Welney Sightings - 20/01/2020

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 with fantastic 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:
Whooper swan
Mute swan
Pochard
Mallard
Wigeon
Shoveler
Teal
Pintail
Tufted duck
Cormorant
Little egret
Common gull
Black-headed gull
Herring gull
Great crested grebe
Water rail - heard calling
Moorhen
Coot
Lapwing
Golden plover
Snipe
Dunlin
Barn owl
Short-eared owl
Marsh harrier
Kestrel
Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Song thrush
Blackbird
Starling
Green woodpecker
Stonechat
Goldfinch
Goldcrest
Reed bunting
Tree sparrow
House sparrow

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