Welney Trip December 29th - Best of the Rest

Due to the morning rain and poor light, we didn't get a lot of images at Welney of Friday but always lots to observe including a Marsh Harrier putting up the flock Black-tailed Godwits. The end of the afternoon gave some beautiful lighting for the swans and also to try some slow shutter ducks.

Welney Birds on Beautiful Crisp morning

The water levels are still fairly low at Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve so abundant waders, mainly Black-tailed Godwits and dabbling ducks (Widgeon) in front of the main hide. A very obliging Kestrel hunted in front of the hide for a time. From the Lyle hide everything was pretty distant but good to see Great White Egret, Curlew, pair of Marsh Harriers, Dunlin and Stonechat. Whooper Swans in evidence but not much flying in the very strong winds.

 

Wicken Fen - Insects, Fox and Returm of the Hobbies

Yesterday was the first bright and relatively warm day for a time, so headed to Wicken Fen for a session with the birds and bugs. Not a lot around on the insect side though Brimstone, Red Admiral and Peacock all active plus as Red and Black Bug Cercopis vulnerata and a Cardinal beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis. An old Vixen fox (obviously with suckling young) watched as things hotted up from the hide - first the Terns and then up to five Hobbies entertained us with their antics (separate blog to follow). Also Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Courting Great Crested Grebes

Welney Pastel Tones: 2. Ducks and Waders

There are large flocks of ducks on the Washes at the moment including my favourite Pintails. The second flight shot shows Widgeon, Teal and Gadwall while the Mallard were formation dancing on the ice. The Waders are mainly black-Tailed Godwits put up by a Marsh Harrier that was being mobbed by a Crow.

Fowlmere in Evening Light

As an antidote to a day spent indoors foe the EA Region RPS, I had a walk round Fowlmere in the evening. The usual species were around including Dabchick, Marsh Harrier, Reed Warbler and obliging Blackcap female. The Coot appeared to feed its youngster a closed mollusc - it managed to swallow it but wondered if its digestion would deal with this - any ideas? The ?Chinese Water deer was very frisky - charging around the area.