You could always try heading for the WWT centre at Welney - to the north east of Cambridge. I'd presume there'd be a few swans around there at this time of year.
Can't say what the photography is like there as the last time I visited was back in the 90's and they've done the place up a bit since then!
Posted by Jeff Harrison on December 12, 2010 at 4:34 AM
Hi Austin
Welney is about 26 miles NNE of Cambridge and about a 45 minute drive from the city.
As Nick suggests, there's quite a few Swans there at the moment - Mutes, Whoopers and Bewicks, though the Bewicks (and many of the Whoopers) tend to spend their days grazing in the fields over quite a wide surrounding area, returning to roost on the reserve at dusk and for the floodlit feeds at about 6pm (on Thursdays to Sundays only). There's lots of other waterfowl and some waders there too, including thousands of Wigeon, Pochard, etc and when I was last there a few weeks ago we had sightings (albeit distant) of a Glossy Ibis and a Marsh Harrier. Welney offers luxurious birdwatching from its heated and carpeted main hide and with an excellent cafe in the visitor centre. However, from a photographic point of view you're unlikely to be able to get very close to anything out of the ordinary.
Other options would include -
Wicken Fen NT reserve - about a 20 minute drive from Cambridge up the A10. Wicken is a very large reserve with about 8 hides and you could easily spend a whole day there and not get to see it all. The main attraction at the moment is the roosting Hen Harriers - a couple have been seen going to roost shortly before dusk - probably best seen from either the tower hide or the boardwalk by the side of the nearest reedbed to the visitor centre. Marsh Harriers are permanent residents and you're almost guaranteed a sighting during a day there. There's a good cafe too.
Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB reserve - about a 15 minute drive from Cambridge up the A14 towards Huntingdon. Another large reserve with several lakes. A recent Bittern survey identified 8 separate individuals on the reserve and it's thought the total there at the moment is probably in double figures. There have been some excellent sightings reported during the recent frozen conditions with Bitterns being seen walking/standing on the ice. There's also Smew, Goosander and Short-eared Owls on the reserve at the moment plus a Starling roost of anything up to 12,000 birds going into the reedbeds by the car park each evening. However, no cafe or toilet facilities on the reserve.
Fowlmere RSPB reserve - about 8 miles south of Cambridge just off the A10. A very compact reserve with several hides but no other facilities. Resident Marsh Harriers, Kingfishers and Water Rail but you'll be lucky to get any good photo opportunities so far as these species are concerned.
Personally and if the freezing conditions persist I'd probably opt for Fen Drayton, but then it's only 5 miles from where I live
I hope that helps and please feel free to contact me directly if you need any more information
Posted by Austin Thomas on December 12, 2010 at 5:16 AM
Hi Nick, Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the information. That has helped me tremendously. I shall take that information and the camera with me and see what we find. Oh and maybe a flask and a butty, reading your notes.
Jeff, As you are local and your advise is Fen Drayton, then I will follow your experience.
Thanks again
Cheers
Austin
Posted by Jeff Harrison on December 12, 2010 at 5:28 AM
You're welcome Austin and good luck to your son/daughter with the interview
Posted by Austin Thomas on December 12, 2010 at 5:40 AM
Thanks Jeff,
Yes, If all goes to plan I might be visiting Cambridge more frequently over the next 3 to 4 years. I think he might get upset though if I bring more bird seed than baked beans when I visit him!!
Just sending map details to the car for the Fen Drayton location now.
Has the snow cleared around the Cambridge area ?
Thanks again,
Austin
Posted by Jeff Harrison on December 12, 2010 at 5:54 AM
Yes Austin, the snow's all cleared now (we only had an inch or so) but there's still lots of frozen water around.
Discussion
6 repliesI find myself visiting Cambridge this coming Tuesday, with most of the daylight hours spare.
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions / recommendations where I should spend the day with my camera.
Many thanks in advance for any advice you are able to offer.
Cheers
Austin
Can't say what the photography is like there as the last time I visited was back in the 90's and they've done the place up a bit since then!
Welney is about 26 miles NNE of Cambridge and about a 45 minute drive from the city.
As Nick suggests, there's quite a few Swans there at the moment - Mutes, Whoopers and Bewicks, though the Bewicks (and many of the Whoopers) tend to spend their days grazing in the fields over quite a wide surrounding area, returning to roost on the reserve at dusk and for the floodlit feeds at about 6pm (on Thursdays to Sundays only). There's lots of other waterfowl and some waders there too, including thousands of Wigeon, Pochard, etc and when I was last there a few weeks ago we had sightings (albeit distant) of a Glossy Ibis and a Marsh Harrier. Welney offers luxurious birdwatching from its heated and carpeted main hide and with an excellent cafe in the visitor centre. However, from a photographic point of view you're unlikely to be able to get very close to anything out of the ordinary.
Other options would include -
Wicken Fen NT reserve - about a 20 minute drive from Cambridge up the A10. Wicken is a very large reserve with about 8 hides and you could easily spend a whole day there and not get to see it all. The main attraction at the moment is the roosting Hen Harriers - a couple have been seen going to roost shortly before dusk - probably best seen from either the tower hide or the boardwalk by the side of the nearest reedbed to the visitor centre. Marsh Harriers are permanent residents and you're almost guaranteed a sighting during a day there. There's a good cafe too.
Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB reserve - about a 15 minute drive from Cambridge up the A14 towards Huntingdon. Another large reserve with several lakes. A recent Bittern survey identified 8 separate individuals on the reserve and it's thought the total there at the moment is probably in double figures. There have been some excellent sightings reported during the recent frozen conditions with Bitterns being seen walking/standing on the ice. There's also Smew, Goosander and Short-eared Owls on the reserve at the moment plus a Starling roost of anything up to 12,000 birds going into the reedbeds by the car park each evening. However, no cafe or toilet facilities on the reserve.
Fowlmere RSPB reserve - about 8 miles south of Cambridge just off the A10. A very compact reserve with several hides but no other facilities. Resident Marsh Harriers, Kingfishers and Water Rail but you'll be lucky to get any good photo opportunities so far as these species are concerned.
Personally and if the freezing conditions persist I'd probably opt for Fen Drayton, but then it's only 5 miles from where I live
I hope that helps and please feel free to contact me directly if you need any more information
Thanks for the information. That has helped me tremendously. I shall take that information and the camera with me and see what we find. Oh and maybe a flask and a butty, reading your notes.
Jeff, As you are local and your advise is Fen Drayton, then I will follow your experience.
Thanks again
Cheers
Austin
Yes, If all goes to plan I might be visiting Cambridge more frequently over the next 3 to 4 years. I think he might get upset though if I bring more bird seed than baked beans when I visit him!!
Just sending map details to the car for the Fen Drayton location now.
Has the snow cleared around the Cambridge area ?
Thanks again,
Austin