A week where you sense the battle between autumn and winter is starting to slip. A mixture of cold, clear conditions along with a very wintery cloudy and wet feel and it is set to get colder over the weekend.
A few classic migrants have been passing over the fen this week, with flocks of fieldfare, redwing, siskin, meadow pipit and goldfinch all passing through. A single waxwing flew over the office on Thursday lunchtime, luckily calling as it went aiding identification, there are a lot of waxwings about at the moment so we could be in for a ‘waxwing winter’.
Other highlights have included the jack snipes at Fen Hide and Reception hide, both posing very nicely with common snipe alongside them for a perfect comparison. Water pipit numbers have increased and are now being seen or heard daily, it is difficult to gauge whether they are passing through or newly arrived. There are a good number of stonechats in the reedbed at present, after three years of absence throughout winter, it seems as if there are at least three pairs present now. A female hen harrier came through the meadows on Wednesday afternoon, showing off its beautiful colours to me as it came close to Sandy Wall.
The wildfowl numbers have remained similar to last week with around 500 teal, 30 shoveler, 30 gadwall and a few mallard are all present from Tower Hide along with up to 18 common snipe.
The usual reedbed species are present, with a bittern being seen on Wednesday, bearded tits being seen daily from multiple locations, marsh harriers numbers increasing for the winter roost, kingfishers still showing off by Reception Hide and up to three at Fen Hide on Thursday.
A dog otter has been present for a while now, teasing observers by its brief appearances’. The otter seems to be able to hold its breath for a long time, surfacing for the briefest of moments before disappearing once again, the wildfowl, coots in particular are a good clue to knowing its whereabouts.
The wet grassland sites of Buckenham, and Cantley have increased wigeon numbers now along with at least one peregrine standing guard on the gate posts. A very pale common buzzard has caused some confusion at Buckenham in recent weeks. Although I have not seen the bird myself, I am told that this white buzzard resembles a goshawk if seen poorly; it is white on its breast and underwings with a dark moustachial stripe and breast patch, I’ll keep an eye out and try to photograph it as it sounds interesting.
At least two water pipits were present in front of Buckenham hide on Sunday, showing well in amongst the cattle, the pink-footed geese have increased to 600, but have been commuting far and wide this week.
The paths are muddy in places, Lackford Run being quite wet at the moment and wellingtons are recommended. All other paths are passable with stout footwear but be aware that the tides and rainfall can change the conditions quickly.
The next week could see a cold northerly wind and colder conditions, which in turn may increase the number of winter thrushes, siskin, redpoll and brambling, while waxwings may also increase, or even settle to feed on our berries. The geese and wildfowl at Buckenham and Cantley may also increase as the colder conditions push the birds further south.