Trip reports

Group Visit: Wheatfen Broad

Saturday, 21 May 2011

A nice sized turnout at The Ted Ellis Memorial Trust site at Wheatfen Broad, enjoyed a lovely warm, sunny day. It was very nice to see a few new faces to add to some of the "regulars". Hope you new attendees, and perhaps a few more, will make some further gatherings and that the Group Leader will be able to remember all your names!

Since last summer about 40 different members have attended these field trips. The average has been just into double figures per meeting, which is a nice degree of support and a manageable number. A few more can be accommodated usually as venues tend to have sufficient facilities. It would help if those attending do let the Group Leader know, hopefully a few days in advance. Preferably e-mail or mobile phone text. Details in these newsletters.

The site at Wheatfen is very well maintained and is now benefiting from some additions and improvements. Congratulations to warden David Nobbs and his team. Most of it is marshy fen but the wood area is a beautiful place. Thanks to a few experienced members for pointing out the multitude of butterflies and dragonflies to the rest of us bird-orientated folk. Swallowtails were most evident.

Warblers were plentiful. Eight different ones, with a willow singing from a lofty exposed position being arguably the highlight for most of us. The multitude of crackly excitable sounding sedge weren't far behind. They displayed as they sang and totally dominated the few reed warblers. Sweeter noises from the whitethroats as they also headed briefly up and back down, but not as melodious to most of us as the blackcaps and garden warblers. The occasional explosive burst from Cetti's to remind of their continued existence, like the chiff-chaff's distinctive name calling. Overall lots of sound but few good viewings, apart from that willow, of course.

The early arrivals in our group had taken the warden's advice and found a nightingale. It was not evident when the multitude stood patiently at the same, apparently favoured, location. Likewise on our circular fen walk the cuckoo kept telling us its identity in the usual way, but not visible in the many isolated trees. A couple of our group spotted it in flight while the rest of us had a refreshment break!

There are certain birds that we expected to see and hear, such as various tits and finches, and those we hope to see. One marsh harrier and repeated glimpses of a hobby for example. A great spotted woodpecker heard briefly. Not too many in the air, like martins, swallows or swifts, but some. A greylag flypast, sporadic sittings of male reed buntings and a brief grey heron. Water birds limited to mute swans, little and great-crested grebes, mallards and moorhens. Nice but not unusual or unexpected.

Overall a lovely sunny day, nice company and a memorable willow warbler. About 40 species were mentioned, hopefully most seen and /or heard.

Tony Stadler