Disappointed at Welney

We had a big storm last night and there was fog this morning. The latter meant I din't nip out early.

I wasn't sure what to do and so ended up at WWT Welney. In winter this is a fine place to see Whooper and Bewick Swans, I haven't really birded there in anger at this time of year for some years. In the past there would be a variety of waders and in good numbers, there would also be lots of Common Terns with young. You'd have to wary of Swallows as you walked into the hides.

Today? Well I saw good birds, Avocet, Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Turtledove (heard), Red Legged Partridge and a Little Ringed Plover (LRP) with young.

Good eh? But the numbers? drastically reduced! There were no Swallows in the hides, not a single Tern and whereas previously there were 4 or 5 pairs of LRP from the main hide now there was one, the numbers of waders was dramatically reduced. Why? Well there was more water and the grass had grown considerably. As an example the small islands outside of Friends hide used to be alive with Terns and LRP but now? just grass.

These weren't only my views, one of the volunteers whose been there ages said the same.

There were lots of Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies.

Oh and sorry no photos :(