Monday 3rd November
A grey and blustery morning. Decided to give Kingfisher Bridge a visit as it had been a while since I was last there. Parked by the gravel works so that I could check out the hedgerow for winter thrushes. A few Redwing were passing over but it wasn't until I was on the far side that I spotted a significant number of Fieldfare.
Greylag Goose were flighting in and out of the area. On the main water body were a good number of Cormorant (27), Teal (168), Shoveler (24) and three Pintail. I was surprised to see two Common Ringed Plover feeding with a single Snipe. Sadly, just I I got my camera set up they were disturbed by the warden in his buggy!
The walk through the woods on the far side produced a few Chaffinch but little else. Two Red Kite drifted over just as I was leaving.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S282700992
Tuesday 4th
Day working at the reserve. Good numbers of Whooper Swan still on the Washes with larger numbers on the surrounding fields. Pochard numbers increasing and a single Pintail mixed in with them. Large numbers of Wigeon, Greylag and Canada Goose with a large flock of Pink-footed Goose passing over as were Golden Plover. In with the Greylag was a single Barnacle Goose.
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| Golden Plover and Lapwing |
Was a little surprised to see a Jay flying over the site and even more interesting was a Peregrine Falcon bathing in a pool in the middle of the Wash.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S282886380
Wednesday 5th
Stayed local this morning and went along the river behind the station. A large flock of Fieldfare were in the bushes near the horse field before departing towards Horse Fen. Further along came across a number of Redwing in the trees by the railway line. Experience has taught me to wait of a train to pass to get a better idea of the numbers and sure enough a goods train passed by after a short while putting up over fifty Redwing.
A Red Kite drifted over and is becoming a more regular sighting in this area.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S282886380
Thursday 6th
A trip out to Mayday Farm this morning. Weather drizzling but not too cold. By the car park a number of Nuthatch, Blue and Long-tailed Tit with Chaffinch were moving around the tree tops. As it turned out this was the best and most observations of the whole visit with the exception of a small flock of Redwing passing over.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S283100146
Called in at Isleham Washes on the way home. Plenty of Teal (100+) with a few Wigeon and Shoveler mixed in. Three Snipe passed over.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S283127310
