Foxton and Cambridge

Unfortunately a juvenile Swift was found dead below the nest in our bedroom. The second one to have succumbed to the same fate. The first was un-feathered and only a day or so old, this latest was about half adult size. I think there is still at least one young bird in the nest.

Prior to this, in the very early hours, a Little Owl was calling in the churchyard very close to the house. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see it.

Still in Foxton, a family party of recently fledged Goldcrests were in the large hedge at the back of the Cambridge-bound train platform. While in the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge, I noted Southern Hawker, Emperor, and male and female Banded Demoiselles amongst the usual damselflies.

Stiffkey

A quick walk along the marshes to walk off another hangover. Not much, just a few Little Egrets and Painted Ladies. A couple of Buzzards were seen on the drive back.

Spoonbill

Camping at Stiffkey with the Foxton White Horse crowd. Having a cup of tea recovering from with a hangover and an adult Spoonbill flies over! It was later seen to settle at Cley.

Later in the day, I took a break from Brancaster beach and went to nearby Titchwell:

Spotted Redshank x 15 in summer plumage.
Grey Plover – summer plumage.
Knot x 2000? With a few in summer plumage.
Bearded Tit x 2.
Marsh Harrier
Dunlin – a single summer plumaged bird.
Ruff
Sandwich Tern x 3.
Little Tern offshore.
Cetti’s Warbler – heard.
Common Toad
Red Admiral – several.

Elsewhere, several Little Egrets and Buzzards were noted throughout the day.

Buzzards

Three Buzzards seen from the train this afternoon returning from Cambridge.

Blue Tits

The Blue Tit family is still constantly feeding in the garden. Unfortunately one of the youngsters flew against the conservatory window and despite out best efforts died shortly afterwards.

I took this quick snap of one of its more fortunate siblings shortly afterwards…

Thetford Forest

Fowlmere Bullfinches Wildlife Explorers trip to Thetford Forest for Stone Curlews and Nightjars. I went early (late afternoon) with Tom to Lakenheath to try and see Golden Oriole and Common Crane, whilst Sam went on the mini-bus.

Unfortunately the weather let us down. A strong, cold, northerly wind and heavy rain meant that the BTO pulled out of the Nightjar ringing. It also made Lakenheath difficult.

In the end, we had to settle for hearing two male Orioles, and left the Cranes as access was difficult without disturbing the breeding birds. We noted two Hobbies mobbing a Sparrowhawk, about twenty Marsh Harriers, a large number of Swifts, and a vixen Fox.

Meeting the others at Weeting, myself and Tom were lucky enough to see a single Stone Curlew. Though distant, Tom did manage a digiscoped record shot.

Unfortunately the mini-bus party arrived just as it walked out of view. We therefore decided to try nearby Mildenhall, and fortunately scored here before moving on to just north of Elvedon to try for Nightjar (though obviously without ringing.) As suspected, it was hard going, and only myself and Tom saw a single bird briefly. The only other notable sighting was of a couple of Roe Deers.

Fowlmere

First visit for some time. Wasn’t expecting much. Didn’t see much! Turtle Doves and Cetti’s Warbler heard. Also a juvenile Robin that was trying to feed on Woody Nightshade, as well as nice displays of Water Crowfoot.

This week

No birding of any sort for a whole week! Stuff I’ve noticed around: Blue Tit family are constantly on the garden feeders and costing me a fortune in fat balls (though visits from Starling family don’t help.) Robin also nesting somewhere near garden I’m sure (probably the church.) Swifts in roof still. Also, several Silver-y moths around the conservatory lights, an Azure Damselfly in the house, Bombus hypnorum Bumblebees on the allotment Raspberries, and the Goldcrest contantly singing near my Cambridge office window.

Painted Lady

First of the year in the Botanic Gardens, Cambridge.

Corn Buntings

No birding again today, but whilst out cycling with Sam, I noticed a total of five singing Corn Buntings on the wires between Foxton and Fowlmere, fairly evenly spaced out along the mile long road.

Marmora’s Warbler

(1st summer?) male Marmora’s Warbler at Blorenge, Gwent. Found yesterday. See http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2131.

Drove through the night to get to South Wales. Got great views at dawn. In Cambridge ready for work by 8am (though not having slept I don’t feel up for it!)

Also a pair of Ravens and a pair of Whinchats.

Fowlmere

Very quiet during an hour walk early evening. Turtle Doves singing (one seen) and Cetti’s Warbler singing from a different part of the reserve, left of the Shep (possibly seen extremely briefly, though there was a Blackcap and Chiffchaff in the same bush.)

Three Mallards were added to the Cambridge office list.

Royston/Barley Area

Drove the fields south of the A505 between Royston and Barley, looking and listening for Quail. No luck. But lots of Corn Buntings, a pair of Red-legged Partridges, a Yellow Wagtail, and several Hares.