Another fine morning, though with a chilly westerly wind. A good morning at Fowlmere:
Willow Warbler - same date as last year.
Marsh Harrier - almost certainly the returning male; quartered reed bed and landed in area around last year's nest site. Later mobbed by...
Common Buzzard - an interesting bird. Very pale underneath and pale brown upper parts with sandy-red tail. Also seemed to be large and more robust than most. In south-eastern Europe I would have definitely called it Long-legged.
Sand Martin - three over north-west.
Fox
Then, took a drive around locally, looking for Tree Sparrows. None found but excellent, close views of a female-type Merlin between Foxton and Newton.
Early evening, during a quick walk around Fowlmere, the Marsh Harrier could be seen hunting over the airfield.
