Starting at an unearthly time of 9.00 8 club stalwarts met at Frampton Marsh for the first Club trip of the year. A bright but bitterly cold morning meant that a lot of the water was frozen so sightings were limited. Highlights included Whooper Swans, geese including Brent, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Snipe and Ruff on the wader front and Peregrine and Marsh Harrier made up the raptor contingent.
Moving south to Deeping Lakes, the highlight was the view of a roosting Long-eared Owl in an ivy covered tree only a few feet from the hide. A walk around the site couldn’t find the Glossy Ibis supposed to be there but a lovely Barn Owl was spotted flitting between fencepost and tree. Deeping is always worth a visit with Goosanders on the River and Golden Plover and more Whooper Swans in adjacent fields.
Finally onto Willow Tree Fen. What’s not to like about this reserve? Plenty to see right in front of the car park – you could bird watch in your slippers. The target species was undoubtedly the Common Crane. And tthey certainly didn’t disappoint. An advance group of three turned up whilst the light was still excellent and not much later another 16 dropped in. As instructed by the trip leader, all the birds didn’t skulk about in the reeds but strutted their stuff on the grassy clearances. As the light slipped away, a Great Egret flew over before the Cranes were joined by many Marsh Harriers including one leucistic bird which, through squinted eyes, I tried to make into a male Hen Harrier. However I was put in my place by other members.
All told 63 species seen during the day. A good day enjoyed by all.