passage fieldfares stop over to feed on the moist pasture.

male lapwing

from -10 windchill to +16 in one week, confusing for us sapiens, it has'nt slowed down nature. With the floods receeding fast revealing the jewel that is the Nene Washes - all waders are currently displaying vigorously. Migrant marsh harriers have arrived in numbers, first avocets have been seen, mallard are already sitting on eggs where only 2 weeks ago the land was under water.

Flooded washland at Lords Holt

following the rain on Friday and sunday and the full moon (creating high tides) the washlands are now operating in their role as flood release mechanism for the Lower river Nene, this protects areas of peterborough and surrounding farmland.

Mole escaping the flood
Gulls feasting on the mass movement of insects, worms and voles

male Shelduck

Lunar eclipse on Saturday night. I was alerted to this eclipse whilst watching Spanish football at 10:30pm, the camera showed it at half time so I quickly went outside to enjoy it myself. The extent of the eclipse reached approx 9/10'ths, progressively turning fiery orange on its underside.

Its that time of year again where Merlins can be seen frequently on the Nene Washes. They utilise the drove gateways as perches and can allow close approach when in a tractor or other vehicle. They appear to be hunting the spring arrival of Meadow pipits and Reed Buntings though I have seen them take Dunlin.

Weasal - taken from the truck was investigating rabbit burrows at Eldernell.