Week commencing 28th April

 Monday 28th

Parked at Cock Up and walked the central path across Burwell Fen. Weather glorious, warm and still. 

Plenty of Sedge and Reed Warbler calling as well as Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

On the new pool (we do need to get a name for this pool) was a single Greenshank along with two Redshank. On the way back a female Garganey was visible.

On the main pool there was a pair of Garganey along with four Little Egret and a single Shelduck.

At least three Cuckoo calling and three female Marsh Harrier over the reeds.

One Swallow over the bridge but no House Martin. 

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S230377243

Tuesday 29th

At work checking the nest boxes. Things are moving along nicely with a number of nests containing eggs. 

Common Sandpiper (3) on the main lagoon and Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit very vocal and active. 

Wednesday 30th

Out to Wicken Fen this evening, parking at The Visitor's Centre. It was a beautiful evening, warm and still and surprisingly very few people around.

Walked to Adventure's Fen to check out the pools. A good number of Little Egret feeding and further birds throughout the walk. The usual wildfowl were present and Grey Heron were also on the pools.

Throughout the walk Cuckoo, Sedge, Reed and Cetti's Warbler kept up a constant sound background. Blackcap and Chiffchaff were also vocal.

As I started up Harrison's Drove a Bittern flew over towards Burwell Fen. Further up the Drove at least two other Bittern were booming from different locations.

At the top of the Drove four Marsh Harrier were coming into the fen preparing for roosting. As the sun set I was pleased to spot two Hobby crossing the river and disappearing into the trees. These were the first for the summer for me.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S231326482

Thursday 1st May

Swift return to over the house today. First heard at 11.00am. At least nine birds.

It's wonderful to hear them back. I always feel that summer has officially started when I hear them for the first time back. Here's to a good summer!

Week commencing 20th April 2025

 Sunday 20th

Evening walk along The Lode at Soham with Annie. Grasshopper Warbler still reeling in the corner by The Cut.

Cetti's Warbler and Whitethroat present and a Buzzard was being harassed by crows.

Full sightings list:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S227543136

Monday 21st

Walked along The Lode to the house and then to Scampers returning across the Common. Nothing new around.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S227754242

Tuesday 22nd

Day checking bird boxes at work. Good to see that things are becoming more active with more boxes showing signs of occupation and three with eggs. 

Cuckoo calling when I arrived in the car park and it was good to hear the near constant call of Sedge Warbler bringing the reed beds alive again. Swallow has returned and two pairs have started to rebuild last year's nest. No House Martin as yet.

Wednesday 23rd

Was planning to go to Burwell Fen but even leaving after 9.30 the by-pass was at a halt from the Shades onwards. The Fordham Road continues to be closed and so beginning to feel trapped. Given the traffic I headed to Barway but with little to see and report.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S228421405

Thursday 24th

Out this evening to Burwell Fen.  A calm and lovely time to walk the bank. Initially there didn't seem to be a great deal around, however on scanning the reeds to the left of the main pool, I was pleased to see a Bittern. It disappeared for a short time but reappeared further along the reed edge. It's ponderous gait was interesting to watch. Usually I only see them flying over so it was good to watch it for at least ten minutes.

Bittern

Moving along the path that crosses to the old barn area, I spotted a pair of Garganey amongst the increasing foliage covering the water.

Garganey 

A Greenshank was on the new pools near the cattle pen. It was silhouetted by the setting sun which made an interesting photo.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S228962406

Friday 25th

Walk along the river this  morning produced five Sedge Warbler, a Little Egret flying over and very little else of interest other than the usual stuff!!

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S229101264

Back to the fens

 Thursday 17th April

Back to the fens after a couple of weeks walking and birdwatching in Spain.

Took a walk along my local patch along The Lode behind the railway station and was pleased to hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling from the scrub. Located it in the bushes near The Cut and was able to watch and record it. Got a clear view of it's tail vibrating as it called. Not seen or heard here last year, but was in 2022 on this exact same date.

Also present were at least three Whitethroat and four Sedge Warbler.

Chiffchaff and Blackcap also present and singing.

Full sightings list at: https://ebird.org/checklist52215

Friday 18th April

With the footpath across Burwell Fen now reopened having been closed for the peat restoration work, I parked at Cock-up and headed out towards the old barns area. I was keen to see if the new pool that was formed by the bund held anything of interest, having a good numbers of Little and Great White Egret but nothing today.

Arriving at the old barn area I was pleased to see a male Ring Ouzel feeding close to the path. It remained in the area allowing me to take a number of photos.

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

This was the highlight of the walk with the exception of increasing number of Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. No Swallow as yet. 

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S226557390