A group from the RPS and CCC Nature groups explored Lady Fen at Welney WWT both early morning and in the afternoon. Unfortunately the Hares were not showing themselves but there was plenty else to occupy us including large flock of Starlings, Kestrel, Buzzard, Cattle Egrets, Chinese Water Deer, 16-spot Ladybirds hibernating etc. We were also entertained by Whooper Swans flying out of the main reserve in the morning and in as sunset approached.
Saturday's walk was all about the weather - I sent off for my walk round Hardwick Wood and Caldecote in warm sunshine but the clouds soon gathered and, as the rain started, I noticed a glider against the storm clouds and then another and another. In all I counted 8 soaring in the thermals (plus a buzzard). I later found out these were from the UK Junior Gliding Nationals at Gransden Lodge. One glider failed to maintain height and must have landed in a local field somewhere. I got very wet but. like these skittish calves, dried off in some late afternoon sunshine. (for my info wider angle are phone images)
Yesterday afternoon we were treated to our own personal raptor show as Buzzard, Kestrel and Red Kites swooped down into the field next to our bungalow when the hay-making machine disturbed rodents and insects. The light wasn't very good for most of the time and backgrounds difficult but quite an experience seeing them sometimes very close.
