Sandon

Another look for Quail with Tom on a perfect night for them ended in failure.

Garden

A weekend of hard work in the garden, with no time for birding. However, found the Collard Doves' nest as well as confirming House Sparrows are breeding. Also Blackbirds and Dunnocks may well be breeding in the same hedge.

Fowlmere

Although sunny, an extremely windy day (from the west.) Not much seen apart from spectacularly close views of a young Hobby hawking over the mere.

Prior to that, Fowlmere Road's Stoat (or Weasel?) was again seen.

Stoat?

A Stoat (or Weasel?) ran across Fowlmere road.

Yellow-necked Mouse

A young Yellow-necked Mouse caught in the shed.

Buzzards

Two Buzzards near Cambridge from A14.

Fowlmere and Lakenheath

Awoke early so went to Fowlmere. Nothing too exciting, just a perched Buzzard.

Late afternoon myself and the kids joined a Fowlmere Bufinches expedition to Lakenheath. A good turn-out with two minibuses and several cars.

Initially we split in to two groups and walked in opposite directions around the reserve. Highlights during were Bearded Tit (male), Grasshopper Warbler (good views) and two Barn Owls, along with several Marsh Harriers. Unfortunately no Golden Orioles were seen (or heard) and the other group also managed a flyover Crane!

Although for the most part sunny, we were caught in a heavy shower towards the end of the day and things did not look good as we drove through heavy rain towards our planned Nightjar ringing session nearby, just north of Santon Downham. Fortunately the rain stopped and we had good views of several birds at dusk as well as two Woodcocks. With the nets set up, a male Whitethroat was caught shortly before nightfall, and just prior to the rain starting again, we were fortunate to catch a single male Nightjar.


Reed Buntings by Tom

Red Kite

A Red Kite near Grantchester brings this weeks A14-M11 raptor driving total to six species including the Saker-type escape!

Marsh Harrier

Female-type Marsh Harrier seen near Fen Drayton whilst driving.

Yellow-necked Mouse and Buzzard

A Yellow-necked Mouse was trapped in the shed. Whilst examining it, Tom let it free in the house where it spent most of the day!

Single Buzzard near Godmanchester.

Falcon

A large, pale, Saker like Falcon, with jesses. Seen whilst driving on A14 near Fen Drayton early evening.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Buff-breasted Sandpiper near to place of work at Maxey gravel pits. Unfortunately a bit distant and in not great light. Also present, a pair of Avocets, a pair of Little-ringed Plover, a Ringed Plover, a pair of Redshank, several breeding Lapwings with chicks, plus a number of breeding Common Terns and (possibly breeding?) Black-headed Gulls.

Icterine Warbler

Icterine Warbler at Wilstone. New bird for Herts for me, and a lifer for Tom. Also Red Kite there, and two Buzzards at Puckeridge, plus one near Royston.

Swift and Thrush Nightingale

The day started with a Swift found by Tom, in his bedroom! It must have entered through a hole in the thatch, and then flown through the loft entrance which was left open for work being done. A bit stunned by flying in to a window, we put it on a branch, from which it flew after a few minutes or so. It quickly met up with what we assume was its mate.

Despite waiting for some time in terrible weather, myself and Tom had good, but very brief views of a Thrush Nightingale at Dunwich. The bird was only for a few seconds once the rain had eventually stopped, but my best ever view of one, and a new bird for Tom.

After a drink and cake whilst watching the Sand Martins in better weather at Minsmere, we had a quick look in the North hide where we saw a couple of female type Marsh Harriers and a moulting adult Mediterranean Gull. Leaving the hide, a Nightingale was singing, and Tom managed to get a view of this also.

On the way home, a Marsh Harrier was a surprise find seen near Duxford.

Buzzards

Two Buzzards at junction of A14 and M11 on way home from Peterborough.

Red Kite

Red Kite circled over the garden for about 7-8 minutes. Seen whilst enjoying a relaxing post-work beer in the sun just before 6:30.

Also two Buzzards from the A14 whilst returning from Peterborough.

Garden Moths

Overcast with some rain over night:

Poplar Hawkmoth x 2
Brimstone
Heart and Dart x 4
Marbled Minor x 5
Nutmeg
Common Swift x 2
Treble Lines x 2
Beautiful Brocade
Common Marbled Carpet
Garden Carpet

Also found a young Magpie in the garden which unfortunately died, despite Tom's best attempts.