Winter sunrise at Nene Washes

Frozen Fingers, Fiery Sky

There's often a wonderful contrast in wildlife photography between the physical conditions and the sheer joy they can inspire!

That morning was a perfect example: bundled up in multiple layers against the freezing air, my fingers quickly became so cold that operating the camera controls felt clumsy.

Yet, the spectacle of the winter sunrise unfolding over the Nene Washes filled me with such excitement that, as my husband pointed out, I already had a wide smile spreading across my face.  As we began our walk, the only sound breaking the profound morning silence was the satisfying crunch of frost underfoot. 

It's impossible to capture the full scale of such a scene in one frame, but the photograph below gives a taste of that incredible light and atmosphere.

Short Eared Owls

As a self-confessed raptor fanatic, the main reason for braving the pre-dawn cold was the hope of glimpsing the magnificent Short-eared Owls that hunt over the Nene Washes in winter.

I couldn't believe my luck when, just minutes after arriving, I spotted one quartering low over the water – that distinctive, buoyant flight! 

Seeing them hunting so actively in daylight – something Short-eared Owls often do in winter, unlike more nocturnal Tawny or Long-eared owls – really allowed me to study their movements.

My initial reaction, however, was pure fumble; fingers numb with cold, reactions too slow, resulting only in photos of the owl flying away.

But the thrill was immense; I'd seen my first ever 'Shortie', and my smile turned into a wide grin that stayed fixed for the rest of the morning!

Thankfully, the owl (or perhaps others) reappeared several times throughout the morning, giving me the chance to settle down, anticipate its movements better, and practice tracking its mesmerising, moth-like flight pattern.

The viewing bank was quite distant from the main hunting areas over the water, so I was very glad I'd remembered to pack my teleconverter (extender) to give my 100-400mm lens some extra reach to capture the following shots. Ideally a 150-600mm would have been better here. 

Whooper Swans

Although the Short-eared Owls were a definite highlight, they weren't the only spectacular birds enjoying the glorious morning light.

Further out on the main expanse of water, a family group of Whooper Swans drifted serenely, their brilliant white feathers luminous against the dark water and golden sunrise.

The young birds would have been this year's babies, and hadn't yet developed their distinctive yellow beaks – a key difference from the orange bill and black knob of the familiar resident mute swan.

We also had fantastic views of Whooper Swans during our winter visit to Welches Dam on the Ouse Washes, another excellent local spot.

Photographing Winter Birds in Flight

While many wildfowl remained distant specks out on the main washes, the sky above provided constant opportunities to practice capturing birds in flight (BIF).

Focusing on the flocks passing overhead was a great way to hone tracking skills and experiment with shutter speeds, essential techniques for any wildlife photographer.

Ducks Overhead: Wigeon, Pintails & Friends

The sheer number and variety of ducks found in the UK using the washes in winter was fantastic. During the walk, those passing close enough to identify included:

• Mallard
• Teal
• Pochard
• Shoveler
• Wigeon
• Gadwall
• Pintail (my first sighting!)

While thrilling to see, capturing sharp photos of these rapidly flying ducks, often silhouetted against the bright winter sky, requires quick reflexes and the right camera settings.

Lapwing Acrobatics

Adding to the aerial display were a few Lapwings, instantly recognisable by their floppy, almost hesitant wingbeats and rounded wingtips – quite different from the ducks!

Also known as Green Plovers for their iridescent sheen in the right light, I decided to focus on tracking one as it flew past.

This is where using the camera's fast burst mode really pays dividends. My Canon 7D Mark II could shoot at 10 frames per second, firing off a rapid sequence of images as the bird moved.

This technique significantly increases your chances of capturing that 'perfect' moment in the wing cycle, like the elegant upward beat frozen in the photo below.

Seeing them always brings mixed feelings for me; when we first moved to West Cambridgeshire over 40 years ago, these beautiful waders were such a common sight across the fields.

Sadly, like many ground-nesting birds, their numbers have noticeably declined in recent years, making sightings like this feel even more precious.

Raptors on the Hunt

The Short-eared Owls weren't the only birds of prey capitalising on the crisp morning conditions.

We also enjoyed watching a female Kestrel as she hovered intently, scanning the water margins below for any sign of movement.

Moments later, some classic aerial drama unfolded when a feisty Black-headed Gull (still in its white-headed winter plumage) took exception to the Kestrel's presence and began actively 'mobbing' it, chasing the Kestrel across the sky!

The final raptor sighting of the morning was a Marsh Harrier, soaring in its characteristic style low over the distant reedbeds.

It was simply too far away for a truly satisfying photograph, even with an extender fitted; the image below is heavily cropped just to show the bird's shape.

Fieldfare Flocks

Adding to the busy skies were flocks of Fieldfares, instantly recognisable as large, colourful thrushes even at a distance.

These handsome birds are winter visitors to the UK, migrating from Scandinavia, and their chattering calls and bounding flight are a true sign of the season – I always love seeing their distinctive grey heads, speckled chests, and warm, rusty-toned backs against the winter landscape.