There have been extraordinary numbers of singing Blyth’s Reed Warblers and Marsh Warblers in the country in the last week or two, including one or two at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire. So, I went to the closest the Peterborough area has to Wicken, Woodwalton Fen NNR, early on Saturday morning, to see what I could hear. Needless to say, I heard not rare warblers, but I was surprised to come across half a dozen singing Grasshopper Warblers, including this one, which I was able to photograph.
Grasshopper Warbler, Woodwalton Fen NNR, Cambs, 13.6.20
There were also really good numbers of Reed and Sedge Warblers about, busy raising families on the abundant insects in the fenland habitats, there.
Sedge Warbler, Woodwalton Fen NNR, Cambs 13.6.20
Other highlights included several Cuckoos, perhaps two hunting Barn Owls and insects such as Mother Shipton (a day-flying moth with the face of an old witch on each wing!), Four-spotted chaser and Scarce Chaser dragonflies.
Mother Shipton moth. Can you see the ‘witch faces’? Woodwalton Fen NNR, Cambs 13.6.20
In the afternoon, I took a trip up to Deeping Lakes LWT, where a Black tern had been reported. Such a lovely bird!
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