Nature Fowlmere RSPB Nature Reserve With continued rain at the start of 2020 the mere and water all around the reserve were back to normal levels, which has brought in numerous birds and wildlife. In this article, local birder Ade Cooper sets out his diary for the months of January, February, and March.
January 2020 The year began with mild, settled weather which meant few birds were in evidence. Herring Gulls were seen flying over and Mallards, Teals displaying and a male Shoveler were on the mere. Over the month the waterfowl on the mere gradually increased, with Little Grebes, Coots and Greylag Geese arriving and a female Shoveler coming to join the male, giving hope that we might have a nesting pair this year. Highlights of the early part of the month were a sighting of a Gadwall and a fine-looking drake Wigeon. We only had one record of Wigeon last year, so pleased to see that so early on! Teal at the front, Gadwall rear left and Wigeon rear right
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Tufted Ducks on the mere
The Barn Owls were also seen flying at dusk one day, and several sightings of one, sometimes two, Woodcock flying overhead. Later in the month we saw the first Tufted Ducks of the year on the mere (3 birds), and a pair of Wigeons, the latter asleep alongside the pair of Shovelers. Another Coot had returned, making 4 birds in all. Singles of Woodcock and Snipe were seen on the 20th. Not many species were using the reserve to roost, but 68 Fieldfares noted on the 24th was the
