Thursday, April 17, 2008

16-18 April

FENLAKE: Access to this area is either from Priory CP - from the visitor centre car park walk south between the main lake and the marina to the northern bank of the river to view flooded meadow opposite. Or you can park by the Oasis swimming pool and walk north to the edge of the river and then east (right) until you see the pools. If going the latter route, be careful not to push the birds off!

Wednesday: 22 Black-tailed Godwits, one Green Sand, two displaying Redshanks, 2 Shelducks, 15 Teal on Fenlake. Two Oystercatchers over. I saw the Avocet when I was walking along the south side of Priory. It wasn't there on my first visit. It departed at 0952 to the north. 7 Common Terns plus one high NE. Two House Martins, three Swallows, 13 Sand Martins. 18 Blackcaps, 12 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, one Sedge Warbler (sewage works bridge, south side). Two prs of Gadwalls. Yellow Wag at main car park. Nice view of an otter as it crossed the spit about 10m in front of me and disappeared - Dave K
... 22 on Fenlake LNR this lunchtime feeding actively. Really great to see - the biggest flock I've ever seen in Beds., also Shelduck, a few Teal and a Redshank. A great looking spot. - Richard Bashford & Steve Blain.
.....the 22 godwits, 2 Shelducks, 1 Little Egret, 6 Redshanks, 6 Lapwings and 8 Teal were all still there 15.00-16.00, the godwits all feeding frantically the whole time. - Tim Sharrock.
... Its amazing how much feeding they do. I don't think I've seen them not feeding over the last few days. They hardly ever lift their heads up for more than a second. Perhaps they have a rest in the afternoon as I've only watched them in the mornings. Has anyone seen them not feeding for any length of time? Dave K.
... Garden Warbler, briefly, in myrobalan in fenced 'Flower Meadow' & 10 Common Terns over main lake. Pairs of Gadwall either end of Fingers Lake complex; looking as if they might this year...??? - Errol

Thursday: Grey Plover on Fenlake - Lol Carmen and Martin Palmer.
...2 small parties (3 & 4) of House Martins with c.12 Swallows over main lake 11:15. Smarties probably over 100; also 10 Common Terns + 2 BHG main lake and Little Egbert in "its tree" on "Lilypads". - Errol

Friday: Day 6 - some of the Blackwits decided to emigrate overnight - 16 birds now left on Fenlake (mid morning). These are now taking numerous short flights around the meadows, alighting after ~30 seconds to carry on feeding. Also present, 2 Shelduck, 2 Redshank, 2 displaying Lapwing (1 in each wet field) & several Teal. Note that the large white bag in the hedgerow is not the egret! Again, 10 terns over main lake plus 1 LBB gull. - Errol

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