Sunday, June 30, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024
Caspian Gull
Caspian Gull, Cottenham Long Drove, 11th June 2024 © Steve Cooper
'Summer gull
watching is often seen as out of season but despite being even more mind
boggling due to the heavy moult at this time of year it can be rewarding. There
are many Caspian Gulls (15+) around at the moment in the Long Drove area, here
are just three 2cy birds.' SC
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Treecreeper
Treecreeper, Toft, During May 2024 © Ed Gill
'I found the nest hole in a willow at the end of April and followed the pair from incubation through busily feeding the young - I made a count of 60 feeds in two hours at one point! There was a variety of different prey brought in; lots of spiders including many walnut orb, crane flies, several caterpillars, a few large grubs and the occasional moth.
After
putting in many hours of observation, I was lucky to see five healthy chicks
fledge at 12:10 on the 20th - approximately 18 days after hatching, which
seemed to be quite long based on the 15-17 day estimates that I have seen. They
surprised me by leaving the nest hole very rapidly with little sign of movement
or flapping at the entrance beforehand.
It
was an absolute delight to follow the family and I was very pleased when I
returned three days later to discover the five chicks cuddled together high up
in an oak tree! This was the fourth nest that I have seen at this location but
the first one I have been able to follow so closely and be rewarded with seeing
the actual fledging.' EG