Deeping Lakes & RSPB Nene Washes :: 06 January 2026

Kev @kev07713 and I had a chat about whether we could fit in a birding trip during the week. Kev was tied up on Monday, while I already had commitments on Wednesday and Thursday, so we settled on Tuesday. After weighing up the options, we decided on our annual pilgrimage to Deeping Lakes in search of long-eared owls. The site also regularly holds little owls and, at present, a lone snow goose that has been associating with a mixed flock of mute and whooper swans.

With freezing conditions forecast, we agreed to meet a little later than usual, at 6.30am. Whatever we did, we were likely to miss the snow goose leaving the roost as the swan flock headed out to the fields to feed. Continuing a recent pattern, we took an alternative route from Banbury to Northampton because of road closures linked to HS2 works and Google Maps having a mental breakdown; once on the diversion, the satnav sent us off the signed route and along a maze of back roads and villages, eventually depositing us at the far end of the A43 before Northampton - a very strange start to the journey.

We hoped for an update enroute that would give us a steer on where to look for the swan flock. We stopped for breakfast along the way and, sure enough, the update came through: the flock containing the snow goose had relocated to fields alongside Deeping High Bank, north of Crowland Road and east of the Deeping Lakes Reserve.

Armed with this pin drop, we navigated to the indicated fields and pulled in by the roadside to scan the swan flocks. There were two distinct groups: one mainly of mute swans and another, further along the road, dominated by whooper swans. It took only a few minutes before Kev picked out the snow goose and handed me his binoculars so I could confirm it for myself. We then drove on to a small pull-in at the sharp bend in the road leading up onto the Welland Bank, which runs alongside the River Welland.

As we set up the scope and retrieved the camera from the boot, the snow goose promptly sat down, tucked its bill under its wing, and went to sleep - typical! Fortunately, after a few minutes it stood up again and began feeding among the almost 250 largely whooper swans; it sat down a couple more times but was soon back on its feet, strolling about once more. Although the flock was fairly distant, we still enjoyed good views through the scope.

Eventually, I climbed the bank and looked out over the river, picking up various ducks and a grey heron. Over the surrounding fields a few red kites drifted, while sizeable gatherings of corvids moved about in the distance.

By now we were itching to get onto the reserve. We were soon parked up, boots on, scopes balanced on our shoulders, and setting off from the car park. A birder was already stationed on the bank of the River Welland, peering through his scope, so we climbed up to join him to see if he was watching anything in particular. On the river there were at least six goosanders, little grebes, three or four great white egrets, a few Canada geese, and a wide assortment of ducks and coot.

After a while the birder moved on, and we were fortunate to be in position when a large flock of greylag geese lifted from below the far bank and dropped onto the water. We began working through the flock carefully, checking that there were no white-fronted geese among them. Kev then picked out a single pink-footed goose, which swam away from us and out towards the middle of the river.

From the bank it made sense to go through the gate and make our way down to the area where the little owls are usually seen. On the way we spoke with a birder who had already been there and who described the tree in which the bird had been sitting. Before long we were setting up our scopes and scanning the indicated tree, but there was no sign of it. Before I could move on to check the surrounding trees, Kev picked up our bird in a tree further to the left, initially very obscured by twigs.

We repositioned ourselves slightly to the right and, although the view was still not completely clear, we were able to watch the bird much better - I took a few photos while Kev captured some video. A green woodpecker then flew through the area and later returned to land on the far side of one of the trees.

Eventually it was time to pack up and head back along the main track. Kev had already put his scope away while I finished scanning, but I had to call him back when I spotted another little owl, deep in cover in a tree even further to the left. Kev rejoined me and we watched this second bird until it retreated down into a hole, which may well be where they roost or nest.

It was now time to push on towards the hide where the long-eared owls roost. Along the way we encountered a flock of long-tailed tits, and at the head of the group were two treecreepers - a welcome year tick. We also passed several volunteers busy with site management, trimming back trees to let in more light and keep the paths clear. One group was tending a small fire made from the thinner branches; they had the best job of all, being at least close to a source of warmth.

When we arrived, the hide was empty and one long-eared owl was immediately visible, although largely obscured by ivy on the tree. Kev and I each picked up different additional birds, and so between us we felt there were at least three owls roosting. It is always interesting how these birds choose to roost so close to the hide and appear unconcerned by people watching them from little more than twenty feet away. We paused to enjoy some coffee and tea before other birders arrived, and we pointed out the owls to them. While it was good to see the birds at all, it was a little unfortunate that they were so well concealed - though whatever makes them feel comfortable and safe is clearly what matters most.

We later stopped along the track to scan the trees and bushes on the opposite bank, where we have seen long-eared owls perched before, but there was no sign this time. We eventually returned to the car and decided to head on to RSPB Nene Washes (aka Eldernell), hoping to add a few more species to both the day and year lists.

Arriving at Eldernell we climbed up onto the bank and saw a birder scanning the bushes, the same guy we'd talked to at Deeping. It was lucky we had bumped into him as he had a thermal monocular and had located three long-eared owls, one of which was in reasonably clear view (for a long-eared owl), with great scope views.

As soon as we were on two of the owls, the chap with the infrared monocular moved on to see what else he could find. It wasn’t long before we started to pack up to followed him but spotted something land in the trees beside us, calling - a kingfisher. Kev had heard the call and was onto it in a flash, just as a second bird called from our right. The long-eared owl reacted to the kingfisher landing so close and woke - the moment captured brilliantly in one of Kev's videos (here). They continued calling as we searched for them, and then one suddenly popped into view in the tree right in front of us - how we hadn’t seen it sooner was a mystery. The two birds then flew back along the hedge line, one of them remaining pleasingly exposed.

Looking out across the fields, we could see marsh harriers quartering the reeds on the horizon or passing through. Several kestrels were hunting, and a pale-phase buzzard was perched on a series of posts.

The chap with the infrared monocular later returned and began showing another couple of birders where they could get views of the long-eared owls. I was slightly suspicious that the most difficult owl to see might actually be a short-eared owl, and once I had the scope on it the differences in facial structure and eye colour became apparent. It was buried deep in cover and extremely difficult to photograph. We chatted with the other birders, and it soon became clear that the much-photographed tawny owl was not around this year and was no longer giving views from its usual tree hole. There was also no sign of the barn owls, although a new box has appeared on land where we have previously watched one hunting.

It wasn’t going to be a four- or five-owl day; but three is more than enough, and there’s no need to be greedy.

As the light began to fade, we made our way back past the car park towards the area where egrets are known to roost. Although we had seen plenty of great white egrets this year, I hadn’t yet come across a little egret. Before we got too far, Kev spotted a sparrowhawk crossing a field and disappearing into some trees - I was too far behind to see it. A little egret flew past, followed shortly by a great white dropping in among a flock of sheep with three grey herons, and then another sparrowhawk zipped through. In the distance, we also picked up two more marsh harriers.

As we reached the car, two fighter jets roared in the sky, instantly drawing our attention - F-35 Lightning II's; it doesn’t just sound loud, it dominates the soundscape, combining raw power, depth, and weight in a way that is intimidating and unforgettable. The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter built by Lockheed Martin, combining low observability (although we could see it 😂), and supersonic performance. Apparently one of the most capable combat aircraft in service today.

Most of the UK’s fleet consists of the F-35B variant, designed for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) operations. This allows the aircraft to operate from the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, as well as from shorter or less-prepared airstrips ashore.

The UK currently operates around 37 F-35B jets, based at RAF Marham, near King’s Lynn in Norfolk. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 (around 1,200 mph) and is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine producing approximately 19,500 lb of dry thrust, rising to around 40,000 lb with afterburner and lift fan engaged.

Knowing the journey home would take at least two and a half hours, we packed up our gear and set off, content after a full and rewarding day in the field.

Year list 96.

Lisvane / Llanishen Reservoirs & Slimbridge :: 10 February 2024

We initially intended to go to WWT Slimbridge but decided to make a detour to Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs in Glamorgan first. Our friends Adrian and Bryan had recently been and seen a red-necked grebe and ring-necked ducks there, so we wanted to check it out - the ring-necked ducks were a pair. Kev's @kev07713 sister Karen @hobbylovinglife and her partner Dean @worlebirder planned to visit early doors and so we met them for breakfast in Newport before continuing to Cardiff.

Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs comprise two designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognised for their significant ecological importance. Lisvane Reservoir SSSI specifically highlights its role as a habitat for overwintering wildfowl. The site boasts an impressive Visitor Centre equipped with a café, complimentary WiFi, an activities hub, and rentable rooms. Other amenities include a boathouse, bird hide, education centre, nature trails, biking facilities, and extensive parking - parking fees apply. We arrived to find only a couple of cars already there and made our way to the water's edge. We scanned through the ducks, and it didn't take more than a couple of minutes until we were on the ring-necked ducks.

Ring-necked ducks are a species of diving duck not native to the United Kingdom and are primarily found in North America, where they breed in freshwater marshes and ponds across Canada and the northern United States. Males have a striking appearance with a glossy black head, neck, and chest, a white vertical stripe on the side in front of a grey/white flank, and a distinctive chestnut-coloured ring around their neck, although this ring is often difficult to see in the field. Males have a resemblance to tufted ducks and sometimes take time to separate at distance. Their diet primarily consists of aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates and as proficient divers, they are capable of diving to considerable depths in search of food.

We watched the pair diving but all too soon the male began to swim away and eventually took flight, disappearing towards the far end of the reservoir. The female slowly drifted further away, prompting us to decide to begin our search for the red-necked grebe. Before we left, we were treated to the sight of a couple of grey herons landing on the bank.

We dropped down onto the lower path running between the two bodies of water and looked back to see at least 21 little grebes, a common sandpiper, and a grey wagtail. We saw grebes out in the water behind (Llanishen) and eventually we resolved that they were all great-crested and not our target bird. We were standing near the hide/screen when a birder strolled across to tell us that the red-necked grebe was showing just round the corner in the bay.

Red-necked grebes are native to the UK and are primarily found in Scotland, especially in the northern and western areas, although they are also spotted in England and Wales. These birds prefer freshwater habitats such as lochs, reservoirs, and larger ponds during the breeding season, while they may also occur in coastal waters during migration and winter. They are medium-sized diving birds with striking plumage and have a long neck, a slender body, and a pointed black bill. During the breeding season, their plumage features a distinctive rusty-red neck, which contrasts with the dark upperparts and white underparts but outside the breeding season, their plumage becomes duller, with the red on the neck fading. This is what we expected today in February.

We rounded the corner and easily picked out the re-necked grebe, preening on the water and at middle distance - at least it wasn't feeding in the middle. Scope views were very good.

We scanned the gulls but didn't find anything - behind in the trees a jay called as it was harassed by a handful of magpies. A nuthatch called and flew out of the trees and away. We eventually made our way back to the car and had more views of the ring-necked ducks; the male had motored from the end of the reservoir back to the female and both were easily viewable between dives. Karen got ahead of us and when I caught her up, a grey wagtail dropped onto the slope down to the water; amazingly this was the first I'd seen in 2024.

We stopped and chatted and while Karen and Dean decided to go to the Visitor Centre for a coffee, Kev and I decided to return to the car and head to Slimbridge so that I could see the Bewick's swans before they leave in the spring. It would take us just over an hour and we'd arrive early lunchtime.

Bewick's Swans are migratory birds that visit the UK during the winter months, typically arriving from their breeding grounds in Arctic Russia. They undertake one of the longest migrations of any swan species, traveling thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in Siberia to their wintering sites in Europe. They follow a well-established migration route, flying over Scandinavia and into western Europe before reaching the UK. They are smaller than the more familiar mute swans, with a distinctive appearance characterized by a small, triangular yellow patch at the base of the bill. Bewick's swans are often observed in family groups or small flocks during their winter stay in the UK and here at Slimbridge there are reportedly up to about 150.

It didn't take long before we found them from Peng Observatory and Rushy Hide.

In general, Bewick's Swans begin their northward migration in March or April. Some swans may depart earlier, while others may linger in the UK until later in the spring. Adult birds often depart earlier than younger birds or families with cygnets. Additionally, weather patterns and environmental conditions can influence the timing of migration, with favourable winds and weather conditions facilitating faster migration.

Happy to have seen the birds, we moved on towards Willow Hide and where water rails have been showing well this winter. We stopped at various vantage points and as we scanned the reeds Kev called a Cetti's warbler working low to the water but in the reeds rather than on the front. I managed to follow it along from left to right and to catch it as it paused briefly. Although I’ve heard Cetti's multiple times this year, including on New Year's Day, this was the first I could get a look at.

The heavy rain has flooded much of the area where they have been seen and so after a short wait with no sign, we moved on to the Robbie Garnett Hide where we stumbled upon a single spotted redshank, in winter plumage. During the summer season, its appearance undergoes striking changes acquiring a distinctive breeding plumage; striking black coloration that extends from the bird's head down its neck, breast, and upperparts. This black plumage contrasts sharply with the white underparts, creating a striking visual impression. The black coloration is glossy and may appear iridescent in certain lighting conditions. We will look forward to seeing these later in the year.

Onwards to the Estuary Tower and up onto the second level, looking out across the Dumbles and Tack Piece. From here we could see many of the geese: barnacle, Canada, greylag but also Ross's, bar-headed, snow and lesser white-fronted. The lesser white-fronted goose of unknown origin was with Canada geese on the Tack Piece while the snow goose, of unknown origin, and the long-staying Ross’s goose were on the Dumbles.

There was a single distant crane but not much else we hadn't already seen - there were a few ruff (year tick) a bit closer so I snapped a couple of them - a wigeon took flight in the direction I was pointing and I snapped that too.

There was no sign of the usual peregrine and after a while we decided to make our way to the Zeiss Hide and see if we could locate any white-fronted geese. We arrived to find there were only a few greylag geese in the area and no white-fronts - Kev continued to search and I returned to the front of the hide as I could hear water rail calling. To my left I saw a water rail dart through a gap in the reeds and I got myself ready in case I could catch it out in the open - as luck would have it, I then heard two calls and both burst from the reeds into the open, one chased down the area of cut reeds and back out of view. One had stopped long enough for me to fire off a few photos and thankfully was stationary long enough to allow something in focus.

We continued down to Kingfisher Hide with a couple coming the other way reporting that three kingfishers had been showing. We arrived and watched with a couple beside us manging to pick up a kingfisher in a bush out front - from our angle it wasn't visible. We waited, hoping that they might perch on a post, branch, reed, or indeed visit the nest holes in the bank where they have been seen excavating in recent days. Instead, two kingfishers dropped out of the bush and away up the water channel. No photo opportunity here. We opted to visit Hogarth and Discovery Hides passing some trees where a handful of siskin and lesser redpoll were feeding.

From the hides we could see a range of teal looking rather splendid, and my first avocets of the year. Looking as if they would like to settle and nest were a pair of oystercatchers. One came reasonably close, and I just couldn't resist.

Kev recently visited Farmoor Reservoir and took some photos of cormorants which were rather stunning - he posted these photos here on X - formerly known as Twitter ... As he said, cormorants are not his favourite birds, but could not deny they looked pretty stunning – the sinensis subspecies. This subspecies typically exhibits subtle variations in size and plumage compared to others. In general, it has a glossy black plumage with some greenish or bronzy sheen, especially on the back and wings during the breeding season. Out on an island were a number of cormorants with some exhibiting some breeding plumage or also being part of the sinensis subspecies - regardless, it looked rather beautiful. I had to take a photo.

We stopped for a coffee in the Visitor Centre before making the journey home, now under 1&fract12; hours away.

Year list: 145.