RSPB Fowlmere - 2016

RSPB Fowlmere is just off the A10 near the small village of Melbourne. It has three hides, one big one and two smaller hides. You can walk right around the lake on an interesting path because you have alot of bullrushes and clear water which you can see brown trout on a hot summer's day.

The Dexter hide is the closest the car park, it is very quiet and has a path reeds to the right of the lake in front of you and if your lucky you can see a waterail flilt across. Moorhens and Mallards are often patrolling the water in front of the hide.

But the most wonderful bird is definitely the kingfisher, the second time I went I sat for half an hour waiting for something to happen, then it arrived, sat in front of the hide on a twig coming out of the water, it sat there for about 15 minutes and I was able to take the pictures below.

The big hide at the far end of the lake is a lot bigger and higher up as it is on stilts, you have a great view of the whole lake and if your lucky you might see Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawk and a huge number of lapwings which are one of my favourites.

During the winter you can be lucky and see Redwings and Fieldfaire but because of the light at this time of the year, you mainly see silhouettes.

I was fortunate enough to meet a man called Alex from Saffron Walden who told me alot about what you can see at Fowlmere and the best time to see them. He also told me about Paxton Pits and a reserve near Ware called Amwell, which I hope to visit in the next few months.