Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher, Arrington, May 30th 2008 © Jim Lawrence. Spotted Flycatchers are sadly no longer annual breeders in my garden so it was with great excitement that I grabbed this shot as light failed yesterday evening. Fingers crossed that this singing male will now find a mate and maintain the species' fragile foothold in this area of South Cambs. JL.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher, Landbeach, 27th May 2008, © Dick Newell

Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat, Fen Drayton RSPB, 23rd May 2008 © Garth Peacock
Yet another irresistible photo opportunity while waiting for the Red-footed Falcon to perform

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit, Fen Drayton RSPB, 23rd May 2008 © Garth Peacock

Reed Bunting

Male and Female Reed Bunting, Fen Drayton RSPB, 22nd May 2008 © Garth Peacock

Mute Swan

Mute Swan cygnets, Ferry Meadows, 22nd May 2008, © Peter Beesley

Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa l. limosa , Nene Washes, 22nd May 2008, © Peter Beesley

Common Cranes

Common Cranes, Fen Drayton RSPB, 20th May 2008, © Jim Lawrence. A lucky lunchtime flyover bonus!

Hobby

Hobby, Fen Drayton RSPB, 19th May 2008 © Garth Peacock
This cracking bird conveniently decided to perch in the same tree as the Red-footed Falcon, one of 15 on the reserve.

Red-footed Falcon

Adult female Red-footed Falcon, Fen Drayton RSPB, 18th May 2008, © Jim Lawrence. Having been the lone observer on Tuesday 13th May, I was delighted when this bird (after quite extensive searching) was finally relocated by Dermot Cooper on Saturday morning. It finally showed very well, allowing many others to connect over the weekend and me to get some photos! (JL.)

Red-footed Falcon

Female Red-footed Falcon, Fen Drayton RSPB, 18th May 2008 © Garth Peacock
What a stunning bird - with thanks to Jono leadley for pointing us in the right direction.

Common Tern

Common Tern, Fen Drayton RSPB, 18th May 2008 © Garth Peacock

Mystery Teal

Mystery Teal, Berry Fen, 17th May 2008, © Richard Thomas
Ostensibly a Eurasion Teal with a rather large bill, this duck shows hints of a Garganey-like face pattern, but without the loral white spot and a thin tapering streak on the side of the tail which is somewhat thinner than expected in a Teal, and also perhaps more Garganey-like. The broad white border to the speculum does not invite an identification of Green-winged Teal, as this should have chestnut tones. So, it is either an extremely odd Teal or a hybrid of some sort, probably with Garganey (RGN).

Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk, Little Gransden, 16th May 2008 © Adrian George
Regular visitors to Adrian's garden and giving excellent photo opportunities.

Skylark

Skylark,Fen Drayton RSPB, 15th May 2008 © Muriel Sprowell

Common Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat, Fen Drayton GPs, 14th May 2007, © Jim Lawrence.

Mute Swan

Mute Swan, Fen Drayton GPs, 14th May 2008, © Jim Lawrence

Treecreeper

Treecreeper, St.Ives, 13th May 2008 © Nigel Sprowell

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler, Orton Brick-pits, 8th May 2008, © Peter Beesley

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler, Orton Brick-pits, 8th May 2008, © Peter Beesley

Wryneck

Wryneck, Paxton Pits, 7th May 2009, © Mark Ward
Rare enough in autumn, this is a great find in spring.

Dotterel

Dotterel, Litlington, 6th May 2008, © Steve Blain
Female in the peas, male on the track

Dotterel

Dotterel, Litlington, 5th May 2008, © Richard Hall
Scarcer than they used to be, so a nice find. This was one of three.

Nightingale

Nightingale, Paxton Pits, 3rd May 2008 © Jamie Wells
A popular photographic subject during recent weeks but a plain background to a clean photo are a rarity for this species due to it's skulking habit.