What's that noise, oh no, its the six o'clock alarm, get up and put kettle on, double strength Millicano down throat and de-caff in my flask, lovely!. Off I go in anticipation of a great day bird and wildlife watching. As I turn into the entrance road I am greeted by some Yellowhammers, beautiful!, further down the entrance road is the "elephant grass" Kestrel haystack, kestrel not there, oh, unusual. Just before the bailey bridge on the right is the large flock of Linnets, wonderful!. Over bailey bridge past the S.E.O field, I always look as they can be seen in the morning. Turn right up to the bus way, over carefully and down the road to the car park. As soon as I get out of my car the Cetti's Warbler is singing his strong song, straight after I can hear a Chiffchaff singing his name.
As I make my way across to the kissing gate a Green Woodpecker flies up in front of me and I see what I think were two Wheatear's on the bare gravel patch, I'm not sure though. Through the kissing gate to the edge of Drayton Lagoon and up to the river, maybe I will be lucky as see the Seal, YES!, I'm in luck, it's there, brilliant. I follow the riverbank to the meadow and turn left towards Moore Lake. I front of me is a large Mink, wow!, I carry on walking and meet a beautiful Fox, must be a Vixen. There are the usual Tree Creepers and one Goldcrest on the corner. I cross the bus way and make my way to the hide. As I walk down the path to the hide I hear another Cetti's singing and what seemed like an endless line of Chiffchaff's. Wren's, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Robins and more see me to the hide.
In the hide I eagerly scan for Bean Geese and the Pink-Footed Goose, no luck. The Oystercatchers are arguing and the Lapwings are flying their amazing show. A Barn Owl quarterized the hide field gracefully and silently. All the usual birds are here, Redshank's, Snipe's and a Green Sandpiper patrol the muddy shores. A Little Egret paddles on a far bank. Time for a coffee, what's that just flew over the bus way towards the reeds, probably a Grey Heron, bins up, no wait!, it's a Bittern, oh glorious, what a sight, it landed by the reeds and melted away as it disappeared into them, gone.
Time to leave the hide, turn right following Elney Lake walk. I was hoping to see the Barn Owl in the long field, no luck, neither did I see the two Munjack. Around the walk I was followed by Long-Tailed Tits, or so it seemed. Great Tit's were sing their "saw" call and more Chiffchaff's. I get to the Elney north viewpoint and rest for a while, I may see the Bearded Reedlings, oh, no luck. Back to the car park following the deep drain. There are several Treecreepers hunting for food on the Willows that follow that waters edge. Wood Peckers are beating out their sound high in the trees.
I reach the car park and I am greeted with a wonderful Female Marsh harrier patroling over Holywell Lake. She stays for a while then goes off to the South. Driving out over the busway, several Bullfinch's are searching the Hawthornes for food, the Males look glorious in the sun. As I drive over the bailey bridge the Linnets are still there. The Skylarks are doing thier noisy and busy thing. Ah, I spot the "elephant grass" Kestrel, there she is. I look up and there is a beautiful Common Buzzard soaring above looking for a careless rabbit. I am seen off the reserve by four Yellowhammers.
I turn onto the Swavesey road towards home. A GREAT DAY!.
Im Jealous Steve. Fantastic day, its all coming too predictable for you there! Not long to wait before our tourists from Africa arrive, and the mornings come alot sooner!
Well said Steve!
Excellent! - I have just been for a lovely 'mental walk' whilst sat at my desk - want to go round for real now! Beautifully put - thank you.
Thanks Ricky and thanks Kev for your comments.
We have such a wonderful environment here at the RSPB FDL reserve that I thought that day needed telling. I feel so privileged.
I am sure there is better to come, we have such a unique team here, (everyone involved), working so hard, constantly improving our "little gem".
Thank you Kate.
I was up there Sunday. Boy was it dark :(
I left a note for you in the hide................NO BEAN GEESE!
I guess they have gone home for the summer now.
I did hear my first willow wobbler of the season though, so it nearly felt like spring.
Hi Rich,
I was in the hide Monday and Tuesday but I did not notice a note from you, where did you leave it?.
See you around!.
I left a note on the clipboard...........maybe Neil picked it up.
There was a nice pair of Common gulls in with the blackheads on Moore Lake. They are such a lovely clean looking bird. I would have thought a long way from home!
Yes I will be up there again soon, once the marshies start doing their aerial antics. Just hope they are successful this year.
Wow what a wonderful description of your day, I am a novice who discovered the reserve last summer. Neil Jill and Pam have been a great help giving me advice on getting to know the reserve and all the different species of wildlife to be found there. Looking forward to seeing the Summer visitors especially the Cuckoos when they return. And one day hope to identify all the birds you have named. Thank you Steve.