Friday, February 29, 2008

Great White Egret


Great White Egret, Dunkirk, 29th February 2007, © Tony Martin.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

White-fronted Goose


White-fronted Goose, Diddington 27th February 2008 © Garth Peacock

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Red-necked Grebe


Red-necked Grebe, Buckden Gravel Pits, 21st February 2008 © Jamie Wells
A distant subject on a windy day but a very creditable record shot never-the-less.

Kestrel



Female Kestrel, Fen Drayton GPS, 21st February 2008 © Nigel Sprowell

Monday, February 18, 2008

Common Snipe



Common Snipe, Wicken Fen, 18th February 2008 © Garth Peacock

Siskin


Male Siskin, Girton, 18th February 2008 © Garth Peacock
A surprise visitor to my garden feeders in the fog.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Red-crested Pochard



Red-crested Pochard, Paxton Pits NR, 16th February 2008 © Nigel Sprowell

Friday, February 15, 2008

Cormorant


Cormorant, Orton Brick Pits, 15th February 2008 © Peter Beesley

Grey Heron



Grey Heron, Ferry Meadows, 15th February 2008 © Peter Beesley

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Reed Bunting



Reed Buntings,Paxton Pits, 13th February 2008 © Nigel Sprowell

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Water Rail


Water Rail, Fowlmere RSPB, 12th February 2008 © Nigel Sprowell
Just one of a surprising number of Water Rails that Nigel saw during his visit.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Marsh Harrier


Female Marsh Harrier, Woodwalton Fen, 11th February 2008 © Garth Peacock
One of two hunting over the sedge from North Hide.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

House Sparrow



House Sparrows, Cambridge, 10 February 2008, © Pete Holt
This species has a lot of character and is always pleasing
to watch. These two were amongst six posing in splendid
early morning sunlight. If only the Chiffchaff had done the
same! (PH)

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Firecrest


Firecrest, Grafham Water, 6th February 2008 © Garth Peacock

After several abortive trips to photograph this species throughout Norfolk and Suffolk, it is somewhat ironic that success is finally achieved locally.

Red-crested Pochard


Red-crested Pochard, Paxton Pits, 6th February 2008 © Garth Peacock

Despite a lengthy wait, they never came close enough for a good photo but at least it shows the difference between the male and female.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Chiffchaff



Chiffchaff P.(c.) tristis? Cambridge, 2 February 2008, © Pete Holt
A cracking little bird which showed itself all too briefly
on two dates only. Hasty record shots with hand-held Canon
D400, 300mm, ISO 1600 in low light as the bird darted about
close to the ground. Pro-tristis features include the
apparently total lack of yellow in the plumage away from the
underside of the shoulder, green restricted to the rectrices
and remiges, buff supercilium and ear coverts, small black
bill with narrow pale cutting edges and black legs. A buff
wash on the breast and flanks is also pro-tristis, but is
quite pale on this bird. Having studied a number of tristis
images recently, the richer brown colour on the forehead and
on the top front part of the eye ring also seem consistent
for birds accepted as this form. Unfortunately, no
vocalisations were heard (PH).

Glaucous Gull


Juvenile Glaucous Gull, Cottenham Long Drove, 2nd February 2008, © Dick Newell
It seems to be a better winter this year for white-winged gulls. Not a bad record shot considering it was taken through a dense hedge at 300 yards in bright sunlight.