An Update from Fen Drayton Lakes

Our year on the reserve is split into two halves: the autumn-winter habitat management season and the spring-summer breeding season.

During the colder months of the year there is plenty for us to do. With our volunteer groups, we are kept busy as we go around the reserve carrying out work to maintain or enhance areas for our key breeding species. Nesting islands and rafts on the lakes are cleared of vegetation, willow is removed from reedbeds, scrub is coppiced, and many other tasks are carried out to provide the ideal habitats for our target breeding species.

The spring and summer are when we get to see the results of all this hard work as millions of birds pour into the UK to take advantage of the warmer weather for breeding. There is always some apprehension early in the season as we wait to see which species arrive on site to set up territories and nest. Many of our breeding birds are long distance migrants, spending the winter throughout Sub-Saharan and Southern Africa.

Some, like the Common Whitethroat may have been in Nigeria for the winter. Averaging just 14g, this small bird will fly thousands of miles over its lifetime, often coming back to the same patch of scrub year on year to nest.

As the summer progresses, why not come down to the reserve to look for these, and many other, charismatic birds around the trails.

Upcoming events at Fen Drayton Lakes

Wild(ish) Camping for Groups – A unique opportunity for groups to camp on site.

Guided Canoe Trail – Slink through the reeds on our new water-based trail to discover one of the harder to view lakes from a new perspective.

Wednesday Wander Guided Walk – Join our knowledgeable volunteers for a walk around the reserve.

To see further details and book for all the events mentioned, please visit:

events.rspb.org.uk/fendraytonlakes

Volunteering opportunities

We are looking for new volunteers to join our visitor engagement team here at Fen Drayton Lakes. In this role you will be giving visitors a warm welcome and finding out how you can help them enjoy their visit, whether that’s pointing out where they can see wildlife, advising on which trail to go around or providing information about Fen Drayton Lakes and what makes the reserve a special place.

To find out more, please get in touch.

Email: fendraytonlakes@rspb.org.uk