The Big Day and Pictures

Every spring, for as long as I can remember, two friends and I partake in a twentyfour-hour marathon around the Peterborough area. No, dear reader, we don’t spend a whole day running around Peterborough. Instead, one day in early May, we spend it searching for as many different birds as possible. We call this ‘The Big Day’.

My birding is a great source of balance for my mental wellbeing. It relaxes me; makes me focus on my surroundings, the world generally slows, and tiniest detail can bring the biggest joy. The Big Day is the opposite to this. Every minute and hour counts; every species counts, and a miss could be disastrous. Not only does it mean the total number will be down by one but could lead to group depression or even falling outs, among sleep deprived brains. It’s the highlight of my birding year.

We are only competing against ourselves; no other team does it in our local area, though several teams do the same thing for the whole of Cambridgeshire. Our record is 126. Could this year be the year we reach the hallowed 130?

My good friend Hugh was designated driver this year. I arrived at his house in Helpston at half past midnight on Monday 8th May and we headed to pick our fellow team pal, Mike, from Peterborough. Team greeting over, we were on the road to Eldernell, overlooking the Nene Washes.

The full moon cast our shadows as we walked along the barrier bank of Morton’s Leam. Of course, we weren’t up at this ungodly hour to see birds but rather to listen. Yep, heard birds count. It’s always surprising to hear what sings in the middle of the night but Sedge and Cetti’s Warblers were giving it some and even Cuckoos were singing in the darkness. Do these birds ever sleep?!

By the time we had left the Washes, we had seen our first species- a predictable Barn Owl, lit by headlights and our list hit the dizzy heights of 17. One of Britain’s last remnant fens, was our next destination, where the soundscape was deafening. I only ever tend to visit this site on The Big Day and always in darkness but it’s always so special.

by William Bowell

The relentless reeling of Grasshopper Warblers are amazing and the first hoot of a Long-eared Owl or the ‘grunt, grunt quip’ call of a rodding Woodcock overhead is always a punch the air moment for the team. These are key targets that make or break a Big Day, dear reader. To miss these would be a disastrous start for the day and I’m happy to report, all the targets were mopped up by the time we left, just after dawn, when a bonus Common Crane greeted us back at the car.

By the time we reached Blackbush, at 05.30am, we had recorded over 50 species of bird. Here more targets fell with ease, including Corn Buntings and the resident one-eyed Little Owl. Stonechats have only started breeding regularly, locally in the past five years, so we were pleased to hit 65 with a pair on the Great Fen.

We enjoyed drive by views of the new pair of Peregrines on Yaxley church and a migrant Wheatear that Mike had recced for us the day before was still on a nearby airfield. As we headed to the ancient woodlands to the west of Peterborough, we were in high spirits.

Grey Wagtail and Ring-necked Parakeet near Ferry Meadows kept our list ticking (so to speak) and a tip off on a Spotted Flycatcher at Ferry Meadows also got us a Nightingale in full song. Spotted Flycatchers hardly ever feature on our Big Days, as they are among our latest spring migrants but this year, we struck gold.

We spent a large among of time in the Maxey/Bainton Gravel pits area and had hit the ton by 10am but the next two hours, the expected struggle saw us only add five species. Our resolve remained strong and our team spirit was high. We had seen several hard to see species already and it felt there was still some low hanging fruit to be had. A record was to be had!

A quick tour of the rest of the Deepings got us unseasonal treats, such as Goldeneye and Pink-footed Goose, both usually winter birds, whilst a more seasonal Hobby zoomed by at Deeping Lakes; my first of the year. By 2pm we were back in Peterborough, where a long staying Whooper Swan was on the rowing lake still and was our 113th species of the day.

At 4pm exhaustion, aching feet and tired legs had to be ignored as we had a hike to make at March Farmers, back on the Nene Washes. For a recordbreaking day, there is one key ingredients- waders migrating through our area, as they head towards their arctic breeding grounds. We had seen little sign of it so far but habitat at MF was our best bet for success.

The long walk was exhausting but a Kingfisher lifted our spirits and 3 Greenshanks were encouraging and a Whimbrel flying east was even more so but there just wasn’t the flocks of waders we had hoped.

But we didn’t give up. We continued to scan the area, which revealed more and more new birds for us, until Mike, mid conversation, muttered, ‘Purple Heron’. Then said it a bit more clearly and louder. And then again, this time screaming. An adult Purple Heron, a very rare visitor from the continent, flapped, slowly, by us. Were we hallucinating? It often happens at this time of the Big Day.

But no, we had found a genuinely rare bird right at the stage where it was clear we weren’t going to break our record. A bittersweet moment you might think, but really, it’s just sweet. We were ecstatic, perhaps due to the lack of sleep but nevertheless thrilled.

So, what did we finish on, I hear you cry? We finished in the torrential rain, aching, broken, shells of our former selves, with Goosander at Maxey gravel pits. Our 123rd species. Close, but no cigar but who cares?!

We found a Purple Heron….

Will works at Grasmere Farm in Deeping St James (with a butcher’s and deli in Market Gate, Market Deeping) but in his spare time enjoys wildlife watching locally and across the country. He is also a keen photographer. Many of his images can be found at http:// justwildimages.blogspot.co.uk/ and photo cards can be found for sale at Market Gate Deli in Market Deeping.

The Waterton Arms

The Waterton Arms is the hub of the old village of Deeping St James – with a rich history of offering a warm welcome, a convivial atmosphere and lively entertainment. Low ceilings and an open fire contribute to the time honoured ambiance. A large garden area is replete with play equipment for children. Behind the bar Spud’, as he is affectionately known, is the kind of barman who not only recognises you but remembers what your tipple is. There are regularly six guest ales behind the bar including Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Doom Bar, Absolution, Dragonfly, Summer Lightning and Tribute. On most Friday nights the popular Woodstove Pizzas are available and on Wednesdays there is a regular Quiz night. The Funky Fossil DJ is often found hosting events in the Marquee and the Raft Race celebrations are legendary.

The Bluebell Inn The Walnut Tree

Located in Horsegate, Deeping St James, the Walnut Tree is a friendly, welcoming pub with a good selection of real ales and draught lagers. Our hosts, Lynn and Daron, regularly provide entertainment in the form of bands, raffles, darts, boozy bingo, days out and an excellent annual beer festival. The thriving darts team play in both home and away matches. Other sporting events can be viewed on the large TV screens around the bar. A warm welcome always awaits both regulars and new customers alike, and as a vital part of the overall community, this local pub remains at the heart of local and charitable events.