Hen Harrier

Juvenile Hen Harrier, Ouse Fen, 30th October 2011 © James Hanlon
Two reported in the same area as the Rough-legged Buzzard.

Hen Harrier

Juvenile Hen Harrier. Ouse Fen, 30th October 2011. © Stuart Elsom.

One of two juveniles showing well at the site.

Common Buzzard

Juvenile Common Buzzard, Ouse Fen, 28th October 2011. © Stuart Elsom.
'Note the difference in overall shape from Rough-legged (below). The wings are broader and the black patches at the carpal joint are much reduced, and of course the lack of a tail band. The underparts also lack the obvious dark belly patch shown by Rough-legged Buzzard. SME'

Little Grebe

Little Grebe, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 28th October 2011 © Colin Brown

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 28th October 2011 © Colin Brown

Mallard

Drake Mallard, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 28th October 2011 © Colin Brown

Rough-legged Buzzard

Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard, Ouse Fen, 28th October 2011. (©) Stuart Elsom.
Soaring overhead, often in the company of two Hen Harriers and several Common Buzzards.

Green Woodpecker

Green Woodpecker, Fowlmere RSPB, 25th October 2011 © Gary Thornton

Common Snipe

Common Snipe, Fowlmere RSPB, 25th October 2011 © Gary Thornton

Stonechat

Male Stonechat, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 23rd October 2011 © Nigel Sprowell

Mute Swan

Mute Swan, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 23rd October 2011 © Nigel Sprowell

Grey Plover

Grey Plover, Grafham Water, 22nd October 2011 © David Hollin

Water Rail

Water Rail, Fowlmere RSPB, 19th October 2011 © Malcolm Housden

Shag

Juvenile Shag, Grafham Water, 18th October 2011 © Garth Peacock
Managed to find a pose that did not show the fishing lure in it's breast but it is still there.

Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope, Grafham Water, 17th October 2011  © Mark Hawkes
The third record for Grafham in as many weeks and hopefully it will stay as long and be as confiding as it's predecessors.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 16th October 2011 © Colin Brown
Photographed following the River Great Ouse upstream and being mobbed by Crows. Almost 100 were reported coming in off the sea between Titchwell and Holme last Thursday and Friday alone after a good breeding year due to plenty of Lemmings according to staff at Holme Dunes - hopefully some will decide to overwinter in the county.

Redwing

Redwing, Willingham, 16th October 2011 © Colin Brown

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge, Fowlmere RSPB, 15th October 2011 © James Hanlon

Red Kite

Red Kite, St. Ives, 15th October 2011 © Nigel Sprowell

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit, Fowlmere RSPB, 14th October 2011 © Malcolm Housden
Consorting with the local Linnet flock.

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit, Fowlmere RSPB, 14th October 2011 © James Hanlon

Mallard

Drake Mallard, Fowlmere RSPB, 14th October 2011 © James Hanlon

Linnet

Linnet flock, Fowlmere RSPB, 14th October 2011 © James Hanlon

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow, Haddenham, 13th October 2011 © Paul Mason
'Just an interesting pic of Carrion Crow behaviour seen today in a local orchard.' PM

Caspian Gull

Juvenile Caspian Gull, Long Drove, Cottenham, 10th October 2011 © Dick Newell
This is only the second juvenile Caspian Gull that I have found in Cambs. Although it has retained all but 3 of its scapulars, and the scapulars are unusually patterned, like a holly leaf, after consulting experts, I am confident that it is a Caspian Gull. This bird is the subject of a Surfbirds discussion.

Caspian Gull

3CY Caspian Gull, 10th October 2011, Cottenham Long Drove, © Dick Newell

Barn Owl

Barn Owl, Site Undisclosed, 8th October 2011 © Nigel Sprowell
'These owlets , survivors from a 2^nd brood of five , were ringed at an undisclosed site in Cambridgeshire on 7^th October. All appeared healthy and well fed and should all be fledged within the next four to five weeks –their ages ranging between 31 and 42 days. The individual photo is of a female at 42 days. The middle bird of the group is a probable male but it was not possible to sex the youngest bird . It seems they have a plentiful supply of food within their territory so hopefully all will be well.' NS

Lilac-breasted Roller

Lilac-breasted Roller, Abbots Ripton, 7th October 2011 © Stuart Elsom
'Although highly unlikely to be a wild bird, it is feeding well, and ranges over quite a distance to feed on invertebrates, often in a nearby ploughed field, but it is a wonderful bird nonetheless and worth seeing.' SME

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 6th October 2011 © Colin Brown

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 6th October 2011 © Colin Brown

Pallid Harrier



The pale collar, dark neck boa and wholly dark secondaries are visible here.



This shot as the bird is twisting in flight shows the pale upperwing coverts,
pale collar and long tail to good effect.



The third and final shot. A moment later it dropped over the hedge and was lost -
until seen again by Mark Ward and his girlfriend in Bedfordshire.
Note the pale edges to the whole of the upperparts, indicating juvenile plumage. SME

Juvenile Pallid Harrier, Gamlingay Wood, © Stuart Elsom, 3rd October 2011.

Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit, Ely Beet Pool, 2nd October 2011 © Mark Hawkes

'Record shot of some of the 25 Bearded Tits at Ely Beet Pool. Note the ringed female/immature bird'. MLH

Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit, Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, 2nd October 2011 © Nigel Sprowell

'There were two pairs there and up to seven have been seen recently including juveniles.'NS

Reeve's Pheasant

Reeve's Pheasant, Unknown Site, 2nd October 2011 © Richard Hook