December 18th 2008

Another cracking day and good to shared it with Dave.
Arrived at Nene Washes, Eldernell, Cambridgeshire as dawn broke and watched two Barn Owls hunting the drier fields in front of the car park before walking to check the fields holding water west of Lord’s Holt. Plenty of duck especially Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Pintail and some of the 150+ Whooper Swan were very close before they left for there feeding grounds. After a cup of coffee we did the east side where there were more flooded fields which held some impressive numbers of duck and waders. Approximate count were Golden Plover 1000, Lapwing 3000, Ruff 40, Black-tailed Godwit 20, Dunlin 20, Berwick’s Swan 4, Teal 500, Wigeon 1000, Pintail 300 and many Shoveler, Mallard, and Gadwall. The nearby Decoy Wood had 2 Buzzard and 2 very smart Peregrines which remained perched for half an hour. Amongst all the duck and wader activity the 2 adult Cranes looked magical and showed very well before they moved to feed behind wood. These two could be the birds we saw in October at Welney that are wintering in the area. Also seen were female Marsh Harrier, Great-spotted Woodpecker and Siskin 12.
Now we were cooking on gas so with fingers crossed we went to Coveney where just south of the village we had a twenty minute wait for the Rough-legged Buzzard to show. At first it was distant seen perched in tree and on ground but eventually had some cracking flight views. New bird for Dave so he’s a happy bunny.
There were plenty of Whooper Swan in the fields between Coveney and Welney and after dinner at the Welney Wetland and Wildfowl Trust reserve we went for a walk. The main observatory and wing hides remain open to visitors, but all other footpaths and hides are closed due to increased water levels. The A1101 between Welney village and Suspension Bridge is closed. Access to the Welney Wetland Centre is always possible from the A10 at Littleport or Ten Mile Bank during times of flood. Duck and wader numbers were distant though one small group on raised grass held 3 Bean Geese but to see the reserve in this state is certainly impressive. Egyptian Goose in field behind centre and 500+ Golden Plover.

Mottled Umber by Bob Hazell
Good to see Bob has finally recovered from his illness and back in the field, he had a good day at Draycote Water seeing all the usual suspects and managed to relocate the Red-necked Grebe along farborough bank and Mottled Umber on wall of cafe.

Richard