Waxwings

Two Waxwings showed well opposite the Salisbury Arms in Cambridge at lunchtime. An added bonus is that the bush they feed on can easily be seen from inside the pub!

 

Photograph taken on same day by Tony Mills (from Birdguides.)

Blackcap

A male Blackcap was on the garden feeders at first light.

Fowlmere

On a sunny afternoon, the Mealy Redpoll was again seen (very briefly) amongst Lesser Redpolls, Goldfinches, and a couple of male Siskins. A couple of Grey Partridges were also seen and the mere held four duck species: Teal (a pair plus four males), Tufted Duck (male), Gadwall (two males and a female) and several Mallards, as well as the six Mute Swans (four immature.) A female Sparrowhawk was also showing well by the mere at dusk and there was also a flyover Little Egret and Woodcock.

Fowlmere

Spent a lot of the afternoon at Fowlmere, much of it searching for the Redpoll flock. About ten were seen, but no sign of the Mealy. A Buzzard was seen as well as the Barn Owl. On the mere there were six Mute Swans (four immature) and three pairs of Teal.

Mealy Redpoll

Eventually saw the Mealy Redpoll feeding with four Lesser Redpolls and several Goldfinches. It’s taken about seven hours for a five minute view but it’s on the Fowlmere list! A Buzzard was the only other bird of note.

Grey Partridges

Eleven Grey Partridges in fields near Adenbrookes seen from train in the morning.

Shepreth L-moor

A single Snipe was flushed at dusk.

Fowlmere

A good three hours spent looking for the Mealy Redpoll ended in failure (no Lessers were seen either.) A Buzzard and two Snipe were about it.

Fowlmere

An hour at dusk: Buzzard (roosting), Little Grebe (calling), Woodcock, and Snipe.

Merlin

A Merlin flew over Fowlmere and continued south-west at 5:10. The first good in sighting in several evening visits.

Thetford Forest

No birding, but on a cycle ride with the children and my parents, four Crossbill and a couple of Marsh Tits were noted.

Otters

Went to Fowlmere just before dusk and noticed a year-tick Little Grebe from the main hide. Then:

“Tom and I have just come back from Fowlmere where we had the most amazing views of a mother and young otter. They were first seen swimming in the mere before climbing onto the bank in front of the hide. They then swam about for several minutes in the water immediately in front of the hide, before climbing back on to the bank where they walked out of view. We thought that was it, so after ten minutes or so when it was nearly dark, set off for home. We then saw them just a few feet away in the pool of water where you turn left after leaving the hide. The pup was on the bank calling to the mother whilst the mother was swimming close by. Incredible! The young otter was much smaller, but guess it is getting on for a year old.”

The message was sent to Marcus Kohler who is yet to see Otter at Fowlmere! A Barn Owl was also screeching by the nest-box.

Tawny Owl

A Tawny Owl was calling from various points surrounding the garden in the very early hours of the morning, but refused to show.

Blackcap

A Blackcap was calling in the garden at dusk, but could not be found.