Trip reports

Coach Trip - The Lodge and Fowlmere

Saturday, 19 April 2008

The weather was dull and overcast with a strong easterly wind all combining to give a very cold day for April and leaving early summer migrants shivering in the trees. However, a total of 65 species were seen by the group, including some on the journey.

The raptor species were few in number but with everyone on the coach seeing Red Kites as we travelled along the A14 towards Fowlmere we were all in high spirits on our arrival, while Marsh Harrier over the reedbeds helped us on the walk around the reserve. The water birds were few and far between at Fowlmere but Water Rail was seen by a few people. A Kingfisher was seen at Fowlmere and a Cuckoo was heard at The Lodge. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen at both locations and a single Swallow flew over the reeds at Fowlmere. Early warbler numbers were disappointing but Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were seen and heard by most people. Good numbers of woodland species were about, with Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper amongst them. It was the birds on birdfeeders at The Lodge that gave us some very good views of Brambling, Siskin and Lesser Redpoll, amongst other species.

The highlight for everyone was the four Red Kites we saw from the coach along the A14 but the Siskin flock and the Lesser Redpolls at The Lodge feeding stations gave us a good second place talking point.