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Birding and Nature Group – Ferry Meadows, February 2019
On a cool morning, dry and calm, with a clear blue sky, 16 members of the Stamford U3A Birding and Nature Group, assembled in the car park, at Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough. The entourage headed to the large lake, flanked by woodland. This proved an excellent watch point: and the remarkable courtship display of several pairs of Great Crested Grebes was witnessed with delight by the onlookers -see photo by Clive Adkin. Suddenly, the temperature began to rise, and the sun became warmer and warmer! This spring-like weather encouraged the birds to sing, with: Wren, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Great and Blue Tits, Robin, Reed Bunting all joining in the woodland chorus; and a few ‘yaffles’ were heard, from Green Woodpeckers. On the lake: were Heron, Mallard, Coot, and flocks of Gulls: the highlight being a Common Gull, spotted with the telescopes at the ready! Large numbers of Cormorants were perched in the trees, and many with their wings held out to dry. On the bridge, a Blue Tit pair were observed, exploring a nest box, and Magpies were building their large stick nest, high in a conifer. Patricia Dale logged a total of 30 species for the morning! It was now very hot, and the group headed for the ‘Beefeater’ for a welcome pub lunch. Later that day, it was headlines on the Radio and TV news, that this day, was the hottest February day, since records began!
Philip Rudkin
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