April 23rd 2009

Woke to red skies and a trap full of moths including my first Chocolate Tip of the year plus Powdered Quaker and Waved Umber amongst the 7 species present then it was off out with Dave to Cambridgeshire. No fixed agenda – just good to be doing something different, I don’t have to ride the bike and Dave isn’t behind a desk.
Arrived at RSPB Nene Wash reserve and walked a short way along the long drove surrounded by 100s of Snipe, Redshank, 5 Shelduck and 3 Black-tailed Godwit. On our return to the car a male Garganey and Wigeon were across the road with the Garganey out in the open and showing well. Next stop was Eldernell where a walk on both sides of the Nene Way from the car park produced 10 Marsh Harrier including 4 males, 2 Little Egret, 60 distant Ruff, 3 male Garganey, 3 Greenshank and Yellow Wagtail supported by a calling Cetties Warbler, 10 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, Kingfisher and more Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank.
Hunger sent in so dinner at Welney WWLT over looking Lady Fen that they are reverting back to fen land where 6 Avocet and 3 Shelduck were resting. The reserve was a hive of activity with 6 Whooper Swan still remaining from the wintering flock, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit all very close in and in various stages of summer plumage along with 3 male and one female Ruff with the males just lacking there ruffs. Also in good numbers were Avocet with 60+ present, 6 Common Tern, male and female Pintail, 30 Shelduck, more Snipe and Redshank, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 100+ Gadwall and 150 Mute Swan. Missed the Med Gull and Spotted Redshank.

Richard