Wicken Fen NT

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.

 

RSPB Titchwell Marsh Birds

Here a selection of distant and closer shots at Titchwell - not all in the best direction for the light but gives a flavour of the variety and sheer numbers of geese (Pink-footed and Brent), ducks (Shelduck,Shoveller, Teal and Widgeon) and waders (Golden Plover) there in the winter plus distant view of Marsh Harriers as in the first shot.

 

Paxton Kingfishers etc

I spent an hour at Paxton Pits today after a morning work party and was rewarded with views of at least two Kingfishers - neither of them the same as last weeks which was a female. Lovely light and reflections for the water birds - Coot, Dabchick, Shoveller, GC Grebe, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Raven and Heron

A Few More Birds from Slimbridge

A few more birds seen on our RPS trip to Slimbridge. The light was very dull so not a great deal of 'life' in the photos but great to see up to 10 Cranes all together down on the banks of the Severn and flying. They have had a very successful year breeding-wise here. Lots of passage migrants on South Lake including Black-tailed Godwits and also parties of Avocets and Lapwings stirring up the mud. The ducks are in eclipse still but recognisable Shovellers looking as grumpy as usual and Teal.

 

Shoveller Dispute

These two male Shovellers  spent a bit of time eyeing each other before one decided to see off the intruder. He is treading water in the last image flapping the wings in victory.  I hadn't fully appreciated the range of colours in their plumage before. Unfortunately, the light was very harsh and I didn't have a fast enough shutterspeed for this much action!

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