Our guided walk on 6 March will focus on watching goldeneyes courting, and the birds are busy already. They can be seen on most of our lakes, and in good numbers too. We did our monthly Wetland Bird Survey last Sunday, when 105 goldeneyes were counted. There were 488 tufted ducks, our other common black-and-white diving duck (or should I say drake, as the females of both species are shades of brown), so there are lots of opportunities to practise identification skills, if you wish.
There were indications of spring last Sunday, with the appearance of an oystercatcher and two ringed plovers. All three birds were in potential breeding habitat, having been absent over the winter. Grey herons were seen in courtship flights, and a great grested grebe was giving a bugling call, sounding rather like a common crane. Cetti's warblers were singing in several places.
Despite the weather today feeling more wintry (cold wind, icy rain), the goldeneyes are continuing their vigorous courtship.
One of our volunteers has seen two red-headed smews on the Trout Pond again today, and a stonechat that was perching on top of ditch vegetation by the entrance road, just east of the bailey bridge. A regular visitors found an adult Mediterranean gull on Drayton Lagoon later in the afternoon.
Great afternoon this afternoon, 22nd Feb, first visit to Fen Drayton. Fantasitc 'flittering' flocks of lapwings over the water, with great shows from a group of long-tailed tits, and a big 'charm' of goldfinches by the car park. Shovellers, widgeon, gadwall and pochard, and a large flock of blackheaded gulls were about. By early evening, the goldeyes were in full swing, necks back at impossible angles, and with their amazing call. Tufties, coot, herons and great crested grebe - one of the latter looked like it had 2 of last year's young with it - is this likely? And later in the afternoon, a snipe (I think) flying over, and a small group of goosander. And finally a muntjac on the way back to the car park.
What a fantastic day, if only half as good, 6th March will be wonderful!
It's not 'what's out there', it's what your eyes let you see..........