A little known watchpoint over the Nene Washes

The Nene Washes is an extensive strip of floodable grassland, south of the River Nene, east of Peterborough and with the bulk east of Whittlesey. The washes are famed as the UK’s last regular breeding site for Black-tailed Godwits, and more recently for breeding Cranes and Bitterns. In winter, especially after flooding, the complex teems with tens of thousands of wildfowl, best viewed with a scope. Access points to view over the site are few, with the most famous being from the Nene Way at Eldernell. Nearly 2.5 miles roughly to the east is a similar access place, known as March Farmers, offering similar views to Eldernell. Often the level of flooding is subtly different at the two sites, meaning a trip to both is worthwhile.

Often the flooding remains longer at March Farmers, meaning it can be the best site for watching the abundant wintering wildfowl, which are dominated by Wigeon, but there are always huge numbers of Teal, plentiful Shoveler and Pintail.

Whooper Swans may number more than 1,000 here and in the surrounding farmland, with lesser numbers of Bewick’s Swans also present.

In 2019, March Farmers found its way onto the rare bird map with a drake Baikal Teal taking up residence for a few weeks.

But every winter, you can expect to see Cranes (sometimes more than 30), Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, and there is a good chance of Short-eared Owl and Merlin. Cetti’s Warbler are always heard and Bitterns may fly past at any time.

As early spring progresses and flooding reduces, this can be the best local area for waders, usually with more than 1,000 Icelandic Blacktailed Godwits, but a chance of other waders, including Ruff, and scarcer passage birds, such as Grey Plover, Curlew and so on. Walks along the Nene Way in both directions can reward!