As we had a couple of hours before meeting the rest of the group, we drove back along the road towards Little Downham stopping for any close views of feeding swans such as this adult feeding on sugar beet and the juvenile getting any crops remaining in the black fenland soil. After meeting the rest of the group for coffee, we spent time in the main hides (the only part of the reserve that isn't flooded) or walked along the bank photographing any interesting flight patterns and portraits of Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall etc,.
Julia and I made the effort to be at Welney for 'dawn' and walked along the public bridleway on the bank to view the swans all leaving their roost on Lady Fen and heading off to the fields to feed. Very dull light so little detail in the images but do give an idea of the spectacle and the typical Fenland scenery - just add the noise of hundreds of Whoopers calling as they head off in their family groups. Big flocks of Lapwing also becoming active.
The RPS Nature group outing to Wicken Fen was very well supported this year. The forecast rain stayed away though it was very muddy underfoot. Birds were few and far between over most of the Reserve though the Stonechats on Burwell and Bakers Fens and the Shovellers and Coots on West Mere did their best to provide some action. The most obliging was the Cormorant that had chosen a very graphic perch for its portrait. Great to see Coltsfoot flowers breaking through over many areas of the Fens.
