Caspian Gull in Foxton

Not found by me, and only seen very briefly, but a first winter Caspian Gull in the temporary pools. Also nine Waxwings.

Med’ Gull in Foxton

Eventually went for our family Christmas walk on a sunny morning. Wicken Fen. Very nice, but not too many birds. Best sighting was a Hen Harrier at Burwell on the way back.

Then drove around the flooded fields in the village looking for Gulls. The best spot appeared to be between Foxton and Barrington. It proved superb. Three Yellow-legged Gulls (an adult and a third winter), and a single Great Black-backed Gull (a rarity in Foxton). These were amongst around thirty each of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, and Common Gulls, and several hundred Black-headed Gulls. There were also four Moorhens, six Grey Partridges, and five Grey Herons.

Then, at about 3:40, I found a first winter Mediterranean Gull. A first for me in Foxton. A great day!

Great Grey Shrike

After the rain eventually stopped, mid-afternoon, I went with Tom to Therfield to look for the Great Grey Shrike. We were successful (found by Tom) and also saw a Red Kite and two Barn Owls. An enjoyable couple of hours.

Fowlmere and Shepreth L-moor

 

Very quiet. Took a photo of a bored Grey Heron. That’s it! Went home when it started raining hard.

Fowlmere

A very quick walk around to get some fresh air. No birds, but lovely light.

Fowlmere
25 December 2012 12:09 - 12:41
Overcast 8C 12S
Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Linnet, Magpie, Moorhen, Snipe, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Rook, Water Rail, Treecreeper, Great Tit, Bullfinch, Mistle Thrush, Fallow Deer

Richardson’s Canada Goose

Went to Norfolk for the Richardson’s Canada Goose (Cackling Goose - Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii). It had been ranging between Blakeney and Kelling and quite difficult to connect with. However, it had been seen at Kelling in the morning and so with a free afternoon I decided to gamble. Upon arrival I was unsure of the best path to take so asked a dog-walker with binoculars. He showed me the path but explained that it was pointless walking down there if I was after the goose as it had been missing for hours. With only a couple of hours light left, I decided to get back in the car and drive to Cley to see if had been reported there. However, driving past Salthouse, I noticed a flock of about fifty Canada Geese. Although it had never been reported there before, I decided I may as well pull over and give the flock a scan. And there it was!

I watched it for the best part of an hour and then went for a walk around Salthouse. This produced a flock of about thirty Snow Buntings and a female Common Scoter at sea.

An excellent afternoon!

Fowlmere

Heavy rain for 24 hours. Needed to get out though so popped to Fowlmere for a while. As expected, it was very quiet although a Cetti’s Warbler was heard, the first for some time. I pulled over along Fowlmere Road on the way back and could hear Waxwings in the bushes but they were the other side and out of view.

Fowlmere

Didn’t get a lunch-break so took a walk around Fowlmere at dusk. Went via the Fowlmere Road Waxwings (27) which was fortunate as there wasn’t a lot to see at Fowlmere apart from four Gadwall.

Fowlmere

No sign of the Waxwings along Fowlmere Road on two short visits, but they were reported. So went to a typically quiet Fowlmere. A Kingfisher performed well at dusk but it was too dark for any meaningful photography.

Yet more Waxwing photos

Popped to Fowlmere Road with the boys for half an hour to take some photos of the Waxwing as it was the first day for ages with good light.

Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll

Got to see the hornemanni Arctic Redpoll at Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Great little bird. Amazing views of it on the beach when I arrived and continued to perform for twenty minutes or so before it flew into the marsh.

Didn’t stay as views were exceptional. Had my lunch  on the beach in the sun watching the Black-headed Gulls and then drove back home to get on with some work.

There were also 26 Waxwings at the “McDonalds” in Whittlesford so I stopped to have a quick look. Was still thick fog inland.

Then found the Fowlmere Road ones whilst driving into Foxton (about 40).

Several Fieldfares were feeding on the lawn with Blackbirds. Took a very poor picture through a dirty window and thick fog!

Waxwings in Foxton!

A few photos from the fifty-plus Waxwings along Fowlmere Road.

Several Fieldfares were in the garden with the numerous Blackbirds. Fowlmere was quiet.

Waxwings in Foxton!

About 40 Waxwings along Fowlmere Road and then later near Foxton Woods. There were some (same birds?) also reported at Fowlmere, but not seen by me unfortunately.

Yet More Thrushes

Still no proper birding, so a really dull video of some garden Thrushes, mostly , but with a cameo performance by a Fieldfare.

Blackbirds

More Thrushes

Blackbirds, Redwings, and Fieldfares all feeding in the garden first thing, along with a whole load of other smaller birds such as Blue Tits and a Robin feeding on nuts and seeds put down to help them get through the cold snap that included overnight snow.

Garden Blackbirds

Very busy today and hardly had time to look out of the window, but Tom counted fifteen Blackbirds at any one time in the garden feeding on the apples.

Waxwings, Bittern, and Bearded Tits

A very quick walk around Fowlmere mid-morning produced some flyover Redpolls (not seen). Again, there were lots of Thrushes, including this first winter male Blackbird.

And a male Kingfisher showed nicely above the iced mere.

I needed to rush back to take Sam to Stevenage for football; on the way, I had a good view of a Waxwing feeding on some berry bushes by the side of the A505 near Baldock. A Red Kite was also in the vicinity, along with three Buzzards.

I took another walk around Fowlmere at dusk. Last thing was quite exciting with a Bittern, followed by a Barn Owl, followed by some (not seen) pinging Bearded Tits.

Fieldfare and other Thrushes

As a lot of work needs doing on the garden, I’ve left the apples below the tree. The garden is full of thrushes, particularly now the hard-whether has arrived, with double-figure counts of Blackbirds. The first Fieldfare of the year joined them today.

A very quick walk around Fowlmere mid-morning produced little, but Thrush numbers were high there too.