Number 3 in a series...

More Rainbows. A few local birds: Wheatear found in Thriplow field and Red Kite over Foxton fields.

More Rainbows

But no birds. Drove around for the best part of an hour in rain, sleet, and snow(!) checking various fields for Dotterel and anything the weather may have brought down. Nothing. Then a very quick walk around Fowlmere with similar results.

Fowlmere
27 April 2016 18:40 - 19:30
Sunny after very heavy showers 10C 5NW
Greylag Goose, Greater Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Swallow, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Chiffchaff (heard), Blackcap (heard), Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch, Reed Bunting (heard), Rabbit, Muntjac

Hard work...

...birding locally. Very little seen for an afternoons effort. Best was a Red Kite at Therfield, and the male Marsh Harrier in Foxton. Pasque Flowers always nice. Winds not helping.

Foxton
24 April 2016 11:15 - 13:30
Patch cloud 8C 16NE
Mallard, Pheasant, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Swallow, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Blackcap (heard), Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, Rabbit, Brown Hare

Therfield
24 April 2016 13:45 - 15:10

Pheasant, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Blackcap (heard), Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer (heard), Rabbit

Shepreth L-Moor
24 April 2016 15:28 - 16:16
Overcast with very light drizzle 8C 16NE
Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Kestrel, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (heard), Lesser Whitethroat (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch (heard), Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Rabbit

Foxton Migrants

A (the) Blackcap was back singing at the end of the garden, where one has done so for the last few years. Sang all day and into the evening on the sunniest day of the year so far.

Got a call to say there was a Wheatear in the 'Top Field' below the woods. Didn't get down there until early evening when there was no sign. Not to be outdone, I found two (a male and a female) by the crossroads!

Fowlmere

Not too bad a session at Fowlmere this evening. Marsh Harrier pair showing well, and the big surprise was a female Merlin that flew over the mere. Also a Yellow Wagtail and the first Sedge Warblers heard.

Fowlmere
12 April 2016 17:37 - 19:02
Sunny after much rain 10C 4SW
Greylag Goose, Greater Canada Goose, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Merlin, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (heard), Sedge Warbler (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Rabbit, Muntjac

Marsh Harrier

No sign of the reported Wheatear on Fowlmere Road, but nice views of Fowlmere's sub-adult male Marsh Harrier hunting for about fifteen minutes. Scared lots of Grey Partridges and Skylarks before eventually killing a young Hare. It struggled for a while to carry it off, but eventually had to leave it after being hassled by the ex-Hare's parents and a couple of Carrion Crows that are now feeding on it. Also a Rainbow!

Fowlmere Road
07 April 2016 18:13 - 19:31
Showers 10C 16W
Greylag Goose, Pheasant, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Rabbit, Brown Hare, Fallow Deer

Fowlmere and Fowlmere Road

A very quick visit to both, but quite productive. The female Black-tailed Godwit is amazingly still at Fowlmere. The first Sand Martins there and the first House Martins anywhere were also seen. Several of the former and a couple of the latter were seen as well as pairs of Shoveler, Tufted Duck, and Coot, three Snipe, and the Water Vole.

Fowlmere Road produced the year's first Yellow Wagtail.

Fowlmere
06 April 2016 17:48 - 18:47
Patchy cloud 8C 18W
Greylag Goose, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Chiffchaff (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird, Mistle Thrush (heard), Robin (heard), Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch (heard), Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Fowlmere Road
06 April 2016 18:55 - 19:14
Patchy cloud 8C 18W
Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Yellow Wagtail, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting

Black-tailed Godwit at Fowlmere (and Canada Geese!)

A very quick visit before going into Cambridge in what I thought would be a vain attempt at yesterday's female Black-tailed Godwit that I was told was on the mere. I thought my chances would be diminished further when I saw a female Marsh Harrier (later joined by a male) circling over the mere whilst on my way around to the hide. A quick look in awful conditions looking into the sun and my expectations were realised. But then, it wandered out of nowhere. A new bird for me for Fowlmere!

Later in the day, a pair of Canada Goose were on the lake in the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge. A new bird for me there too. The blossoms looked good too.

Fowlmere
05 April 2016 07:42 - 08:16
Sunny 7C 11W
Greylag Goose, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird, Song Thrush (heard), Mistle Thrush (heard), Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch, Reed Bunting

Cambridge Botanic Gardens
05 April 2016 12:25 - 12:51
Partly sunny 14C 11W
Greater Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit (heard), Coal Tit (heard), Chiffchaff (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird (heard), Robin (heard), Chaffinch

Amwell

A day away from work. A Sandwich Tern was reported at Amwell. I wasn't expecting to see it. And didn't. But it looked perfect for more to maybe come through. They didn't. Three Greenshanks were the obvious highlight. And this Robin...

Starlings have begun nesting in the roof.

Amwell
04 April 2016 11:13 - 13:27
Patchy cloud 11C 9S
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Greater Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Greenshank, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit (heard), Bearded Tit, Sand Martin, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Chiffchaff (heard), Blackcap (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Peacock

Thetford Forest

Half a day out with my family around Thetford Forest. With Michelle, Tom, and Sam, met my parents and my brother's family at Lynford Arboretum for an hour and a half's walk. Was fortunate to get a female Hawfinch at the paddocks that just happened to fly in to the top of the tree at the moment I arrived there. Also a pair of Nuthatches, and lots of Siskins. Then a long lunch at a nearby hotel.

We then went our separate ways, with my family heading down to Grimes Graves where a Great Grey Shrike had been overwintering. Parking on the approach road and walking towards the entrance, we were fortunate enough to stumble on a Goshawk. Brief views but seen well by myself and Tom. The Shrike took some finding, but gave itself up eventually, though at some distance.

A quick stopover at Foxhole Heath produced a single Stone Curlew.

Last thing I had a quick look around for the Short-eared Owl. I'm convinced it's not around (it's roost has been abandoned), but has been reported a couple of times. c250 Fieldfare seemed like a large number for the time of year. Also six Grey Partridges.

Lynford Arboretum
03 April 2016 11:40 - 12:58
Patchy cloud 14C 9SE
Mute Swan, Mallard, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Nuthatch (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird, Song Thrush (heard), Robin, Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch, Siskin, Hawfinch, Brimstone

Grimes Graves
03 April 2016 15:01 - 16:02
Sunny 16C 9SE
Goshawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker (heard), Great Grey Shrike, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit (heard), Marsh Tit, Skylark (heard), Chiffchaff (heard), Wren, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Robin (heard), Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer (heard), Rabbit

Foxhole Heath
03 April 2016 16:12 - 16:27
Sunny 14C 9SE
Stone-curlew, Woodpigeon, Rook, Rabbit

Fowlmere Road
03 April 2016 19:15 - 19:42
Overcast 10C 7SE
Red-legged Partridge, Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Rook, Carrion Crow, Wren (heard), Fieldfare, Yellowhammer (heard), Rabbit