Ex -Warden, Ralph was out again last Sunday (20 May) doing the monthly WeBS count. The score for this month (so to speak) was:
Little grebe (4), great crested grebe (4), Bittern (1), little egret (2), grey heron (2), mute swan (4), greylag goose (53), Canada goose (79), wigeon (2), gadwall (4), mallard (25), shoveler (7), tufted duck (6), coot (20), lapwing (12), snipe (1), redshank (5), black headed gull (36) lesser black backed gull (3), common tern (2).
Friday, 25 May 2012
Friday, 18 May 2012
Caught on Camera
We mentioned in our last blog entry that cranes had landed on Baker's Fen - well our friend and wildlife photographer, Richard Nicoll, managed to grab a quick pic from afar -well done Richard.
There's been plenty of bittern action over the last few days with numerous reports of booming, three seen flying over the mere and a good sighting of a bird stalking in the open from Trevelyan's Hide.
Finally, there were numerous sightings of a Montagu's Harrier over the mere and Sedge Fen yesterday (16 May)
There's been plenty of bittern action over the last few days with numerous reports of booming, three seen flying over the mere and a good sighting of a bird stalking in the open from Trevelyan's Hide.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
The Crane has landed!
Wow -what a week its been so far. At the weekend a red-rumped swallow was seen at Wicken - a rare visitor to our shores and the first time one has been recorded at Wicken. There are numerous hobbies taking mayfly on the wing along Wicken Lode - thanks to Paul Lawrence for attached pic which he took on one of our boat trips last Friday.
In the watery depths we've also had sightings of a water spider, its silvery diving bell full of air clearly visible underwater.
The highlight today has been Cranes on Baker's Fen - the first time they are known to have landed on the Vision lands.
In the watery depths we've also had sightings of a water spider, its silvery diving bell full of air clearly visible underwater.
The highlight today has been Cranes on Baker's Fen - the first time they are known to have landed on the Vision lands.
Friday, 11 May 2012
Hobbies Galore
This afternoons boat trip has just returned (11 May) with amazing reports of Hobby sightings - up to 16 birds at anyone time cruising down Wicken Lode, plus good sightings of Marsh Harriers. The other main highlights of the week were cranes (2) seen flying near Harrison's Drove on Sunday 6 May and avocets (2) on Baker's Fen.
Most days there have been reports of a 'booming' Bittern in the evening, drumming snipe, cuckoos together with sightings of turtle doves (2) and a few sightings of short eared owls on Burwell Fen. Other sightings include tree creeper, whitethroat, blackcaps, reed bunting, reed and grasshopper warbler's. Finally house martins and swallows are collecting mud for nests along Lode Lane and around the Visitor Centre.
The forecast is good for the weekend so why not grab the binos and pop over.
Most days there have been reports of a 'booming' Bittern in the evening, drumming snipe, cuckoos together with sightings of turtle doves (2) and a few sightings of short eared owls on Burwell Fen. Other sightings include tree creeper, whitethroat, blackcaps, reed bunting, reed and grasshopper warbler's. Finally house martins and swallows are collecting mud for nests along Lode Lane and around the Visitor Centre.
The forecast is good for the weekend so why not grab the binos and pop over.
Friday, 4 May 2012
Weekly Round-up
A dull wet week on the fen with very little in the way of sunshine but plenty of wildlife action.
There have been regular sightings of cuckoos (2 males), marsh harriers, sparrowhawk (pair) and hobbies (5). Around the mere and reedbeds there have been sightings of little egret, heron (on nest), shelduck, commorant, moorhens and bearded tit.
The highlight on Baker's Fen has been a wood sandpiper, garganey (pair), greenshank, skylarks, house martin, swallow and swifts (50+) .
There have been regular sightings of cuckoos (2 males), marsh harriers, sparrowhawk (pair) and hobbies (5). Around the mere and reedbeds there have been sightings of little egret, heron (on nest), shelduck, commorant, moorhens and bearded tit.
The highlight on Baker's Fen has been a wood sandpiper, garganey (pair), greenshank, skylarks, house martin, swallow and swifts (50+) .
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