Week commencing Monday 30th November

 Monday 30th

A cold, grey morning with no-one around at Burwell Fen. The bridge pool held four Wigeon, while the Willow Pool only had a single male Teal present.

As we were walking along the bank large numbers of Grey Plover and Lapwing were flying over and heading onto the fields around the barns/

Four Whooper Swan (adult) departed as we approached leaving good numbers of Gadwall, Teal and Wigeon on the main body of water. Shoveler were also present.

A briefest of visit by two Turnstone and a single Dunlin was the highlight of the day.

Number of species seen:21

Wednesday 2nd

I think its time to find a new patch! Bugger all on the Bridge pool, nothing on the Willow pool and the usual on the top pool at least with increaded number of Gadwall.

A female Marsh Harrier was the highlight of the walk. Thank God for the dogs otberwise I'd stay at home and watch Border Force all morning!

Week commencing Monday 23rd November 2020

 Monday 23rd

Frosty morning with clear blue skies and not a breeze. Sadly the lack of bird life at Burwell Fen continues!

The bridge pool held six Wigeon which was more than the Willow Pool which held nothing at all! As we walked up towards Poult's Hall a reasonable sized flock of Golden Plover passed over. However, this was the only ones seen today. 

The main pool held the usual Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal along with Wigeon but none of which were in large numbers. A single Shelduck and a pair of Pintail were also present.

Cetti's and Water Rail were calling from various points along the bank.

Photographing Note

Just recently added a UV lens to the P1000 to protect the main lens. However recent photos have been slightly out of focus so I'm removing it and seeing what happens!

Thursday 19th November 2020

 Busy decorating so little time to get out to see what is about. However did so this morning and can report that there is VERY little around.

The usual flocks of Golden Plover were moving around but despite the area having now a good covering of water there was very little in the way of wildfowl.

One male Marsh Harrier passed over and a Buzzard was attracting the attention of Carrion Crow. Along the cycle path three Stonechat were feeding.

Number of species recorded: 23

 

Week commencing 9th November 2020

 Monday 9th November

Another lovely autumnal morning so off to Burwell Fen. Lots of Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit around the car park and a single Corn Bunting. 

Across the bridge and all was quiet! A dozen or so Teal on the Willow Pool and nothing else! As we went up towards Pouts Hall large numbers of Golden Plover were passing over and continued to do so while we were out.

The water levels remain the same as last week and while chatting to one of the volunteers it transpires that flooding has started on Adventurer's Fen but not Burwell. This will start next week.

High numbers of Lapwing were resting in the main pool and a few Golden Plover were mixed in with them. There was also a dozen or so Shoveler present. 

On returning to the Willow Pool a single Snipe was feeding and two Kestrel were competing for control of the area. A distant Buzzard was spotted but no Marsh Harrier.

Number of species recorded: 28

Wednesday 11th November

A grey and blustery morning at Burwell Fen. Nothing at all on the Willow Pool but large number of Golden Plover and Lapwing passing over head throughout the morning. 

As we headed towards the top pool five Whooper Swan headed off towards Kingfisher Bridge leaving eleven on the far pool. Shortly afterwards five of these departed towards Baker's Fen.

Large number of Lapwing were loafing on the pool and six Shoveler were present along with sixteen Teal.

Number of species seen: 20

Tubney Fen

A group of Long Tailed Tit moving through the bushes by the car park and a group of Goldfinch passing through. Eleven Carrion Crow feeding on the fields.

Friday 13th November

Again another very quiet time at Burwell Fen this morning! Nothing on the Willow Pool and as we were walking up towards the top pool a group of ten Whooper Swan departed. All that remained was a solitary  Grey Heron, a few Shoveler and the usual loafing Lapwing. 

Large groups of Golden Plover continue to circle and move around the area.

Number of species seen: 19

While driving across Tubney Fen came across a chap with a large trailer onto switch he had loaded a large piece of Bog Oak that had been brought out of the nearby field. He had two other pieces each of similar length that he was going to remove later. He reckoned that is was at least five thousand years old and once dried he would use for making cabinets.

Friday 6th November 2020

A beautiful autumnal morning saw us out at Burwell Fen for a few hours. The morning was wonderfully peaceful and still with a clarity of light that only autumn can bring. 

The tap has been turned and slowly water is beginning to fill the various areas of the fen in order to attract mainly the wildfowl over the winter. Sadly there was very little present on this day. Teal were visible in good numbers and Wigeon are increasing in  number. A few Shoveler were on the far side as was one Shelduck. A large number of Lapwing were loafing in the slowly flooding area near the research pen.

Two female Marsh Harrier indulged in a short piece of aerial battle before departing in different directions.

A Sparrowhawk put in a fleeting appearance, heading low across the fen. Amongst the Black-headed Gull was a single Yellow-legged Gull which departed as soon as I spotted it!

Number of species recorded: 27 

Note:

The second English lockdown commenced on the 5th November and is due to end on the 2nd December. Travel is again restricted so trips to the coast will be limited!