Week commencing Monday 12th October 2020

 Monday 12th October

Went out this morning to Wicken Fen to walk the area around Little Fen. Along the Wicken Lode Redwing (12) were moving through the trees and a number of Meadow Pipit were moving over head. Three Skylark were undertaking a spell of aerial combat.

Little else was seen until I was walking the far side. A pair of  Stonechat were feeding and Great Tit and Robin were present. A group of 22 Golden Plover was active on and over the field.

Number of species recorded:26

Tuesday 13th October

Day at Welney, initially to carry on with the Boardwalk but sadly the floods have come and that will be it for the winter. Still, plenty of other tasks to do including cleaning out of nest boxes and checking the general facilities.

Beyond The Friend's Hide, by the cattle pens, were seven (possibly eight) Great White Egret and three Cattle Egret. The views were distant but did manage to photo some of them for the record.

A pair of Stonechat appeared, just as I was wondering where they had got too as I hadn't seen them for a while. Both performed well and I was able to capture some good pictures.

Number of species recorded: 48

Wednesday 14th October

A pleasant morning for a walk around the Burwell Triangle. Small groups of Redwing passing over but still no Fieldfare. At least five Cetti's Warbler were being very vocal and a three Greenfinch were mixed in with the Chaffinch.

A single Stonechat (F/J) was up by Pout's Hall and there was a large number of Lapwing with a few Golden Plover around the old research pen.

Number of species recorded: 34

Thursday 15th October

Headed up to Ongar Hill and Admiralty Point, just west of Kings Lynn for a couple of hours on The Wash and its saltmarshes. Journey up took just over an hour and arrived to find I had the place to myself. A short walk from the car park down to the sea wall and the marshes. 

View toward Snettisham across the saltmarshes

An interesting Buzzard was hunting along the bank. Initially thought it might be a Rough-legged but on closer inspection proved not to be. However, it was one of five Buzzards seen.

Good numbers of Pink-footed and Brent Goose were moving over the marshes and were a large cloud of Knot.

A field full of Fieldfare (c300) were the first for this winter.

Fieldfare: first of this winter's sightings

Number of species recorded: 28

Friday 16th October

A morning spent on the local patch and maybe the last for the sidings for a long time! The construction of the railway is picking up a pace and they are moving the compound onto the sidings and sealing off that area. They have also fenced off areas on the Lode side of the line and will be felling the trees and bushes shortly. So time to find a new local patch!

Good numbers of Redwing moving along the trees but very little else. Maybe the disturbance is having an impact.

Number of species recorded: 11