Oh, what an amazing time you had Gem! I can't believe you spotted a Bittern amongst the reeds, and Bearded Tits too - they're my absolute dream 😍 Your photos were amazing too - what camera and lens do you have? My brother and I are just getting into our bird photography but our long lens is pretty rubbish so we're thinking of upgrading. Any recommendations or advice would be much appreciated ❤️
May always turns out to be such an exciting time for birdwatching every year, doesn't it. We've had a similarly exciting week in Cambridgeshire's fenland landscape when we visited RSPB Fen Drayton. We spotted lots of warblers, a couple of Cuckoos and a fair few new species, with the absolute prize being an encounter with our first ever Turtle Doves 🥰 I'm still revelling in the excitement of it! I'd heartily recommend a visit to Fen Drayton as there's so much incredible wildlife to see there ☺️
Your post has definitely inspired me to return to Ouse Fen too. We've only visited once a couple of years ago on a particularly dreary day when there wasn't too much about, but it looks like there's lots of wildlife to enjoy now the habitat is establishing a bit more ☺️ Imagine what it might be like in a few years time!
Oh you know I nearly went there! Glad you got to see turtle doves - I saw one when I was a teenager and really didn’t appreciate how special it was! I’m going to have a read of your post and probably go there next ☺️
As to cameras, I was very lucky to be given mine by my former partner when he upgraded, so I don’t know much about them. It’s a Sony A7 with a 200-600mm lens, which I think is the perfect lens for birding. But Sonys are very expensive, and expensive to repair. (I dropped mine 😫). My dad has a Nikon z7 and I’d say it’s not noticeably better or worse. Just make sure you and your brother get the same brand so you can borrow each other’s lenses 😂
It sounds like a perfect visit! I was surprised on a visit to Norfolk last year that bearded reedlings so readily do the splits! And what a great shot of the hobby! I saw my first ones of the year a couple of weeks ago and they’re always a welcome sight!
Oh, what an amazing time you had Gem! I can't believe you spotted a Bittern amongst the reeds, and Bearded Tits too - they're my absolute dream 😍 Your photos were amazing too - what camera and lens do you have? My brother and I are just getting into our bird photography but our long lens is pretty rubbish so we're thinking of upgrading. Any recommendations or advice would be much appreciated ❤️
May always turns out to be such an exciting time for birdwatching every year, doesn't it. We've had a similarly exciting week in Cambridgeshire's fenland landscape when we visited RSPB Fen Drayton. We spotted lots of warblers, a couple of Cuckoos and a fair few new species, with the absolute prize being an encounter with our first ever Turtle Doves 🥰 I'm still revelling in the excitement of it! I'd heartily recommend a visit to Fen Drayton as there's so much incredible wildlife to see there ☺️
I wrote about our wild week in my latest post: https://awildwanderer.substack.com/p/the-many-returns-of-spring?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=545y3j
Your post has definitely inspired me to return to Ouse Fen too. We've only visited once a couple of years ago on a particularly dreary day when there wasn't too much about, but it looks like there's lots of wildlife to enjoy now the habitat is establishing a bit more ☺️ Imagine what it might be like in a few years time!
Oh you know I nearly went there! Glad you got to see turtle doves - I saw one when I was a teenager and really didn’t appreciate how special it was! I’m going to have a read of your post and probably go there next ☺️
As to cameras, I was very lucky to be given mine by my former partner when he upgraded, so I don’t know much about them. It’s a Sony A7 with a 200-600mm lens, which I think is the perfect lens for birding. But Sonys are very expensive, and expensive to repair. (I dropped mine 😫). My dad has a Nikon z7 and I’d say it’s not noticeably better or worse. Just make sure you and your brother get the same brand so you can borrow each other’s lenses 😂
Great sightings Gem and a good read.
Wow, you saw loads! Lovely write up, glad it was a good visit.
It was so worth it, thank you for giving me the nudge to explore more of Cambridgeshire than just Fowlmere!
Sixteen breeding pairs. Wow! Here’s hoping for a big ongoing rebound. What a treat to see any bittern, but for five whole minutes!
Beautiful walk and words, Gem. Hope spring is treating you well :)
It sounds like a perfect visit! I was surprised on a visit to Norfolk last year that bearded reedlings so readily do the splits! And what a great shot of the hobby! I saw my first ones of the year a couple of weeks ago and they’re always a welcome sight!
Thank you - yes it was a lovely visit, and the hobbies were wonderful to watch