A group of 15 Nature Group members met at 9.30 am at Wicken Fen Visitor Centre and set off along the muddy track to Burwell Fen.
We knew that bird numbers generally are very low at the moment - hopefully some winter visitors have returned early. Certainly there were very few birds on the wetland areas or the meres. We visited two hides and, from Baker's Fen hides watched Shovellers, Mallards and other ducks on the water, scrapping with the gulls and generally trying to establish territories
We spent a time looking for the Little Owls but no success - I had been told their log pile had been removed at some stage and then returned but close scrutiny of the area failed to reveal any sightings. There were quite a few Stonechats on the rough Meadow land on our walk back. We also got closer to the large flocks of Geese and Ducks on the 'scrapes and Meres.
We walked back to the National Trust Cafe at Wicken Fen for lunch and time to catch up weith acquaintances from previous trips.
In the afternoon, most of us went into West Mere hide and enjoyed time there with the ducks, Coots, Heronry and Grebes. Jeremy walked back to Bakers Fen and was rewarded with about 15 Marsh and 1 Hen Harrier, plus 3 Cranes, 2 Barn Owls and 7 Whoopers.
The weather was very overcast and misty so getting any photographs was a challenge but I think we all enjoyed the companionship and opportunity to talk about wildlife and photography.
For more events to attend go to Nature (rps.org)
Images by Ann Miles, Greg Lovett, Jeremy Schindler, Julia Andrew and Peter Ward
