Anser Birding Rare Breeding Birds Day Trip 17 June 2006

Stone Curlew at Weeting Heath NNT M.J.McGill













WWT Welney Wetland Centre












Little-ringed Plover at WWT Welney

17 June 2006 This day out is designed with the intention of finding some of our scarcer breeding birds. We set off at 0645 and made for RSPB Hockwold Fen arriving after a stop for refreshment at 0940. A short walk along the river embankment brought us to my regular scanning position and we soon heard the fluty notes of the Golden Oriole eminating from the poplar plantation. The fen had many Sedge Warbler singing and showing and 6 Hobby were also hawking over the trees. Whitethroat, Stock Dove , Cuckoo, Mistle Thrush and Green Woodpecker also made appearances. A Marsh Harrier floated over the fen. After half an hour I found the male Golden Oriole on the edge of the wood where it showed very well for 3-4 minutes as it sang. I had my two scopes set up and everyone saw it well. Our attention was turned to the fen again where Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Shoveler and numerous dragonflies were busy. A short transfer to Weeting Heath where a bite to eat was followed by great views of Stone Curlew, they had a recently hatched chick in the nest and wer very close to the hide.
We decided to go to Mayday Farm next were we saw Woodlark carrying caterpillars (three flight views plus one perched in a pine) Tree Pipit, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Stonechat and Bullfinch. Our next stop was the very impressive new visitor centre and hides at WWT Welney, a Marsh Harrier was seen as we approached and the entrance ponds were alive with damselflies and dragonflies. Red-eyed Damselfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter and Emperor were all showing superbly. From the centre a Yellow Wagtail was seen fly-catching.

As ever the observatory was a great place to watch from as the marsh was buzzing with activity. Breeding Common Terns, Black-headed Gull, Avocet, wildfowl and other waders had chicks of all stages of development. The four Little-ringed Plover chicks below us were popular as was the aggresive Avocets that drove a Bewick's Swan away. A number of Whooper Swans were also left over from the winter in the form of old or injured birds. Two Black-tailed Godwit displayed over the marshes with Snipe drumming. Two or three Little Egrets made fly pasts but a bathing male Yellow Wagtail stole the show for a while.
We searched for a Turtle Dove but found a Corn Bunting on the wires.

To break up the jpourney home we stopped at Cambridge services and then we headed off towards Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire to search for a Red-necked Grebe. We could not find it but ended up adding 2 gorgeous Black Terns and breeding Tree Sparrows as well as more waterfowl.

To end the day we took the group to Thrupp in Oxforshire to hear the Eurasian Scop's Owl and take part in a mass twitch! It was calling but did not show so we left for home arriving in Glos at 2300. A long day ut but some great birds along the way.