Bearded tits, Bittern's and Short-eared owls!

MetalMoth · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 11:51 AM

Hi everyone. My first post in the bird forum. I have recently got into birdwatching quite a lot and am a very keen wildlife photographer. I live in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. I am interested in the following:

Bearded tits. Best place to see them? I know they are at Wicken Fen and Lakenheath RSPB reserve. What do you think?

Bittern. Hard to see I know but I want to give them a go. They have them at Woodwalton Fen which is my local reserve but very hard to see them. Lakenheath again looks good and they should be on Wicken.

Short-eared owls. I have seen them at Woodwalton Fen but was wondering if there was somewhere else good for them?

Thanks!

rossy · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 12:08 PM

how far do you want to travel ? they have bearded tit walks throughout october at leighton moss, up near morecambe, also bitterns, but they are illusive birds, but now is a good time to visit, with many other winter spieces arriving ,rossy.

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 12:19 PM

I find Minsmere one of the best places for Bitterns as they are often seen in flight here as well as amonst the reeds. If you go in the spring it's good to hear the booming too.

Also a great place for Bearded Tits. Best to choose a fine day with light winds for the greatest chance of seeing them + make sure you're familiar with the so-called pinging calls to help locate them.

Acipiter · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 12:26 PM

I can help with the bittern, lea valley park, just the other side of Hoddesdon. There's a watchpoint their.

MetalMoth · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 01:14 PM

Ah yes I have heard of Minsmere, never been there though. Thanks for your suggestions guys!

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalMoth

Ah yes I have heard of Minsmere, never been there though. Thanks for your suggestions guys!

It is a tremendous place that need's a least a full day to do it justice. A good range of habitats- woodland, scrub, heath, marsh, reedbed, freshwater + coastal.

With such a range of habitats it's easy to see a good number of species of bird in a day.

I noticed you asked about Otters on the Mammal Forum + these occur here + are not infrequently seen from the Bittern + Island Mere hides, though I seem to just miss the. Also Red + Muntjac Deer.

Good range of insects + plants too if you're interested + dependent on time of year.

Excellent Visitor Centre for refreshmnets as well as outdoor clothing, optics, books, feeders, etc.

MetalMoth · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 03:17 PM

Nice. Thanks. It is quite far away from me though so I would have to be up very early but I might give it a go one day!

roystinho · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 03:33 PM

I take it you'll have decent equipment?!!! Blacktoft Sands is good for Beardies, Bitterns are seen there but not sure how regular (though I always seem to see one), pretty sure SE Owl will be there in winter. Plus you get Marsh and Hen Harriers over winter, Barn Owl plus many more. One of my favourite places

solus · #9 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalMoth

Nice. Thanks. It is quite far away from me though so I would have to be up very early but I might give it a go one day!

Much better if you can make it a whole weekend!

Jonathan · #10 (**permalink**) 05-10-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalMoth

Hi everyone. My first post in the bird forum. I have recently got into birdwatching quite a lot and am a very keen wildlife photographer. I live in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. I am interested in the following:

Bearded tits. Best place to see them? I know they are at Wicken Fen and Lakenheath RSPB reserve. What do you think?

Bittern. Hard to see I know but I want to give them a go. They have them at Woodwalton Fen which is my local reserve but very hard to see them. Lakenheath again looks good and they should be on Wicken.

Short-eared owls. I have seen them at Woodwalton Fen but was wondering if there was somewhere else good for them?

Thanks!

I saw all three species mentioned at Titchwell in North Norfolk last week, which isn't too far away. However, if I were you I'd join this group:

cambirds : Mailing list for birdwatchers and ornithologists in the Cambridge, UK area. To share sightings and other information

I'd also keep an eye on the 'What's About' section of this website:

Cambridgeshire Bird Club

Better still, check out their 'Top Bird Sites' and get out there to see if you can find your own birds!

Cheers
Jonathan