South Lincs and  Cambridge local groups have been exploring the rivers and creeks around Ely. The Prince Charles, a similar vessel to the one used by Maritime Cruises to show  us the Wash, has been exploring for the very first time the rivers Great Ouse,  Cam and Lark to see what birds inhabit these fenland regions.  So much is going  on in this area of the fen with Lakenheath,Wicken Fen, Needingworth and of  course the Great Fen project that our respective groups thought it worth showing members and public some of the birds, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies of this forgotten region.  It was quite literally exploration of the waterways to see what was navigable and what interesting sites we could visit more regularly. 

These initial cruises have been eventful and attempts at some of the smaller creeks have had to be abandoned because of low bridges or narrow locks. Travelling by boat does have its advantages in that it is possible to sneek up on some bird species and get a  really good look.  Much better views than when out walking, the birds seem much  more amenable to a floating vessel passing them quietly.  Its been an opportunity to see at close quarters birds like marsh harriers and kingfishers and banded demoiselles, a type of dragonfly; all three species of wagtail that occur in Britain, pied, migrant yellow, much in decline, and grey wagtail with its bright yellow underparts, plus common terns, corn buntings, reed buntings, cuckoo, swallows, martins and lots of riverside warblers like sedge, reed and  whitethroat.

Cambridge group even saw a spoonbill on their initial trip, but who knows what else could be lurking in this reedy fen, birds such as hobbies or even bittern or golden oriole. I could get carried away with the prospects here, but forty to fifty species, as you relax, sipping your cool drink, watching the the river pass by is not an exaggeration

If you have been on  one of the cruises and enjoyed it or if you would like to go on one, please let  your local group committee know.