Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit, Wimpole Estate, 26th February 2007, © John Miller.

Waxwing

Waxwing, Orwell, 21st February 2007, © Adrian George.

Waxwings

Waxwings, Orwell, 21st February, © James Hanlon.

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow, Ouse Washes, 20th February 2007, © Peter Beesley
One of the few hotspots for Tree Sparrow in Cambs.

Waxwings

As well as feeding on Hawthorn, Guelder Rose, Cotoneaster and Privet berries these Waxwings have also been supplementing their fruit diet by flycatching.

Waxwings, Orwell, 19th February 2007, © Jack Harrison. Despite the poor light conditions Jack captured this handheld action shot using the image stabilising setting on his Canon PowerShot S3 IS. (JL).

Waxwing

Waxwing, Orwell, 19th February 2007, © Jim Lawrence. In these images you can clearly see the 'sealing wax' coloured appendages to the secondary tips that earned waxwings their name. (J.L).

Waxwing

Waxwing, Orwell, 17th February 2007, © Jim Lawrence. Despite a bright sunny morning, the Orwell Waxwings proved elusive for most photographers as they were constantly disturbed by the Saturday morning melee. (JL).

Waxwing

Waxwing, Orwell, 17th February 2007, © Garth Peacock.

Bullfinch

Male Bullfinch, Little Gransden, 17th February 2007, © Adrian George. "The paucity of blossom that will occur on the Greengage Tree has been more than compensated for by the pleasure of seeing this beauty, another male and two females". (AG).

Stonechat

Female Stonechat, Near Paxton, 17th February 2007, © Martin Davis

Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe, Paxton, 17th February 2007, © Martin Davis
This is the long-staying bird that has been gracing Diddington Pit.

Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwing, Orwell, 16th February 2007, © Jim Lawrence. One of eight Waxwings present today in Orwell village. At least five birds have apparently been present here for over a week! Hopefully they will stick around, the sun will come out, and this will be just the first of many far better images to come of these gorgeous birds... (JL).

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow, Ouse Washes, 16th February 2007, © Andy Bayes.

Bittern

Bittern, Woodwalton Fen, 15th February 2007, © Neil Triggs.

Dunnock

Dunnock, Paxton Pits, 13th February 2007, © Garth Peacock.

Lapwings

Lapwings, Pymoor, 11th February 2007, © Stuart Elsom. "Whilst waiting for some Barn Owl action to start I noticed these Lapwings wheeling around overhead. On such a bright winter's day they were really stunning against the blue sky". SME.

Common Stonechat

Male Common Stonechat, Baker's Fen - Wicken, 11th February 2007, © James Hanlon.

American Wigeon

Drake American Wigeon, Barleycraft GPs, 11th February 2007, © Will Bowell. This long-staying bird is always distant and wary and consequently a real challenge to photograph as well as this.

Little Gull

Adult winter plumage Little Gull, Maxey GPs, 10th February 2007, © Will Bowell. A great record for the site and a good find for Helen Wilson.

Caspian Gull?

1st winter Caspian Gull?, Milton, 9th February 2007, © Dick Newell
This bird reminds me of this bird, that I struggled with, but, when opinions were asked, was passed as a Caspian Gull. The overall impression strongly supports Caspian Gull, as do the head and bill-shape and pale spindly legs. The bill is perhaps a little short and the scapulars are unusually dark, so it is possible that this bird contains other genes. (RGN)

Caspian Gull

1st winter Caspian Gull, Milton, 8th February 2007, © Dick Newell
I have included this bird, with typical scapulars showing a single shaft streak on grey feathers, as a comparison with the very dark-backed gull seen on 9th February. (RGN)

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush, Great Shelford, 8th February 2007, © James Hanlon.

Sparrowhawk

Immature male Sparrowhawk, Martin Kendall, Fen Stanton, 6th February 2007, © Martin Kendall
Sparrowhawks are now regular visitors to many people's gardens. (RGN)

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow, Ouse Washes, 6th February 2007, © Garth Peacock. It is a shame that the sedentary nature of this handsome sparrow limits its spread more rapidly.

Stonechat

Female Stonechat, Four Balls Farm Pymore, 6th February 2007, © Garth Peacock. This winter has seen good numbers of wintering Stonechats in the Cambs fens.

Stock Dove

Stock Dove, Ouse Washes, 6th February 2007, © Garth Peacock.

Song Thrush

Song Thrush, Ouse Washes, 6th February 2007, © Garth Peacock. At this time of year many British breeding Song Thrushes move south and west to winter while winter visitors move in to the east of Britain from the low countries. Garth noted a slight difference in plumage on this bird that might well be attributed to a continental origin.

Caspian Gull

Adult female Caspian Gull, Milton, 5th February 2007, © Dick Newell
Although this bird has a rather small and bright bill, a very pale iris, and shortish thick legs, I think that it is a small female Caspian Gull. In support of this identification, the facial expression feels right, the bill is the right shape and the eye is small. The legs are pale pink and of the right tone. It has long wings which cross and P10 shows the classic pattern. (RGN)

Whooper Swan

Whooper Swan, Welney, 2nd February 2007, © Peter Beesley
How aesthetically pleasing.

Pochard

Drake Pochard, Welney, 2nd February 2007, © Peter Beesley
One of the large flock of drake Pochards at Welney, the females spend the winter in Spain

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Xanthochroic Male Great Spotted Woodpecker, Cambs, Nov 2006, © Ben Green
This unsusual Woodpecker has been visiting Ben's garden since last autumn.
'Xanthochroism' is the term used to describe birds where yellow replaces the normal colour, in this case, red. (RGN)

Yellow-legged Gull

Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Long Drove, Cottenham, © Dick Newell
The shape of this birds, dark back, as well as yellow legs distinguish this from the many white-headed Herring Gulls around at this time. (RGN)