An early morning call from Brian saw us heading up the M11 into Cambridge and a visit to Ouse Fen Nature Reserve, hoping to connect with the returning Great Reed Warbler. We arrived just after 8.15 and walked along the grass path towards the viewing mound, the same area where we connected with the bird last year. As we approached, we could hear the bird singing, although it had now moved further along the track and was now in a stretch of reeds bordering the canal. It followed the same routine during our four hours on site. It would start singing, allowing views of it through the reeds, but always remain towards the back of the reeds. It would occasionally fly across the canal to feed among the vegetation on the opposite bank, then return to the reeds in front of us. We arrived in dull and overcast weather conditions, which became brighter and slightly warmer as the morning progressed, which encouraged the warbler to climb higher up the reed stems, allowing for some very nice views.
While waiting for the warbler to show, I heard and then saw my first Cuckoo of the year. It was calling regularly and was seen in flight before it landed in a tree among the reedbed. A single Crane was watched flying low across the reeds, and a Bittern was also seen in flight. Several Swifts, Swallows, and Sand Martins were seen hawking over the reedbeds throughout the morning. As the temperature increased, a single Hobby appeared, giving me another welcome year tick.
Before leaving for home, we scanned the body of water known as "Cell 10" and found a pair of Garganey.
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| Part of the stretch of reeds the warbler favoured |
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| The views of the majority of our sightings |
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| Eventually it climbed the reeds |
A very nice morning, watching some fantastic birds within a wonderful reserve.
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