Week commencing 4th January

 Monday 4th

Day spent at Welney, undertaking a range of tasks including checking water levels on Lady Fen and Bank Farm and making a lid for the post box! I failed to get a bonfire going in order to burn off the recent trimmings. I blame the damp.

Water levels had dropped but there was still no access to the other hides. Now with level 4 restrictions the main hide has been closed to the public along with the wing hides so little point heading over the bridge

A few Whooper Swan were still on the main lagoon as were a number of Pochard until a canoeist paddled through the middle of the reserve dispersing everything to a point that it was not worth feeding!

Whooper Swans on main lagoon

Tuesday 5th

Up and out to Burwell Fen and other than four Stonechat there was very little to see. On Sedge Fen a group of 60+ Whooper Swan were feeding along with two Bewick Swan.

Reed Bunting (Male)

Wednesday 6th

First day of the National Lockdown V3.0 so stayed local and walked down to Soham Lode. A Sparrowhawk passed through and a Buzzard was loafing about. Very little else to report!

Common Buzzard

Number of species recorded: 18

Thursday 7th

Dog walk along the Lode this morning produced very little of interest. Return trip from Tesco's allowed for a drop in at The Duck and Fish turning where a sizable flock of Whooper, with a few Bewick, Swans have taken up residence.

About Seventy Whooper Swan were present feeding but no Bewick to be seen. Photographed as many individuals as possible so I could check them out later but none found. 

However did see and photographed two interesting young gulls which on investigation turned out to be a First Winter Caspian Gull

and a Third Winter Great Black-backed Gull.

1st Winter Caspian Gull in foreground with 3rd winter Great Black-backed Gull

1st Winter Caspian Gull in foreground with 3rd winter Great Black-backed Gull

Friday 8th

Parked at Cock-up Bridge and walked the middle path. A small flock of seven Yellowhammer were mixed in with Chaffinch and moving around the bushes near the car park. A Little Egret was in the ditch.

Good numbers of Wigeon were on the ramp pool and surrounding area as were Fieldfare. The main pool held three Pintail (2 male) and a small flock of Whooper Swan passed over and on to Wicken Fen. 

Number of Species recorded: 33