Friday, July 31, 2009

House Sparrow


Male House Sparrow, Girton, 31st July 2009 © Garth Peacock
Are they becoming as scarce in other gardens as they are in mine? Ten years ago, there used to be a regular flock of 20 to 30 - now just one or two occasionally.

Great Spotted Woodpecker



Male Great Spotted Woodpecker, Girton, 31st July 2009 © Garth Peacock
After a long absence, a surprise and very welcome visitor to my garden feeders.

Pipistrelle Bat



Pipistrelle Bat, Fen Drayton, 31st July 2009 © Colin Brown
Not a bird but still of interest to many, it was found caught in a Burdock plant, coaxed onto a stick and then flew away without harm. Colin has been advise that it is a Soprano Pipistrelle - Can anyone confirm this please?

Reed Warbler


Reed Warbler, Fen Drayton RSPB, 31st July 2009 © Colin Brown

Willow Warbler


Willow Warbler, Swavesey, 31st July 2009 © Colin Brown

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Scaup



Drake Scaup, Grafham Water, 30th July 2009 © Mark Hawkes
'An unusual summer record but not the first in recent years at Grafham Water' MH

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Great Spotted Woodpecker





Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, Trumpington, 28th July 2009 © James Hanlon

Friday, July 17, 2009

Mysterybird



Mysterybird, photographed by Max Catterwell near Coates, 14th July 2009, © Max Catterwell
Would anybody care to explain the plumage of this bird?
[The answer is juvenile Linnet. During the post-juvenile moult, which involves head feathers, it is not surprising that some juvenile Linnets take on strange-looking head patterns (RGN)].

Sunday, July 12, 2009

White-winged Black Tern


White-winged Black Tern, Fen Drayton, 12th July 2009, © Andrew Knights
A useful record shot.

Friday, July 10, 2009

White-winged Black Tern


Adult White-winged Black Tern, Fen Drayton RSPB, 10th July 2009 © Richard Bayldon
'Beginning to show it's head moult' RB
The first adult in the county for many years.

White-winged Black Tern



White-winged Black Tern, Fen Drayton RSPB, 16th July 2009 © James Hanlon

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Ruddy Shelduck



Female Ruddy Shelduck, Gunwade Lake Ferry Meadows, 9th July 2009 © Peter Beesley

Common Kestrel




Common Kestrel chicks and male, Witcham, 8th July 2009, © David Hopkins
Kestrels are always willing users of Barn Owl boxes.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Swallow


Juvenile Swallows, Eldernell, 7th July 2009 © Max Catterwell

Little Owl





Adult and Juvenile Little Owl, Aldreth Area, 7th July 2009 © Simon Stirrup
Delightful images of a species that seems to be doing especially well this year.

White Pelican



White Pelican, Isleham Water Meadows, 7th July 2009 © Steve Cooper
'I was met by this strange sight at Isleham Water Meadows yesterday evening, the narrow metal ring suggesting an escapee.' SC

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Arctic Skua




Adult Arctic Skua, Grafham Water, 1st July 2009 © Mark Hawkes
From 1950 to 2008 there has been just one July record for this species.

Arctic Skua


Adult Arctic Skua, Grafham Water, 1st July 2009 © David Hollin

Arctic Skua


Adult Arctic Skua, Grafham Water, 1st July 2009 © Jamie Wells
Photograph taken during the evening before the unfortunate bird was later humanely put down.