Fieldfare

Fieldfare, Aldreth, December 2007, © Simon Stirrup
Handsome beast

Starling

1st winter Starling, Aldreth, December 2007, © Simon Stirrup
Even young Starlings can look stunning at times.

Kestrel

Female Kestrel, Paxton Pits, 21st December 2007, © Jamie Wells

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret, St Neots, 28th December 2007, © Chris Martin

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret, St Neots, 28th December 2007, © Jamie Wells

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret, St Neots, 28th December 2007, © Mark Thomas.

Yellow-legged Gull

2CY Yellow-legged Gull, Cottenham Long Drove, 22nd December 2007, © Dick Newell
Dark grey back, very long wings and fierce expression makes this bird easy to pick out.

Caspian Gull

Adult Caspian Gull, Cottenham Long Drove, 22nd December 2007, © Dick Newell
This bird is pretty good in most respects, except that it has rather thick, bright pink legs, and it's wings are not quite as long as one would expect. Also the white tongue on the inner web of P10 does not hug the shaft as much as it should, so maybe it has mixed ancestry.

Caspian Gull

2CY Caspian Gull, Landbeach A10, 22nd December 2007, © Dick Newell
The distinctive head and bill-shape is the main giveaway here. It is well advanced in its covert moult.

Caspian Gull

2CY Caspian Gull, Cottenham Long Drove, 20th December 2007 © Dick Newell
Easily overlooked as a Yellow-legged Gull at this age, this was one of two 2CY's present. The distinguishing features include the long wings, long tibia, pale tips to both median and greater coverts, shadow line along nape-crown boundary and relatively slender bill (RGN).

Grey Heron

Grey Heron, Paxton Pits, 14th December 2007, © Jamie Wells
A beautiful shot. The neat black belly band is a strange feature to see on a Grey Heron. Explanations are welcome.

Nuthatch

Nuthatch, 12th December 2007, Bluebell Woods Peterborough © Garth Peacock

Redwing

Redwing, Girton, 11th December 2007 © Garth Peacock

Glaucous Gull

Juvenile Glaucous Gull, Cottenham, Long Drove, 29th November 2007, © Dick Newell
These have been scarce in recent winters.

Robin

Robin, Paxton Pits, 28th November 2007 © Garth Peacock
After an unproductive day, Garth went home with at least one photo worth keeping for the Christmas cards.

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit, Paxton Pits, 28th November 2007 © Garth Peacock

Caspian Gull

Adult Caspian Gull, Cottenham, Long Drove, 26th November 2007, © Dick Newell
A classic bird in all respects.

Yellow-legged Gull

2CY Yellow-legged Gull, Long Drove, Cottenham, © Dick Newell
One of eight in the fields surrounding Landbeach tip. Apart from the yellow legs, clues include the long primary projection and moulted inner greater coverts.

Eastern Jackdaw

Eastern Jackdaw, Butt Lane, Milton, 24th November 2007, © Dick Newell
Although this picture does not do it justice, this was a particularly smart bird, with a very shiny face. Quite possibly, it is a returning bird from previous winters.

Robin

Robin, Peterborough, 22nd November 2007, © Peter Beesley
Good one for Christmas.

Shag

Juvenile Shag, Peterborough 17th November 2007 © Brian Stone

Bewick's and Whooper Swans

Bewick's and Whooper Swans, West of Littleport, 12th November 2007, © Simon Stirrup.

Song Thrush

Song Thrush, Girton, 10th November 2007 © Garth Peacock

Green Woodpecker

St.Ives, 10th November 2007, © Nigel Sprowell
Nigel was very quick to snap this adult digging for worms in the early morning dew in his back garden.

Sparrowhawk

Male Sparrowhawk, 10th November 2007, © Nigel Sprowell
The colder weather is bringing in lots more birds to our gardens, and with them come the predators. This fine male Sparrowhawk was eyeing up the bird feeders in Nigel's garden but went away hungry.

Grey Wagtail

Juvenile Grey Wagtail, Grafham Water, 10th November 2007, © Garth Peacock

Mediterranean Gull

1st Winter Mediterranean Gull, Paxton Pits, 28th October 2007, © Jamie Wells.

Chaffinch

Chaffinch, Girton, 27th October 2007, © Garth Peacock

Goldfinch

Goldfinch, Girton, 27th October 2007, © Garth Peacock

Sparrowhawk - NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH

Male Sparrowhawk, 26th October 2007, Melbourn, © Alan Wadsworth
The demise of a Collared Dove was seen by Alan in his back garden. This natural but, to some, gruesome spectacle took 50 minutes to complete.

Barn Owl

Barn Owl, Mepal, October 2007, © Edwin Frear
Barn Owls started the season very well this year, but there has been high mortality in second broods. Not so with this bird, one of a brood of 5.

Reed Bunting

Juvenile Reed Bunting, Ferry Meadows, 12th October 2007, © Peter Beesley
The fresh plumage in this lovely portrait indicates a young bird, so difficult to sex.

Purple Heron

Juvenile Purple Heron, RSPB Ouse Washes, 8th October 2007, © Paul Rule.

Grey Wagtail

Grey Wagtail, St Ives, 7th October 2007, © Nigel Sprowell.