An Update from Fen Drayton Lakes

As we head into autumn, another breeding season on the reserve has come to an end. Like in previous years, this one has had mixed success with some species doing well and others sadly not doing so well.

A pair of Grey Heron successfully nested on site for the first time, fledging three chicks. As birds that usually nest communally, it is going to be interesting to see if they return next year and have other pairs join them.

A Hobby pair once again nested on site, fledging two chicks. Despite being aerial predators that spend a lot of time in the sky, they are amazingly unobtrusive when nesting and we weren’t aware of them until quite late in the breeding season.

Our pre-dawn bittern surveys back in April quickly picked up two booming males: one each on Holywell and Elney Lakes. We were unable to conclusively confirm if either had attracted a female, but it is likely that at least one of them did as a Bittern was seen regularly flying in and out of Holywell throughout the summer – behaviour typically associated with a female feeding young.

A Nightingale was present and singing beautifully for a week in May before going silent and not being seen or heard again. We will be carrying out habitat management work for this species over the winter to hopefully attract them back for next year.

Turtle Dove were once again present with two males calling on site and a third just south of the reserve. A family group was then seen in late August – fantastic news for one of the UK’s most at-risk species. Black-headed Gull and Common Tern had a hard time last year being severely affected by Avian Influenza. This, together with issues of flooding, resulted in numbers of breeding pairs plummeting from their 2022 levels. This year saw an increase of both species, although it will take some time to get back to pre-Avian Influenza levels.

As the autumn and winter progress over the next few months, we will be busy carrying out habitat management work around the reserve to get it into the best possible condition for the 2025 breeding season.

Upcoming events at Fen Drayton Lakes

Wednesday Wander Guided Walk – Ever thought you’d like to know more about the reserve and its wildlife? Volunteer-led guided walks take place once a month, usually on the second Wednesday.

To see further details and book, please visit:

events.rspb.org.uk/fendraytonlakes

Email: fendraytonlakes@rspb.org.uk

Visit rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/fen-drayton-lakes

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654