Nature Fowlmere RSPB Nature Reserve November November began with a mix of weather: a blustery south west wind, rain but also some sunny spells thrown in – overall not good conditions for seeing birds. On my first visit I did find a male Brambling, perched calling at the top of an ash tree near the Cress hut, and at this time 50+ Siskins remained in the alders, with fewer Goldfinches. One Blackcap and one Chiffchaff had made it into the new month, and at least 3 male Cetti’s Warblers were also being quite vocal around the reserve, giving hope that there may be more than 2 pairs next spring! At the Reedbed hide 2 male Shovelers were still present and 2 Kingfishers were showing well, often perched on the fence by the gate just to the right of the hide. In the evenings, there were still 3000+ Starlings coming in to roost, providing some entertainment, and more than 20 Redwings were in evidence feeding on the plentiful berry supply. Kingfisher
38
www.melbourncambridge.co.uk
Starling flock over reedbed hide
On the 5th I was pleased to hear a Bearded Tit calling constantly for 10 minutes, deep in the reedbed at dusk. I could not see the bird as it was too far from the path, but it seemed to be somewhere near the Reedbed hide. It was still present a few days later, with a bird again heard calling at dusk on the 7th and three birds seen by a visitor on the 8th. This species was erupting from breeding areas at that time so I was hopeful that there would be more to come. These birds usually move on before winter but they were still in evidence at the middle of the month, 2 being seen briefly on the 14th and heard again at dusk on the 15th, and their being on site for over a week was a hopeful sign that they might remain; in fact, at least one
