Great White Egret

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

White-fronted Goose

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

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

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.

Red-crested Pochard

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

Cormorant

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

Grey Heron

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

Reed Bunting

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

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.

Marsh Harrier

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

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)

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.

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.