A New Year Visit to Burwell Fen

14th January 2017

I was driving up Factory Road towards the car park when I noticed a large flock of swans feeding  in the field to the right. Highly suspicious, so I stopped the car and got out for a quick scan with the bins. As I had expected they were Whoopers so I parked the car and went back for a few photos, although they were very distant.

Back at the car park there was plenty of winter thrushes in the paddock including Song Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare. I am sure there were Blackbirds too but didn't get round to photographing them.

So now for the wait for the Short-eared Owls to appear, but always to plenty to watch and photograph while you are waiting. There are always plenty of Kestrels at Burwell Fen and Stonechats will suddenly appear from nowhere and disappear just as fast.

But the bonus today was the small herd of Roe Deer that were not only closer than usual but in good light, and to finish it off a few of the Whoopers did a fly-past.

There was no early flying from the Short-eared Owls today, but up to four birds did appear at the usual 2.00pm, but unfortunately all down the far end. None had appeared at the track end by 3.00pm, so I quickly changed position and managed to get some shots before the light faded.