Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sparrowhawk




Female Sparrowhawk, Fen Drayton, August 2009, © Ken Hook
The Killing Fields of Dry Drayton! The fourth kill in our garden this month and the second in 2 days. The upper picture shows a dead Blackbird, the middle and lower a Woodpigeon, showing the characteristic way a Sparrowhawk deals with its prey.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Black Tern



Black Tern, Grafham Water, 24th August 2009 © Mark Hawkes
At least 41 of these superb birds appeared at Grafham for a short stay.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Mediterrean Gull


Medterranean Gull, Grafham Water, 21st August 2009 © Mark Hawkes

Little Gull



Little Gull, Grafham Water, 21st August 2009 © Mark Hawkes

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Yellow-legged Gull


Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, Milton, 18th August 2009, © Dick Newell
Not infrequently, gull identification is not 100% certain, but there is enough here to be reasonably sure. In particular, the head and breast moult is well advanced and it has a few 2nd generation scapulars, as well as a new tertial. Other contenders would not look like this yet (RGN).

Whinchat


Whinchat, Grafham Water, 18th August 2009 © Mark Hawkes

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Great White Egret





Great White Egret, Over Fen, 15th/16th August 2009 © Richard Thomas
Photograph 3 shows the ring detail - Richard has e-mailed the French ringer for details - Watch this space.
Update 4th September 2009 - Ringed as a nestling by Dr Loic Marion at Lac de Grand-Lieu near Nantes France 14th May 2009. This is the first sighting since then.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Collared Pratincole


Collared Pratincole, Tubney Fen, 11th August 2009, © Claire Spottiswoode & Tim Dee

Friday, August 07, 2009

Sparrowhawk



Adult female Sparrowhawk, Little Gransden, August 2009, © Adrian George

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Sparrowhawk



Female Sparrowhawk, Dry Drayton, 5th August 2009, © Ken Hook
The prey was a Wood Pigeon which the bird carried onto the hedge at the bottom of our garden. She had plucked a lot of feathers before taking it up onto the hedge. Eventually she flew off with her prey.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Turnstone



Turnstone, Grafham Water, 4th August 2009 © Mark Hawkes
One of two birds present.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Grey Heron


Grey Heron, Fen Road Milton, 3rd August 2009 © Alan Skull

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Sedge Warbler


Juvenile Sedge Warbler, Wicken Fen, 2nd August 2009, © Mark Peck

Robin


Juvenile Robin, Wicken Fen, 2nd August 2009, © Mark Peck

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Wren


Juvenile Wren, Soham, 1st August 2009 © Andrew Knights

Ferruginous Duck


Drake Ferruginous Duck, Buckden Gravel Pits, 1st August 2009 © Mark Hawkes
At the time of posting, a short stayer giving the opportunity of just one record shot.