Fowlmere rspb Bird Species List.

This is a list and status of species seen at the reserve since it was purchased by the rspb in 1977. It is from my own records, compiled from 40 years of notes and not an official rspb list. I have my own recording area, as well as the reserve itself,  I also count the first field surrounding the reserve. On the east side, as the field is very large I record half way to the airfield and in the south count to the solar farm. Updated May 2024.

I personally have seen 182 species at Fowlmere rspb. Rob ‘Arf ‘ Jones has seen the most of any one person 184.

Species I’ve seen are marked by a smiley.

1. Red-Throated Diver-one record. A brilliant addition to the reserve list.an adult found on the mere, 2nd Dec 2013 after a night of thick fog had disoriented the bird. It was fit and healthy, even seen trying to feed in the shallow mere and calling frequently. The Diver eventually flew east at 13.25.😊

2. Little Grebe- 1-2 pairs breed, rarely do they over winter but leave in autumn and return in spring. 😊

3. Great-Crested Grebe- Surprisingly rare as there are nesting birds only a couple of miles from the reserve..only 4 records, the last being on 18th June 2020 after a gap of  25 years since the last one!!😊

4. Cormorant- Can be seen flying over in any month and some birds do land on the mere for a short time. The highest number recorded is 13 which landed on the mere in October 2017.😊

5. Shag- Very rare visitor, 2 records..the first was a juvenile on 24th August 2008, showing brilliantly resting on the bank in front of reedbed hide for a few hours. 😊

6. Bittern- In the 80’s and 90’s Bittern was a rare and much sort after species at Fowlmere, records in autumn and winter became nearly annual in the 2000’s but in recent years there have been no winter records, a bit odd as the national population is growing fast. Last recorded on 11th June 2023 with a bird seen well around the mere, an odd date for a Bittern at Fowlmere and was considered an unpaired male? dispersing.😊

7. Little Egret- Like the Bittern with population growth, Little Egret records have increased over the last 10 years or so. It is now a fairly regular visitor throughout the year with a record high count of 10 birds on 25th June 2022 including 4 juvenile birds fledging from a new colony at Shepreth.😊

8. Great-White Egret- Just 14 records, the first was an adult briefly on the mere in May 2015, the second a bird flying over the east side of the reserve heading south on 21st November 2015 and the 3rd record was a bird flying along the east side of the reserve heading towards Fowlmere village on the 29th December 2018. The 4th to turn up was a bird on the pool left of reedbed hide on 24th September 2019 and presumed same bird on 10th November 2019. 1 on the mere on 31st July 2020. One briefly around mere on 31st August 2020. One flew over on 26th February 2021. One on the mere 29th August 2021. One on mere 24th September 2021. One to the left of reedbed hide on 2nd March 2023. 3 Birds briefly landed on the mere late morning on 23rd April 2023. One over on October 11th 2023. One briefly on mere edge on 26th March 2024.  One flew over on 23rd April 2024.😊

9. Grey Heron- A regular visitor to feed around the mere. 😊

10. Spoonbill- 1 record.a supurb summer adult feeding to the left of reedbed hide on 8th May 1998. The bird was still present the next day but took flight at 08.15. 😊

White Stork – An adult flew down to the mere at 14.45 on 16th April 2023 before flying to the south east fields to feed and roost. The bird was still present in the area on the 17th. A free flying collection bird that has been on the loose for at least 2 years.😊

11. Mute Swan- A scarce species in the 1990’s but more regular with the expansion of the mere. First bred in 2006 and almost every year since. One polish cygnet has been recorded. 😊

12. Bewicks Swan- very rare with only 2 records. The first was a single bird flying over north west on 4th Nov 1994. The second record was 2 adults coming in from the south, low along the east side of the reserve on 23rd Jan 2011. They briefly landed in fields before flying off east. 😊

13. Whooper Swan- 4 Records. 7 birds that were first found in the large field opposite the reserve entrance on 29th March 2020. This is just outside the reserve recording area but the next day, 30th March 2020, the small herd was seen flying over to the reserve and landing on the mere for a bathe. After 40 minutes they returned to the field. The birds were present until 6th April when they relocated to Whittlesford. The second record involved 2 birds flying over heading north on 1st February 2021. 2 flying over NW on 5th November 2022. 5 over NW on 6th January 2024.😊

14. Greylag Goose- A rare sight 30 years ago but now flocks have been recorded of around 250. First bred in 2002, Eight pairs bred in 2018. Two pairs nest building in 2020 but both failed. In 2023 five pairs hatched young but none survived to fledge.😊

15. White-Fronted Goose- 3 records. An adult flew around the mere with Greylag and then settled in the sheep field by the reserve entrance on 25th December 2020. The bird was present  for 45 minutes and then flew north on its own without the Greylags. 2 present on the mere all day on the 20th February 2021. Amazingly, a flock of 9 were seen flying through on the same day, 20th February 2021, and presumed not to include the 2 staying birds.😊

16. Tundra Bean Goose- one record, a single bird on the mere with Greylags on 4th March 2021.😊

17. Canada Goose- Largest flock record is 54 in the mid 80’s when the species was more numerous than Greylag. One pair bred in 2020 but no goslings survived. No breeding in 2023.😊

18. Barnacle Goose- At least 7 records of feral birds. 2 Birds on a few dates in Sept 2014. 9 in fields by entrance on 26th February 2021, one bird on mere and surrounding fields from 1st March to 21st March 2021. Highest count and highly unusual was a flock of 25 flying south on 17th April, 2021. Two on 8th May 2023. Two briefly on mere 29th April 2024.😊

19. Brent Goose- 1 excellent record of 20 birds flying over in Oct 1986.

20. Shelduck- A scarce visitor with an increase of record recently with 3-4 records a year. Highest count is 6 together on the mere.😊

21. Egyptian Goose- Rare at the reserve with 9 records, highest count is 5 flying through in October 2017. 3 flew SE on 8th February 2020. A single on 22nd May 2021. 2 on the mere on 6th January 2023 is the most recent record.😊

22. Mandarin- With a good breeding population not far away birds pop in to the mere every now and then. 2-4 records a year. Highest count is 4, 2 male, 2 female on 15th March 2020. Male for several weeks in early part of 2023.😊

23. Mallard- The purity of the Mallards at Fowlmere is questionable with know release’s nearby some years ago, certainly some birds have show features of the Mexican sub species. Never the less they live wild now and breed successfully with 6-7 pairs nesting. Flocks of over 100 have been recorded.😊

24. Gadwall- Irregularly species but seen in small numbers each year. Has bred 3 times, the first in 2001 when a female was seen with 11 young. Three duckling seen in 2020 but did not survive. The highest count is 18, 13 drake, on 2nd February 2022.😊

25. Pintail- A rare visitor, less than annual. Latest record is 2 on 3rd October 2020. Highest count is 5😊

26. Shoveler- This species turns up more regularly than other ‘vagrant’ Ducks with about 6-7 records a year. Highest count is 10. A pair nested in 2020 but failed at egg stage.😊

27. Wigeon- Recorded annually but still a scarce species to see at Fowlmere. Highest count is 18.😊

28. Teal- Ever present in various numbers throughout the year except May and June when the birds are elsewhere nesting, returning in July when they have finished/failed. Highest count is 91 on 13th February 2021.😊

29. Garganey- A good rare for the reserve with only 6 records, the latest records are 2 juvenile on 13th September 2016, a male on the mere 25th March 2017 and 2 male, 2 female on 25th March 2022.😊

30. Pochard- The rarest of the regular British wintering Duck species to be seen at Fowlmere. Highest count is 4..2 Male and 2 female on 23rd February 2019. Last recorded on 15th May 2021 with a single female on mere. There is only about 11 records. 😊

31. Red- Crested Pochard- Just the one record of 3 birds on the mere in the evening of   11th Sept 2005.

32. Tufted Duck- Fairly regular visitor. One pair has been nested on the reserve 2016-2019.😊

33. Goldeneye- 1 record of a bird on the mere.

34. Goosander- rare with only 15 records, a quick succession of records in 2018/2022, probably due to a pair successfully nesting not far away. 3 Juvenile on the mere on 31st July 2020. 1st winter on mere on 7th November 2021. 3 flew through south east on 28th December 2021.One circled mere on 13th November 2022. Juvenile briefly on mere 25th November 2022. 2 on mere 26th March 2023. 2 on mere 28th December 2023.😊

35. Smew- One record..a first winter spent the whole day on the mere on 9th Nov 2011.😊 A female resting in front of Drewers hide on 29th August 2021 was a definite escape due to behaviour and date, probably from the Dernford collection.

36. Osprey- There are about 11 records of birds flying over on their migration to west Africa. A couple of birds have been seen circling the mere before continuing on. Last recorded on 13th April 2023.😊

White-Tailed Eagle- a low flying 2nd winter bird was seen over the A10 and then Foxton before being seen over Royston on 14th February 2022. The tracking device on the bird showed it flew over the reserve between these sightings but no one saw it! The bird had been released on the Isle of Wight as a juvenile in 2020 as part of an introduction programme. As these birds are far from established they are non countable to any totals.

37. Red Kite- First seen around Fowlmere in the late 90’s with birds being introduced in Northants and Oxfordshire. The species became a more regular sight through the 2000’s and there are now several pairs nesting not far away, by 2010 Red Kite started being seen frequently. Most seen together is 5.😊

38. Marsh Harrier- Back in the 80’s Marsh Harrier was an irregular passage migrant. With the breeding success of the species and numbers increasing across east anglia Fowlmere eventually had its own nesting pair in 2006 and again in 2015-16, each time young were fledged. In 2018 a pair started nesting but abandoned in early June but with juveniles being seen in July it seems they were sussessful not far away. Pair fledged 2 juvenile in 2020. Pair fledged 3 young in 2021. A new young pair, both 3cy birds, arrived in 2022 and attempted to nest but were unsuccessful. At the same time in 2022 an adult male was displaying but didn’t attract a mate. The 2022 pair returned in 2023 and fledged 2 juvenile.😊

39. Hen Harrier- Much less frequent than they use to be, not surprising with national population declines. Occasionally one will roost in winter on the reserve, most recent records are a roosting juvenile Male arriving daily in Feb/March 2019, juvenile on 9th April 2022 and a brief ringtail on 28th October 2023..😊

40. Montagu’s Harrier- Very rare, 3 records. A report on 3rd August 2019 of a juvenile was probably this species.

41. Buzzard- The species was first seen in the area in the late 90’s and is now a daily sighting around the reserve. Looking high on a sunny day it is easy to see double figures spiralling around. 1/2  pair nest.😊

42. Honey Buzzard- 2 records..In September 2000 there was a large influx of Honey Buzzard into Britain and Fowlmere managed to get in on the action with a birds passing over on the 24th and another a week later.

43. Sparrowhawk- One pair usually nests on the reserve and are regularly seen throughout the year, sometimes up to 3 bird hunting at dusk.😊

44. Kestrel- One pair nests and are often seen around the surrounding fields.😊

45. Hobby- Although never nested on the reserve, Hobby are a frequent visitor in the summer months. They are drawn in by the reserves plentiful supply of damsel and dragonflies, often showing very well when hunting.😊

46 Red-Footed Falcon- One superb record of a female hawking the mere on evening of 20th June 2017.

47. Peregrine- With birds nesting not far away, Peregrine can now be seen at any time of year but are most regularly seen in winter, particularly across the east fields..😊

48. Merlin- 2+ winter in the area around the south east fields and often come across to the reserve to look for roosting birds.😊

49. Red-Legged Partridge- Often seen around the surrounding fields. The population is boosted by yearly released birds from nearby farms.😊

50. Grey Partridge. Still a good area to see this much declined species. 2-3 pairs breed in farmland surrounding the reserve😊

51. Quail- 3 Record of males singing in surrounding fields..6th Aug 1989, 16th May 2011 and 2nd August 2015..😊

52. Pheasant- The local population is built up of birds released by farmers for shooting.😊

53. Water Rail- A good place to see this elusive reed dweller. When water levels are low in autumn, Drewers hide is a particularly good place for Water Rail to show and it has been know for 5 birds to be showing there at the same time. Winter can also be good with birds coming out of cover when there frost or snow. In 2018 there were 8 territories with juveniles seen, proving successful breeding. 6 territories in 2020.😊

54. Spotted Crake- 4 Records of autumn migrants, very well watched birds were seen from Drewers hide in Sept 1991, August 1992 and Sept 1995. These birds showed brilliantly, affording good, close views for the many visitors who had come to see  them.😊

55. Moorhen- A common sight around the reserve with at least 14 territories recorded in 2018. 12 territories in 2020.😊

56. Coot- Now a regular sight on the mere with 4 pairs nesting in 2018. They go for the winter, arriving back in early February and have finished raising young by the end of June, then disperse in July. 3 pairs failed at egg stage in 2020. A record 6 pairs nested in 2022 but only 1 in 2023.😊

57. Crane- 9 records of birds flying over. Two birds circling reserve on consecutive days, 20th-21st April 2018. 4 flew over NNE on 27th December 2019. 1 over on 1st April 2023. 2 over NE on 3rd April 2023. 2 over west on 12th February 2024. 2 Over North on 26th April 2024.😊

58. Oystercatcher- very rare,  7 records, most recent records..2 birds flying through in May 2018 and 2 on the mere edge 15th July 2020. In 2022 a pair prospecting for a nest site around the surrounding area of the reserve and would sporadically visit the mere edge or flyover from 18th April. Even seen mating on the mere edge on the 8th and 15th May. 3 flying around high over mere on 13th August 2022 were probably the spring pair with a juvenile, wing moult would suggest this. This local pair returned to the area in 2023 and again visited the mere on 26th April and adjacent fields over the next couple of weeks. Again present in 2024 and seen flying around reserve on 7th April.😊

59. Avocet- one record of a bird that spent the day feeding on the mere on 13th March 2012.

60. Stone Curlew- No doubt years ago Stone Curlew would have been a regular species around the reserve with nesting birds all around the area but now days is a very rare sight. 3 Records with a bird heard calling in the east fields on 3rd May 2004 and one seen very well on 14th April 2007.😊

61. Little- Ringed Plover- Not quite annually recorded but when there’s mud around the mere usually some birds drop in, especially if there is a pair nesting nearby. Most seen together is 5..4 juv’s and 1 adult on 10th July 2015.😊

62. Ringed Plover- For many years a real reserve mega but with a flurry of records in 2016-2023, there has now been 12 recorded. 2 flyover birds on 12th May 2023. Single over on 6th September 2023.😊

63. Grey Plover- 2 Records of birds flying over. The first was 2 flying east on 7 May 1981 and the second a single bird on 19th April 2008. The latter bird was relocated in a field with Golden Plover only a mile away later that day.

64. Golden Plover- Birds flying over are seen from August and through the winter but no where near the numbers there once was.  😊

65. Lapwing- Very much declined species in the area which reflects sightings on the reserve. Post breeding flocks are still seen flying over and when the water levels are low on the mere birds will come down. This was the case in July 2018 when 230 were counted on the mere edge. With management work, one pair nested 2011-16 with limited success and failed in 2017. In 2018 there was no nesting attempt. By 2021 Large winter flocks had gone.😊

66. Dunlin- An upturn in sightings since the first in 2006. The species is now annual with 7 records in 2018.😊

67. Wood Sandpiper- A rare bird at Fowlmere, 11 records..a juv from 20th to 24th August 1998 was only the second record, there was then a 17 year gap before the next in 23rd April 2015. Since then there has been a good run of the species, including a wonderful 4 birds together on 7 May 2018.😊

68. Green Sandpiper- A few birds are seen every year, mostly in March/April and July/August but there are also several winter records. Highest count is 14.😊

69. Common Sandpiper- Another species that use to be scarce on passage but is now more frequent. 2+ Records a year.😊

70. Redshank- A scarce passage visitor in March and sometimes July. Not annual so a good bird to seen on the reserve. Highest count is 5.😊

71. Spotted Redshank-4 records.😊

72. Greenshank- Usually 2-3 Records a year of birds in spring and autumn, stopping of as they pass through on migration.😊

73. Black- tailed Godwit- One on 2nd July 2006 was only the 3 record but since then more regular, still only 22 records. July 2020 had an unprecedented number arrive with 5 records involving 29 birds. The largest flock recorded is 15 resting on the mere on the 28th July 2020. Last recorded on 25th July 2022 when 1 circled mere but didn’t land.😊

74. Bar- Tailed Godwit- Rare with only 5 records, all fly overs. The first flying east on 7th May 1981, 20 on 28th April 2007, 60 on 29th April 2007, 10 on 1st May 2011 and 1 on 30th April 2016.😊

75. Curlew- Just about annual with only 1-2 seen a year, mostly flyovers but the  highest count is 5 birds which spent 6 days in fields around the centenary end.😊

76. Whimbrel- Almost annual, either singles or in small flocks, mostly birds flying over but the odd one or two has landed by the mere edge. The highest count is 36 which flew over east on 25th April 2014.😊

77. Woodcock. An autumn and winter visitor with the highest count of 4 in any one day. Unfortunately declining, with only one in winter 2018/19.😊

78. Snipe- Present in all months bar the breeding season. Post breeding birds arrive in late July and numbers build up in late March prior to there departure. The highest count is 44.😊

79. Jack Snipe- Often seen at the end of September or early October, birds usually winter deep in the reedbed and out of sight but sometimes they can show extremely well from reedbed hide. April is another good month to seen this elusive species but the latest ever was of a bird showing well on the 9th May 2019. 4 in Dec 2015. An astonishing 8 flushed up from the mere area on 25th December 2023.😊

80. Pectoral Sandpiper- 2 records..A brilliant, bright juvenile arrived on 12th Sept 2009 and showed very nicely on the mere edge for the rest of the day, an occurrence thought never to be repeated..however, lighting struck twice when an adult was found on 20th July 2015. Both bird were one dayer’s.😊

81. Ruff- Quite a reserve rarity with only 9 records, usually singles but once two arrived together. Last record was a single on mere in evening of 20th August 2023.😊

82. Black-headed Gull- Large post breeding flocks can be seen flying over, also seen throughout the winter until bird return to nest sites in March. Birds often use the mere to bathe with 440 being the highest count.😊

83. Common Gull- Regually seen between August and April. Large numbers can be seen when passing by in March.😊

84. Herring Gull- Not a common species at the site, only a handful are seen flying over each year.😊

85. Yellow- Legged Gull. Usually mixed up with the passage of Lesser Black-Backs in August but only in small numbers. Has been noted on the mere.😊

86. Lesser- Black Backed Gull- Annual, especially in August when 1000’s move south. Often seen in flocks of 100’s in fields surrounding the reserve and occasionally coming down to the mere.😊

87. Great- Black Backed Gull- Rarest of the regular gulls, only 1-2 seen a year in winter. A really odd record is of a 1st winter that roosted on the mere, the only time the species has actually been on the reserve.😊

88. Mediterranean Gull- A big rare with only 3 records. A first winter in fields to the east on 9th Nov 2011 with a flock of Black-Headed. The second is of an adult and 2nd summer together in fields to the south east of centenary end on 15th July 2015. A first winter following the plough on the south east side of the reserve on 14th/15th January 2024.😊

89. Glaucous Gull- One record, a juv over ESE on 13th February 2016. Amazingly what was considered the same individual also flew over west on 16th February 2016.😊

90. Iceland Gull-Two records of one returning bird.  a lone juvenile flew across the reserve and landed in field on the east side of the reserve that was being ploughed on the 8th November 2019. Joining 500+ Lesser Black-Backed Gull that where already present from 15.15 until 16.04 when it flew off north west. The second record was a 2nd winter of the rarer race Kumlieni. This bird had been present in the nearby area for 6 weeks and flew over the reserve on the 19th January 2021. With hind sight, the juvenile ‘Iceland’ is now considered the Kumlien’s but as a juvenile was not distinguishable to race.😊

91. Kittiwake- 3 Records. The first is of 5 birds flying over together during a massive movement of the species through Cambs in Feb 1999. 4 flying south east in early 2000’s. The third record is of  2 adults that flew straight through south east on 17th March 2024.😊

92. Little Gull- One excellent record of a first winter flying through northwest with a small flock of Black-Headed Gull on 9th December 2018.😊

93. Caspian Gull – One record. A first winter following the plough on east side of reserve on 14th January 2024.😊

94. Sandwich Tern- 2 record of singles flying over.

95. Common Tern- Some birds nest not that far away and it’s probably these that make occasional visits to the mere in the summer months.😊

96. Arctic Tern- Rare with 4 records involving 12 birds. First a fly through of 4 on 21st May 1997, 3 on 2nd May 2010, 4 on 5th May 2011 and a single c2015,😊

97. Black Tern- 4 Adults flew through in the mid 80’s, then a juv briefly flew around the mere on 30th Aug 2008 before heading west and 3 on the 8th May 2019 briefly around the mere. These are the only records.😊

98. Stock Dove- Common around the reserve, 4-5 pairs nesting. Roosting flocks of 30+ in the centenary wood in winter.😊

99. Wood Pigeon- Common, 15+ nesting pairs. Continental birds inflate wintering numbers, of 800+ can be seen in surrounding fields but no longer is there flocks of 2000+ that use to roost in the centenary end, so even this Common, taken for granted species is not as numerous as it once was. 😊

100. Collared Dove- Common, many birds around nearby farms make frequent flights across the reserve, not often actually seen on the reserve but one pair has nested a couple of times..😊

101. Turtle Dove- The reserves specialty species, nationally the population has been in free fall decline and this is reflected at Fowlmere. 18 Singing males in the mid 80’s is now reduced to 1 pair and an unpaired male in 2018. There was no evidence that the pair successfully raised young as no juveniles were seen, so the forecast looks very bleak. In 2020 a single male was heard on 3 dates only, the species seems lost as a breeder. 2021 was the first year with no records of Turtle Dove at all. A passing juvenile was present on 29th/30th July 2022.😊

102. Cuckoo- Once a common sight and sound of summer with several males singing and chasing females. lost as a breeding species with one male seen briefly on one day in 2019. In 2020 a male was frequently heard singing through May but no female. A new hope in 2021 when a male with female was seen regularly. In 2022 two males and a female were present and at least 4 juveniles were recorded. Two male again in 2023 and a female, one juvenile was seen.😊

103. Tawny Owl- Present throughout the year although they are rarely seen but more often heard. 3 pairs nested on the reserve in 2019 raising 5 young between them. Two pairs raised 2 young in 2020.😊

104. Long- eared Owl- When a 2 birds were seen in Jan 96 it was the start of a fantastic run for the species at Fowlmere. They stayed to nest, this lead to more birds being found and by 2007 there were 3 pairs nesting. Males would show amazingly as they ‘sung’ in half light at dusk and when the young hatched adult birds could be observed well before dark, hunting along rough ground on the east side of the reserve. Sadly the Owls demise as a breeder was rapid, the last display flights were seen in May 2009, this coincided with the rough ground they used for hunting being ploughed over for cereal crop.😊

105. Short-Eared Owl- Rare passage migrant, there are 7 records.  One dead bird was found off the centenary end in 1981. Last recorded was one roosting in cattle paddock from 12th April to 20th April 2024.😊

106. Little Owl- Another declining species that use to nest nearby and make occasional visits to the reserve. After a long absence, many years, one was seen by the entrance on 14th August 2022. One heard in early November 2023.😊

107. Barn Owl- A species that has gone the other way to most..once a rare sight is now a daily one. A pair has raised young in the triangular nest box for several years. In 2017 a second pair was found using another nest box. Hunting birds often show well around the reedbed and the cattle paddock. In 2022 three pairs nested for the first time but in 2023 only 1 pair in the triangular box bred.😊

108. Swift- A regular sight in summer, birds often around the mere to feed and drink. Flocks as large as 300+ have been noted when birds on passage..😊

109. Alpine Swift- Very Rare, an excellent, unexpected addition to the reserve list with one bird over head in July 2005.

110. Nightjar- 1 record,1977.

111. Hoopoe- 1 record, A very unexpected find of a bird in the car park on 13th April 2006. The bird moved to feed in the horse field beyond the car park and was still present on the 14th. A times the bird was heard singing and over the 2 days it was present around 400 birders come to have a look.😊

112. Kingfisher- The reserve is know as a good place to see Kingfisher. One pair nest either on or just off the site each year and birds are often seen fishing from reedbed or spring hides.😊

113. Green Woodpecker- Once rare but now seen or more often heard around the reserve. 1-2 pairs nest.😊

114. Great- Spotted Woodpecker- Much the same as Green, regularly seen resident. 2 Pairs nest.😊

115. Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker- The species hasn’t been recorded for years. When the county population was doing very well back in the 80’s birds could be seen drumming around the cresshut.😊

116. Skylark- Several pairs breeding in the surrounding farmland and large flocks of 250+ have been recorded in winter but like other farmland species winter flocks are no more.😊

117. Woodlark- 2 Records, a big rare at Fowlmere. The only record is of a bird that was found feeding in rough ground on black peak, off the centenary end for one day, the 9th March 2008. One flew over south, calling, on 2nd October 2022.😊

118. Sand Martin- Bird are mostly seen from the end of March and through April as they pass having just arrived from Africa and also on the return journey in autumn. Numbers vary, often mixed in with House Martin and Swallow but can be in single species flocks such as the highest count of 34. Earliest ever was on 1st March 2021.😊

119. Swallow- Birds nest very nearby so the species is a regular sight in summer as birds come over to the mere to drink. Pre migration flock of 300+ have been recorded flying around the mere at dusk in autumn. Also some impressive movements have been noted such as 800 passing through in 30 minutes.😊

120. House Martin- Like Swallow this species nests nearby and visit the mere for a drink. Flocks passing on migration of 100+ are often seen in autumn.😊

121. Meadow Pipit- Bird use to nest in the guilden brook area but with changing land ownership they no longer do so. Just about the only time the species is seen at Fowlmere now days is on autumn passage as calling bird pass overhead in September. Numbers vary, 50+ is a good count.😊

122. Tree Pipit- 9 records of migrants passing in autumn. 8th Sept 1995, 13th Sept 1998, 28th Sept 2017, 18th Aug 2018. 14th Sept 2018. The best observed bird was a juvenile which was observed very well feeding in the cattle paddock all day on the 25th Aug 2016. Another in the cattle paddock on 17th August 2019. One in cattle paddock on 17th August 2020. 2 together in the cattle paddock on 23rd August 2020.😊

123. Rock Pipit- Very Rare with just the one record of 2 birds on the mere edge on 14th Oct 2011.

124. Pied Wagtail- Large roosting gatherings of 300+ bird were seen in 1977 but those numbers have long gone. Birds still roost in spring but usually more like 40+. White Wagtail, the continental nominant race ‘alba’ has been recorded twice.😊

125. Yellow Wagtail. Despite much decline this species is fairly regular. Bird nest in surrounding farmland, bringing the fledged juveniles over to the mere for good feeding and migrating birds roost in autumn. The highest count was of a passing autumn flock of 65 birds.😊

126. Grey Wagtail- A regular passage migrant in small numbers, also bird come down to the mere to feed😊

127. Wren- The reserves commonest resident species with around 32 Territories in 2018.  31 territories in 2020.😊

128. Waxwing- There was only 2-3 records of Waxwing until a big influx year in the winter of 2011-12 when several groups made it to the reserve. It was hard to keep tally as birds came  and went but there was about 8 records over the winter, some flocks were of 25-30 birds and they always moved on quickly.😊

129. Dunnock- Common around the reserve with 13 territories.  9 in 2020.😊

130. Robin- Common, like in many places but as a breeder numbers have reduced in recent years. Around 18 territories in 2018. 21 in 2020.😊

131. Nightingale- A rare spring passage migrant. One record of a male summering. Last recorded was a male singing by the carpark on 13th April 2024.😊

132. Redstart- One of Fowlmere’s star birds. The reserve is the best place in Cambridgeshire to see this stunning passage migrant. The guilden brook and the cattle paddock turn birds up every year. In the last 20 years at least 60+ have been seen with the highest day total of 5 birds together on 28th Aug 2015. 2015 also had the best year tally of 13 birds. Becoming harder to come by between 2020 and 2023 particularly in spring.😊

133. Wheatear- Formerly very easy to seen small flocks of 5-6 birds around the surrounding fields in spring and autumn but from 2015 they have been almost totally absent. There was 1 in 2017 and none recorded in 2018. A little return to form in 2021 with 4 being seen on the east fields in spring. 2023 spring was better with at least 5 in the east fields and 3 near the entrance.😊

134. Whinchat- Like many species this use to be a regular passage migrant, 1-2 still turn up but very much a reserve scarcity now.😊

135. Stonechat- The best months to see Stonechat is in September and October, once quite a rarity but now almost annual in small numbers. 5 were present in the recording area for one day on 19th October 2019. Usually 1-3 a year.😊

136. Song Thrush- Not a hard species to find at Fowlmere. They can often be heard singing around the reserve. 6 territories in 2018. 4 in 2020. 6 in 2023.😊

137. Redwing- Winter visitor that arrive in early October to feed on the plentiful hawthorn berries but once the food is gone so have the birds. 1000 per hour has been recorded on a good passage day.😊

138. Mistle Thrush- 1-2 pairs nest on the reserve.😊

139. Fieldfare- Regular winter visitor arriving in October. The latest bird noted was 18th May 2008.😊

140. Blackbird- Still Common but has declined as a breeding species with only 12 territories in 2018. 14 in 2020. Poor season in 2023 with only 10 territories and low fledging rate.😊

141. Ring Ouzel- Always a good bird to see, Fowlmere does quite well for birds on passage. Not seen every year, more records in spring than autumn. In spring 2007, 14 individual birds between 12th Apr-12th May. A male stayed 17 days in 2012. The most seen together is 4 on 5th May 2007.😊

142. Garden Warbler- Former nester, now just 1-2 seen on passage, quite surprising as the habitat is good for the species.😊

143. Blackcap- Common is summer with 18 territories in 2018. 23 in 2020. Bit of a dip in 2023 with 17 territories.😊

144. Lesser Whitethroat- 2 territories on the reserve. One of the best times to see them is in autumn when they move around with Tit flocks.😊

145. Whitethroat- Once more Common than in 2018 when there were 2 singing males, one bred successfully. 5 Territories in 2020. 3 Territories in 2023.😊

146. Sedge Warbler- A species in trouble..surveys in the mid 1980’s showed 120 singing males on territory..amazing! 2017 20 males singing but in 2018 only 9 males could be found. 13 territories in 2020. 12 territories in 2023.😊

147. Grasshopper Warbler- Another declined species..12 territories in the mid 80’s but since then reduced to 5 by 2000, breeding became erratic after 2010 with no guarantee any would return and there were some blank years. In Some springs passage birds would sing for a day, then moving on. One pair bred in 2018. A real upturn in 2020 with 4 territories, 2 at least paired. Not recorded at all in 2023.😊

148. Savi’s Warbler- One of only 2 national rarities to be seen on the reserve and not just one but 3 have occurred. All males singing, the first in May 1985 which stayed 3 days, then the next was found 22nd May 2002 and stayed 5 days. The third was the most observed and would show very well at times, reeling from 21th June to at least the 4th July 2014.😊

149. Cettis Warbler- In March 1990 the reserves 2nd record of Cettis  Warbler was found along the shep, this was the first bird in Cambridgeshire for 4 years, showing how rare they use to be. It wasn’t until 5th April 2010 that the next bird occurred. From then on the species has been a familiar sight with nesting in most years, bar a short gap when no birds were present. In 2018 two pairs bred successfully. 2 territories in 2020 and in 2021 there were 5 singing male on site.😊

150. Reed Warbler- Commonest breeding bird at Fowlmere with 54 territories noted in 2018. A very late bird was seen on 23rd Nov 2017. 44 territories in 2020 and in 2023 still at least 44 territories indicating the population as stable. The earliest arrival is on the 7th April 2024.😊

151. Marsh Warbler- 1 record of a trapped bird in 1976 when the rspb were doing studies before buying the site. The 2nd record came 47 years later on 10th June 2023 with a male singing brilliantly at the end of the boardwalk. The bird was present the whole day but departed over night.😊

152. Willow Warbler- Seems incredible that there was once 60+ territories in the 1980’s, this has now reduced to 5 in 2018. Since 2009, mixed singing birds have been present each year, 2 out of that 5 were heard mixing. 4 territories in 2020. Just 3 in 2021 and down to 2 in 2023.😊

153. Wood Warbler- A rarity with only 4 records. The first record was on 15th July 1980. There was a long wait for the next which was a singing bird on 24th April 2002 with another on 30th April 2005. The last record was an early autumn bird in July c2010.😊

154. Chiffchaff- Common summer visitor, 2 birds winterered in 2017-18 but normally they don’t winter on the reserve. Earliest returning singing bird is 2nd March 2019. 14 territories in 2018. 16 in 2020. At least 18 territories in 2023.😊

155. Yellow-Browed Warbler- 3 records. As the number of autumn birds arriving in Britain has risen, it was only a matter of time before one made it to Fowlmere. The first of these superb warblers was in Sept 2014, followed by one in Oct 2016 and Oct 2017.

156. Goldcrest- Present all throughout the year and passage birds are noted in late sept. 6 territories in 2018. 8 in 2020. 8 in 2023.😊

157. Firecrest- Always a gem to have on the reserve, in the late 80’s and 90’s this species was only an infrequent spring migrant. There was a good number of years, 2005-2011 when the species became guaranteed .. 1-3 would be found each spring. In 2010 a male and female arrived in April up the centenary end. The male continuously singing, it soon became clear a breeding attempt was happening. Very heavy rain in early June ruined the nest just before egg stage but there was still hope when the birds began to build another. Sadly they abandoned half way through. The pair remained present until 2nd August when they left the site. Not recorded for 11 years when one was found along track to reedbed hide on 26th October 2022. 2023 was a good spring for the species with passage birds seen on 24th-28th March along the boardwalk, another around the loop on 25th March and a singing male on 14th-15th April by the reedbed hide junction.😊

158. Spotted Flycatcher- Lost as a breeding species for many years and with the population sharply falling there seemed little chance of them returning…but they did! In 2014 a pair bred successfully in the alders and have done so ever since..it got even better when in 2018, 2 pairs raised young, one brood was predated, possibly by Stoat but between the 2 pairs there were 3 broods with at least 7 juveniles fledged. One pair fledged young in 2020. 3 pairs in 2023 raised 5 young.😊

159. Pied Flycatcher- 13 records. A very tricky bird to find on passage and this reflects the lack of records. Bird have been found in spring and autumn. An unprecedented arrival of 4 birds in August 2019…the first on 24th-25th with 2 more on the 26th and yet another on the 27th during an excellent passage of the species throughout East/South England. 1 on 13th August 2022.😊

160. Great Tit- 13 territories in 2018..😊

161. Blue Tit- Autumn flocks mixed with other species can number to 50+. 16 territories in 2018.😊

162. Coal Tit- Quite a scarcity despite being Common in nearby villages. One Male has been singing in summer but most records are in October. However in 2017-18 there was many more sighting than normal.😊

163. Marsh Tit- Very rare, only 7 records. One very brief bird on 2nd Sept 2017 was the first at Fowlmere for 10 years. Latest record is one on 12th October 2020.😊

164. Willow Tit- The East Anglia population has all but become extinct so at this time it would seem unlikely to turn up again. In the 80’s and 90’s birds were seem quite frequently, sometimes 2 together. The last one to be recorded arrived in Sept 2000 and was present until May 2001.😊

165. Long- Tailed Tit- Common, 5-6 pairs nesting.😊

166. Bearded Tit- Rare, several October records, occasionally spends the winter deep in the reedbed where they can be very elusive. The species has bred once, one pair raised 2 broods in 1981.😊

167. Nuthatch-Formerly very rare at Fowlmere but with a uk population boom the species is now annual. Well watched birds were 2 together near the cress hut on 20th July 2019 which stayed into the late autumn 2019. June 2023 in the centenary Wood, dispersing juveniles possibly coming from a breeding pair in Fowlmere village. One on 25th March 2024. One on 9th April 2024.😊

168. Treecreeper- 8 pairs nesting .😊

169. Great- grey Shrike- Several wintering records from 1977 to 1987, which almost certainly involved returning birds. There have been no records since 1987.

170. Magpie- A familiar sight with at least 2 pairs nesting. A regular roost in the 1980’s numbered at 64. Recently a roost count of 59 in Feb 2020 was the highest for some years. 😊

171. Jay- 2 pairs breed.😊

172. Jackdaw- 3/4 pairs breed in the alders and cattle paddock. For many years there has been a regular winter roost in the poplars numbering 2000+ birds. Two Nordic Jackdaw records, the latest being wintering in the area and seen January – March 2023.😊

173. Rook- 100’s in surrounding fields out of the breeding season.😊

174. Carrion Crow- Common in the area, numbers of 50+ in surrounding fields or when roosting. 4 pairs nest.😊

175. Raven- 1 in sept 2015, 2 birds in the area Nov/Dec 2016, birds flying over occasionally since started breeding nearby 2018. By 2021  birds being seen more regularly and a frequent flyover. 10 on 26th January 2023. The species growth in the area continues with 27 around the Manor Farm fields on the 11th October 2023.😊

176. Starling- regular, winter roost in jan 2020 numbered 5000 birds but 10,000 roosting in the winter of 20/21 is the largest ever recorded at Fowlmere.😊

177. Golden Oriole- 1 record, a first summer male singing very well in the poplars along the bridleway on 27th May 2021.😊

178. House Sparrow- Small flock use to frequent the car park but is now a rare sight on the reserve. At least 2 pairs nest in the house roof of the stables near the reserve entrance .😊

179. Tree Sparrow- Like House Sparrow use to be a small flock around the car park but is now a very rare species on the reserve. Only 2 records of single birds between 2010-2018😊

180. Chaffinch- In the 90’s there was a regular winter roost in the centenary end of over 100 birds, that is now gone but there is still a roost of around 35 birds in the east gate area. 15 territories in 2018. Concerning decline in 2020 with only 7 territories.😊

181. Linnet- In Early 2000’s Winter flocks of 100+ in the surrounding fields, 3-4 pairs nest. Drastic decline of the species by 2023, no winter flocks and only one pair nesting.😊

182. Twite- One fantastic record of a single bird that spent 6 days feeding on the track to manor farm from 28th October-2nd November 2003. The bird was colour ringed and had come from the Pennines.😊

183. Lesser Redpoll- becoming scarce, Small flocks can sometimes be in the alders during winter, usually no more than 10, often birds are seen going overhead in October.😊

184. Mealy Redpoll- Rare, 4 Records in with Lesser Redpoll and Siskin feeding in the alders. 10th Jan 2010, a single in 2011 and 21st April 2013. A single with Siskin flock in alders on 27th January 2024.😊

185. Goldfinch- 2-3 pairs nesting, post breeding/wintering flocks can number 100+😊

186. Siskin- Regular winter visitor feeding in the alders. Highest day count is 110 on 9th Nov 2011 with one single flock of 80 on the same day. A flock in the alders on 25th February 2024 consisted of 110 birds.😊

187. Greenfinch- 4 territories on the reserve in 2018. 2 territories in 2023.😊

188. Bullfinch- 3 territories in 2018, wintering groups can number 6+😊

189. Brambling- Many use to roost with Chaffinch in the centenary end in winter..on 13th Feb 2006 an incredible 254 were counted coming in. 1-2 can still be found amongst the Chaffinch roosting by east gate in 2017/18. April is a good month to see birds on passage. 😊

190. Hawfinch- Very Rare, 3 records..first record was of a single bird feeding on blackberries between Drewers hide and the river shep on 3rd April 1986. The second was 2 birds coming into roost along the shep on 21st Oct 2011. 2 birds flew over the carpark on 9th October 2020.😊

191. Crossbill- 5 records. Way back in the 80’s a Male was photographed drinking from a puddle on the track along the cattle paddock. The second record was a single flying over on 15th July 1997 and 6 flying over on 23rd July 1997. After many years between records one flew over south on 31st July 2020.😊

192. Reed Bunting- 10 territories in 2018. The reserve is an important wintering site for the species. Birds feeding around the arable in the day time all head for the reserve to roost. From 2010 it was realised just how many were using the reserve..there are several counts of 1000+ but the highest count was on 13th Feb 2010..1200+, one of the largest counts ever recorded in Britain. Feb/mar is the best time for seeing the most birds, counts in those months have often brought totals of 600+. Another much declined species, in 2022/23 roosting birds barely reached 100. The 2023 breeding season had 9 territories.😊

193. Lapland Bunting- 1 Brilliant record that just scraps on the list as it flew over part of the recording area. A single spent a week in fields to the south of the reserve and was seen flying around an adjoining field on 1st Jan 2008.😊

194. Rustic Bunting- The most remarkable record on the reserve list. A single bird was found amoungst 150 other buntings in a rough field out from the car park on 26th Jan 1994, staying for 7 weeks the bird would roost on the reserve with Reed Bunting. This was only the third wintering record in Britain and is still the only record ever in Cambridgeshire. Over the buntings time present it was estimated that 2000 birders come to see it.😊

195. Yellowhammer- 6 territories in surrounding fields, winter flocks of 300+ have been recorded but now have gone with no flocks being recorded in winter.😊

196. Corn Bunting- 2/3 pairs breed in surrounding fields, birds often heard singing in front of reedbed hide or in the cattle paddock and  birds come down to the mere to drink. Not that long ago it was easy to see flocks of 250+ in winter but this is no more, winter flocks have completely vanished. Also there is no longer any roosting birds, in the 80’s, some winters produced 800+ birds.😊

For completeness this is some of the exotica that has been recorded at Fowlmere.

Blue and Yellow Macaw, Ring-Necked Parakeet, Cape Shelduck, Comb Duck, sulfur-Crested Cockatoo, Cockateil, Bar-Headed Goose, Old English Wildfowl Cockeral, Indian Peafowl, Chiloe Wigeon x Eurasian Wigeon hybrid, Ruddy Shelduck, Eider-male on 29th April 2022 known to have come from Dernford collection.