• Just popped up! (Copyright Tony Esposito)

  • Otter by pond next to bird hide (Copyright George Walthew)

  • Footprints in the snow - reserve extension (Copyright George Walthew)

  • Otter print in the clay - reserve extension (Copyright Scott Bailey)

  • Playing in the mere (Copyright Paul Barsby)

  • Fisherman's friend (Copyright Terry McKenna)

Wandering as water

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Much to members delight, we are being thoroughly spoiled with more regular otter (Lutra lutra) sightings at Kings Dyke Nature Reserve. Historically, otter tracks have been noted on the reserve extension pre-2011. But it was in November 2013 when the first otter sighting was noted from the main hide, towards the back of the lake. […]

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  • Marge and Mo (the swans)© Terry Mckenna

  • Cuckoo flower © George Walthew

  • Water rail © George Walthew

  • Bank vole © George Walthew

  • Area of the hie out of bounds due to Marge and Mo © Philip Parker

Service Resumed

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We are delighted to announce that the nature reserve re-opened to members on the 12th April. After battling the flooding for a couple of months, the main reserve paths are again passable, however there is still some flooding on the extension near the bunker which requires wellingtons to cross. This can be by circumnavigated by […]

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  • Overview of the reserve underwater ©Polly Godfrey

  • Water levels rising on the paths © Polly Godfrey

  • Rippling water near the pond dipping area © Polly Godfrey

Rising Water

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This winter, the whole country has received unprecedented levels of rain and snow. This combined with Kings Dykes existing water level issues has resulted in the reserve flooding to the point that the paths are impassable, even with wellies. Therefore, we had to make the difficult decision to close the reserve until further notice. We […]

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  • Bon Voyage. Please note both are living in the same household ©Polly Godfrey

  • Boarding "HMS Kings Dyke". Please note both are living in the same household ©Polly Godfrey

  • Half way across the mere with the pipe in tow. Please note both are living in the same household ©Polly Godfrey

  • The pipes before they were unrolled. Please note social distancing guidelines were followed. ©Philip Parker

  • The main clay bund preventing outflow from the reedbed ©Philip Parker

  • Clay bund across one of the outflow ditches. ©Philip Parker

Splashing Around

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Just before Christmas we were able to restart the pump to reduce the water levels in the main mere, after connecting  a new outlet. This was an exciting time with sinking boats, falling over and plenty of mud. First job on the list was to uncurl the 4 x 100 metre sections of pipe (each […]

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  • Lesser redpoll © George Walthew

  • Redwing © George Walthew

Autumn 2020

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The Autumn colours were in full force at Kings Dyke with vibrant reds provided by a male Lesser Redpoll and a few remaining common darters. Yellows and oranges were represented by the many tree’s starting to shed their leaves. With Winter on its way the reed warblers and Swifts fled the reserve in search of […]

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  • Grass snake swimming across the Mere © Terry Mckenna

  • Slow worm © Polly Godfrey

Summer 2020

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With lockdown relaxed, members returned to the reserve. Thank you for all the sightings we received this year from member new and old. We received a full array of sightings from delicate butterflies to powerful Marsh harriers. Butterfly transects of the reserve revealed 14 plus butterfly species such as Essex skipper and Wall brown. This […]

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  • Flooded path leading to the extension © George Walthew

  • Flooded path at Kings Dyke © George Walthew

Rising Water levels

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The rising water levels over the winter has made a few changes to the reserve. The tern islands have been submerged and the feeders needed to be relocated from the front of the hide to the pond dipping area. Nature found its own way this year with the terns moving nesting spots, so we were […]

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  • A beautiful sunrise at the reserve © George Walthew

  • Grasshopper Warbler © George Walthew

COVID 19 – Spring 2020

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Spring 2020 was an unusual time; the hides and fossil area were shut and the gates locked. Even though we were only allowed 1 hour of exercise it didn’t deter our members from spotting some awesome sights. While not all the members could visit the reserve, plenty of throwback photos were posted so we were […]

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  • Wasp Spider - © George Walthew

The Wasp Spider pays a visit to the Reserve!

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The Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi) was first spotted near the pond dipping platform on Saturday 25th August 2018, by member George Walthew. This is a new addition to the reserve’s species list.  This species of spider is known to live predominantly along the south coast of England, although they are now establishing in habitats further northwards. […]

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Kings Dyke Nature Reserve • 222 Peterborough Road • Whittlesey, Cambridgshire PE7 1PD • 01553 630 842
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