randombirder

A day out braving the weather that had totally written off Saturday.  By Sunday cabin fever had set in so in haste, I decided to head up to the wetlands reserve at Welney with the promise of a warm comfortable cafe and an equally warm hide for a far more agreeable view than that of my front room. It turned out to be a stellar day. It was dank, and grey, and for the second week running, a named storm spread across the country subjecting large parts to untold misery as a result of the heavy rainfall.  Welney had been impacted too - one half of the trail had been closed due to flooding.  The main hide was open though and the views from the cafe over the fen are always impressive. Swirling masses of Golden Plover and Lapwing filled the leaden grey skies, constantly agitated by passing raptors.  Only Marsh Harrier were noted but others may have fused in with the swarm of waders present.  A large group of Black-tailed Godwit were also present here...

Starting the year off at Welney WWT where the array of wildfowl as viewed from the main observatory is always an impressive sight.  Along with plenty of our common wintering species of duck was a roosting adult drake Ring-necked Duck .   There were good numbers of Bewick Swan , Whooper Swan , and a scattering of Pintail .  At least a thousand Black-tailed Godwit were congregated on the exposed mud.  Heading further north to Frampton Marsh and despite being unable to located the long-staying Long-billed Dowitcher, a sparkling adult male Hen Harrier and a quartering Short-eared Owl were present on the marsh. A juvenile male Merlin was causing havoc among decent numbers of Starling , Lapwing , and Golden Plover dashing its way over the floods before settling on a post by the farmhouse. The fields were rammed full with wildlife particularly Wigeon and Dark-bellied Brent Goose.