Monday 11 November 2024 – cool and sunny with a light east northwesterly breeze. 9C
After meeting in Glaston our group headed East, arriving at the RSPB Nene Washes reserve we hopped out of the car to be greeted by the sight of five Western Cattle Egret feeding close by on the washes. The Egrets remained unconcerned as we took plenty of photos and video. In the end we had a total of seven Cattle Egrets, five Grey Heron, and one each of Great White Egret and Little Egret.
The recent floods had receded and so there weren’t the huge flocks of wildfowl that had been present a week or so ago. There were a couple of impressive Lapwing flocks that flushed a few times but we couldn’t spot any notable predators. Maybe one of the usually skittish Lapwing saw its own reflection and spooked.
Our quarry though were owls and as we scanned the thick hawthorn hedge Fieldfare numbers were definitely up and their checking calls were an accompaniment to our time here.
Looking for Long-eared Owl is akin to those old magic eye puzzles from the early 90s. Once you find one, another appears and another and another. Sadly we only found one today but were rewarded with great views.
We did have a family party of four Common Crane but frustratingly they were at the back of the washes. Raptors were present in the shape of Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and Kestrel.
Moving on to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Willow Tree Fen reserve we were hoping for a good roost. On our arrival 29 Common Crane were already feeding and giving great views. The Cranes suddenly took off and headed out on to the fens to feed but I was hopeful that we would round the afternoon off in style.
Six Western Cattle Egrets were a little more distant this time but I guess reserve management works had pushed the cattle further onto the Eastern end of the reserve. A pair of European Stonechat kept us entertained and it was clear that the water on the reserve was starting to attract waterfowl.
As the afternoon wore on the numbers of Marsh Harriers slowly built up. I counted at least 32 by the end and we had the spectacle of 15 in the air at once. Present was the leucistic juvenile from the breeding population at the RSPB Otmoor reserve in Oxfordshire. The light continued to fade with no sign of the Common Cranes returning, though three, probably the resident pair and a youngster, tried to sneak in unseen.
A Common Buzzard kept sentinel across the road and allowed surprisingly good views. Buzzards are notoriously camera shy. Finally, the characteristic ‘bugling’ calls were heard when a flock of 26 Common Crane came in from the West and allowed us to finish the day in some style.
Whilst our species total was relatively low with 37 species, the quality was high.
Why not join us on our next Experience Day or book a bespoke trip.
Checklist
Mute Swan
Whooper Swan
Mallard
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
Common Pheasant
Common Woodpigeon
Common Crane
Northern Lapwing
Great Cormorant
Little Egret
Western Cattle-Egret
Great White Egret
Grey Heron
Western Marsh Harrier
Common Buzzard
Red Kite
Long-eared Owl
Common Kestrel
Eurasian Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Eurasian Blue Tit
Great Tit
Common Starling
Mistle Thrush
Redwing
Fieldfare
Robin
Common Stonechat
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
European Goldfinch
Common Reed Bunting
Photos from the tour (click on thumbnail to zoom)
