However, the group pressed on and we were soon greeted  by the song of a Chiffchaff. At the information hut we  turned left and took the board walk along the edge of the  reed bed. It was quiet there with just the occasional call of  a Moorhen but round the corner at the waterside hide we found a Song Thrush, a Wren and a Chaffinch.  

In the hide we waited patiently for a Kingfisher but alas they were in short supply so we made do with three Mallards and a couple of Moorhen.  

Moving down the trail towards the Tower Hide we passed under some overarching trees, probably Sycamores and Alders. The canopies of these were more interesting with numerous small birds feeding together. Along with Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits and Coal Tits were Siskin and at least one Redpoll. We stayed watching these for some time until the speed of their activity and the angle we had to crank our heads back to see them above us started to tell and with stiff necks we moved on to the Tower Hide.  

The lake was fairly quiet apart from a pair of Greylag Geese and a handful of Moorhens, Coot and Mallards. Crows and a possible distant Marsh Harrier were also seen. There was no activity around the owl box.  

Re-tracing our steps we walked to the spring that feeds the freshwater stream that is such a charming feature of Fowlmere. A couple of our group spotted brown trout and we met a man who was eagerly watching for bank voles but he didn’t find  any while we were there. 

At the last hide we found a Little Grebe aka Dabchick. These are very active small diving waterfowl whose young have redheads when newly hatched. Another month and there might be some to see.  

Outside the hide, a Chiffchaff was continuously singing and was joined by a Song Thrush and a Blackcap.