Visit to RSPB Ouse Washes

Six Abington Nature Watch members enjoyed a sunny but chilly visit to RSPB Ouse Washes on Saturday 24th February.  A good variety of duck and other waterbird species were seen, as well as two large flocks of Whooper Swan, probably totalling more than 800 birds, mostly in fields adjacent to the reserve.  At the Visitor Centre, the feeders attracted large numbers of Chaffinch and Goldfinch, as well as Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, and one or two Lesser Redpoll and Brambling.  A thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding morning! 

The full list of the 47 bird species recorded is:  

Barry B and Andy M took some photos -
of Whooper Swans:

Whooper Swans, with Tufted Duck in foreground

 Tufted Duck

Great Crested Grebe

And some of Tree Sparrows (as well as House Sparrows!)

Tree Sparrow - brown cap, and white cheek with black patch

Tree Sparrows

 House Sparrow (left) and Tree Sparrow (right)

House Sparrow - grey cap and cheeks

House Sparrow

Pied Wagtail

Lesser Redpoll - female

Cormorant 'wing-drying' and Canada Goose

Ely Cathedral across the 'washes'

Siskin - a finch from the north

Andy M has been lucky enough to have one or two male Siskin visit the feeders over the last week or so, and got chance to take a few photos today.  This slender, streaky, yellow-green finch has broad yellow and black bands on the wings, a yellow rump and yellow patches at the base of the tail. The males also having a characteristic black cap and chin, with a yellow stripe behind the eye.

A winter visitor to south and eastern Britain, travelling from Wales and northern Britain, as well as across from northern Europe, Siskin are usually seen on alder and birch trees, acrobatically feeding on seeds.  However, they will occasionally visit feeders, especially in mixed flocks of finches and redpoll - as was the case in Andy's garden.