The RSPB reserve at Fen Drayton Lakes in Cambridgeshire had been home to a Red-footed Falcon the previous two days. This morning we made the sixty-mile trip hoping it had decided to stay for at least another day. We were twenty miles from the reserve when positive news broke of the bird's continued presence.
Having parked a short distance from the Busway terminal, we turned right and ended up half a mile away in the wrong direction! A quick phone call to Brian and we are heading in the right direction. Eventually, we reach a small group of birders. We join them on the grass bank ( observing the 2m distancing rules) and begin scanning the sheep field and fence line. There's no sign at first but within a few minutes, the bird appears. It flies low across the distant field and then drops onto the grass behind the fence posts.
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| Red-footed Falcon |
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| It was very distant! |
The falcon hunted the field twice and returned to the same area each time. Then suddenly it took off high and flew over the Busway lines and started feeding very high among the numerous gulls. The last view we had of the bird was watching it heading towards the main car park.
Willow warbler was added to the year list when numerous birds were seen and heard singing from nearby trees. A Hobby perched in a tree, two Kestrel hunting, a Cuckoo calling, and a Turtle Dove "Purring" made for a very enjoyable few hours.
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| Information Board and shelter |
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| Busway waiting terminal |
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