It's cold outside

'Welcome to the Nene Washes... Arctic tundra', said Jonathan as today's RSPB guided walk began at Eldernell.

That felt about right, as with a biting north-easterly wind and 100% cloud cover it felt grim indeed. We walked up to just past Lord's Holt to look over the reserve floods, and saw four Marsh Harriers and a selection of cold-looking wildfowl.

I was worried that people would start asking us for their money back because of the relative lack of birds (it's so much better on a sunny morning!), so we were relieved when the resident Barn Owl pair came out to hunt and flew right past us.

Thank goodness for Barn Owls.