A recent spell of mild weather has stimulated various bird species to give song, including great tits and skylarks, but more cold weather is on the way. The ground and water have been frozen at times, resulting in snipe coming and going in the Great Fen, as they seek out soft earth to probe for invertebrates with their sensitive bills. Similarly, various heron species are moving around the Fen, seeking out the best places to hunt.

Some insects have been stirring, with queen bumblebees being seen and winter moth species taking to the wing at night. This year, we have a focus on invertebrates and so will be gathering additional records on insects and other groups.

Mammals have also been more active, with rising water levels and rising temperatures; fresh molehills popping up, badgers foraging at night and polecats on the hunt.

Wintering thrushes, such as fieldfares, have been very conspicuous in the grassy fields. We still have the evening movements of ducks, geese and swans, moving back and forth between their grazing and roosting sites.

Take a walk along the Last of the Meres Trail, from Engine Farm or New Decoy and you might spot a sparrowhawk or merlin, or even a short-eared owl chasing a marsh harrier in the evening light. You may also spot one of our colour-ringed stonechats, so please report any sightings direct to me.

This Friday is World Wetlands Day, a perfect day for a wander along our trails. You can enjoy the broad vistas and big skies; quite appropriate, as this year’s focus is on the interconnected nature of wetlands and human life and our resulting, enhanced, wellbeing.

Henry Stanier (Great Fen Monitoring & Research Officer)