Abstract from BTO Research Report No 431:

Collier, M.P., Burton, N.H.K. & Baylis, S.

A survey and assessment of the birds of the Cam Washes and Berry Fen SSSIs, Cambridgeshire, focussing on breeding and wintering waterbirds
ISBN: 1-904870-81-3

Executive summary

1. This report summarises the results of ornithological surveys and a data search undertaken in order to assess the current importance of birds using the Cam Washes (169 ha) and Berry Fen (18 ha) Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Cambridgeshire. Both sites wereoriginally scheduled for their important bird fauna, particularly of waterbirds.

2. Three surveys of the breeding waterbirds using the two sites were conducted between mid-April and mid-June 2005, following methods used in previous Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows Surveys. Two further visits were made to each site in December 2005 and January 2006 to assess numbers of wintering waterbirds.

3. Results of the surveys are compared to previous information obtained from Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows Surveys in 1982 and 2002, Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) data, Winter Gull Roost Survey data and other incidental records.

4. In total, 11 species of wader were recorded at the Cam Washes SSSI during the 2005 breeding season. Three pairs of Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, six of Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, four of Snipe Gallinago gallinago and 13 of Redshank Tringa totanus were estimated to have bred (following the standard methods of O’Brien & Smith 1992). Three pairs of Lapwing and one pair of Redshank were assumed to have bred at Berry Fen.

5. Wildfowl species confirmed to have bred at the Cam Washes SSSI in 2005 were Mute Swan Cygnus olor, Greylag Goose Anser anser, Canada Goose Branta canadensis, Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and Shoveler A. clypeata; Gadwall A. strepera, Teal A. crecca and Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula were also likely to have bred. Probable breeding wildfowl at Berry Fen were Gadwall, Teal, Mallard and Shoveler.

6. During the 2005/06 winter, 18 waterbird species were recorded at the Cam Washes and nine at Berry Fen. Most numerous (>100 individuals) were Greylag and Canada Geese and Wigeon Anas penelope at Cam Washes and Lapwing at Berry Fen.

7. Using the same methods as above, in the 1982 Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows Survey the Cam Washes south section (Upware Washes) held an estimated eight pairs of Lapwing, nine of Snipe and 12 of Redshank, and in 2002, one pair of Oystercatcher, 14 of Lapwing and 18 of Redshank. In comparison, this section held an estimated one pair of Oystercatcher, four of Lapwing, three of Snipe and 11 of Redshank in 2005.

8. A total of 48 waterbird species were recorded by WeBS core counts during spring/summer (April-June) between 2000 and 2004 on the River Cam: Kingfisher’s Bridge WeBS sector and a total of 38 species on the River Cam: Upware to Dimmock’s Cote sector. During winter (November to March, 2000/01 to 2004/05), the same sectors held 51 and 34 species respectively. No gulls were recorded at Berry Fen in the 2004 Winter Gull Roost Survey.

9. Both SSSIs remain important for the breeding and wintering waterbirds for which they were designated. Despite its small size, the Berry Fen SSSI supported two species of breeding wader and four of wildfowl and at least nine species of waterbird in winter. The site was originally designated for the Bewick’s Swans Cygnus columbianus that may use it in winter when the adjacent Ouse Washes are too deeply flooded and although none were recorded during the current surveys, incidental records suggest continued use of the area by the species. The Cam Washes held four species of breeding wader in 2005, though in lower numbers than previous surveys in 1982 and 2002, and at least 51 species in winter (WeBS counts). The future for the ornithological interest of the sites, however, is likely to be highly dependent on grazing and flooding, which if managed can provide beneficial foraging habitat for both breeding and wintering waterbirds.

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