Sightings for Saturday 28th December

Due to high water levels on the Ouse Washes the largest number of birds to see are diving ducks in the day and swans from dusk. Lady Fen is providing the greater variety of birds, great views from the visitor centre.

The Ouse Washes are currently providing an essential role as a flood relief area. The high water levels on the reserve are protecting tens of thousands of hectares of farmland and thousands of homes in towns and villages, all along the River Great Ouse. The depth of the water on the reserve is resulting in fantastic numbers of diving ducks during the day - particularly pochard, with tufted ducks in amongst the flock. The swans that have been feeding out in the fields throughout the day are returning to the reserve at dusk, gliding down onto the water in front of the main hide. Good numbers of swans can be seen at the floodlit feeds on Saturdays and Sundays.

Lady Fen is providing a greater variety of birds, with the best views from the visitor centre and carpark. If you arrive before the centre opens at 10am, bring a hot drink and from the car park you can enjoy watching the swans flying out. During the day enjoy watching flocks of wigeon, lapwing and golden plover, as well as highlights including pintail, shoveler, teal, shelduck, great white egret.

Today's Sightings:
Bewick's swan (9 from Main Observatory)
Whooper swan
Mute swan
Greylag goose
Pochard
Tufted duck
Mallard
Gadwall
Pintail
Teal
Wigeon
Shelduck
Coot
Moorhen
Lapwing
Golden plover
Black-tailed godwit
Ruff
Curlew
Redshank
Cormorant
Grey heron
Great white egret
Little egret
Greater black-backed gull
Lesser black-backed gull
Common gull
Black-headed gull
Marsh harrier
Buzzard
Kestrel
Barn owl
Tree sparrow
House sparrow
Long-tailed tit
Great tit
Blue tit
Blackbird
Robin
Wren
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Chaffinch
Reed bunting
Jay
Magpie
Rook
Jackdaw
Carrion crow
Stock dove
Wood pigeon
Pheasant

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