Saturday 19th April

An overcast morning with a strong easterly breeze. Many more Swallows in today with up to 18 at a time perching in the dead tree at the end of the Spit.

Swallows

Joined occasionally by the odd Sand Martin.

Sand Martin

Highlight of the morning was the Black-Tailed Godwits over on Fenlake Meadows. There were 11 remaining of the original 20+. As reported by others they were mostly feeding but seem quite flighty now, making several flights around the park. While stood at the Rough gate watching Martins and Swallows they passed over. And while watching them from the Fenlake side of the river they made several flights, one when a Sparrowhawk passed overhead.

Black-Tailed Godwits in flight

Black-Tailed Godwits coming into land

Black-Tailed Godwits

Also on Fenlake were a pair of Shelduck, always nice to see.

Shelduck

Lapwing

3 Lapwing were displaying over Fenlake, 2 Little Egret and 8 Teal were also seen. A couple of Sedge Warblers were singing on the Fenlake side of the river.

Back in the park at the Sewerage Farm reed bed Sedge Warblers were singing, 3 according to DK. Also in the navigation channel was a Male Tufted Duck with a female Mallard.

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

16th April

Following from Dave K:

22 Black-tailed Godwits, one Green Sand, two displaying Redshanks, 2Shelducks, 15 Teal on Fenlake. Two Oystercatchers over. I saw the Avocet when Iwaswalking along the south side of Priory. It wasn't there on my first visit. Itdeparted at 0952 to the north. 7 Common Terns plus one high NE. Two HouseMartins, three Swallows, 13 Sand Martins. 18 Blackcaps, 12 Willow Warblers, 8Chiffchaffs, one Sedge Warbler (sewage works bridge, south side). Two prs ofGadwalls. Yellow Wag at main car park, etc. Nice view of an otter as it crossedthe spit about 10m in front of me and disappeared with its usual finesse andgrace into the west Finger Lake without hardly a ripple. Looking forward to thenorth easterlies over the next few days. Should be OK for Arctic and BlackTerns and, hopefully a few other exciting migrants.Best wishes, DaveK.

13-15 April

While I was away:-
Sunday: A Common Tern on a buoy on the main lake was the only bird of note at Priory this morning. Cheers, Tony P.
Adult summer Little Gull and three Common Terns over the main lake atPriory CP 09:35, per Dave Odell
Monday: 23 Black-tailed Godwits currently on Fenlake meadows, Bedford 12:00; also Little Gull still present at Priory CP, per Ray Roche
Tuesday: 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Teal, 2 Shelduck and a Redshank on Fenlake. 19 Blackcaps, 12 Willow Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Com.Terns, 30 Sand Martins. etc. DaveK.
12:30 - 5 Common Terns. EN
Fenlake Meadows looks absolutely fantastic at themoment. If we get a dollop of waders inland this is surely the place to check this spring. The 23 Blackwits last night were feeding really well and looked right at home there. I also had 28 Teal, 2 Redshank, 2Shelducks, 1 Snipe and c.15 Lapwings. Steve Blain

Sunday's Highlights

Blackcaps seemed to be everywhere and also seemed to be more Willow Warblers this morning, maybe just more singing. 2 Redshank flew over the main lake heading south west. I took a walk along the back river today in the hope of Grasshopper Warbler, again rewardless, but did see 2 Shelduck on Fenlake along with c.19 Teal. The Greylag was still on the river with a couple of Canadas.

Tony P reported a Common Tern on one of the buoys on the main lake but said it may have been a brief visit as he saw it from the steps but by the time he reached the Beach he could no longer locate it.