th
Very little to report in the last few days other than the fact the enterance to the old sidings has been closed! Shame as it was a safe place to walk during this period of lock-down.
The walk along The Lode this morning produced plenty of Chiffchaff, Dunnock and Blue Tit. Top spot went to two singing male Blackcap.
A Marsh Harrier was quartering the oil seed rape fields and Skylark were present.
Thursday 9th
Another lovely morning so up and out relatively early and down to the load. The sidings is still closed off from The Yard end so straight down to the river and along to the old cow meadow. Lots of activity from Chiffchaff with at least six present and very active. Two male Blackcap showing well along the path. There was fly overs by two Greylag and four Canada Goose. A female Marsh Harrier was again quartering the oil seed rape field. A single Yellowhammer was visible and singing.
Friday 10th
A little late out this morning due to having slept without disturbance from the sun blazing in having invested in a sleep mask! So it was gone 9 before I was down along the river. The number of Blackcap had significantly increased with five present and calling and one female being persuade. Chiffchaff again were very vocal and showing well.
First Swallow of the summer passed over and two Common Whitethroat were skulking in the bushes.
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Out at 07.15 and down along the river. Blackcap have increased in numbers over night and were very vocal. I recorded on near the crossing that was singing with full gusto. Further along, by the Willow ironically, were two Willow Warblers, again both singing well.
A couple of Yellowhammer were singing towards the Oilseed rape field and Reed Bunting. No sign of the Whitethroats this morning, so they might have been passing through. Chiffchaff ever present.
Sunday 12th:
Easter Sunday and still locked down. Out a little late this morning. The morning was heralding another fine day ahead. Crossed onto Angle Common via the Cattle Creep and then onto my usual patch. Whitethroat singing but initially unable to locate it in the bramble. However it popped out further along and was able to get a recording of its song if somewhat distant. Blackcap very vocal as were the Chiffchaff and Song Thrush.
Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th
Number of Whitethroat increased to three singing and another two possible skulkers. Was able to record the call of one of them. The usual around.
Wednesday 15th
Change of scenery and headed up the Wicken Byway. Good numbers of Yellowhammer present, singing and was able to record the sub-song of a very bright male. Linnet were present with at least 17 counted. Whitethroat in at least three locations and the female Marsh Harrier again over the rape field.
Thursday 16th
Back to The Lode circular walk this morning. A couple of Garden Warbler were singing near the crossing, so another first for the year. Blackcap and Chiffchaff active along the whole area. Whitethroat singing by the gate and in the usual hedge!
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Whitethroat
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Friday17th
Into school today for Debbie's first visit since her accident. Her 45min visit turned into 1hr 20min! So the morning walk was rather short and nothing worth recording.
Saturday 18th
Cut through the old sidings and down onto the river. A quiet morning, with the weather having turned a good degree colder. Returned via the Mill Corner. A call that I hadn't heard before attracted my attention. Checking out the area under the opposite walk way came across a pair of Grey Wagtail. Was able to get a good recording which I'll upload at some date.
Tuesday 21st
I spotted two Crane on arable field while over at Burwell an errand of mercy. Other than that increasing numbers of Swallow. A Cuckoo was calling, first of the year as was a Bittern booming.
Wednesday 22nd
Along the sidings this am. Plenty of Blackcap singing, numbers having increased over the last few days.
Thursday 23rd
Along the sidings and onto the river. Again plenty of Blackcap and Chiffchaff present and at least five Whitethroat. Good to hear the first Sedge Warbler at this location for this year with at least three calling but very skulky in the bushes. No sign of the Marsh Harrier.
The number of people walking along the bank is quite amazing. Normally you might get one or two but there were at least fifteen today. When you walk the same area and have done for years you get to know the 'clientele' and especially their dogs. Now due to the lockdown there are people and dogs I've never seen before. It will be interesting to see if they continue to walk after this is all over.
Friday 24th
Early morning start and out to Burwell Fen. Numbers of Sedge Warbler had increased dramatically since Tuesday but no sign of an increase of Reed Warbler with just one heard. Little of interest amongst the wildfowl except a pair of Wigeon still present on the Tree Pool, along with two Egyptian Goose.
At least two different Bittern booming and while recording a Grasshopper Warbler started reeling. Although reported in the area still no sign of Swift or House Martin but did have two nice male Wheatear along the track to the old barn area, sadly to far way for a decent photo.
Monday 27th
A Barn Owl greeted us by Cock-Up Bridge and worked the banks towards Burwell. A group of Linnet were moving over the fields but other than that all quiet.
Tuesday 28th
Chauffer duties this morning so while waiting for the pick up was able to go out to Pymoor Bridge for an hour or so. A Great White Egret was on the far side along with a number of Little Egret. Female Marsh Harrier present and a nice small group of Swallow passed through.
Wednesday 29th
Covered the local patch this morning. Initially all quiet with just the usual. However while crossing the water meadows a Grasshopper Warbler started to reel. This was the first I've ever recorded at this location so after 10 years of recording the comings and goings of this patch it was nice to have a newbe!
Thursday 30th
Back along the old patch but a bit wind so no luck with the Grasshopper Warbler although I note that another birder reported hearing it. Maybe my hearing is going! Other than that nothing else to report of great interest except a Great Tit with abnormal growths around the beak and rear end.
Saturday 2nd
Grasshopper Warbler still calling from the bushes near the line. Managed to get a pretty good recording and spotted the bird as it moved from bush to bush.
Sunday 3rd
Trip out to Barway. Oystercatcher feeding on fields and good numbers of Swallow and Swift present.
Monday 4th
Along the local patch this am. Lesser Whitethroat calling just over the crossing and got a good recording and a brief view of the bird! Grasshopper Warbler still present and plenty of Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Trip out to Burwell Fen in the afternoon produced five Common Tern the first of the year.
Wednesday 6th
Took a trip out to Sedge Fen near Upware. Nice morning for a stroll along the main dyke and came across a very nice, clean female Wheatear.
Also had the first Hobby of the season with three hawking over the fields.
Monday 11th
Trip to Barway produced three very bright Yellow Wagtail, the first of the year
Tuesday 12th
Have been out and about but nothing unusual to report. Grasshopper Warbler occasionally reeling from the bushes near the railway line on warm days.
Trip out to Burwell produced very little and the Barway Triangle produced a single Oystercatcher.
A three hour walk around Little Downham produced a good number of Whitethroat but little else.
Wednesday 13th
Easing of the lockdown now means you can travel to a place of exercise...... so officially back to Burwell. However the walk was short due to an injury picked up yesterday when out walking. Hayho!
The time spent did produce a Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier (Male) and a single Crane. Otherwise just the usual!
Thursday 18th June
Been a while since I reported from my local patch or anywhere else. This is mainly due to having very little report! Local patch highlight was a Hobby which passed through yesterday evening. At Burwell towards the end of last month there was a brief period when it looked as if the pair of Cranes that had attempted to breed and failed on Adventurer's Fen might be trying again on Burwell, sadly this didn't happen and they have since drifted off.
Trips out to the forest resulted in Tree Pipit and Woodlark and with Welney now open to booked tickets I've been able to catch up with the happenings there!
Tuesday 14th July
Nearly a month since I last logged anything! The lockdown is easing so able to get out and about more and to see what is about. However, having missed the main spring passage due to the lockdown will have to hope we get a good autumn movement. At Burwell Fen yesterday had four Green Sandpiper and a single Greenshank fingers crossed.
Saturday 3rd October 2020
The work on the new (replacement) railway station started a few weeks ago. The small wood that runs behind the houses, where once the old factory units were, have now disappeared and this will become the car park. It was in this wood that I found a Yellow-browed Warbler some years ago.
The new platform will also give access to the public footpath on the other side of the line which forms part of my local patch so some advantage to the development. Work on the housing estate has not yet started so still walking the old sidings but with nothing to report.
Back to work at Welney but now working on a Tuesday and due to social distancing, having to work alone. Oh well gets you out of the house!
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