More Crossbills

More Crossbills at the Lodge (with the kids) but still no Two-barred. Earlier, a Red Kite around Rowley’s Hill, Foxton was a good sighting from the train, certainly more interesting than Fowlmere that held little. Also, whilst driving, a male Tufted Duck was seen at Shepreth pits (there may have been a female, but I couldn’t stop.)

Lesser Kestrel Success

Another crack at the male Lesser Kestrel in the afternoon went according to plan in better weather. A Great Grey Shrike was a bonus as well as a Dartford Warbler.

Later went to Minsmere:
Mediterranean Gull x 7 (5 adults and two second summer; the second summers were paired with adults.)
Ruff
Sandwich Tern
Bearded Tit x 3.
Cetti’s Warbler x 5 (heard.)
Marsh Harrier x 10+
Swallow x 30
Wheatear – female.

Lesser Kestrel Dip

A Buzzard was seen from the train between Cambridge and Foxton. More than was seen on Dunwich Heath in the rain (I think I’m in here somewhere, though the kids ran off and got soaked playing in the heather.)

Crossbills

About thirty Crossbills at the Lodge, Sandy, but only flight views of the female Two-barred Crossbill. The rest of the family missed it unfortunately. A summer male Brambling was seen from the hide, and the kids enjoyed the Squirrels raiding the bird feeders!

Great Crested Newt

A single female was found at Dogsthorpe pits, Peterborough on a Wildlife  Explorers outing with the children this evening. Several Common Toads too.

Botanic Gardens and Fowlmere

Fifteen species of birds and four Comma butterflies during a lunchtime walk around the Botanic Gardens, Cambridge, in the sun.  A Buzzard from the train on the return to Foxton. And a pair of Tufted Ducks and seven Linnets this evening at Fowlmere.

Chiffchaffs

Five Chiffchaffs singing at Fowlmere first thing, plus two pairs each of Yellowhammer and Linnet, as well as a few remaining Fieldfare.

Fowlmere

Nothing of interest! Three each of Teal and Fieldfare was about it. No migrants.

Chiffchaff?

Brief views of a Phylosc’ from the office window in Cambridge; presumably a Chiffchaff.

Spring?

With a change in the weather to more spring-like conditions and southerly wings, I eventually managed to escape working in the garden for the weekend (where I did see the year’s first Brimstone) and headed to Fowlmere mid-afternoon. At Manor Farm there were two Wheatears (a very smart male, and a briefly seen – probable -  female.) Apart from a Siskin and a Buzzard, that was about it so I headed to Therefield Heath to check for more Wheatears, where there were none! The usual Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were holding territories in good numbers and a Buzzard and about two hundred Golden Plovers (in fields immediately to the north were noted.) I then headed to Shepreth L-moor, which held three pairs of Yellowhammer. Finally, Shepreth Pits (as it will be from now on known!) held three Tufted Ducks.

No Redwing or Fieldfare were seen all afternoon.

Greenfinches and Barn Owl

A pair of Greenfinches were in the garden, with the male singing loudly. I’m sure these have been thin on the ground since they seem to have moved (presumably) south in response to the cold weather earlier in the year.

A Barn Owl was heard at dusk from somewhere beyond the church. A first (heard only) for the garden. From Fowlmere? The bird calling from the nestbox has been very erratic of late so…?

Fowlmere

A Snipe was flushed near the Paddocks. Appeared large, so presumed it to be Common, though it flew low and did not call. A Redpoll was also heard along the Guilder Brook.

Fowlmere

Didn’t get out birding until just before dusk. Worth it though: Excellent views of a Woodcock flying around the paddocks, and nearby, good, if brief views of a Badger.

Fowlmere

A couple of Buzzards and a few Redpoll were about all I could find during a lunchtime stroll in the sun.

Fowlmere

Little of note during a dusk walk apart from a year-tick Pochard (male), a couple of male Tufted Ducks, and a Buzzard.

A male Blackcap was also feeding in the garden in the morning.

Therfield Heath

Despite the unpromising weather, I decided (as I was driving next to it) to give Therfield Heath a try to see if there were any early Wheatear. There weren't! A large flock of Redwing and Fieldfare, as well as about two hundred flyover Golden Plover, suggested that winter was still here.

About thirty Golden Plover also flew over Foxton.

Fowlmere

An hour-long stroll at the end of the day produced little: Four Teal, a Grey Heron, and a Buzzard. I also stumbled upon and spooked a herd of Fallow Deer, including two white individuals.

Little Egret

A non-birding weekend, but a Little Egret seen on the way home from a short bike ride to Shepreth, in trees overhanging the lakes at Wimbush Manor between Foxton and Shepreth. A Buzzard was also noted at Shepreth.

Little Egrets and Fowlmere

No Little Egrets in the morning, but the water appeared to be frozen. They were both seen from the train mid-afternoon. A Buzzard was seen earlier in the day flying low over Cambridge near the station. A walk in the sun at Fowlmere produced little apart from seven Teal (four male) and a number of squabbling Greylag Geese.

Little Egrets

The Little Egret at Little Shelford was again seen in the morning from the train. On the return journey it had been joined by another.

Little Egret

A Little Egret was seen from the train on the way home from Cambridge this evening. It was feeding in flooded fields from the overflown Cam.