Dawn at Welney

 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.

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.

 

Great Crested Grebe Spring Display

The Great Crested Grebes at Paxton put on a full display this morning though a distance away right in the middle of the lake so not good detail! I particularly like the part of the dance where they stand vertically treading water and rotating together. These are consecutive frames (click in the photos to move through).

My Village in Infrared

Some infrared images of my village, Toft in Cambridgeshire, on a changeable day this week. Managed the entire walk without getting wet which was an achievement - as you see from the very large puddles everywhere, we have had a lot of rain.