Shepreth L-moor

Ten Grey Partridges were the first at this site. Later headed to India.

Peregrine and Merlin

Good views of a Peregrine near Godmanchester on the A14 were seen early morning. At lunchtime, what sounded like a Tree Pipit flew over Ferry Meadows. Obviously too late. What was it? In the evening a Merlin was seen at Shepreth L-moor.

A few Common Darters were still on the wing at Ferry Meadows, and a Feathered Thorn was in the garden after dark.

Fowlmere and Shepreth L-moor

A strong south-westerly didn't help birding. Four each of Siskin and Golden Plover were seen, but the most surprising sight was a Red Admiral.

Fen Drayton

Lots of Wigeon and a Barn Owl this evening.

Fowlmere

A calling Tawny Owl was about it for Fowlmere this evening.

Raven

One probable (virtually certain) over Shepreth at 11:30. Two more Swallows over the garden and two Buzzards near Wimpole.

Local Migrants

Two Swallows over the garden may prove to be the last for this year. At Fowlmere, four Chiffchaffs were seen or heard.

Glossy Ibis

A Glossy Ibis flying in to roost with Cormorants at Fen Drayton at 6:02 was my 200th bird of the year. Also noted were about fifty Golden Plovers and thirteen Snipe as well as a Migrant Hawker.

Red-backed Shrike

First winter Red-backed Shrike on Therfield Heath. An appalling attempt was made at photographing it through my phone's camera; it may do for the rarities committee though.

Little Blue Heron

Ryan Air flight to Shannon then hire car to Letterfrack, County Galway, with Cris Freddi and John Murray. Nothing much on the way apart from Hooded Crows. Saw the Little Blue Heron as soon as we arrived, but very distant. Looking around the bay there were two Black Guillemots (one in winter plumage, the other transitionary) and four Red-breasted Mergansers. With the bird still far away we drove a short distance along the road to a suitable place to do some birding and get a celebratory pint at the local hotel (where John spent part of his honeymoon!) Nothing too exciting: Goldcrests, hibernicus Coal Tits, and a Treecreeper, as well as a Common Hawker.

We then managed closer views of the Heron before heading south to Shannon. A Raven was the only bird of note on the way, before stopping at Rahasane Turlough, where several American waders had been seen recently. Unfortunately non could be located (we were short of time), but we did see ten Greenland White-fronted Goose.

Fen Drayton

No sign of the Glossy Ibis at the roost, but I did arrive very late and only managed a single Little Egret flying in.

Therfield Heath and Shepreth L-moor

Wet and windy. No migrants at Therfield Heath apart from a single Chiffchaff with Long-tailed Tits. A pair of Buzzards were the only other noteworthy birds.

At Shepreth, the winter's first Redwings were seen (six or more.) At dusk, a party of four hirrundines included a juvenile House Martin along with the three Swallows (an adult and two juveniles.)

Mistle Thrushes

Working in the garden, so no time for birds, but a party of six calling Mistle Thrushes were noted flying over.

Fowlmere

On an autumnal evening: Tawny Owl, Siskins (14), and a Snipe.

Fowlmere

Two Snipe on a very cold evening.

Fowlmere

Twenty-five Siskins at a overcast and blustery Fowlmere. A Tawny Owl later flew across the road at Newton.