East Anglia Fowlmere RSPB nature reserve

nandbytes

nandbytes

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I am planning on visiting the above nature reserve next Friday morning (people welcome to join me).
Looking to spend few hours finding/photographing wildlife and/or birds. So any tips on hides, what to looks and where to look for it would be much appreciated.

I was initially planning on going to Lackford Lakes but they have started a booking system for one of the hides I care about with £10 charge. The tenner is no issue but looks like you need to book 7 days in advance for a place (even though its running empty most days!). Anyway long story short I was looking at alternatives around Cambridge (preferably South or East of it) and found Fowlmere.
 
Last time I went was last year after the first lockdown. I went to look for water voles but the banks were far too overgrown by June to see any. I found when spending time looking for water vole in the Peak District it’s easier to visit in April before the explosion in spring growth.

Ive never look for other wildlife when there. It isn’t the biggest of places. I seem to think there is a website with a reserve map.

another option I’d suggest is Rye Meads. It’s good for kingfishers at one of the hides this time of year. You’d need to check what COVID regs are in place.
 
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I have been there lots of times, lovely place and has a crystal clear stream running through it with small Trout.
Lucky enough to see an Otter there, missus, kid and me sat and watched it.
Came out of a pool, had a scratch and sat there for a little while before sliding back in again, alas no camera.
Nice central hide overlooking the reed bed and several smaller ones too.
On the entrance road from Fowlmere village there is a very nice little church too.

Another suggestion is RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes, I live a short walk away and have been there literally hundreds of times. Very large area and easy to find quieter spots, seen everything from Bittern to a Seal. Loads of Egrets, alsk Marsh Harrier, assorted water birds and many others I don't know what they are.
Happy to show you round on a midweek day, I'm not really a bird spotter, just a casual observer.
 
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Sorry for late reply I wasn't ignoring you both, I was just planning another photography trip for last night which is done now.

rob-nikon said:
Last time I went was last year after the first lockdown. I went to look for water voles but the banks were far too overgrown by June to see any. I found when spending time looking for water vole in the Peak District it’s easier to visit in April before the explosion in spring growth.

Ive never look for other wildlife when there. It isn’t the biggest of places. I seem to think there is a website with a reserve map.

another option I’d suggest is Rye Meads. It’s good for kingfishers at one of the hides this time of year. You’d need to check what COVID regs are in place.
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Yep I found the reserve map, but it doesn't really say much. Found the Facebook page also which seems to hint many people are seeing Marsh harriers around which would be nice too.
I don't really mind what I see as long as its not Pigeons or bloomin parakeets.

I need to be in central Cambridge for 12pm. Rye Meads (I have been before and photographers there are annoying tbh) only opens at 9am and I'll probably need to set off at 10.30am.
Fowlmere is closer and I can have a good 3 hours from 8am to 11pm there. Also it not being large means I can cover good amount of it too :)

tijuana taxi said:
I have been there lots of times, lovely place and has a crystal clear stream running through it with small Trout.
Lucky enough to see an Otter there, missus, kid and me sat and watched it.
Came out of a pool, had a scratch and sat there for a little while before sliding back in again, alas no camera.
Nice central hide overlooking the reed bed and several smaller ones too.
On the entrance road from Fowlmere village there is a very nice little church too.

Another suggestion is RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes, I live a short walk away and have been there literally hundreds of times. Very large area and easy to find quieter spots, seen everything from Bittern to a Seal. Loads of Egrets, alsk Marsh Harrier, assorted water birds and many others I don't know what they are.
Happy to show you round on a midweek day, I'm not really a bird spotter, just a casual observer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information. I guess you are referring to the Reed hide which I will check out and also the Church :)

I did consider Fen Drayton lakes. Its unfortunately at the wrong end of Cambridge for me. Its not out of the question and I'll make the trip if it offers something extra over Fowlmere (by which I mean for example Lackford lakes has a very nice hide for Kingfishers).
On a separate note I'd love to meet up for a walk. I will probably make my way there someday once the pandemic eases. Just wasn't planning on it for Friday.
 
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robinsslee said:
I think I have been to Fowlmere but it wasn't interesting then, quiet and left within 20 mins lol... perhaps it's merrier during Summer.

Might up for it if you were down there over weekends but Friday is no go for me (work).
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thanks for the offer, I will keep it in mind.

Friday morning is looking bad weather wise so may not even be the best time for a day out. But I have made the plans now so I will stick to it. if nothing interesting shows up it'll at least have been a relaxing morning.
 
Rspb Lakenheath is probably the same distance as Lackford lakes. Mere hide is closed but New fen and Joist view points are open. Have a look at their web page for a map and sitings of species seen. Also a nice walk along the river bank,as with all wildlife locations it can be quiet sometimes but it is still a lovely wander around the countryside.
 
Christoph said:
Rspb Lakenheath is probably the same distance as Lackford lakes. Mere hide is closed but New fen and Joist view points are open. Have a look at their web page for a map and sitings of species seen. Also a nice walk along the river bank,as with all wildlife locations it can be quiet sometimes but it is still a lovely wander around the countryside.
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Both are on the top 10 wildlife reserves to do.
 
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