Nature Fowlmere RSPB Nature Reserve Fowlmere RSPB nature reserve has seen an unusually high water level throughout the reserve and the continuing colder weather is in stark contrast to the same period last year. In this article, local birder Ade Cooper sets out his diary for the months of February, March and April. February The month began very cold, with a biting east wind and temperatures staying near zero all day. Some species had been ignoring the chill and returning to prepare for breeding. Another pair of Coots and another Little Grebe arrived, making 4 of each. There were still Siskins in the alders, Teals and a pair of Gadwalls were on the mere, and 2 Little Egrets were along the Guilden brook. There were Snipe in the reedbed: a helpful Fallow Deer flushed out 11! The Marsh Harrier seen previously was still appearing regularly and roosting on site. I believed the bird to be a juvenile, in which case it could not be sexed yet and Teal numbers have reached a record number on the reserve
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Marsh Harrier on a snowy day
would be unlikely to be our breeding female returning, but I hoped the bird was one of the youngsters from last year now doing well. On one occasion, I saw a Woodcock flying up from the edge of the bridleway and off into the Poplar wood. It was probably a bird moving from the north due to the freezing conditions and only just arriving here. This is another species in decline. Where once we had at least half a dozen wintering on the reserve, now I am very happy just to have seen one. Further into the month we saw pleasant birding days, but with a cold easterly wind giving a raw feel. Suddenly things became more lively, the reserve living up to its name with lots of fowl on the mere. Over 100 Ducks of 6 species – that doesn’t happen very often! A lovely looking male Shelduck arrived in the afternoon of the 13th, the first of the year, and Teal numbers reached an exciting new high count record of 91 birds for the
