The Great Fen Project and Clever Gadwalls

The Great Fen is a habitat restoration project in Cambridgeshire. It is one of the largest restoration projects in the country, and aims to create a 3,700 hectare wetland connecting Woodwalton Fen National Nature Reserve (NNR), Holme Fen NNR and other nature reserves to create a very large conservation site. We had intended visiting last year but somehow the months went by so we were determined to make it in 2016. Woodwalton Fen has a sixeable population of Bittern and also Harriers and Red Kites. We only saw Buzzards in the air but were fortunate to glimpse 2 Bitterns. A return visit definitely on the books.

While waiting for bittern action, I spent time observing the Gadwall ducks - an unusually large number present on a deep Mere (they are dabbling ducks). They were pursuing Coots especially when they dived for food. I researched this on the internet and found a large amount of literature on Kleptoparasitism in Gadwalls. This learned behaviour of pirating food off Coots is thought to be responsible for the large increase in Gadwall numbers in the UK.

Annual Invasion in Cambridge

Earlier this week, the Colleges in Cambridge saw the invasion of large numbers of Sixth Formers and their parents for Entrance Interviews for the University and also very large flocks of Redwings and Fieldfares from Scandinavia

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.

Welney Pastel Tones: 1. Swans and Geese

It waas a misty frosty morning at Welney on Monday producing some wonderful muted tones for the photographs of Whooper Swans and Greylags. The Mute Swan came into land a bit fast and overshot onto the ice doing a magnificent out of control slide.

Focus Stacking: Moss Fruiting Capsules on Apple Tree

Mainly for my own records: a 97-image focus stack with the two images at the beginning and end of the stack. Zeiss Touit lens on Fuji XT-1, f2.8 and focus rail. Natural light

Shortgrove Estate; Infrared on a Sunny Day

Yesterday was our second Start-to-Finish Day - thanks Sylvie. As before I used a converted infrared camera but the results this time on a very clear sunny day were very different with lots of contrast. For those who borrowed my camera and want a resume of how to adjust the files, here is a link to a leaflet I wrote http://www.pin-sharp.co.uk/dn/dn_30.pdf

Guildford Castle, University of Surrey and City

Guildford has one of the best preserved Norman Keeps thought to be built around 1066. There is also an impressive Victorian Bandstand, an immaculate bowling green, War Memorial Arch and a Blue Cow. The University of Surrey was given University status in 1966, previously Battersea Polytechnic. It nestles on the side of Stag's hill below the Cathedral and echoes the warm tones of the brickwork. I also explored the old regions of the City with its cobbled pavements, old Guildhall and The Hospital of the Holy Trinity which still serves as an Alms House.

 

Rye Meads Clear Frosty Morning

Lovely clear light at Rye Meads - no unusual birds to photograph but fun trying to record the blackbirds taking the berries and the various ducks etc on the only bit of unfrozen water from the Kingfisher hide (Kingfisher did make a fleeting visit but at a distance).