Week commencing 22nd February

Monday 22nd February

Grey morning out at Burwell. Corn Bunting present around the car park and plenty of Greylag throughout the area. A fine looking female Marsh Harrier was quartering the lower half of Burwell stirring up the wildfowl.

A large den has been dug into the bank near the gate. The amount of soil shifted and the distinct paths leading out along the bank would indicate Badger. It does beg the question as to how long it can be left before it weakens the bank.

Badger set

A group of eleven Pintail were at the top end of the fen, along with a good number of Wigeon, Shoveler, Mallard and Teal.

Skylark were singing across the fen and I got a brief glimpse of a Bearded Tit, although they were calling from the rushes but were not showing clearly.

Number of species recorded: 29

Wednesday 24th February

Mid morning visit to Burwell Fen during a pleasant pre-spring morning. Initially very little at the bottom end so headed up to the top pool. Lots of Greylag passing back and forth. Checked out a group on the flooded field on the other side of the river and came across four White fronted Goose. They were happily feeding until disturbed by a land rover.

White fronted Goose: Digiscoped on mobile phone

White fronted Goose: Digiscoped on mobile phone

Good numbers of wildfowl on the big pool with at least eleven Pintail amongst them.

Pintail: Digiscoped on mobile phone

On the pool by the bridge were two Oystercatcher. In previous years they have nested here, so we await developments!

Oystercatcher: Digiscoped on mobile phone

Oystercatcher: Digiscoped on mobile phone

Number of species recorded:36

 

Week commencing 15th February

 Monday 15th February

An afternoon visit to Burwell Fen. A very pleasant, spring-like day but very little to report. Just the usual wildfowl and passing Fieldfare and a good number of Pied Wagtail.

Number of species recorded: 29

Thursday 18th February

Stayed at home this morning and so down to the Lode and the circular walk around the new station. Nothing to report of great interest. Thirty two Black Headed Gull on the fields at Angle Farm. Blue and Great Tit active in the bushes along the river and a single Robin singing softly.

Number of species recorded: 17

Week commencing 8th February

 Wednesday 10th February

After a couple of days of snow I had the car back and so out here to Burwell Fen. Bitterly cold with snow showers but great to be out and with little mud!!

A number of Fieldfare were moving around the bridge area as were Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit. 

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Plenty of Greylag Goose were present moving from the flooded area to the nearby fields. Good numbers of wildfowl were present making use of the ice free pools. A passing Marsh Harrier (female) kept stirring up the ducks.

A couple of juvenile Mute Swan were on the river and a couple of Grey Heron dropped in from Tubney Fen.

Mute Swan

In coming Grey Heron

Number of species recorded:36

Annie on the look out for rare birds..........

Friday 12th February

Bitterly cold wind from the East this morning. Rather than walk the bank we went along the bottom path. Plenty of Fieldfare and Starling around with good numbers of  Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting feeding near the path.

A single male Stonechat appeared briefly and a group of nine Snipe dropped in. The usual wildfowl were on the ice free patches of water.

A distant view of a ring-tailed Hen Harrier quartering over Tubney Fen was had from the road.

Hen Harrier (female)

Hen Harrier (female)

Number of species recorded: 34

 

Week commencing 1st February 2021

 Monday 1st February

A cold and damp morning saw us out at Burwell Fen. Haven't been out here for a week or so due to lockdown and car issues. Plenty of water about with some fields flooded that I haven't seen flooded before or to such an extent.

Sadly, although plenty of water, very few birds of interest! The usual wildfowl present with the addition of five Shelduck.  A Sparrowhawk was showing well as was a male Marsh Harrier.

Sparrowhawk (Male)

Sparrowhawk (Male)

Large numbers of  Greylag were present and very vocal. Groups of them were moving from the pools to the nearby fields and visa versa.

A Cetti's Warbler was calling and one flitted across the bank while we were heading back.

Two Common Crane dropped in for a short while before departing towards Tubney Fen. 

Common Crane

Common Crane fly over

Number of Species recorded: 30

Tuesday 2nd February

With lockdown restrictions still enforce travel is somewhat limited. Not wanting to adventure too far saw us over at Barway this morning. As always, very quiet with not a soul around, therefore nice and covid safe!

Plenty of Chaffinch  and Reed Bunting about and a single female Stonechat by the river.

Stonechat (Female)

Two Little Grebe were on the far side of the river. 

Little Grebe (Winter plumage)

A large gathering of over sixty Mute Swan were on the field.

Number of species recorded: 32 

Black-headed Gull (Winter plumage)