Wednesday 12 May 2021

Wonderful Wetlands

The not-so-merry month of May has crept in under the cover of clouds, rain and colder than normal temperatures, but with just the odd nice day to remind us all what it should be like. Not that I've been cowering indoors though.....



I've fitted in three visits to wetland areas to try to find some of the birds that flit through here every spring, on their way to their breeding grounds. And I've been for an eye check-up and had my second Covid-19 jab too. Here's a selection of pictures from a visit to Ouse Fen RSPB bird reserve, earlier this week.



This may look like a beautiful natural area, although it's really nothing of the kind. In fact there is no natural countryside in the whole of England; it's all been affected in some way by the hand of humankind. For the last few decades huge diggers and lorries have been extracting a million tons of sand and gravel every year - and they're still doing it now. They've made a lot of big holes!



But, as they finish with each area, they are returning it to nature. If you just left nature to get on with it you'd soon have an impenetrable tangle of scrub. A lot of money is spent ensuring that there is a mosaic of different habitats; at present there is a huge reedbed being encouraged. There's also a network of footpaths so we can enjoy the reserve, though, because this is still in part a working quarry, not all parts are accessible to the public.



But there's still plenty of scope for a day's wandering - in fact there are still some parts I've never seen!



One thing about this flat countryside is that you can see the weather coming from afar, not that you can always find somewhere to shelter from it. We got lucky and just caught the very edge of a couple of squalls.



Bluntisham church looked wonderful as ever when seen across Berry Fen. Had we gone further we might have seen it reflected by the flooded fields nearer to Earith.



That sea of white specks on the island is not litter but hundreds of Black-Headed Gulls that nest there, amid much cacophony, every spring. There are other birds out there too - I presume they must be deaf.



Since gulls prey on other birds eggs and nestlings it must be a dangerous place to nest too.



And those are not bits of black plastic up in the branches - those are Cormorants on their nests. I'll leave you to work out why the branches beneath are all white.



And we'll finish off with a wider view of the first photo I showed you.


Take care.


26 comments:

  1. I adore wetlands and am pleased that (finally) we are establishing/restoring more of them.
    Thank you for taking us with you on this visit.

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  2. You are quite right of course that not a single corner of the UK, most of the world in fact, has not been modified by humans, and it is encouraging to see habitat restoration being undertaken. I could spend many happy hours in a place like this. But realistically, the chances I will ever again visit Britain are quite slim. My memories of visits past may have to suffice.

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  3. This area looks quite peaceful.

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  4. I like that there is an effort to make this into a beautiful place for people and wildlife. So often here in the States old quarries are simply abandoned. I wonder if there are any regulations about reclamation here. If so, they're ignored in many places, or maybe it's the old, pre-reg quarries that I see.

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  5. Beautiful photos, yes the Cormorants are leaving quite a mess aren't they?:)

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  6. It’s amazing, and fortuitous, how quickly Nature fills a vacuum and covers over man’s destruction. I’m glad they have returned the land to nature preserve status and the birds and plants are filling the landscape back in.

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  7. Good to see nesting areas...as well as clouds with a bit of blue skies.

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  8. A lovely walk there, John. Beautiful views on a sunny day in May. Glad that all is well there.

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  9. I always learn something from your posts! I didn't know gulls ate the eggs and babies of other birds. I always thought they ate fish since they are near the water. I am glad those old quarries are being carefully returned to nature. Lovely!

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  10. Your sky has much the same look as ours. It's May! Temps should be warmer. As I write this a shower just passed through and temperature is 57ยบ.
    The restoration of the quarry land is a good thing.

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  11. John - whenever I see your name leap up on my side bar I know I am in for a treat of beautiful countryside. Today is no exception and the quality of the light is superb.

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  12. Leaving nature to itself, without interfering, is something we see here too. It’s a good thing in my opinion.
    Your photos show a beautiful area.

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  13. You find so many wonderful places to explore! Thanks!

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  14. Wonderful walk and pictures of the the reserve, the clouds add a dramatic look to the place. Like you I've had my second vaccination and lucky had no side effects but my wife which has just had here is having bad time with them

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  15. The cormorants here nest in the cliffs. So interesting to see them in trees. This is a beautiful area for a wander.

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  16. That's a remarkable rehab for old gravel pits!

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  17. Awesome photos! I did not know that Cormorants lived in the trees. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.

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  18. Wonderful wetland shots John, I love this kind of walk. You had some pretty impressive cloud formations during the trip. Good to hear that these areas are being carefully restored, the wetland wildlife will appreciate it even more. Well done on being done with the Covid injections, still one to go for me, in about eleven weeks.

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  19. A gorgeous area for a stroll and some beautiful photos. Thanks for taking us along.

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  20. It is a wonderful series of images, John. You are aware of the way that humans have been using the land, but your photos make the area look beautiful and natural.

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  21. Another interesting post with such delightful images! You have such a variety of areas to visit in your neck of the woods John! Thank you for sharing them.

    PS: Great news that you caught up with a Garganey at RSPB Lakenheath!;-)

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  22. I so love the atmosphere of the fifth shot! LOL at the comments about the birds being deaf!

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  23. belle immersion dans cette nature aquatique avec ce village "Bluntisham" dont l'รฉglise s'รฉlรจve comme une tour de guet sur ces รฉtendues assez prรฉservรฉes.

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  24. Myself and others are thankful that May did not find you "cowering" inside, John. What great clouds to accompany the scenic landscape and it was comforting to read that despite the quarrying, the land is being returned to a natural setting afterwards.

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  25. Hi John - glad you had an eye-check and that you've had your 2nd jab ... it at least keeps us safer. Yes - an interesting comment about the birds being deaf ... now I'm wondering.
    Beautiful area ... such a great place to disappear out into for a refreshing walk ... lovely - thanks for sharing - cheers Hilary

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