Cambridge Botanic Gardens

Moorhen with two young and a Wren feeding young this lunchtime.

Cambridge Botanic Gardens

A quick walk around Cambridge Botanic Gardens. Saw more bees in this small strip of wildflower “meadow”, in two minutes than in the rest of the gardens in half an hour or so.

Roller

A day off, so went with Tom (who is also off school) to Norfolk to see the Roller that’s been present at Holt for a few days. Nice bird obviously but a bit distant and the heat haze didn’t help as can be seen by this really boring video…

Then walked around Cley for a couple of hours. Tom took this rather nice picture of an Oystercatcher and a splendid summer plumaged Spotted Redshank was nice.

Apart from that, just the usual stuff. Called in on my Father at Syderstone on the way home. Whilst there we had a quick look for Natterjack Toads on a nearby pond. Lots of Tadpoles, but no adults.

Pacific Swift

Was getting ready to visit some friends in Nottingham, and news of a Pacific Swift at Trimley came through. I was going to be late! Managed to get to Trimley in an hour, jog the whole of the three miles, see the bird, and get back for a shower and a dash north, all by lunchtime. Met quite a few birders on the walk back who were just arriving, including Jason Ward who kindly sent me the photo.

Lakenheath

Had enough of work so about 11am decided to take some time off and enjoy the sun. So after taking Michelle and Tom for a pub lunch, we went to Lankenheath to look for the Savi’s Warbler that has been present there for a week or so. Late afternoon is probably not the optimal time for looking for a Savi’s Warbler, so we failed miserably. Oh well. Lots of Reed Warblers and F15s though.

 

Birds!

A Blue-headed Wagtail was apparently at Fowlmere, so I went with Tom. When we got there, there it wasn’t. Didn’t stay long so didn’t see an awful lot.
Moved the birdfeeder close to the house to keep the Squirrel off. The other advantage is nice, close views of birds, like this Collared Dove.

Swifts may have young, but not entirely sure.

Common Lizard

Not a lot happening at Fowlmere. Very few Dragonflies despite the good weather. Did manage to catch this Common Lizard though.

Swifts

The Swifts are now spending the night in the loft. So hopefully birds nesting or having nested in and around the garden this year include:

Starling
Swift
Blackbird
Dunnock
Robin
Wood Pigeon
Great Tit?
Collared Dove?