Corncrake, 27th June 2009

BIRDS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE-AUTUMN 2009
BIRDING YEAR BOOK-2010.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE BIRD CLUB PHOTO OF THE MONTH.

After four unsuccessful visits to this site I would have been delighted to have just heard a Corncrake.

On arriving at 4.45am I noticed from the car a brown 'game-like' bird flying into the base of a bush. Approaching the bush I was surprised to hear the unmistakable song of a Corncrake. The intensity of the song indicated it was very close and after some time of constant singing I noticed some movement at the base of the bush and could just make out the outline of a singing Corncrake in the shadows.

At this stage I thought there may be a chance that the Crake would move out of the shadows so I ran back to the car to get the camera gear.

Having set up the camera I waited for about 30 minutes without any further movement, then it just wandered out into a small patch of shortish grass. It remained here for only 10 seconds or so but long enough for a burst ot shots! before running back into the undergrowth.

What a successful morning---the early bird and all that---

Although no details are discernable there is a metal ring on the bird's left leg

Quail at Last

At last I can tick Common ( really ) Quail. After 5 years trying I managed to get one on the Baldock -Wallington Road at 6am Wednesday 17 June. I can now go and 'Wet-My-Lips' after a celebratory Pint! This rounded off a good week having had best views ever of male & female Golden Orioles at their nest at Lakenheath. Well done RSPB for finding the nest and arranging good viewing.

Redshank

Redshank at Nene Low Washes

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit at Nene Low Washes

Swallow in Peterborough

Spotted Flycatcher

Two Spotted Flycatchers at Elton Churchyard

Cattle Egrets at Eldernell

A record shot of the Two Cattle Egrets found in the sheep field to the East of Lord's Holt at 7.30am on Wed 6 May. At about 7.45am they flew high to the West and have subsequently been relocated by Charlie Kitchen on the High Wash with Cattle, west of the Dog in a Doublet

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough

Common Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough

Wheatear at Maxey Pits, Peterborough

Chiffchaff at Orton Pits

Loads of Chiffchaffs at Orton Brick Pits this morning

Nightingale at Orton Brick Pits

Even after trying for about 2 hours this is the best I could achieve!

White-throated Sparrow in Hants at Old Winchester Hill

First Summer Male

A six hour round trip secured this rare American vagrant. Although good brief views were had most of its time was spent foraging in the dense undergrowth.

Red-legged Partridge

French Partridge at Blackbush Fen

Seven-coloured Linnet in Rutland

Goldfinch

Sharp Saw at Rutland

Great Tit

Pickcheese in Rutland

Blue Tit

Green Grosbeak

Greenfinch in Rutland

Wet Bird from Rutland

Female Chaffinch Male Chaffinch

Long Eared Owl

Record shot of a Long-eared Owl at Rutland Water. Although near to a footpath and at eye level it was ,as can be seen, well obscured.

Black Redstart, female

LANGDYKE TRUST WEB SITE.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE BIRD CLUB PHOTO OF THE MONTH.

What a Start to the morning. I'm jumping for joy. It must be a red letter day

Female Black Redstart at the limestone cutting plant near Swaddywell Pit NR

Ruff

A lone Ruff feeding at Nene Washes. Also at least 5 Water Pipits and a single perched Peregrine at the end of Central Drove.

Dipper

Black -bellied Dipper, the continental variety of our normal White-throated Dipper

This individual has been in Norfolk since mid January and alters its 'favourite' place on a regular basis. It moves along the River Glaven spending a few days at places such as Letheringsett, Natural Surrouding NR and Hunworth.

I located it at the Ford at Hunworth but unfortunately it was never near enough for a good photograph.

Shoveller

Male Shoveller at Tichwell

Avocet

Avocet at Tichwell

Dunnocks at Paxton Pits

Snow Bunting in Norfolk

One of about 15 Snow Buntings at Salthouse, Norfolk