Wednesday, 30 April
Castor Hanglands - Buzzard, 3+ Grasshopper Warblers, many Nightingales late p.m. (Brian Stone et al.)
Ouse Washes - Hobby 15:00h (Robert Coleman)
Cam Washes - White Stork (Birdguides)
Ferry Meadows - Peregrine (Mike Weedon)
Fen Drayton - 9 Hobbies reported (observers unidentified); 5 or probably 6 Hobbies (Mike Foley)
Paxton Pits - 25 Common Terns, 2 Oystercatchers, Egyptian Goose, 4 Lesser Whitethroats (Neal Parkin)
Orton Brick Pit - m Mandarin, Turtle Dove, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, Reed Warbler, Dunlin, Oystercatcher (Mike Weedon)
Fletton Brick Pits - Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 f Wheatears (Mike Weedon)
Hampton Lake North - 5 Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper (Mike Weedon)
Elton Churchyard - Tawny Owl (Brian Stone)
St. Ives, Meadow Lane Pits - Nightingale singing, Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Bullfinch, Kingfisher (Mark Peck)
Swifts reported - Cambridge Trumpington Street (Daniel Osborne) & Argyle Street (Pete Holt); Great Chishill (Jack Harrison); `hundreds of swifts passing through` mid afternoon at Fen Drayton (Mike Foley).
Tuesday, 29 April
Prior`s Fen - Barn Owl, 4 Dunlin, 3 Common Tern, Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 3 Yellow Wagtails (Mike Weedon)
Dog in a Doublet - 2 Common Tern (Brian Stone)
A428 Cambourne to Caldecote - Hobby (Graeme Reed)
Sawston - Buzzard (Peter Bircham)
Paxton Pits - 2 Hobbies reported (Jamie Wells)
Morborne Hill - Lesser Whitethroat (Brian Stone)
Swifts reported - 12 Cantelupe Farm (Louise Bacon), 4 Duxford, 3 Cottenham (Neil Howard); 1 Longthorpe (Gordon Hamlett); Stanley Park (Brian Stone); 30+ Wicken Fen (Adrian Colston); `plenty` at Paxton Pits (Mike Foley); 2 Lime Kiln Hill (Peter Bircham)
Soham - an unusual raptor seen by Tony Wilson at c.12:30h, the description for which may fit Turkey Vulture.
From April 26, Mark Ward reports a RUDDY SHELDUCK, seen with a Shelduck by the A10 lay-by just W of Littleport, both of which flew off NW.
Monday, 28 April
Paxton Pits - Whimbrel, 6 Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Arctic Tern in amongst c.52 Common Terns, f Blue-Headed type Wagtail (Martin Davis, Jamie Wells)
Needingworth - 5 Whimbrel, 6 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 4 Yellow Wagtails, Turtle Dove (Philip Bubb)
Grafham Water - m Garganey, Turtle Dove, 2 Common Sandpipers, Lesser Whitethroat (Birdguides)
Granchester - 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails (Louise Bacon)
Orton BP - Black Tern, 2 Common Terns (Brian Stone); c.150 Swallows, 2 Garden Warblers (Mike Weedon)
M11/A603 junction - Nightingale singing 18:00h (Louise Bacon)
Ferry Meadows - 8 Common Terns (Brian Stone)
Caldecote - Fieldfare (Brian Stone)
Swifts reported - 9 Ferry Meadows, 4 Orton BP a.m. (Brian Stone); 10 Needingworth (Philip Bubb); in Peterborough 3 Northminster (Dick Seamons), 2 Bretton Centre (Tony Stones), 4 Stanley park (Brian Stone); c.30 Orton BP p.m. (Mike Weedon); 20+ A14 Milton turn-off (Graeme Reed)
Sunday, 27 April
Paxton Pits - m Whinchat (Dave Hoccom, Debbie Deans)
Earith GP - Hobby, Lesser Whitethroat and Turtle Dove (David Griffiths)
Fen Drayton GP - Greenshank, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler (Graeme Reed); 7 Whimbrels, 2 Hobbies, Nightingale, plenty of Common Terns (John Oates)
Cam Washes, Upware - Spotted Redshank, 10 Ruff, 6 Black-tailed Godwits (John Oates)
Grafham Water - Egyptian Goose, 125 Gadwall in the lagoons, Arctic Tern, Kittiwake, 2 Dunlin, 2 White Wagtail, f RING OUZEL still present around hedges to the NW of Marlow CP, Buzzard, Garganey (Mark Hawkes & Jono Leadley); Buzzard a mile N of Grafham village (Martin & Wendy Phillips)
Ouse Washes - 2 Whinchats (Birdguides)
Swifts reported - 20+ Milton CP David Heath), 3 Ferry Meadows, 7 West Town (Mike Weedon)
M11/A603 junction - Nightingale singing (Louise Bacon)
Saturday, 26 April
Devil`s Dyke - 3 m RING OUZELS: 1 a mile SE of Burwell Rd Car Park to the left of the bank near gate & 2 a mile SE of Burwell Rd Car Park, to the right of the bank where the ditch widens to a flat grassed area (Paul Rule); 3 Wheatears (Rob Palmer); Lesser Whitethroat, male Marsh Harrier (Bruce & Gwen Martin).
Smithey Fen - Quail calling early a.m., also Wheatear (Richard Thomas).
Paxton Pits - Hobby, 2 Cuckoos, Greenshank, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, 4 Goldeneyes, 4 Snipe, at least 20 Nightingales (Julian Hughes)
Fowlmere - 2 Whinchats along entrance track, Turtle Dove on reserve (David
Heath)
Cottenham, Long Drove - White Stork, riding high above on a thermal (David Heath)
Wicken Fen - White Stork flew over the Mere at 12.30 mobbed by Crows. Also 3 Hobbies and Grasshopper Warbler (Adrian Colston); Whimbrel (flew off N), Greenshank, Pinkfooted Goose, Short-eared Owl, Hobby (John Oates).
Cam Washes, Upware - 2 Whimbrels, Spotted Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, 10 Ruff, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, Hobby, 4 Yellow Wagtails, White Stork over briefly early pm (Bruce & Gwen Martin, John Oates).
Lode - Hobby and female Hen Harrier over fields to the N of the village early evening (John Oates).
Prior's Fen - 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover; all waders on small islands at east end of middle pit (Mike Weedon); 2 m BLUE-HEADED WAGTAILS (reported 28 April, Kevin Durose)
High Wash, North Bank - 2 Greenshank, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ruff including 7 males of every imaginable hue (Mike Weedon)
Ferry Meadows - Jack Snipe showing well from Ian Presst Hide (Howard Butler)
Langtoft GP - 9 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Common Terns (Phil & Amanda Ackerman)
Earith Washes - 3 Swifts near Chain Corner this morning, the first of the year, f Wheatear along the footpath (David Griffiths)
Fen Drayton GP - 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Swift (Peter Herkenrath)
Grafham Water - f RING OUZEL, Marsh Harrier over 2-2.30pm, Garganey (pair), Hobby 1, Buzzard 1, Swift 30+, Lesser Whitethroat, Dunlin 1 (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley et al.); also 2 Blue-headed Wagtails (RBA).
Cow Lane GPs - 2 Yellow-legged Gull 4th summer and 2nd summer (Mark Hawks)
Wimpole - 3 pairs Marsh Tit, Swift, Hobby, Reed Warbler, 16 House Martins, 10 Swallows (Louise Bacon)
Friday, 25 April
Paxton Pits - m Redstart reported today near the Kingfisher Hide, also
Hobby, Swifts, 2 Wheatears, Black Tern and adult Little Gull (Julian Hughes)
Fen Drayton - Hobby, 6 Swift, Greenshank (Mike Clydesdale)
Grafham Water - f RING OUZEL west of Marlow car park, 2 Black Terns, 4 Common Scoter (Colin Addington, Mark Hawkes, RBA)
Devil`s Dyke - 2 m RING OUZELS c.1 mile NW of A14 to 11:30h at least, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, 30 Fieldfare and the aberrant Yellowhammer also present (John Oates et al.)
Thursday, 24 April
Little Paxton - f Black Redstart along Hayling Ave in evening (Martin Davies et al.)
Cottenham - Crossbill over Simon Stirrup`s garden
Grafham Water - 20+ Yellow Wagtails including f BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL & m beema type/hybrid, 4+ Little Gulls, 8+ Swift, c.100 Swallows, 20+ House Martins, 10+ Sand Martins (Mark Hawkes)
Chatteris Cemetery - m RING OUZEL a.m. (Mark Ward)
Paxton Pits - 2 Nightingale, 20+ Common Terns, Egyptian Goose, Little Ringed Plover, 20+ Sand Martin (John Hoppett)
Granchester - Yellow Wagtail (Louise Bacon)
Wednesday, 23 April
Fulbourn Fen - 4+ Grasshopper Warblers, Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Grey Partridge, Water Rail heard (Andrew Taylor)
Cottenham, Long Drove - White Stork, Greenshank (Birdguides)
Barleycraft GPs - Grey Plover, 5 Barnacle Geese, 15 Common Terns, Ruff (Birdguides)
Little Paxton - flocks of Swifts in the evening (Julian Hughes); Egyptian Goose, 4 Dunlin, Greenshank, c.12 Common Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails (Jamie Wells); also reported a Sandwich Tern seen Monday 21st (Pam Peacock, Dave Gooch)
Ferry Meadows - Garganey (Birdguides)
Westley Waterless - Whinchat at TL613567 (Birdguides)
Fen Drayton GPs- BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL (Birdguides)
Tuesday, 22 April
Block Fen GP - 2 m RING OUZELS, Common Tern, Tree Sparrows (Mark Ward)
Ouse washes RSPB - 4 Avocets, 9 Black-tailed Godwits (islandica), Ruff, 6 Wigeon, 4 Tree Sparrows (Mark Ward)
Ferry Meadows - pair Garganey at Ian Prestt hide, also 8 Teal, pair Gadwall, 5 Redshank, Lesser Whitethroat (Tony Stones)
Cottenham Long Drove - 2 Greenshank (Mike Foley)
Wicken Fen - Hobby at Trevelyans Hide, Little Ringed Plover & Short-eared Owl at Bakers Fen (John Oates)
Cam Washes, Upware - 51 Black-tailed Godwits, 20+ Ruff, Pink-footed Goose (John Oates)
Fen Drayton - Nightingale, Egyptian Goose, Ruff, 5+ Ringed Plovers (Graeme Reed)
Paxton Pits - 2 Lesser Whitethroat west of Sailing Lake (Paul Lippett) & 1+ along the Meadow Trail (Jim Mackman); Greenshank, Ruff, 5 Oystercatcher, Buzzard, Turtle Dove, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Pink-footed Geese (Jamie Wells)
Farcet Fen - Turtle Dove (Steve Dudley)
Girton - Hobby past Birdlife International a.m. (Gary Allport)
Granchester - 4 House Martins (Louise Bacon)
Monday, 21 April
Block Fen GP - 3+ RING OUZELS, 2 Common Tern, pair Ruddy Duck, 40+ Tree Sparrows (Mark Ward)
Soham Lode - Turtle Dove and Swift (Christine Barker)
Cottenham Long Drove - Greenshank and Green Sandpiper (David Bradnum)
Maxey - Male MONTAGU`S HARRIER reported near the cut at heading east at around 5.40pm this afternoon.
Nene Washes RSPB - Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Greenshank; March Farmers - male Garganey; North Bank - Grey Partridge; High Wash - 11 Ruff, 3 Pintail; Priors Fen, 2 LRP, 2 Little Ringed Plover (Mike Weedon)
Nene Washes RSPB - Hen Harrier ad fem, 4 Avocet on cowsheds pool, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Ruff, 24 Golden Plover, 24 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 6, Peregrine, 2 Greenshank; Blackbush Drove - male Wheatear, 12 Yellow Wagtail (Steve Dudley & Katie Fuller)
Cam Washes at Upware - Spotted Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 45 Black-tailed Godwits, c.26 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plover, drake Garganey, Pink-footed Goose, 6 Yellow Wagtails (Ben Green, John Oates).
Paxton Pits - Black Tern, 5 Dunlins, 2 female Ruffs, Reed Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Little Ringed Plover (Julian Hughes/Neal Parkin/Jamie Wells); Curlew, 6+ Little Gulls (5 s/plum) (Martin Davis); Green Sandpiper (Martin Shadbolt); 13 Nightingales (various observers)
Eldernell - White Stork, fem Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail, Blackcap singing from pit (Steve Dudley & Katie Fuller)
Ferry Meadows - 2 Garganey from Ian Prestt Hide, f Wheatear on Heron Meadow, Common Sandpiper on Watersports Centre (Don Gardener & Matt Web)
Sunday, 20 April
Cambourne Country Park, Lake Ewart - m RING OUZEL 08:45 - 10:00 this morning. Also 2 Yellow Wagtails and 4 House Martins (Jonathan Hook)
Soham Lode - Turtle Dove and Whitethroat (Tony Wilson) Swift (Christine Barker)
Fen Drayton - Grasshopper Warbler reeling, (Jem Holding); 2 Goldeneye, 4 Ruddy Duck, 4 Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Gull [1st summer], 24 Common Terns, Turtle Dove, 8 Sand Martin, 11 Swallows, 38 SedgeWarblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 11 Whitethroat , 8 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaff , 9 Willow Warbler (Bruce Martin); 6 Ruff and 1 Grey Plover (Richard Allison)
Bainton - Report of a WRYNECK briefly in a private garden (RBA).
Nene Washes - GREAT WHITE EGRET, 3 Avocet (Phil & Amanda Ackerman)
Orton Brick Pits - Marsh Harrier, 1, fem high to north battling hard against the north wind, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 4 Ruddy Duck, 2 Oystercatcher (Steve Dudley)
Ferry Meadows - Arctic Tern, 6 Common Tern, pair of Garganey, 15+ Willow warbler, 12+ Sedge Warbler, 8+ Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap (Gordon Hamlett)
Saturday, 19 April
Paxton Pits - Adult Mediterranean gull (flew in from the south and kept on going!), Buzzard, Whitethroat, Cuckoo, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, 15 Common Terns, Greenshank, Dunlin (Julian Hughes/Jamie Wells), 9 Nightingales, 22 Sedge Warblers, Corn bunting singing (Gary Rawlings)
Cambourne Country Park - 8 Yellow Wagtails (Jonathan Hook)
Friday, 18 April
Cherry Hinton Pits - 40 Common Gulls circling over pit nearest Cherry Hinton village, flew off over village at around 12pm. Also plenty of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, a Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps & a House Martin (Paul Rule)
Ferry Meadows - Pink-footed Goose on Heron Meadow, House Martin over Lynch Lake (Mike Weedon)
Wicken Fen - 2 Grasshopper Warblers heard reeling, one in front of visitors
centre & one at Verrall's Fen, 12 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, 8 Willow
Warbler, 2 Blackcap & 2 Marsh Harriers (Chris B)
Thursday, 17 April
Woodston, Entrance to Pedigree Factory - Redstart (Steve Dudley)
Ferry Meadows - Pair Garganey, (Gordon Hamlett), 110 Common Tern (Most left c 10:30), Garden Warbler (Steve Dudley)
Shropshire's Reservoir, Stretham - 2 Arctic Terns briefly at 9 am. They then
headed off NE. (Ian Barton)
Fen Drayton - Black Tern, Little Gull, 13 Common Tern through, also Grasshopper Warbler, Nightingale, 2 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper (Hugh Venables)
West Town, Peterborough - Red Kite 09:53h (Steve Dudley)
Grafham Water - f Red-breasted Merganser briefly, Green Sandpiper (Julian Hughes), 3 Common Tern, 2 Nightingale (Malcolm Anderson), Whiskered Tern (Colin Addington)
Mepal - 2 RING OUZELS on the washes 07:30h (Mark Peck)
Orton Brick Pit - Grasshopper Warbler, Turtle Dove, 11 Common Terns, Arctic Tern, Reed Warbler (Steve Dudley)
Eldernell - 4 Avocet, Wheatear (Matt Francis) 60+ Fieldfares (Brian Stone)
Willow Warblers reported: 7+ Farcet, 21+ Orton BP, Fen Drayton, Cambridge, 25 Grafham Water, Ferry Meadows, Barnack Hills and Holes
Sedge Warblers reported: 4 Farcet, 11+ Orton BP, Fen Drayton, 4 Grafham Water
Whitethroats reported: Orton BP, 5 Fen Drayton, Cambridge, Barnack Hills and Holes
Blackcaps reported: 4 Orton BP, Farcet, Fen Drayton, Cambridge, Grafham Water, Ferry Meadows
Chiffchaffs reported: 4 Farcet, Fen Drayton, Cambridge, 17 Grafham Water, Ferry Meadows
Yellow Wagtails reported: Eldernell, 13 Grafham Water
Swallows reported: Whittlesey, Swavesey, 2 Comberton, 2 Grafham
Water, Ferry Meadows
House Martins reported: Longthorpe
Wednesday, 16 April
Soham - Swift (Christine Barker, Tony Wilson).
Grafham Water - 9 Black Terns, 21+ Common Terns, 6 Arctic Terns, 6+ comic terns &17 Little Gulls through, 11 Goldeneye, m Red-breasted Merganser late p.m. (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley)
Kings Dyke NR - Jack Snipe, m & f Marsh Harrier (peterbirder)
Ferry Meadows - Jack Snipe, pair Garganey (Matt Webb); 4 Common Terns on Overton, in Bluebell Wood Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Brian Stone) & Wood Warbler (Matt Webb)
Orton Brick Pit - 7+ Little Gull (Brian Stone)
Nene Washes - 2 Avocet, Curlew, pair Garganey, 300+ Black-tailed Godwits inc. a couple of colour-ringed Icelandic birds (Mike Weedon); RING OUZEL at Lords Holt (Jonathan Taylor)
Paxton Pits - 43 Little Gulls & 40 commic terns through a.m., Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, Ruff, 2+ Garden Warblers, 4 Nightingales (Jamie Wells)
Needingworth GP - Little Gull, 30+ Common Terns through (Bruce & Gwen Martin)
Fen Drayton - 16 Little Gulls, 40 Common Terns, 2 Black Terns, Whimbrel (Bruce & Gwen Martin)
Mepal Sewage Works - 2 m RING OUZEL (Mark Peck); moved to Ouse Washes late morning (Bruce & Gwen Martin)
Ladys Wood - Wood Warbler, Brambling (Paul Bellamy)
Magog Down - 2 White Wagtails (Richard Hall)
Cherry Hinton Pits - c.20 commic terns, at least 1 Arctic (Richard Hall)
Swallows reported: 8+ Elton Furze, 4 Morborne Hill, 3 Priors Fen, Whittlesey (all late p.m.)
Cuckoos reported: Stanground Wash, Paxton Pits, Mepal SW, Monks Wood on 15.4.3
Whitethroats reported: 2 Mepal SW, 2 Orton BP, Paxton Pits, Upwood Meadows, 4 Fen Drayton, Cherry Hinton Pits, Grafham
Blackcaps reported: Ferry Meadows, Magog Down
Willow Warblers reported: 4+ Mepal SW, 14 Orton BP, 3 Cherry Hinton Pits, Magog Down
Sedge Warblers reported: Mepal SW, 5+ Nene Washes, 10 Orton BP, 9 Paxton Pits, 15+ Drysides Pit
Yellow Wagtails reported: Mepal SW, Nene Washes, Upwood, Farcet Fen, 5 March Farmers, High Wash, 3 Priors Fen, 3 Eldernell
Tuesday, 15 April
Oakington Barracks - 125 Stock Doves, Whitethroat (Bruce Martin)
Fulbourn - Turtle Dove on the Roman Road SW of Fulbourn, 65 Stock Doves, 140 Fieldfares (Bruce Martin)
Roswell Pits - 6 Common Terns (Paul Atkinson)
Nene Washes - RING OUZEL north side of Eldernell (NO access), 3 Greenshank, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 8 Marsh Harriers, 2 Little ringed Plover, Short-eared Owl, the White Stork in the area but mobile (Jonathan Taylor)
Ferry Meadows p.m. - Sandwich Tern on Gunwade Lake in front of water sports
centre 14:00h, 9 present by 16:15h, 6+ still present 20:30h. (Many observers).
Pair Garganey, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, 12 Common Tern , Garden Warbler (Ray &
William Bowell); Arctic tern (Mike Weedon), Jack Snipe (Matt Webb et al.)
Ferry Meadows a.m. - Jack Snipe from Ian Prestt Hide, 6 Snipe, ad Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2nd C.Y. Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Tern, Garden Warbler (Brian Stone et al.)
Godmanchester - Caspian Gull (Dick Newell)
Paxton Pits a.m. - Nightingale singing by Sailing Pit, Red-necked Grebe on A1 Pit (Neal Parkin); Dunlin, f Ruff (Julian Hughes); 5 Nightingales (Martin Davis)
Grafham Water - Avocet 06:40h (Birdguides); probable Honey Buzzard over Ouse Valley 13:45h, m Marsh Harrier 14:15h (RBA 14:39 via Julian Hughes)
Northey fishing lakes - White Stork, usual bird in flight (Brian Stone)
Sedge Warblers at Paxton Pits (Neal Parkin); Ferry Meadows (Ray & William Bowell, Matt Webb et al., Brian Stone et al.); near Fen Causeway, Cambridge (Richard Hall); Roswell Pits (Paul Atkinson); Cherry Hinton Pits (Pete Holt); Fen Drayton (Bruce & Gwen Martin); Swavesey (Sue Rogers)
Willow Warblers at Paxton Pits (Neal Parkin); Ferry Meadows (Ray & William Bowell, Brian Stone et al., Chris Dawn). Observers reporting increased numbers today.
Blackcap at Paxton Pits (Neal Parkin); male in Mike Weedonís Garden yesterday;
Swallows at Swavesey (Sue Rogers); Great Eastern Street, Cambridge (Sarah de Jager), Ferry Meadows (Brian Stone et al.); Whittlesey (Brian stone);
River Cam - 3 Black Swans opposite Arundel Hotel (Rob Spragg)
Barn Owl seen regularly between Wilburton & Cottenham; 2 on April 10, 1 on April 11, 2 on April 14 (Peter Stockwell)
Late news for Sunday 13 April , Nene Washes - Hobby, ad f Merlin, pair Garganey, 55+ Ruff, 70+ Dunlin (Peter Clement)
Monday, 14 April
Ferry Meadows - Arctic Tern on Gunwade Lake with 4 Common Terns (Brian Stone). Pair of Garganey from Ian Prestt Hide and Sandwich Tern on Overton Lake still present at 18:50h (Matt Webb, Don Gardener)
Paxton Pits - 2 Little Ringed Plovers on Sailing Lake (Julian Hughes), m Brambling half way along Haul Road (Martin Davis), 2 Nightingales, 6 Common Terns, 60 Sand Martins, 55 Shovelers, f Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 2 Dunlins (Martin Davis/Julian Hughes/Jamie Wells).
Fen Drayton - 3 Common Terns, Whitethroat, 5 Sedge Warblers, Wheatear (Richard Allison)
Eldernell - White Stork present in the Lords Holt area (via Brian Stone)
Priors Fen - House Martin, 4 Sand Martin (Brian Stone)
Nene Washes - 4 Avocet, 8 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, c.150 Black-tailed Godwit (Brian stone)
Cam Washes - Greenshank, 43 Black-tailed Godwits (Bruce Martin). Upware - 45 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover (John Oates)
Devils Dyke - 420 Golden Plovers (Bruce Martin)
Wicken Fen - Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harriers (John Oates)
Cambridge - Buzzard over Newmarket Road (Michael Wood)
Caldecote - House Martin, Tree Pipit over (Graeme Reed)
Fulbourn Hospital - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker early morning (Graeme Reed)
Swallows at Dog in a Doublet (Brian Stone); Wilburton (Bruce Martin); Hills Road & Great Eastern Street, Cambridge (Pete Holt); near Werrington (Ray Bowell); Barton (Louise Bacon)
Yellow Wagtails at Swaffham Prior Fen (Bruce Martin), Paxton Pits (Martin Davis et al.)
Willow Warbler at Kings Dyke LNR (Brian Stone)
Sunday, 13th April
Paxton Pits - m Brambling along Haul Road (Paul Lippett): summer plumage Red-necked Grebe on A1 North, 4 Common Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails, m Ruff, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 4 Sedge Warblers, 5 Oystercatchers, Meadow Pipit displaying, Swallow, 3 Sand Martins (Julian Hughes, Jamie Wells)
Fen Drayton - Swallow (Martin Phillips)
Ferry Meadows - Marsh Tit, 4 Redshanks, c.15 Swallows, c.15 Sand Martins, 5 Common Terns (Don Gardener); 7 Common Terns heading east (Katie Fuller); House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtails (Matt Webb); 2 Water Rails from Ian Priest Hide 08:30 (Howard Butler)
Wicken Fen - 4 Hen Harriers, 2+ Marsh Harriers & 3+ Woodcock from Tower Hide 19:30-20:30h (John Oates)
Grafham Water - 3 ad Little Gulls (Mark Hawkes)
Witcham - m Redstart along Back Lane (David Hopkins)
Castor Hanglands - 2 Peregrine Falcons, Cuckoo (Birdguides)
Soham - Cuckoo (Tony Wilson)
Malton GC - 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whimbrels over (Jim Lawrence)
Wimpole Hall - 4 Marsh Tits, Willow Warbler (Louise bacon)
Kimbolton - Red Kite (Peter Stockwell)
Roswell Pits - 3 Yellow Wagtails, White Wagtail, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 5 Common Terns (Paul Atkinson)
Saturday 12th April
Godmanchester GP - Probable Black Kite and 3+ Common Buzzards flew high east over (Mark Hawkes)
Paxton Pits - Cuckoo and four house martins (Trevor Gunton)
Fen Drayton - Wheatear (m) along approach road from Swavesey near bridge, 3 Ruddy Duck, 7 Goldeneye, 4 Sand Martin, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler (Hugh Venables & Tom Charman)
Grafham Water - Male Common Redstart Savages Creek, Grafham Water (Colin Addington)
Male Marsh Harrier over fields just north of Lode late afternoon (John Oates).
Etton GP - Little-ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper (Brian Stone)
Friday, 11 April
Wicken Fen - Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, 2 drake Pintails, Dunlin, all on Baker's Fen. (John Oates)
Ouse Washes RSPB - 12 Avocets from Stockdales, Little Egret from Cadbury and a singing Sedge Warbler (John Oates), Drake Green-Winged/Eurasian Teal hybrid frequenting northern section of Stockdale's Pool. 2 Buzzards flew high SW (Mark Ward)
Sutton Gault - 3 Green Sandpipers, Barn Owl, 3 Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Yellow Wagtail (Mark Peck)
Thorpe Wood - 5 Blackcaps singing (Chris Park)
Ferry Meadows - 2 Common Terns (Tony Rowe)
Thursday, 10 April 2003
Eldernell - White Stork again, east of car park but mobile, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Barn Owls (Malcolm Bell). Hen Harrier 13:05h (Birdguides)
Grafham - 3 Common Scoter off Mander car park, pair Mandarin Ducks, 2 Ruddy Ducks Dudney Hide, 2 Buzzards, f Goldeneye, Yellow Wagtail along dam (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley, Owen Marks)
Farcet Fen - 6 Tree Sparrows (Steve Dudley)
Wednesday, 9 April 2003
Landbeach - 2nd C.Y. Caspian Gull, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, ad Kittiwake (Dick Newell)
March Farmers, east from car park - 2 m & 1f Garganey, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, c.30 Golden Plover (Brian Stone). West from car park - White Stork nr Eldernell, 140+ Ruffs, 200+ Golden Plover, 20+ Pintail (Steve Dudley & Katie Fuller)
Fowlmere - Short-eared Owl at dusk (Alan Wadsworth)
Fen Drayton - 2 Common Terns, Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plovers, a few Swallows (John Oates)
Fletton BP - Common Sandpiper (Steve Dudley)
Etton GP - Little-ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper (Brian Stone)
Grafham - 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Pintails, 4 f Goldeneye (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington)
Morborne Hill - c. 350 Fieldfare (Brian Stone)
Orton BP - f Ruddy Duck, f Goldeneye (George Walthew)
Kingís Dyke - Jack Snipe (George ??/peterbirder)
Late news Monday 7 April, Paxton Pits - 2 Red-necked Grebes on Sailing Lake (Jamie Wells)
Tuesday, 8 April 2003
Paxton Pits - Nightingale just east of Kingfisher Hide 15:15h, also 1 House Martin (Jamie Wells). Rock Pipit A. p. littoralis, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins (Martin Davis)
Eldernell - White Stork, the usual bird, near Decoy Wood 07:45h (Mike Weedon). Common Tern c.10:00h, f Marsh Harrier, Merlin (Bernard Lawes)
Common Sandpiper by A10 north of Waterbeach (Louise Bacon)
Langtoft GPs - Buzzard, 2 Shelducks, 2 Red-crested Pochards 7 Sand Martins (Phil & Amanda Ackerman)
Farcet Village - Tawny Owls calling, from rooftops in St Marys Street 04:30-05:35h, 1 bird seen (Nigel ??/peterbirder)
Castor Hanglands - 1 Buzzard, 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Mark Ward, Mike Weedon and Katie Fuller)
Milton CP - 2 Kingfishers, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker a.m., 4 m Blackcaps p.m. (David Heath)
Ferry Meadows - 4 Swallows Lynch lake p.m. (Matt Webb).
Hampton West Lake - c. 800 Golden Plover (Birdguides)
Morborne Hill - 50+ Fieldfares (Brian Stone)
Fen Drayton - 16 Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, Dunlin, 3 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warblers (John Oates)
Wimpole Hall - 3m 1f Mandarin Duck (Birdguides)
Monday, 7 April 2003
Ouse Washes - 2 Little Egrets from Stevens Hide, another Little Egret from Stockdales Hide, up to 12 Avocets, mainly from Stockdales Hide, also Peregrine (Robert Coleman)
Woodwalton Fen (north end) - 2 Sedge Warblers, also 15 Redwing (Brian Stone)
Wicken Fen - Common Buzzard, Swallow and 4+ Marsh Harriers (John Oates)
Farcet Fen - 2 Yellow Wagtails (Steve Dudley)
Paxton Pits - Little Ringed Plover, pair of Shelduck, 1 Swallow, also Tawny Owl calling at dusk by Sailing Lake (Jamie Wells). Garden Warbler heard between Cloudy Pit and the river (Julian Hughes)
Hampton West Lake - c.800 Golden Plover settled to roost (Brian Stone)
Ferry Meadows - Jack Snipe from Prestt Hide, also 50+ Snipe, 60+ Teal, 7
Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 21+ Cormorant (Steve Dudley, Katie Fuller, Matt Webb,
Kevan Wolstencroft)
Sunday, 6 April 2003
Paxton Pits - Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, 40 Meadow Pipits (Martin Davis/Julian Hughes/Gary Rawlings/Jamie Wells)
Earith - Female Marsh Harrier (David Griffiths)
Grafham Water - Garganey again on the lagoons (Jono Leadley), m and f Common Scoter off Plummer CP first thing, still present distantly off Mander CP at 5pm. Also 2 adult Kittiwakes this morning (Mark Hawkes)
Nene Washes - White Stork at Holts Wood 08:30 (Birdguides)
Etton GP - Little Ringed Plover (Birdguides)
Bedford Purlieus - Red Kite with double white wing tags, also 40-50 Redwing
(Will Bowell)
Sunday, 6 April 2003
Paxton Pits - Yellow wagtail, White Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, 40 Meadow Pipits (Martin Davis/Julian Hughes/Gary Rawlings/Jamie Wells)
Earith - Female Marsh Harrier (David Griffiths)
Grafham Water - Garganey again on the lagoons (Jono Leadley), m and f Common Scoter off Plummer CP by first thing, still present distantly off Mander CP at 5pm. Also 2 adult Kittiwakes this morning (Mark Hawkes)
Saturday, 5 April 2003
Paxton Pits - adult Yellow-legged Gull, Tawny Owl, Little Ringed Plover,
White Wagtail, 3 Sand Martins, 8 Willow Warblers (Steve May/Jamie Wells)
Godmanchester GP - 2 adult Caspian Gulls on main lake amongst a selection of
large gulls, female White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail (Paul Andrew)
Ferry Meadows - 43 Common Snipe on meadow between cycle/footpath and river opposite Travelex Building (Phillip Todd)
Nene Washes - White Stork still present (Jane Jones et al.), 31 Common & 2 Jack Snipe, c25 Golden Plover, c40 Dunlin, adult male Peregrine, adult male Garganey (Josh Jones).
Grafham Water - Garganey again on the lagoons, plus sedge warbler and blackcap. (Jono Leadley)
Ouse Washes - 10 Avocet, Little Egret and a Peregrine from Stockdales, Bittern from Churchmans (David Deboo)
4 April 2003
Wicken Fen - From Tower Hide, 5+ Hen Harriers (1 grey male), 3+ Marsh
Harriers, 2 Barn Owls, Short-eared Owl, Bittern, 3 roding Woodcocks (John
Oates)
Landbeach - Caspian Gull + 5 Y.L. Gulls present, 4 2CY's and 1 4CY (Dick Newell)
Grafham - Garganey, male, on the Lagoons, plus at least 2 White Wagtails, among c50 Pieds on the dam, plus 230 Meadow Pipits, LRPs, the first Oystercatcher for the year, Yellow Wagtail and large numbers of ducks on the lagoons, including 26 Shelduck and stacks of Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler. (Mark Hawkes and Jono Leadley)
Nene Washes - White Stork feeding by Lords Holt at 1 (Phil Todd).
Cambridge - Waxwings still present at APU (c/o Ruth Rule)
3 April 2003
Nene Washes - White Stork also 2 Willow Warlbers, 2 Garganey, 2 Marsh Harriers, 5 Fieldfares (Steve Dudley)
Ferry Meadows - Jack Snipe from Ian Prestt Hide (Richard Allison)
Cow Lane Godmanchester - 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls 1 adult + 1 3rd Summer, 2 Sand Martin.
Peterborough - White Stork circling near City Centre (Brian Stone & Jane Williams)
Peterborough Town Bridge - 9 Sand Martins (Brian Stone)
Ouse Washes at Mepal - 2 Spotted Redshank, 6 Ruff, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Willow Warbler (Mark Peck)
Isleham, flooded fields between the village and the weir on the River Lark - 6 Little Grebe, 5 Shelduck, pair of Pintail, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 12 min Snipe, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 L BB gulls, 1 Merlin, 1 Sparrowhawk, pair of Kestrels, 1 Kingfisher, c 80 Fieldfares, 70 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff. - Along road between Isleham and Prickwillow 1 Short-eared Owl. (Monica and Owen Marks)
Paxton Pits - Male yellow wagtail, Swallow, with 3 sand martins, 2 pairs of oystercatcher
2 April 2003
Cambridge University Farm - 40 Linnets around 219 Huntingdon Road. (Philip Bubb)
Ouse Washes - Little Egret and Peregrine from Welches Dam hide (David Deboo)
At Ferry Meadows the DB Brent Goose still present (Don Gardner). Jack Snipe from Ian Prestt Hide (Matt Webb)
RSPB Nene Washes reserve - White Stork showing beautifully just by the entrance to the (Brian Stone). Later reported heading SW over Whittlesey at 14:15 (Jonathan Taylor), Also a pair of Garganey on the Town Fifties by the sluice (Brian Stone)
At Paxton Pits Common Sandpiper, Water Rail, 3 Ruddy Ducks, 10 sand martins, 4 willow warblers, 4 oystercatchers. Harris' Hawk still around, having obviously survived its second winter roaming free! (Julian Hughes)
At Grafham Water - Male Wheatear along dam at 7am (Mark Hawkes)
1 April 2003
At Paxton Pits, 2 Garganey m+f. Also 4 LRP, 2 Barn Owls, Sand Martin, & Willow Warbler (Jamie Wells)
At Paxton Pits, Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap and at least 14 very vocal
Chiffchaffs (Richard Allison)
31 March 2003
At Grafham Water, a Mediterranean Gull in the roost (thought to be an adult), plus LRP, Willow Warbler (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley) plus 2 other LRPs on the dam (Stuart Elsom).
A Jack Snipe at Fowlmere, with 2 Water Rails (Reedbed Hide) (David Bradnum).
At Paxton Pits, Garganey (Neal Parkin).
At Wickem Fen, 9 Hen Harriers, 11 Marsh Harriers and a Woodcock (K Harris).
Further news from yesterday (30 March):
At Paxton Pits, White Wagtail (Jamie Wells, Martin Davis). Also, Willow Warbler, 3 Common Buzzards and Woodcock (Gary Rawlings).
A flock of White-fronted Geese flew over St Neots in the night (Steve May).
Jack Snipe at Fowlmere, (RBA).
Sunday, 30 March 2003
At Grafham Water, 2 Common Scoter, Brambling and Willow Warbler (Mark Hawkes).
The Red-breasted Goose was relocated on Earith Washes, with a Green Sandpiper here also, (Dave Griffiths).
At Paxton Pits, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker again (Birdguides).
At the Ouse Washes, Fourball Farm area, the White Stork heading north, plus 2 Little Egrets (Monica and Owen Marks).
Saturday, 29 March 2003
Cambridge City - Woodcock in Private Garden Langham Road (Paul Rule)
At Soham Mere, a Swallow (John Oates).
At Ferry Meadows the DB Brent Goose still (Don Gardner).
At Godmanchester GP, a 2CY Caspian Gull and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, plus a DB Brent Goose and a "grey-headed" type Gull (Stuart Elsom).
At Fen Drayton, a Merlin (Richard Hall and John Oates) and a Yellow Wagitail (Richard Patient).
At Cottenham Long Drove a presumed escaped Red-breasted Goose flew over (Richard Thomas).
On the Ouse Washes, now 4 Avocets at Welches Dam (Carol and Tim Inskipp).
At Paxton Pits, 2 Garganey, Willow Warbler, 5 LRP, 81 Fieldfare (Julian Hughes).
Between Chishall Grange and Heydon Grange a Whitethroat (Jack Harrison).
28 March 2003
A pair of Avocets at the Ouse Washes from Stockdale Hide (John Oates).
A Peregrine in Girton (David Wege et al.).
A Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Ferry Meadows (Brian Stone).
At Fowlmere, a Short-eared Owl (Doug Radford).
At Upware, 9 LRP (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen, 7 Hen Harriers (John Oates, Andy Massey).
At the Ouse Washes the escaped White Stork flew Northeast. 3 Avocets here and Little Egret (Mark Ward).
27 March 2003
At Paxton Pits an unconfirmed report of a Nightingale (Mr Robinson) Garganey and female Wheatear also here (Martin Davis) and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Trevor Gunton).
At Westwood Road, St Ives, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Birdguides).
At Chatteris, 22 Crossbill flew east (Birdguides).
At Fen Drayton, the escaped White Stork (Bruce and Gwen Martin).
At Wicken Fen, 5 Marsh Harriers, 7 Hen Harriers, 4 Barn Owls, 30 Sand Martins (Christoph Zockler).
26 March 2003
A House Martin at the visitors centre, Ouse Washes, plus Common Scoter from Stockdales Hide and 3 Garganey (Mark Hawkes et al.).
A Spotted Redshank at Chain Corner (Mark Hawkes et al.).
At Ferry Meadows a Jack Snipe from Ian Prestt Hide (Birdguides).
At Cam Washes, LRP plus European White-fronted Goose (Monica and Owen Marks).
At Wicken Fen, 2 Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, LRP, Marsh Harrier (Monica and Owen Marks).
In Cambridge at Anglian Polytechnic Broad Street campus entrance, 5 Waxwings (Trudy _).
25 March 2003
A Willow Warbler at Woodwalton Fen (Brian Stone).
At Girton College, Cambridge, a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showing well early a.m. (David Bradnum).
At Chain Corner, a Spotted Redshank and an Egyptian Goose (Hugh Venables and Dave Griffiths).
At the Ouse Washes, a Garganey (Hugh Venables).
At Paxton Pits, 3 LRP and a Pink-footed Goose still (David Bradnum) plus Wheatear, Curlew, Ruff, Garganey and Sand Martins (Martin Davis and Martin Shadbolt).
On the Nene Washes, a Peregrine and two Merlins (Jonathan Taylor).
At Lode, a Hen Harrier (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen, 7 Hen Harriers, 2 Marsh Harriers, Short-eared Owl, 6 Sand Martins, Bittern, 3 Barn Owls and 3 Woodcocks (Christoph Zockler) plus Little Egret (Will Miles).
At Upware, a Little Egret and European White-fronted Goose (Mark Hawkes).
Further news from 24/03/03:
Ferry Meadows, Long-eared Owl, 2 LRP, Jack Snipe (per Don Gardner).
Milton CP, a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, at the NE end of Dickersons Pit (Kevin Harris).
Ely BF, a Peregrine flew SW (Ben Green).
Paxton Pits, Blackcap and 2 LRP (Julian Hughes).
Wicken Fen, 5 Hen Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls (John Oates), Buzzard, 2 Sand Martins (Ralph Sergeant).
Grafham Water, 24 Sand Martins (Mark Hawkes).
Upware, Cam Washes, White Stork, LRP (John Oates).
24 March 2003
At Paxton Pits, a drake Garganey, plus Jack Snipe, White Wagtail, 4 Goosander and 2 LRP (Jamie Wells).
Sunday, 23 March 2003
At Grafham Water, 2 Black-necked Grebes off Plummer CP (Mark Hawkes). Four Sand Martins seen by a fisherman (per Jono Leadley).
At Welches Dam, Ouse Washes, 4300 Black-tailed Godwits, Peregrine, Spotted Redshank, Garganey, 8 Water Pipits and 259 Ruff (Monica & Owen Marks). Also, a Knot and 4 Sand Martins (Peter Herkenrath).
Three Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers at Paxton Pits, plus 2 Sand Martins, 2 LRP, 6 Green Sandpipers and 3 Buzzards (Julian Hughes et al.).
On the Cam Washes the White Stork (of Cottenham fame)at Upware, with a European White-fronted Goose and a Little Egret (Peter Bullett).
Nearby, at Wicken Fen, 7 Hen Harriers, 3 Sand Martins and 2 Short-eared Owls (Hugh Venables).
At Woodwalton Fen a Willow Tit (Steve Dudley and Brian Stone).
At Farcet Fen, a Merlin (Steve Dudley).
Saturday, 22 March 2003
In Milton CP, Cambridge, 8 Waxwings (Mike Foley).
At Chain Corner, a Grey Plover (Stuart Elsom).
21 March 2003
At Grafham Water, a male Wheatear on the dam (Colin Addington).
On the Nene Washes, 4 pairs of Garganey, 5 Water Pipits, Peregrine, Merlin and 2 Marsh Harriers (Jonathan Taylor) and a Jack Snipe (Brian Stone).
A Garganey at Paxton Pits (Jamie Wells).
At Wicken Fen, three Marsh Harriers and 8 Hen Harriers, plus a Little Egret (Alan Wadsworth).
Further news from 20/03/03 involve a first winter Glaucous Gull, which roosted at March Farmers, Nene Washes (Jonathan Taylor).
20 March 2003
A male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER off the fishing lodge at Mander CP, Grafham Water this evening (Mark Hawkes).
The COMMON CRANE still present west of March at TL376 980 but flew ENE at 10.45 (per John Oates).
Little Egret still on Bakers Fen, Wicken (John Oates).
Waxwings at Meggan Gate, off Holywell Lane, Peterborough (per Brian Stone).
Drake Garganey at Paxton Pits at 16.45 (Martin Davis).
Late news for yesterday, a sick 2cy Caspian Gull at Chain Corner (Stuart Elsom).
19 March 2003
COMMON CRANE still present at West Fen, west of March, at approx TF370 977, viewable from drove west of Otter Holt Farm, early am (Steve Dudley and Katie Fuller).
In Westwood, Peterborough, 3 Waxwings at the end of Ashton Close, off Thorpe Park Road, (Chris Dawn).
An adult summer Mediterranean Gull and a Barn Owl a Chain Corner, Ouse Washes. And at nearby Sutton Gault a Woodcock (Mark Peck).
Drake Garganey at Milton CP (Hugh Venables and Dave Deboo).
A female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Paxton Pits again, by Kingfisher Hide at 7.15am (Neal Parkin).
18 March 2003
A GREAT GREY SHRIKE between Oxholme and Elney Lakes at Fen Drayton GP until 12.40 at least (John Oates).
A COMMON CRANE reported this evening from a train between Whittlesey and March (was seen early this morning, then late afternoon in the same place) (Dan Williams).
At Upware, a Little Egret (John Oates).
At Godmanchester GP, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, one 1st summer and 1 fourth summer. Also, 2 Green Sandpipers here (John Oates).
In Longthorpe, 6 Waxwings at the end of Upton Close, off Harewood Gardens (Brian Stone).
A female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen between the two hides at Paxton Pits at 7 o'clock this morning (Martin Davis).
At Wicken Fen, 7 Hen Harriers into roost and 3 Bitterns (Colin Kirtland).
17 March 2003
At Grafham Water, 5 Garganey from Dudney Hide, including 3 drakes. From Mander CP, 3 Common Scoters, including 2 drakes. One Littoralis Rock Pipit on the dam and a possible sighting of the Great Grey Shrike near Dudney Hide (Mark Hawkes).
At the Ouse Washes, a Garganey and 3 Water Pipits (Mark Ward)plus a 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull, (Dick Newell).
At Southey Wood, 2 Crossbills (Gordon Hamlett).
At Paxton Pits, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, showing well by Kingfisher Hide and 3 Smew still present (Julian Hughes).
On the Cam Washes, an Egyptian Goose and 120 Snipe (John Oates).
Sunday, 16 March 2003
The Firecrest still present at Girton (Richard Patient).
At Paxton Pits, 4 Smew, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Jack Snipe, plus 2 Greenshanks reported (Julian Hughes et al.).
A Little Egret on Bakers Fen, Wicken (John Oates).
13 European White-fronted Geese at Priors Fen later moved on to the Nene Washes to the west of Lords Holt (Mike Weedon and Katie Fuller).
Late news from 11 March, 6 White Wagtails at Sutton Gault, along with 5 Water Pipits and 2 Sand Martins (Mark Ward).
Saturday, 15 March 2003
TWITE , one flying north over Chain Corner, plus 4 Water Pipits, Yellow-legged Gull, Barn and Short-eared Owls (Richard Patient).
12 Waxwings still at Coleridge Road Recreation Ground (Paul Rule).
At Ferry Meadows, a Long-eared Owl and Woodcock (Matt Webb).
At Bermuda Terrace cemetary, Chesterton, the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker again (Hugh Venables).
At Barleycraft GP, 2 Sand Martins (Hugh Venables).
At Paxton Pits, 4 Smew (Hugh Venables).
At Beechwoods NR, 50 Bramblings (Paul Rule).
The White Stork still present around the lagoons at Cottenham Long Drove (Gwen and Bruce Martin).
A Marsh Harrier at Fowlmere briefly (Alan Wadsworth).
A Red Kite flew south along the A10 at Waterbeach at 5pm (Gwen and Bruce Martin).
14 March 2003
Three COMMON CRANES over Westmoor Farm, Chatteris, heading northwest (per Mark Ward).
A report of a GOSHAWK seen briefly at Southey Woods, (Keith Lawton).
At Serpentine GP, Peterborough 2 Jack Snipe still (George Walthew).
On the west side of the Cam Washes, Short-eared Owl and 70 Snipe (Colin Kirtland) plus a female Hen Harrier (Rob Palmer).
At Morborne Hill, 5 Red Kite (Mark Ward et al.).
On the Ouse Washes, a Peregrine (John Oates).
A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Longstanton (RBA).
At Wicken Fen, 4 Hen Harriers and 2 Woodcock (Mike Foley).
Still at least 9 Waxwings at Coleridge Road Recreation Ground (PauL Rule).
13 March 2003
At Paxton Pits, a Little Ringed Plover and 2 Sand Martins (Jamie Wells).
At Baitsbite Lock, a Stonechat and Grey Wagtails (Clive Sinclair).
12 March 2003
At Serpentine GP, 9 Jack Snipe (George Walthew).
At Cottenham Long Drove, a Sand Martin (Dick Newell and Will Miles).
At Wandlebury, 6 Brambling (Stephen Clare).
At the Wicken Fen roost, 5 Hen Harriers, including 2 males, plus 2 Barn Owls (Nigel Wood).
11 March 2003
At Grafham Water, a female Wheatear below the dam (Colin Addington).
Still 14 Waxwings in Coleridge Road Recreation Ground, Cambridge (RBA).
At Cottenham Long Drove, 2nd Calendar Year Caspian Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (Dick Newell).
At Fen Drayton the Little Egret on Ferry Lagoon and a pair of Smew (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen, a European White-fronted Goose plus the hybrid Ross's x White-front on Bakers Fen (John Oates).
10 March 2003
At Grafham Water, a Sand Martin over the lagoons plus 3 Chiffchaffs, 16 Goosander and a Barn Owl (Mark Hawkes).
At Paxton Pits, 6 Smew, 1 Pink-footed Goose and a Chiffchaff (Martin Davies).
At Sutton Gault, 2 Sand Martins and a Green Sandpiper (Rob Coleman).
9 March 2003
At Clopton, a Wheatear (Stephen Clare).
A Sand Martin at Paxton Pits, (Neal Parkin).
At Paxton Pits, one Egyptian Goose and 5 Smew, plus a Common Sandpiper (Julian Hughes).
Another Egyptian Goose is on Earith Washes, along with a Peregrine (Dave Griffiths) plus Water Pipit, Green Sandpiper and a Pink-footed Goose (Richard Patient).
At Fen Drayton, a Little Egret, plus 2 Smew still and 2 Brambling (Richard Patient).
At Grafham Water, 10 Goosander and a pale Buzzard (Mark Hawkes).
At Chain Corner, a Water Pipit and a Green Sandpiper (Richard Patient).
At the Ouse Washes, 2 Hen Harriers and a Merlin from Halfway Hide, Welches Dam (Robert Coleman).
8 March 2003
Two 2nd calendar year Caspian Gulls with one 2nd calendar year Yellow-legged Gull at Cottenham Long Drove (Dick Newell). Again, birders are requested to stay IN their cars when gulls are present, as they flush easily.
Still up to 14 Waxwings being seen at various places in Cambridge, including 14 at Coleridge Road Recreation Ground (Richard Billington and Dave Griffiths), 6 at Rustat Road (Richard Patient) and 5 at Tennis Court Road (Richard Billington).
At Fen Drayton GP, a Bittern and 2 Smew (RBA).
At Paxton Pits, 6 Smew (Julian Hughes).
7 March 2003
At Priors Fen, 4 GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GEESE plus 9 European White-fronted Geese and one Pink-footed Goose (Mike Weedon).
Still up to 14 Waxwings in Cambridge, seen at Rustat Road (Pete Holt) and Davy Road (Paul Rule).
Two Crossbills flew over Lode, heading east at 7.50am (John Oates).
LRP still present at Granta Park (since yesterday) (RBA).
Only four Bramblings left at Beechwoods NR, south of Cambridge (Paul Rule).
6 March 2003
A Litte Ringed Plover at Granta Park, Abington (RBA).
At Paxton Pits, 8 Smew and an Egyptian Goose (Bob Scott).
At the Serpentine BP, Peterborough, 2 Jack Snipe (George Walthew).
Seven Hen Harriers in to roost at Wicken Fen (John Oates).
A Barn Owl was seen at Fen Drayton, a local rarity (Richard Allison).
5 March 2003
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, one male, just north of Bretton Woods School at 1pm (Mark Ward and Mike Weedon).
At Dogsthorpe Star Pit, 2nd Summer (3cy) Yellow-legged Gull (Mark Ward and Mike Weedon).
At Fen Drayton, 3 Smew and a Little Egret (John Oates).
Further news for yesterday, include a Little Egret at Upware (Dick Newell and Bruce Martin).
4 March 2003
Firecrest still present at lunchtime behind the BirdLife offices in Girton, Cambridge, (Richard Thomas).
5 Waxwing in Buchan Street, Cambridge until 12.30 (Colin Kirtland).
At Fen Drayton, one Smew (Colin Kirtland).
A Brambling in a Impington garden (David Wege).
3 March 2003
A report of a HOOPOE over B1093 before the village of Benwick, on the Doddington side this morning (David Sidlow).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Mander CP, Grafham Water, at 17.10, with a Rock Pipit over the dam (Colin Addington).
A Bittern at Eldernell Pits, Nene Washes, at 12.30 (Jonathan Taylor).
Sunday, 2 March 2003
At Priors Fen, 4 GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and 17 European White Fronts (Mike Weedon).
At Cottenham Long Drove an adult Iceland Gull (Richard Thomas).
At Girton the Firecrest still, behind the BirdLife office (Richard Thomas et al.)
5 Waxwings, Kings Hedges Road, (Richard Thomas).
At Grafham Water, one Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming in Littless Wood and 13 Goosander on the water (Mark Hawkes).
At Paxton Pits, Smew, 4, Chiffchaff, 2, Buzzard, 2 and Green Sandpiper, 2 (Jamie Wells et al.).
At Fen Drayton, Jack Snipe, 2, Knot and 40 Waxwings flew NE over the entrance track (Richard Patient).
At Chain Corner, 3 Water Pipits (Richard Patient).
At Wicken Fen, several Short-eared Owls hunting over Bakers Fen (Dave Griffiths) and 5 Hen Harriers in to roost (Nigel Butcher).
Saturday, 1 March 2003
At Cottenham Long Drove a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull. This bird was flushed by a careless birder (Dick Newell). Please remain in your car if at all possible.
Firecrest still at Girton (Magenpie).
Long-tailed Duck showing well on the main boating lake at St Ives GP (Jono Leadley, Mark Hawkes et al.).
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1 male showing well in Bermuda Terrace cemetary, Chesterton, plus Redpoll and 2 Blackcaps (Jono Leadley, Mark Hawkes et al.).
Waxwings, 8, Davy Road, nr Coleridge Rec Ground, Cambridge (Paul Rule).
At Chain Corner, a Turnstone (Mark Peck).
At Haddenham, 2 Short-eared Owls and 2 Grey Partridges (Stuart Elsom and Jill Williams).
At Madingley, 1 Buzzard over the A428 at 11am (Clive Sinclair).
28 February 2003
Firecrest still at Girton, (David Wege, David Bradnum et al.).
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, male again at Chesterton Cornmills (Stuart Elsom).
Waxwings, Cambridge, 12 in the tree by The Ship pub and Kings Hedges School at 1.30pm (Bruce Martin). At least six were seen here yesterday (Colin Kirtland).
Pair of Nuthatches calling from the trees by the Clare College bridge over the Cam (this morning). Also there, Kingfisher and Great spotted Woodpecker (Jonathan Stacey).
At Landbeach, 1st winter Caspian Gull, 2 2CY and an adult Yellow-legged Gull (Dick Newell).
Further news from 27 February, from Wicken Fen c.4 close Barn Owls plus 2 distantly near Priory Farm, 3+ ringtail Hen Harriers, 1 (and possibly 2) male Hen Harriers, 1 female Marsh Harrier and at least 3 calling Woodcock at c.6pm (David Wege). Also from 27 February on the Nene, the hybrid Pintail was still present this afternoon west of Lords Holt, as well as the 5 Black Swans. A Merlin & a Sparrowhawk were causing havoc among the 3000+ Golden Plovers! Earlier 2 ad European Whitefronts with the Bewick's Swans east of March Farmers (John Oates).
Also on 27 February at Bedford Purlieus NNR, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1 calling a couple of times in Upper Forty Acres, 6 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, with 2 drumming. A Woodcock flushed in Upper Forty Acres (Brian Stone).
Late news from the 23 February concern the Long-tailed Duck still present at St Ives GP (Mike Everett).
27 February 2003
Firecrest still at Girton (Richard Johnson).
Lesser spotted Woodpecker, 1, calling Chesterton Corn Mill (previously also there, and drumming on 18 and 20 Feb) (Jonathan Stacey, per David Wege)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1, was heard drumming in Girton at the Firecrest place at the end of the track behind BirdLife on 18 and 19 Feb (Mike Crosby and Jonathan Stacey, per David Wege)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1, male in trees behind the house near the car park at Eldernell (Steve Didley).
At Grafham Water, this evening, 2 Mediterranean Gulls (Mark Hawkes & Colin Addington).
26 February 2003
At Paxton Pits, Smew - 4 (1 drake), drake Pintail, pair Shelduck, Black Swan, Buzzard, 3 Green Sands, Ringed Plover, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Corn Buntings. Also on Monday (24th) evening around 100 Pied Wags going to roost around St.Neots train station. (Jamie Wells)
Late news from Paxton Pits, from 25/02/03, Smew - 8 (3 drakes), fem.Goosander, drake Ruddy Duck, drake Pintail, 2 Barnacle Geese, Water Rail, 8 Ringed Plovers, 1+ Dunlin, 2 male Sparrowhawks, Siskin (Jamie Wells).
Late news from 23/02/03, male Mandarin on Wennington village duck pond (Duncan McNiven).
At Dogsthorpe Star Pit, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, both adults (Brian Stone et al.).
Wicken Fen presumed hybrid Ross's Goose x Whitefront, female Marsh Harrier, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers and 3 Short-eared Owls all around Baker's Fen early pm. Cam Washes, Upware, Blackwit, 2 Dunlins, 15 Ruff (John Oates).
25 February 2003
At Dogsthorpe, an adult Iceland Gull (Brian Stone), plus 1 Eastern Jackdaw and 1 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull (Dick Newell).
Woodwalton Fen 13.30 - 17.00 - (Permit required), c55 Siskin, 10 Lesser Redpolls, 20 Goldfinches, 1 Mealy Redpoll feeding with Goldfinches on the ground roughly 150M west of the Tower hide over the ditch along ride. 1 Little Owl calling, perched on the seat of the combine. 19 Corn Bunting. 3 Kingfishers. (Monica and Owen Marks).
1 Little Egret feeding in the shallow pools on the Northern edge of Ferry Lagoon, Fen Drayton at 1.50 (Stuart Elsom).
2nd w Med Gull again at Ravensthorpe (Mike Weedon).
Purple Gallinule again along the river north of Ferry Lagoon at Fen Drayton GP (Stuart Elsom)& 2+ redhead Smew on Ferry Lagoon (John Oates).
In Girton, Firecrest still present (08:40) this morning at the end of the track behind the BirdLife office (David Wege).
24 February 2003
Wicken Fen European Whitefront & presumed Ross's x Whitefront hybrid on Baker's Fen. Ringtail Hen Harrier & Barn Owl flying around The Mere Cam Washes, Upware 2 Ruff, 4 Dunlins, Oystercatcher, 20 Pintails (John Oates).
The Firecrest is still present and showing well at 11 am behind the BirdLife offices today (Richard Thomas).
23 February 2003
Nene Washes, Eldernell drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL seen early morning only, west of Lord's Holt (Mike Weedon). Other birds included drake presumed Northern Pintail x Eurasian Teal hybrid (west of Eldernell), adult drake variant/hybrid AMERICAN WIGEON (east of Eldernell), 1+ mobile Water Pipit, fem/imm Merlin, ad Peregrine, male Marsh Harrier. Plenty of wildfowl including Bewick's Swans and large numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Pintail. In addition at March Farmers 4 Greenland Whitefronts until they flew south at c5.20pm and at Eldernell 19 European Whitefronts and a Pinkfoot arrived late afternoon. Feral/escaped species included 3 Black Swans and an Egyptian Goose. Waders included Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plovers, 40+ Black-tailed Godwits, 500+ Golden Plovers, 70 Dunlin, 20 Ruff (Stuart Elsom, Richard J Hall, Mark Hawkes, John Oates, Richard Patient et al.).
Cambridge 14 Waxwing's at King's Hedges School today (David Heath et al.).
At Beechwoods NR c100 Bramblings still present (David Heath).
Fen Drayton GP Little Egret on floods near river. Also Curlew, Dunlin (Richard Allison).
Chippenham Fen male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 200 yds N of entrance gate, 2 Marsh Tit (Paul Atkinson).
Longthorpe female Blackcap in garden (Gordon Hamlett).
Buzzard Whittlesford am, heading over Sawston Way (Peter Bircham).
On 21/2 Tree Sparrow in garden again, in Impington (Nigel Butcher).
22 February 2003
Dogsthorpe tip/Star Pit 3rd w Iceland Gull (RBA) and 1+ ad Med Gull (Phil Todd).
2 Waxwings at the Ouse Washes, by the visitor centre (Bruce & Gwen Martin).
Cambridge 14 Waxwings at King's Hedges School (David Heath, Peter Herkenrath) and 15 at the Select & Save store (Rita & Stuart Lingard). This probably relates to one flock.
At Bar Hill a singing male Firecrest in garden (Richard Patient).
At Godmanchester GP Knot, 2 Dunlins, Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (Richard Patient).
At Grafham Water, from Mander 1W Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3W Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Ruddy Ducks, 13 Goosanders, Common Sandpiper (Richard Patient).
Little Egret east over A1 at Brampton Hut roundabout at 1pm (RBA).
21 February 2003
Nene Washes, March Farmers hybrid/variant drake AMERICAN WIGEON, 7 European Whitefronts, Pink-footed Goose, Oystercatcher, ringtail Hen Harrier, 140 Bewick's Swans. Nearby at Eldernell 400+ Bewick's Swans, 5 Ruff, 100's ducks including many Pintails (John Oates). Also Curlew at Eldernell (Steve Dudley), 8 European White-fronted Geese flew off north at 17.15 from near Rings End (Mark Missin).
Firecrest showing well in the wood along the track behind BirdLife offices, Girton (Richard Thomas et al.)
White Stork in field by the A10 near Chittering (David Griffiths, Earith)
Dogsthorpe Tip/Star Pit LNR 3rd w Iceland Gull (Mark Ward et al.), 2nd-winter type Glaucous Gull (Steve Dudley).
Cambridge Egyptian Goose on River Cam by Stourbridge Common, just W of Green Dragon Bridge. Also present on 20/2 (Richard Thewlis)
Cottenham ad Iceland Gull roosting with a large flock of gulls in a grass field NW of the Long Drove flash at 08:30 (Simon Stirrup).
Cambridge 14 Waxwings at the "Select and Save" on Kings Hedges Road at 7:25 am (Kevin Harris).
Paxtpn Pits, sailing lake - Oystercatcher and 2 Jack Snipes (Martin Davis).
20 February 2003
Nene Washes, Eldernell hybrid/variant AMERICAN WIGEON and male Marsh Harrier (Monica and Owen Marks et al.). Curlew at March Farmers (Steve Dudley).
White Stork in field by the A10 near Chittering (Richard Allison, Ben Green)
Ad Iceland Gull at Cottenham, Long Drove (Ben Green, Mark Ward)
Woodwalton Fen Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Barn Owl, Woodcock, 2+ Mealy Redpolls, 20 Lesser Redpolls, many Siskins and (yet again) no sign of any Willow Tits. Also 2 Chinese Water Deer (Bruce & Gwen Martin, John Oates).
Morborne Hill 2 Red Kites, 4 Common Buzzards (Bruce & Gwen Martin, John Oates).
Girton Firecrest still present in wood along track from Birdlife offices (Richard Thomas et al.).
Duxford Firecrest at a private factory site (Neil Howard).
Wicken Fen 3+ Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, Bittern and 5 Hen Harriers - 2 ad males (Richard Allison).
Ferry Meadows CP 16 White-fronted Geese flew over, Water Rail. Hawfinch male seen on 18/2 and 19/2 (Terry Daunt, Chris Park).
Orton BP redhead Smew (Mike Weedon)
Cambridge Egyptian Goose on Cam by Green Dragon footbridge. Also nearby Little Grebe, Kingfisher (David Heath).
On 19/2 Godmanchester GP/tip 1st w Glaucous Gull & 1st w Med Gull (Paul J Andrew ).
On 18/2 Paxton Pits, New workings Snipe 41, Jack Snipe 1+, Green Sandpiper 2, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Shelduck 5, Grey Wagtail, Common Buzzard (Surat Elsom).
19 February 2003
At Sutton Gault, 1 Little Egret, 200 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Chiffchaff (Mark Peck).
13 Waxwings at the usual place outside the 'Select and Save' shop, just off King Hedges Rd at 07.25 this morning. (Richard Thomas).
At Woodwalton Fen, this morning, one male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, watched drumming and feeding in silver birch to the south of the hides, plus a MEALY REDPOLL and 15 Lesser Redpolls plus Woodcock and 3 Water Rails (Mark Hawkes). Another LSW was seen at the same time in another part of the Fen apparently.
At Eldernell, no sign of the Green-winged Teal, but a hybrid drake, presumably Baikal x Pintail. Also, 4 Stonechat (Mark Hawkes).
2 Waxings over Huntingdon Road flew towards Histon at 9am (Gary Allport).
Lode female Blackkcap in garden again (John Oates)
Cottenham, Long Drove ad Iceland Gull by pools on and off during the day, plus adult and 2cy Yellow-legged Gulls (Dick Newell et al.)
4 European Whitefronts (family party) just north of the pool, ad Peregrine over mid afternoon (John Oates, Bruce Martin et al.).
Swaffham Prior Fen ad European Whitefront, presumed hybrid Ross's x Whitefront & Short-eared Owl (John Oates).
18 February 2003
A report of a RING-BILLED GULLadult, Dogsthorpe Star Pit this afternoon (Matt Francis).
FIRECREST,in Girton, at the end of the track through the fields behind the BirdLife office. In ivy-covered trees along the small stream at the back of the houses. (Mike Crosby).
Milton CP Chiffchaff and 4 Lesser Redpolls by visitor centre (Dave Deboo).
Castor Meadows, White-fronted Goose, 16 (Katie Fuller).
Swaffham Prior Fen European Whitefront and presumed hybrid Ross's x Whitefront. Both flew off towards Wicken Fen with Greylags at c9am (John oates).
Cam Washes, Upware 4 Ruff. Wicken Fen Bittern from West Mere hide (John Oates).
Outside High Leas School, Ravensthorpe/Westwood Mediterranean Gull, 2nd winter, (Mike Weedon).
Woodwalton Fen 2 Mealy Redpolls (Mike Weedon).
17 February 2003
A report of a COMMON CRANE, Cottenham, Long Drove, on bank between lake and landfill site TL472685. This was looked for later but not seen (per John Oates & Mark Hawkes).
Somersham GP Grey Wag, 2 Stonechats (Dave Deboo).
Paxton Pits Oystercatcher, 2 Goosanders, 2 Smew (Dave Deboo).
Ferry Meadows male Hawfinch along Ham Lane (Terry Daunt). Also present on 16/2 (David Hopkins).
10 Tundra Bean Geese and 21 European Whitefronts with 70 Bewick's Swans c1km NE of Shippea Hill, in fields by Plantation Farm. Also 2 Whooper Swans on opp side of road and another 84 Bewick's Swans towards Littleport, along the A1101. Earlier there were 265 Bewick's Swans at Fodder Common, between Soham & Littleport. (John Oates et al.).
16 White-fronted Geese on Castor Meadows. (Brian Stone & Katie Fuller).
At Bainton Pits, Smew, 1, redhead Frank's pit. Red crested pochard, 1, female (Bob Titman).
Female Blackcap in a garden at Lode (John Oates).
16 February 2003
GREEN-WINGED TEAL at Eldernell, found by Charlie Kitchen walk east and thte bird is in the vicinity of the new metal cattle pen, with c50 teal. Ruddy shelduck 3 at East end of washes (Rings End though mobile. European White fronted Geese, 8, feeding with bewicks on March Farmers. Other counts so far include 3400 pintail and 2600 pochard. (JonathanTaylor)
Priors Fen this morning, European White-fronted Goose, 3, Egyptian Goose, 1, Pink-footed Goose, 1, Jack Snipe,1 (Steve Dudley).
Brambling in garden at Harston (Peter J Ball).
13 Waxwings still at Kings Hedges this morning, in the Select and Save car park. (John Oates)
Also in Cambridge Tawny Owl and Egyptian Goose just upstream of the Green Dragon footbridge over the River Cam (Nigel Lister).
14 Waxwings in Huntingdon Rd, Cambridge (Nigel Lister)
At Fen Drayton GP 1 Little Egret. At Bar Hill a Peregrine flew NE flushing many Wood Pigeons (Richard Patient). One Bittern seen at Fen Drayton GP, and 11 Smew (Bruce Martin).
Beechwoods NR, nr Cambridge - Bramblings still present although numbers are down 40+ today (Paul Rule). Please note that this site has some fragile plant species (as well as lots of ground-feeding Bramblings), so please try and stay to the paths (Jono Leadley).
15 February 2003
In Cambridge at the Select and Save store, 14 Waxwings (David Heath).
At Paxton Pits, Knot, Red-necked Grebe, Jack Snipe, 3 Pink-footed Geese, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 6 Green Sandpipers and 8 Smew. Also on Saturday (15th) 2 male Blackcaps in a Little Paxton garden. (Julian Hughes, Jamie Wells et al.)
One Bittern seen at Fen Drayton GP, and 11 Smew (Bruce Martin).
At Godmanchester GP 1W Glaucous Gull, ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Green Sandpipers, Grey Wagtail. At Woodwalton Fen (Permit Access Only) 2 Bitterns. Also 200 Siskins and a few Redpolls including at least 1 Mealy, although viewing difficult (Richard Patient).
At the Wicken Fen roost, this evening from Tower Hide, 7 Hen Harriers (including 4 grey males & a 1st w male), 1st w female Marsh Harrier, 3+ Bitterns (seen during the afternoon as well as at the roost) and a Barn Owl (John Oates).
Sutton Gault - Chain Corner: 9.30 - 11.00am, 10 European White-fronted Geese - flying North East, plus Merlin and 4 Water Pipits (Mark Peck).
Crowtree, Farcet Fen this morning European White-fronted Geese, 12, over at 1105h - came in from the SE and departed to the west. Tree Sparrow, 22, in garden Grey Partridge, 2 (Steve Dudley).
Peregrine Falcon, Grafham Water immature at west end of reservoir sometimes perched in dead oak opposite Dudney hide (10:30) (Birdguides).
14 February 2003
Report of a BLACK-THROATED DIVER on Burwell Lode, at Wicken Fen, between Burwell and High Bridge (per John Oates).
In Cambridge, 28 Waxwings in the garden of 157 Huntingdon Road at 9.15 (Gary Allport).
13 February 2003
Nuthatch, 2, Hinchingbrooke CP, by visitors centre, on feeders (Mark Hawkes).
Yellow-legged argentatus Herring Gull, Grafham Water (Mark Hawkes).
12 Waxwings at the junction between Storey's Way and Huntingdon Road, Cambridge (near Cambridge Arms Hotel) c.16:30 (Mike Crosby)
Hawfinch, 1, male moving between Golf Course and NPT office, Crossbill, 7, over NW Grey Wagtail, 3, along culvert (Steve Dudley).
Near Landbeach, 1 1st winter Yellow-Legged Gull, and 1 1st winter Caspian Gull (Dick Newell).
Another Yellow-legged Gull, an adult, at Dogsthorpe Star Pit (Brian Stone)> Nearby, 2 Stonechats at Hampton.
Late news for Tuesday, 7 Green Sandpipers at Paxton Pits, (Jamie Wells). 12 February 2003
Late news from 30 January, concerns a SHORE LARK from Ferry Meadows (per Brian Stone).
Waxwing, Cambridge, 12 birds near the Storey's Way entrance of New Hall College, feeding on Mistletoe in the apple trees by the large white house (14:30)(Hugh Venables).
A Little Egret roosted at Eldernell Decoy, on the Nene (Jonathan Taylor). One Curlew at the Dog in a Doublet (Brian Stone).
11 February 2003
Report of a SPOONBILL received, flying over A14 near first exit to Huntingdon as one approaches from the west (per Don Gardner). It was flying west at 3.15pm.
Three Waxwings at Eynesbury (Tescos) (Richard Bashford). Four over the county recorder's house at Lode at 8.15am(John Oates)!
At Maxey GP, 18 Goosander (Brian Stone).
10 February 2003
Black-throated Divers still present west of the Dog in a Doublet pub at the Nene Washes and at Grafham Water (per John Oates).
Great Grey Shrike, Grafham Water, on hedge by large pylons still, 0.5 mile west of Mander car park; also Red-necked Grebe in front of fishermen's car park, and Common Sandpiper (Birdguides).
12 Waxwings still at Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge, often sitting in a large tree behind the Ship pub (Bruce Martin & John Oates) and 2 still at Eynesbury, opposite Tescos (Stuart Elsom). One was seen in Upwood on Sunday (Birdguides).
At Wicken Fen, at least 6 Hen Harriers in to roost (Bruce and Chris Martin).
9 February 2003
In Cambridge, 12 Waxwings still present just off Kings Hedges Road at 2.30pm today, by the school on Northfield Avenue (Dave Bradnum).
FIRECREST on the south side of Woodwalton Fen. Note this site is PERMIT ONLY (Mike Weedon). Two Bitterns and 2 Mealy Redpolls here also.
The Black-throated Diver still present at Grafham Water (Mark Hawkes).
At Paxton Pits, 10 Smew and a Jack Snipe (Julian Hughes, Martin Davies, Jamie Wells).
The White Stork was in fields near the A10 at Chittering on 7 February (Bruce Martin). This bird regularly sits on the green roofed building near the pit down the Long Drove at Cottenham.
8 February 2003
Single Black-throated Divers still present at the Dog in a Doublet this morning (Richard Allison).
Waxwing Ashley am around gardens of the Orchard (Peter Bullett).
Cambridge 12 Waxwing by Kings Hedges Road school (Mike Crosby).
Hawfinch pair seen approx 10.40 am on ground behind office building. Male also seen going for a drink in stream. Female seemed very unwell. (Lynne and Mac Bell)
Grafham Water Black-throated Diver, still present on north shore, Great Grey Shrike along cycle track near Valley Creek hide, 2 Red-necked Grebes (Dudney Creek and Dam) also 1st winter male Scaup, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper (Mark Hawkes & Jono Leadley).
Waxwing, 2 present on Barford Road opposite Tesco this morning (Birdguides)
Orton Brick Pit Smew (Mike Weedon).
Four Hen Harriers (six yesterday) and one Short-eared Owl (three yesterday plus Bittern)still at Wicken Fen (Alan Wadsworth).
At Godmanchester GP 8/2 ad and 4cy Caspian Gull, 3cy Yellow-legged Gull, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail (Mark Ward, Richard Patient)
7 February 2003
At Grafham Water, a BLACK-THROATED DIVER from Hill Farm. This afternoon (Colin Addington), still present at dusk. Also present the immature drake Scaup and the Red-necked Grebe (Mark Hawkes).
1/2 mile west of the Dog-in-a-Doublet sluice, Nene Washes another BLACK-THROATED DIVER this afternoon (Jonathan Taylor).
10 Waxwings, NE over Histon Road, Cambridge (Colin Kirtland).
Brambling, one in a garden at Sutton Gault (Mark Peck), plus one in Fordham (Ian Delgado).
Further news from 6 February, Wicken Fen 15.15 - 17.15, 67 Cormorant, 2-3 Bittern, 1m 4f/ringtail Hen Harrier, 1m 1f Sparrow Hawk, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Barn Owl, (Monica and Owen Marks).
Also on the 6 February, 6 Bramblings (4 males) giving excellent views around visitor centre at Ouse Washes along with c40 Corn Buntings and c14 Tree Sparrows. Pair of Stonechats around Welches Dam and 8 Black-wits flew Sw along washes. (Mark Ward).
6 February 2003
HAWFINCH Ferry Meadows CP (Terry Daunt).
Fen Drayton GP pair of Smew, 30 Black-tailed Godwits (John Oates).
Ravensthorpe 2nd w Med Gull on green outside Highlees School, Ashton Road (Mike Weedon).
Elton Buzzard & untagged Red Kite (Brian Stone).
Hampton North Lake 2 Stonechat (Brian Stone).
5 February 2003
Fordham melanistic female Kestrel just off the A142 on wires near Turners transport depot TL629684 (Peter Bullet).
WAXWING Dry Drayton, on High Street for 2nd day (Birdguides).
Wicken Fen, Tower Hide 6 Hen Harriers inc 2 males, Merlin, 2+ Bitterns, 3+ Short-eared Owls, 3+ Barn Owls, presumed hybrid Ross's x Whitefront. A Marsh Harrier was seen earlier by other birders (Colin Kirtland, Dick Newell, John Oates et al.)
Male Brambling in garden Elsworth (Ian Delgado).
4 February 2003
Cambridge 3 WAXWINGS 09:00am between King's Hedges Rd and the Select and Save at the junction with Buchan Street, but flew up to the east (Guy Dutson).
Ferry Meadows 2 Hawfinch (Terry Daunt).
Woodwalton Fen Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mealy Redpolls, 15 Lesser Redpolls, 70+ Siskins, 2 Bitterns, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Woodcocks, Long-eared Owl (along the access track, perched in a hedge after dark), Chinese Water Deer. Also good numbers of Marsh Tits and Treecreepers (John Oates, Mark Ward et al).
At the feeding station, RSPB Ouse Washes Tree Sparrow 11+, Brambling 6+, Yellowhammer 10+ & Corn Bunting 10+ (Robert Coleman).
Male Brambling in garden Elsworth (Christina McCabe).
Male Brambling in garden Fordham (Ian Delgado).
Barleycraft GP Knot & 5 Barnacle Geese (Colin Kirtland, Dick Newell). On 2/2 3 Knot. Local residents report that car crime is increasing at this site so birders should avoid parking their cars in isolated places (Duncan McNiven).
Buzzard to west of Ashwell & Morden Station near the hamlet of Odsey at 1500 hrs (Jack Harrison).
Paxton Pits 3 Smew (2 males) with 6 redheads reported by other birders. Also 5 Goosanders (3 males) inc a pair nearby on the Ouse. (Paul Rule).
Single female Stonechats at Crown Lakes & Stanground Wash (George Walthew).
Padholme pumping station Grey Wagtail 7, Green Sandpiper (Brian Stone).
Sadly the Long-eared Owl captured near Elton 2/2 had a badly broken wing and was destroyed by the RSPCA. In their view it was most likely a road casualty (Brian Stone).
On 2/2 Tree Sparrow on garden feeder, Woodhurst (Duncan McNiven).
3 February 2003
Grafham Water, Mander car park Red-necked Grebe, Yellow-legged Gull (3rd-winter), Pink-footed Goose walking around car park! (Mark Hawkes, Mark Ward). On 2/2 Scaup (1st-winter male), Chiffchaff (Mark Hawkes)
Girton College 15 Brambling (Guy Dutson).
Barleycraft GP 1-2 redhead Smew c40 Redshank, c60 Black-wits, c40 Ruff, c150 Dunlin, c30 Golden Plover (Mark Ward).
Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane ad Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Goldeneye (Mark Ward).
On 31/1 & 1/2 Dry Drayton WAXWING in garden (Val Perrin).
2 February 2003
Wicken Fen 320 Pintail, 2400 Teal (Nick Davis), Peregrine, Green Sandpiper (Guy Dutson).
Impington male Brambling in garden. Also seen on 31/1 (David Wege).
Elsworth female siskin & female blackcap in garden (Christina Mc Cabe).
St. Ives GP, Meadow Lane female LONG-TAILED DUCK still present (Mark Hawkes, John Oates). Also 3+ Smew, 1 male (Andy Massey).
At Barleycraft GP 3 WAXWINGS flew south 2.10pm, also Turnstone, 5 Barnacle Geese and large numbers of Ruff, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits (Mark Hawkes, John Oates). Also redhead Smew (Andy Massey).
Elton Red Kite, Common Buzzard. Also Long-eared Owl in hedgerow but later captured and taken into care with a suspected damaged wing. On 1/2 2 Common Buzzards (Brian Stone).
Earith GP pair of Red-crested Pochards (John Oates, David Griffiths, Earith).
Woodwalton Fen Bittern, Lesser Redpoll, Marsh Tit 2 - permit only (Mike Weedon and Katie Fuller). On 1/2 Chiffchaff (Chris Dawn).
Fen Drayton GP Short-eared Owl and redhead Smew (Richard Allison).
Paxton Pits Barnacle Goose 2, Goosander male, Smew 5 (1 male), Green Sand, Kingfisher 3, Grey Wag, Corn Bunting 9+ (Jamie Wells).
Landbeach 8 Bramblings in garden (Dick Newell).
Bainton male Blackcap feeding on a fatball in garden (per Katie Fuller).
1 February 2003
St. Ives GP, Meadow Lane female LONG-TAILED DUCK still present (Mark Ward). Present since 11/1 (Jeremy Milne). Also 15 Smew inc a drake, Green Sand (Mark Hawkes).
Cambridge (Fanshawe Road) 3 WAXWINGS over at 9.10am & 70 Bramblings at 09:20 in private gardens (Richard Patient).
8 WAXWINGS at the south end of Woodwalton Fen at 2pm, moving north. Also fem. Firecrest at the west end of the alders with a flock of (mostly) Long-tailed Tits (Duncan Ritchie). Also Bittern, Barn Owl (Kevan Wolstencroft).
Mealy Redpoll with a Lesser Redpoll on Lisle Lane, Ely (Mark ward).
Wicken Fen, tower hide 3 Bitterns, 5 Hen Harriers (2 males), Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owls, 220 Pintails (George Lendrum, John Oates).
Cam Washes, Upware drake Goosander, 650 Teal, Green Sand (John Oates).
Ad Iceland Gull roosted at Grafham Water (Mark Telfer). Also Brambling, imm drake Scaup, 15 Goosander (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley).
Ad Iceland Gull at Godmanchester GP (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley).
Little Egret Brampton GP (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley).
Earith GP pair of Red-crested Pochards (Mark Hawkes).
Ouse Washes female Brambling, 10+ Tree Sparrows at visitor centre. Short-eared Owl on road to Welches Dam (Dave Deboo).
Beechwoods NR Brambling 200+ (Paul Rule).
Landbeach 5 Bramblings in garden (Dick Newell).
Fowlmere RSPB 20 Corn Bunting & eared owl sp (Paul Rule).
Ouse Washes at Earith 78 Bewick's Swans, Barnacle Goose, Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 12 Ruff (David Griffiths, Earith).
22 Tree Sparrows Farcet Fen (Steve Dudley).
31 January 2003
5 WAXWINGS Ely, in Lisle Lane at about midday (Ben Green).
Ad Iceland Gull roosted at Grafham Water (per Mark Hawkes). Also Red-necked Grebe, 1st w drake Scaup, Dunlin 32+, Ruff 1, Ringed Plover 2, Redshank 60+, Ruddy Duck 36+, Goosander 20+ and Buzzard over dam. 3 groups of Skylarks, totalling 180+ flew west, low over reservoir at dusk (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington)
Paxton Pits 4 Little Egrets, 2 Egyptian Geese, 4 Goosanders, 5 Smew (2 males)Oystercatcher, Shelduck, 7 Dunlins, 5 Redshanks and 40 Siskins (Jamie Wells/Martin Davis).
Impington Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer and Brambling in garden (Nigel Butcher).
Ouse Washes, Sutton Gault 50 Dunlin, Barn Owl, Grey Wagtail, 2 Stonechat, 265 Skylark west, 2 Ruff, Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher (Mark Peck).
Fowlmere RSPB Barn Owl, Merlin and 42 Corn Buntings (per Doug Radford).
Yaxley GP Jack Snipe TL167932 (Birdguides).
Whittlesford village green 37 Brambling (Will Miles).
Stretham (west of Stretham Old Engine) 2 Short-eared Owl (Owen Marks).
Wicken Fen, Tower hide 3.30-5.30pm Barn Owl, Peregrine, Short-eared Owls 3, Hen Harrier 4 (2 males, 2 females), Marsh Harrier, Bittern 3 (Will Miles).
Milton CP Green Sandpiper, Snipe, 2 Grey Wagtails, Kingfisher (Colin Kirtland).
Earith GP 400 Skylarks over heading west, pair of Red-crested Pochard, 2 Woodcock (David Griffiths, Earith). St. Neots Water Rail showing well from the bridge, also Kingfisher (Birdguides).
30 January 2003
4+ WAXWINGS Ely on Lisle Lane 3pm (Ben Green).
2 ringtail Hen Harriers from Wicken Fen centre 4pm (Ben Green).
Paxton Pits 2 Little Egrets roosted (Jim Mackman).
Merlin over fields just north of Willingham (David Griffiths, Earith).
29 January 2003
No Waxwings reported!
Grafham Water 3 Kittiwakes off Mander car park, 2 adult west at 15.30 (Mark Hawkes) and 1st-winter off there at 15.50 (Colin Addington). Also Red-necked & c 20 Goosanders (Will Miles).
Paxton pits Little Egret in trees opp Haden hide 2.45 pm, 8 Smew inc 2 males, 3 Goosander, 20+ Siskins, Lesser Redpoll (Will Miles).
Merlin on Broadway near Peterborough City Centre at dusk (Brian Stone).
On 26/1 Long-tailed Duck at St. Ives GP, Meadow Lane, reportedly present since around New Years day (Mike Everett).
28 January 2003
2 WAXWINGS Ely on the east side on Lisle Lane (Ben Green).
WAXWING Cambridge still present in Abbey Swimming Pool car park area 11-11:30 am (Paul Rule).
Ouse Washes Grey Wag, 6+ Tree Sparrows, 2 Corn Buntings around centre and 9 Pink-footed Geese flew SW along Washes at Welches Dam Hide at least as far as Fortrey Hall at c09.50. No Waxwing (Mark Ward).
At Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane, 1st w Caspian Gull on tip, main pit and then the flooded meadow (one of yesterdays individuals). Also Grey Wag and c25 Black-wits over (Mark Ward).
At Grafham Water from Mander Red-necked Grebe Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wags, 13 Goosander, 1 Ruddy Duck and no sign of any white-wingers in very large close gull roost (Mark Ward).
White Stork, Cottenham, Long Drove near Rose Berry farm (Birdguides).
27 January 2003
2 WAXWINGS Ely on the east side on Lisle Lane (Ben Green).
WAXWING still Ouse Washes in Gelder Rose bushes by visitor center at the RSPB reserve (Robert Coleman).
WAXWING adj to Little Barford power station roundabout, south of Station (RBA).
Godmanchester GP 1st w Glaucous Gull, 2 1st w Caspian Gulls & 1st w Yellow-legged Gull (Richard J Hall, Dick Newell, John Oates, Mark Ward). Later on an ad Iceland Gull before departing towards Grafham Water (Steve Cooper).
Grafham Water 1st w Glaucous Gull roosted off Mander. Also Little Egret, Red-necked Grebe, 1st w drake Scaup, 67 Ruddy Ducks, 25 Goosanders (Richard J Hall, Mark Hawkes, John Oates, Mark Ward).
Somersham Fen Peregrine & Yellow-legged Gull (Mark Ward).
Paxton Pits Barn Owl, 2 Pintails, 7 Green Sandpipers, 51 Golden Plovers, Redshank. On 26/1 Merlin, 2 Goosanders (1 male), 9 Smew (4 males), singing Chiffchaff, several Water Rails, Pink-footed Goose, 6 Corn Buntings. On 25/1 Bittern reported roosting in Hayling Pit (Julian Hughes)
Milton estate (Hunts) Merlin (Mike Weedon and Katie Fuller).
Little Owl in pollarded willow by Marholm Church (Chris Dawn).
On 26/1 near Fox Cottage in Frog End (approx TL533586) 24 Corn Buntings (Andy Massey).
On 26/1 2 Bitterns Ely BF (Ben Green).
On 26/1 2+ Short-eared Owl, Wicken Fen (Birdguides).
On 26/1 2 Short-eared Owls & 20 Bewick's Swans at Smithey Fen (Richard Thomas).
On 25/1 Nene Washes, Eldernell Merlin, 2 Stonechat. Also Tree sparrow in lane by farmhouse (Nigel Colborn).
26 January 2003
AMERICAN WIGEON female Fen Drayton GP 15:10-15:45 at least amongst 100s of Wigeons and Pintails on the eastern end of Ferry Lagoon. Also 7+ Smew including 2 drakes (Richard Patient).
WAXWING Cambridge in tree tops in car park directly in front of Abbey swimming pool hawking insects off Newmarket Road TL474593 (Birdguides).
WAXWING Ouse Washes around the visitor centre (Richard Humpidge).
2 WAXWINGS Ely on the east side on Lisle Lane (Birdguides).
At Grafham Water ad ICELAND GULL roosted off Mander at c4.45. Red-necked Grebe flew in and landed just off Mander after being in Dudney Creek. Also 1st w male Scaup in Dudney Creek (Richard J Hall, Jono Leadley, Mark Hawkes, John Oates et al), Little Egret, 8m 13f Goosander (Owen & Monica Marks).
Barleycraft GP 5 Barnacle Geese, redhead Smew, Grey Wagtail, 25 Snipe, 320 Redshank, 260 Ruff, 420 Black-tailed Godwit, 580 Dunlin, 1250 Lapwing, Turnstone (Owen & Monica Marks).
150 Bramblings in the Beechwoods NR (Mark Ward).
Paxton Pits 5 Smew inc 1 drake), 21 Goldeneye, Water Rail (Birdguides).
Common Crossbill one over Southey Woods (Birdguides).
25 January 2003
At Barleycraft GP juv PALE-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE (4th county record and the first for Hunts if accepted), 5 Smew inc 1 drake, 5 Barnacle Geese (presumed feral), 22 Bewick's Swans, Merlin, large numbers of duck and waders e.g 200 Dunlins, 340 Blackwits, 90+ Pintail, many Pochards (Mark Hawkes, John Oates et al). The Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew off south and was then present on the floods near the Pike & Eel.
At Grafham Water in the roost off Mander ad KUMLIEN'S GULL (3rd county record and the first for Hunts if accepted), 3rd w Caspian Gull. Also c10 Goosanders (Mark Hawkes, John Oates, Richard Patient et al).
WAXWING Eynesbury, St. Neots along Barford Road opposite Tesco (Birdguides).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton (Rob Palmer).
Kittiwake 1st w Prior's Fen (Phil Todd).
Farcet Fen 16 Tree Sparrow, 2 Barn Owls (Steve Dudley).
Paxton Pits 13 Smew inc 4 drakes, 3 Goosanders (Julian Hughes).
2 Short-eared Owls, 6 Grey Partridge Long Drove, Haddenham (Monica & Owen Marks).
Bittern, Woodwalton Fen (PERMIT ONLY) by southern hide (Chris Dawn).
Fowlmere NR Bittern flew over reedbed at 1.30pm (Drewer Hide), Short-eared Owl hunting over fields to west of reserve at 4.30pm (Doug Radford).
12 Common Crossbills Southey Woods (Chris Dawn).
10 Crossbills at Ditton Park Wood (Colin Kirtland).
White Stork still at Long Drove, Cottenham in paddocks near south end (Duncan Ritchie).
On 24/1 Wicken Fen 3 Hen Harriers inc 2 males, Barn Owl (Birdguides).
On 24/1 male Blackcap in garden, Trumpington (Marcus Kohler).
24 January 2003
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton (RBA).
WAXWING Barford Rd, Eynesbury AM (Birdguides).
Grafham Water Little Egret at Dudney & probable 1st w Iceland Gull (distant) in the roost off Mander (Colin Addington).
Ferry Meadows 7 White-fronted Geese in flight heading west over Heron Meadow am (Don Gardener).
Lode female Blackcap in garden (John Oates).
Cherry Hinton 3000+ Golden Plovers in fields on Fulbourn side (John Oates).
Swaffham Prior Fen male Hen Harrier & Grey Partridge (John Oates).
Cam Washes (Upware) Grey Wag, European Whitefront & presumed hybrid Ross's Goose x Whitefront (John Oates).
Parker's Piece, Cambridge partial albino Black-headed Gull am (Richard J Hall).
23 January 2003
Grafham Water GREAT GREY SHRIKE at west end of Valley Creek near the start of the nature trail (RBA).
At Barleycraft GP pm 4 Smew (1 drake), 5 Barnacle Geese, 250 Ruff, 340 Blackwits, many Golden Plovers, 100+ Dunlins. Lots of ducks, including Wigeon, Pintail & Pochard (John Oates).
On 22/1 Common Buzard chasSSS sparrow out of Monks Wood 3pm (Martin & Wendy Phillips).
22 January 2003
Good numbers of Bramblings still at Beechwoods NR (Michael Wood).
WAXWING by the A11 slip road at Balsham am (Simon Ridley).
6 WAXWINGS still in Barford Road, Eynesbury (Julian Hughes).
Wicken Fen a drake apparent Green-winged Teal x Eurasian Teal hybrid with Eurasian Teals from Trevelyan's hide mid am. Also on The Mere a Bittern and 45 Pintails (John Oates). From Tower Hide pm. Bittern 2 male, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, Barn Owl and 81 Cormorants, hybrid Ross's x Whitefront (Owen Marks).
Hampton North Lake 1st w Knot on the muddy island with Lapwing and Golden Plover. Get to the North Lake by taking the road into the Hampton Hargate housing estate between Tesco and Fletton Parkway. Follow this all the way to near the school and turn left down Watersend Road. TL174945 (Brian Stone). No sign later, but Barnacle Goose there (Mark Ward).
Paxton Pits Bittern flying to roost across the Meadow c17:20, Water Rail heard (Martin Davis).
Ferry Meadows CP pair of Smew from the Steven Peake Hide, also 12 Siskins and 2 Redpolls (Chris Dawn).
Dog-in-a-Doublet Stonechat, Grey Wagtail (Brian Stone).
Burghley Park 4 Goosander (Cliff Woolston).
A Blue headed Pionus Parrot lost from the Tollgate area in Bretton at the weekend. Please report sightings to P'boro 269249 or 262674 or 07904 442141 and ask for either Wendy or Stuart Eaton. There is a reward for safe return. (Phil Todd).
21 January 2003
6 WAXWINGS still in Barford Road, Eynesbury, St. Neots, favouring the trees on the east side of the road, adjacent to the houses, rather than Tesco (Julian Hughes).
Ouse Washes, Welches Dam 16 Tree Sparrows, 4 Corn Buntings and 2 Grey Wagtails and c1,000 Wigeon (Mark Ward).
Farcet Fen 12 Tree Sparrows, 25+ Corn Bunting, 2 Stonechat, Green Sandpiper (Steve Dudley).
Grafham Water Little Egret from Dudney hide 2.50pm. Also Blackcap (RBA).
Swaffham Prior Fen Short-eared Owl, 297 Golden Plovers, 110 Greenfinches.
Castor Hanglands 3 Stonechats (Terry Daunt).
Merlin over fields at Swavesey end of Fen Drayton GP (Christina McCabe).
On 20/1 Trumpington ad male merlin again near Addenbrookes-Trumpington railway crossing. Also 4 Grey Partridge (Marcus Kohler).
20 January 2003
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots, Eynesbury still (RBA).
Ferry Meadows, Long Meadow 2 White-fronted Geese, possibly Greenland. Also 3 Barnacles (Terry Daunt).
Dogsthorpe Tip Med Gull 2nd w (Brian Stone).
Grafham Water Bittern at the lagoons & Red-necked Grebe, Pinkfoot (Colin Addington).
Farcet Fen 8 Tree Sparrows (Steve Dudley).
19 January 2003
WAXWING, south over West Town, Peterborough at 4.10pm (Mike Weedon).
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots, Eynesbury still (John Pearman).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton (John Pearman).
Prior's Fen GP 4 Greenland White fronted-Geese with Greylags, also 2 Whooper Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 2 Water Rail calling (Peter Herkenrath).
Caspian Gull 1st w & White Stork still at Cottenham, Long Drove (Richard Thomas).
Paxton Pits Bittern (flew across Meadow to roost at 4.50 pm), 12 Smew (4 males), 30 Siskins, Water Rail (Julian Hughes), Woodcock, 2 Grey Wags. On 18/1 5 Pintail, 12 Smew inc.3 drakes, 6 Goosander, Dunlin, 3 Green Sands, 15+ Redshanks, 6 Golden Plover, 4 Kingfishers, 2 Siskin and 5-6 Corn Buntings. (Jamie Wells). More information at www.paxton-pits.org.uk
Merlin chasing Blackbirds at Bluntisham (Duncan McNiven).
Grafham Water Bittern roosted at the lagoons, also 12 Goosander, 58 Ruddy Ducks and 2 Chiffchaffs (Mark Hawkes).
Woodwalton Fen (permit holders only) Bittern, Kingfisher, 3+ Water Rail, 2+ Tawny Owl, Barn Owl (Steve Dudley).
Female Blackcap Brampton in garden (Pat Doody).
Female Blackcap Eaton Ford in garden. Also present on 18/1 (Richard Bashford).
Common Seal in the River Ouse at Godmanchester, channel between playground and the houses which back onto the main street (Paul J Andrew).
18 January 2003
Prior's Fen GP 3 Greenland Whitefronts, 4 Whooper Swans, Barn Owl (Matt Francis).
Bittern at Earith GP, NE most pit (Duncan McNiven).
Nene Washes, Eldernell 4 Stonechats, 2 Goosander(Mike Weedon).
Beechwoods NR mixed flock of an estimated 200 finches inc c130 Bramblings (Peter Herkenrath).
Fen Drayton GP Bittern roosted at Holywell Lake at 16:45, also 4 Water Rail calling there (Peter Herkenrath).
2 WAXWINGS 11.55am in the B&Q/Rainbow store car park by the A1101 between Wisbech and Elm (Mark Missin).
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots in Tesco car park (Rob Palmer).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton (Birdguides).
Cottenham, Long Drove 1st w Caspian Gull & White Stork (Simon Stirrup).
Grafham Water Red-necked Grebe off Plummer car park, 1st-winter drake Scaup from Dudney Hide, Common Sand on north shore, 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls roosted, also 47 Ruddy Ducks, 11 Pintail, Pinkfoot (Mark Hawkes).
Paxton Pits 7 Smew (3 males) from Kingfisher hide also 3 Pintails (Birdguides) & Goodsander (Rob Palmer).
Woodwalton Fen 1+ Bittern late afternoon (Gordon Hamlett).
Wicken Fen Bittern showing well from West Mere hide mid pm. Also presumed hybrid Ross's Goose x Whitefront (John Oates).
17 January 2003
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots in Tesco car park (Birdguides).
Cambridge Firecrest just off Grange Road, in trees & bushes along Cranmer Road (David Bradnum).
Fen Drayton GP drake presumed hybrid Red-crested Pochard x Pochard on Elney Lake (John Oates).
Wicken Fen, Tower hide late afternoon 4 Hen Harriers (2 males) & 2 Bitterns (John Oates).
Beechwoods NR 50+ Bramblings TL495546 (Birdguides).
16 January 2003
4 GREENLAND WHITEFRONTS (2 ad, 2 juv) & Pinkfoot still at Prior's Fen (Stuart Elsom).
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots in Tesco car park (Julian Hughes).
2 WXWINGS over Kisby's Hut, Papworth Everard am (Duncan McNiven).
Cambridge Firecrest singing & showing well at the entrance of the track to Leckhampton House (opposite Selwyn College) on Grange Road (Richard J Hall).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Hinxton, 2 fields S of Hinxton Watermill from the permissive path to Ickleton (Birdguides).
Wicken Fen, Tower hide late pm 4 Hen Harriers, Marsh Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Bitterns, 2 Barn Owls, Woodcock (Mark Ward).
Grafham Water 2 redhead Smew from Dudney hide (Colin Addington). Also report of Egret sp flying towards Dudney (per Mark Hawkes).
On 14/1 Farcet Fen 6 Tree Sparrow, 28+ Corn Bunting, 2 Barn Owl (Steve Dudley).
On 13/1 Brampton GP Little Egret & Peregrine (per Mark Hawkes).
15 January 2003
4 GREENLAND WHITEFRONTS(2 ad, 2 juv) again at Prior's Fen. Also ad female Peregrine on North Fen viewed from North Bank (Brian Stone).
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots in Tesco car park (Paul Rule).
WAXWING Ouse Washes RSPB feeding on Gelder Rose bush at Welches Dam Visitor Centre - very confiding allowing close views. Seen most of morning still present at 15:00hrs (Robert Coleman).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE Hinxton just NW of the village on wires north of Duxford Road between the railway and River Cam at TL490454 (Birdguides)
Nene Washes, Bittern flew across Eldernell Wash at 15:00hrs. Glaucous Gull imm flew to March Farmers roost at c16:30hrs. Many gulls are pre-roosting on RSPB Reserve then flying to March Farmers late on (Jonathan Taylor).
Glaucous Gull 1st w at Grafham Water off Mander from 16:00. Also, ad Yellow-legged Gull (Mark Hawkes), 1st w male Scaup & Pinkfoot (Colin Addington).
Paxton Pits NR 9 Smew (4 drakes) showing well from Kingfisher Hide (Birdguides).
White Stork, Cottenham, Long Drove (Birdguides).
14 January 2003
15 WAXWINGS at Elm briefly am before flying towards March (Birdguides).
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots in Tesco car park (RBA).
Godmanchester GP 1st w Glaucous Gull (Mark Ward).
Paxton Pits Red-necked Grebe on the A1 north pit (Birdguides).
Marsh Lane GP, Hemingford Grey 5 redhead Smew inc 2 drakes (Mike Everett).
30-40 Siskin Adams Rd, Cambridge. Later probably the same birds on the backs behind Kings (Matt Best)
Burghley Park Barnacle Goose, 13 Goosander (Cliff Woolston).
Grafham Water Pink-footed Goose with Greylags (Colin Addington).
13 January 2003
WAXWING, Girton College grounds lunchtime, then flew north-west into Girton village (Mike Crosby).
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots in Tesco car park (Richard Allison).
3 WAXWINGS Papworth Everard in a private garden (Peter Dobson).
17 WAXWINGS Sawtry flew SW over Cavendish Close (Stuart Elsom).
Grafham Water GREAT GREY SHRIKE viewable from Mander car park in the dead tree behind Dudney Hide (Birdguides).
At Godmanchester GP juv/1st w Glaucous Gull commuting between the main pit and the tip (John Oates et al).
White Stork, Cottenham, Long Drove still (Birdguides).
12 January 2003
3 WAXWINGS Papworth Everard in a private garden (Peter Dobson).
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots in Tesco car park. One of them carries a metal ring on it's right leg (Geoff Barlow).
7 WAXWINGS Bar Hill: 6 flew off into private gardens, one on rosehips along the perimeter road opposite the turning for the road named Westmead (Richard Patient).
Paxton Pits adult Caspian Gull, 362 Cormorants, (roosting), Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, female Merlin, 5 Pintails (3 male), 13 smew (4 males), Egyptian Goose (Mark Hawkes, Julian Hughes et al).
Farcet Fen Bittern, male Hen Harrier, Green Sandpiper, 3 Stonechat, Little Owl, 4 Tree Sparrow (Steve Dudley).
Whittlesey Mere 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Stonechat (Steve Dudley).
Holme Fen 8+ Mealy Redpolls with 35+ Lesser Redpolls along NE edge TL212898, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Steve Dudley).
200+ Bramblings at Beechwoods NR (Jack Harrison, Keith Honnor).
40 Bramblings by the A1304 at junction with the road to Dullingham (Jono Leadley).
Grafham Water GREAT GREY SHRIKE, 23 Goosanders, Grey Wag, 2 1st-winter Kittiwakes, Dunlin, Red-necked Grebe (Mark Ward et al).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton (Birdguides).
Ouse Washes, Earith redhead Smew flew S, Ruddy Duck, 3 Black-tailed Godwits high over S, 15 Ruff, 20+ Dunlin (David Griffiths, Earith). At Chain Corner Black Swan, Goldeneye, 20 Ruff, 18 Dunlin (Mark Peck).
2 Bitterns showing well at Earith GP 9.00 - 10.00am. Also Water Rail (Mark Peck).
Wicken Fen 2 male Hen Harriers and a Barn Owl (Keith Honnor).
Barn Owl by the pub in Hail Weston and a Little Owl around the Staughton Moor area (per Jamie Wells).
White Stork, Cottenham, Long Drove still (Birdguides).
Ferry Meadows CP - 4 Ruddy Duck, Goldeneye, Pink-footed Goose (Don Gardener), 4 Goosander, 3 Dunlin (Matt Webb). On 11/1 Bittern to the right of the Ian Presst hide (per Terry Daunt).
On 11/1 Barleycraft GP 5 Barnacle Goose, redhead Smew, Grey Wagtail (Jem Holding).
On 11/1 Marsh Lane GP, Hemingford Grey 6 redhead Smew (Mike Everett).
On 11/1 Red Kite over the A1198 north of Arrington (per Doug Radford).
11 January 2003
RING-BILLED GULL 1st w at Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane at c12.30pm, but flew off towards Huntingdon. Also 2 Caspian Gulls, 1st winter Med Gull and 1st w Yellow-legged Gull (Richard Patient).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Grafham Water, mobile but generally viewable from the path to Dudney Creek. 2 imm Kittiwakes, pair of Mandarins, 1st w male Scaup, 31 Goosanders and Red-necked Grebe still around. In the roost a 1st w Glaucous Gull, 3+ Yellow-legged Gulls and a possible ad Caspian Gull. (Stuart Elsom, Mark Hawkes, John Oates et al). Also Knot on the shore near Marlow and a redhead Smew from Dudney hide (Colin Addington).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE atill at Hinxton. Also male Merlin chasing Meadow Pipit. (Doug Radford/Andrew Massey/Daniel Osborne)
Glaucous Gull again at the Nene Washes from 4pm (RBA).
Long-eared owl hunting over reedbeds at Fowlmere NR at dusk (Doug Radford/Rob Jones/Daniel Osborne).
6 WAXWINGS St. Neots in Tesco car park (Simon Stirrup at al).
WAXWING Papworth Everard in a private garden (Peter Dobson).
2 Bitterns roosted at Woodwalton Fen, from the main hide (Howard Butler). Permit only.
Wicken Fen, Tower Hide towards dusk Cormorant 93 roosting, Bittern, Little Egret, Hen Harrier 2 ringtails & 1 male, Peregrine (Paul Atkinson).
Paxton Pits: most lakes frozen, but all trails now open except Meadow Trail. Male pintail, 11 Smew (2 male), 333 Cormorants at dusk, Water Rail, Red-necked Grebe, Egyptian Goose, Jack Snipe, 2 Redpolls, 45 Siskins (Julian Hughes et al).
Ouse Washes, Chain Corner Brent Goose flying NE at dusk, Water Rail, Barn Owl, 3 Stonechat (Mark Peck)
2 Bitterns showing extremely well at Earith GP in the far north-eastern corner of the second pit to the right of the road (heading north) or approx. TL393 761. All the pits are on private land so only view from the road (David Griffiths, Earith)
White Stork, Cottenham, Long Drove (Mark Hawkes).
Bramblings still present at Beechwoods NR (Mark Hawkes).
2 Goosanders Fen Drayton GP (Dave Anderson).
10 January 2003
5 WAXWINGS at Crown Lakes CP, Farcet. Also Merlin, Short-eared Owl (Howard Butler), male Hen Harrier, 72 Pink-footed Geese flew NE (Steve Dudley et al).
WAXWING St. Neots off Barford Road at Tesco petrol station (Birdguides).
Nene Washes Glaucous Gull 2nd w in to roost just after 16:00hrs and landed on the water (Jonathan Taylor).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE Hinxton still (Birdguides).
Dogsthorpe Tip 2nd w Mediterranean Gull (Brian Stone).
Paxton Pits 8 Smew (2 males), Barn Owl, 2 Lttle Owls, Jack Snipe, 6 Green Sandpipers (Martin Davis).
Grafham Water, Knot on shore off Marlow Car park this evening, plus 13 Goosander (Colin Addington, Mark Hawkes)
Wicken Fen 4 Bitterns (per Ralph Sargeant).
Brent Goose Ouse Washes at Fortrey's Hall still. 40 Corn Bunting at Sutton Gault (Mark Peck).
9 January 2003
Up to 6 WAXWINGS at Wicken Fen along Spinney Bank until 10.15 am. Flew south after being disturbed by dogs (Martin Lester, John Oates, Ralph Sargeant). They may still be in the area.
WAXWING St. Neots still in bushes by Barford Road Tesco petrol station (Paul Hoppett, Julian Hughes et al).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton. Also present on 8/1. (Birdguides).
Ouse Washes BRENT GOOSE in field viewed from bank north of Mepal 1/4 mile west of Fortrey's Hall. 2 Water Pipit at Chain Corner (Mark Hawkes).
Beechwoods HR 150 Bramblings (Paul Rule).
Grafham Water 2 Knot flew over the lagoons. Also Chiffchaff there (Mark Hawkes).
Farcet Fen 3 Tree Sparrows, 175 Corn Bunting (Steve Dudley).
Godmanchester GP/tip 1st w Med Gull, ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, 2 Water Rails and 4 Bitterns (Mark Ward).
Paxton Pits Red-necked Grebe on Sailing Pit still, 3 male 7 redhead Smew on Heronry lake, 4 Goosanders Black Swan, 2 Pintail (John Hoppett).
Adventurer's Fen 2 Short-eared Owls at Burwell Fen Farm (Ralph Sargeant).
Far Fen Lake Fen Drayton ad drake Smew, 4 Goldeneye (Mark Ward). Bittern Elney Lake (per Duncan McNiven).
Burghley Park 4 Mandarins (Cliff Woolston).
Ely Merlin on post in field just south of train station (Birdguides).
Barleycraft GP 3 Stonechats, Dunlin (Mark Hawkes).
8 January 2003
WAXWING St. Neots still in bushes by Barford Road Tesco petrol station (Mark Hawkes et al).
Fortrey's Hall, Ouse washes BRENT GOOSE, Green Sandpiper (Mark Peck).
Glaucous Gull 2nd w and Med Gull 2nd w in the gull roost at the Nene Washes (Jonathan Taylor).
Grafham Water 1st w male Scaup, Red-necked Grebe, redhead Smew and 1st-winter Kittiwake. 2 1st w Kittiwakes on 7/1 (Mark Hawkes).
Farcet Fen 3 Tree Sparrows (Steve Dudley).
Serpentime BP Woodcock (George Walthew)
Ferry Meadows CP, Lynch Wood 5 Lesser Redpoll (Don Gardener).
European Whitefront with feral geese at Swaffham Prior Fen & male Stonechat still on the Cam Washes at Upware (John Oates).
35+ Siskins at Fordham Woods (John Oates).
Orton BP ad Bewick's Swan (Mike Weedon).
Cambridge, Coe Fen Black Swan (Daniel Osborne).
On 7/1 in the fens south of the Nene Washes total of 1068 Bewick's Swans (one adult bird had pink legs), 2 Peregrines & Little Egret - near Turves (Jonathan Taylor).
On 6/1 Aversley Wood 7 Marsh Tit, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Kevan Wolstencroft).
7 January 2003
WAXWING at Tesco in St.Neots in the vicinity of the petrol station. From A428 Cambridge to Bedford Road turn right into St.Neots on the B1043 at the roundabout adjacent to Barford Power Stn. Tesco is situated on the left immediately off the next roundabout (per Stuart Elsom).
Ouse Washes no sign of any Twite on the Earith Washes but 10 Water Pipits from just south of Chain Corner to Gault Hole. Also 2 Dunlin, 4 Ruff, 2 Redshank and Shelduck on Gault Pool, Barn Owl, 19+ Snipe, c40 Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtail, 20+ Pied Wagtails, c1500 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, c120 Pochard. Also a large SW movement of Lapwings in response to the hard weather (Mark Ward).
Nene Washes, Eldernell CETTI'S WARBLER and Water Vole at Lord's Holt (Brian Stone)
Rock Pipit on the dam at Grafham Water (Colin Addington).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Hinxton showing well on wires 200yds south of the Duxford Road at midday (Birdguides).
Orton Brick Pit Jack Snipe (Matt Francis).
Knot and 300 Golden Plover in flooded field E. of Barrington (Colin Kirtland).
Pair of Smew on Far Fen Pit at Fen Drayton GP, also over 30 Goldeneye. Most of pits inaccessible (Colin Kirtland).
White Stork, Cottenham, Long Drove for its 134th day (First seen on 27th Aug) (Birdguides).
Ferry Meadows, Lynch Wood 7 Lesser Redpoll, 11 Siskin (Don Gardener).
Budgie with almost entirely white plumage, behind BirdLife offices at Girton (Richard Thomas).
On 6/1 Wicken Fen 2 Bitterns, ringtail Hen Harrier (Simon Henderson).
Beechwoods NR on 4/1 Common Buzzard landed in the treetops, but flew off being mobbed by corvids (Alan Wadsworth).
6 January 2003
DOTTEREL and Knot still at Barrington am with Golden Plover and Lapwings (Ade Cooper, Steve Cooper, John Oates).
Nene Washes, Eldernell CETTI'S WARBLER showing more or less constantly at the edge of Lord's Holt. Also Water Pipit, Chiffichaff & Water Vole. Nearby Short-eared Owl, fem/imm Merlin & ringtail Hen Harrier at Thorney Dyke (Bruce & Gwen Martin, John Oates). Also redhead Smew, 21 Stonechats, Turnstone and 2 Grey Plovers on the Nene Washes today (Charlie Kitchin, Jonny Taylor).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton (Mark Hawkes).
Ouse Washes (Welches Dam to north of railway, east and west sides covered) Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, 2 Stonechat, 10 Corn Bunting, 3 Tree Sparrow, 2 Siskin, c1000 Wigeon, c700 Bewicks on west side, north of railway, possible hybrid American/Eurasian Wigeon (a very striking bird, solid, extensive green eye stripes - identical to American in size, colour and extent, and pale, peppered face and had a larger, head then Eurasian around the nape area like American. The body however, was virtually identical to drake Eurasian) (Mark Ward). Also redhead Smew and drake RC Pochard seen on RSPB WeBS count. Other reports: on 26/12/02 drake American Wigeon and on 5/1/02 10 Twite on Earith Washes. Drake Scaup seen on few dates recently (per Mark Ward).
White Stork still at Long Drove, Cottenham (Bruce & Gwen Martin, John Oates).
Goosander, 10 males east over the lake at Burghley Park (Cliff Woolston).
Bramblings still at Beechwoods NR (Mark Hawkes).
Grafham Water Red-necked Grebe, 2 1st w Kittiwakes, 31 Goosanders (Robin Cox, Mark Hawkes).
Stanground Wash 3 Green Sandpipers, 18 Redshanks, male Stonechat, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail (Matt Francis).
5 January 2003
DOTTEREL and Knot at Barrington in flooded field viewable from minor road to Foxton with 700 Golden Plovers (Ade Cooper, Steve Cooper).
HAWFINCH male seen along Lynch plantation, Ferry Meadows CP, in the lower branches of a Alder (Terry Daunt).
Red-necked Grebe, 2 1st w Kittiwakes at Grafham Water (Mark Hawkes et al).
Nene Washes, Eldernell CETTI'S WARBLER still at Lord's Holt. Also on the washes 12+ Stonechat, 4 Water Pipits, Hen Harrier, 4+ Short-eared Owl, Yellow-legged Gull, Bittern, Little Egret, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 small grey geese flew E late afternoon (many observers).
Prior's Fen GP 4 GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, Pinkfoot, 2 Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Water Pipit (Steve Dudley).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton (RBA).
Fen Drayton GP freshly dead Long-eared Owl found in Far Fen Lake. At the moment access is almost impossible to the pits due to flooding. Plenty of Ruff and Pintail flying around also 4 Smew on Far Fen Lake inc 2 drakes (Dave Anderson).
Woodwalton Fen, 2 Willow Tits, mixed flock of c25 Redpolls/Siskins seen in flight. Access by permit only (Matt Francis).
At Ditton Park Woods 30+ Crossbills (Richard Patient).
At Wicken Fen, Tower hide, 4 Hen Harriers (2 ad male), fem/imm Marsh Harrier, Bittern, 2 Long-eared Owls, Tawny Owl (calling), 2 Pintails, White-fronted Goose (John Oates, Will Miles).
100+ Bramblings at Beechwoods NR (Howard Slatter). Nearby 3 Bramblings along Roman Road (RBA).
Brambling at Teversham Drift TL 489571 (RBA).
4 January 2003
Grafham Water 5 Kittiwakes - 4 (1 adult) showing very well around the boom off the fishing lodge at Mander and one (adult) on the north shore, c40 Goosanders, Red-necked Grebe off Mander, 1st w drake Scaup and 2 Mandarins from Dudney Creek hide, ad Med Gull off Mander (Mark Hawkes, John Oates et al).
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Hinxton (RBA).
At Godmanchester GP 2 Caspian Gulls (ad,3cy) and 1 Yellow-legged Gull (Dick Newell, Richard Patient)
100+ Bramblings today just north of Dullingham at north-east end of Eagle lane. TL 628 588 (Peter Bullett).
Nene Washes , Eldernell CETTI'S WARBLER in Lord's Holt, 3 Peregrines hunting together at one point (2 female, one male), ad male Merlin, 2 Long-eared Owl, 2 Bitterns, Pink-footed Goose flew west, 3 Chiffchaffs in Lords Holt and Treecreeper, 2 Water Pipits, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, 2 Stonechats (Mark Ward). Also male Goshawk (Steve Dudley et al).
Peregrine between Chatteris and March (Mark Ward).
2 Tree Sparrows and 11 Corn Buntings New Ghant Farm (Mark Ward).
Southey Woods 15 Common Crossbill, Lesser Redpoll with about 30+ Chaffinch on edge of wood near the car park (Phil Todd).
Smithey Fen Peregrine female on ground eating prey (probably a Golden Plover), Curlew, Golden Plover 50, Caspian Gull 1 3CY, Greenfinch 200 (Richard Thomas).
Cottenham Corn Bunting 50 (Richard Thomas).
White Stork still at Cottenham, Long Drove (Richard Thomas).
Yellow-legged Gull 4 (2 2CY, 1 4CY, 1 ad) gull roost viewable south of Chittering from A10 layby (Richard Thomas).
3 January 2003
White Stork still at Long Drove, Cottenham (RBA).
Nene Washes, at Eldernell, CETTI'S WARBLER at Lords Holt, the wood west of the car park (Jonathan Taylor).
Hinxton/Ickleton : Great Grey Shrike still present at c 13.30, viewed distantly from level crossing on Ickleton side of floods. Nearby at Beechwoods : 25+ Brambling with flock of 200+ Chaffinch and at Ely : 10 Bewick's Swan today on fields S. of Queen Adelaide Way (road from Queen Adelaide to A142) (Paul Atkinson).
At March Farmers, 6 adult Little gulls which flew west towards Eldernell at 2.30 this pm, plus Short eared owl (Phillip Todd).
Female Merlin perched along Pearces Road (the one from Oxney Road to the North Bank) on Flag Fen (Brian Stone).
Late news from 27 December 2002, at Barleycraft GP ten Red-crested Pochards (4m, 6f) (Duncan McNiven).
2 January 2003
GREAT GREY SHRIKE still present between Hinxton and the railway. OS 154 TL 494448 present 12.00 hrs, 200 mts north of Hinxton to Ickleton Road which is almost impassable up to the level crossing. Wellies needed on footpath, or Shrike could be seen from the road (Monica and Owen Marks). The bird was also present yesterday when there were over 60 Bramblings at Beechwoods NR (John Oates).
Hen Harrier, 1, imm male, Willow Tit, 2, Chiffchaff, 1, Bullfinch, 19+, Teal, 86, (Steve Dudley).
March Farmers 14:30-16:20hrs, Whooper Swans 110, Bewicks Swans c900 most feeding to south, Hen Harrier 2 ringtails arrived at roost only to find it flooded today!, Short-eared Owl 4, Curlew 1, Woodcock 1. March farmers now filling, rest of washes deep (Jonathan Taylor).
At Wicken Fen early PM Bittern over The Mere and a Jack Snipe flushed from the footpath adjacent to Wicken Lode opposite the Tower Hide (John Oates)
RBA yesterday (01/01/03) reported a Slavonian Grebe at Milton Country Park. Presumably on the main lake (per John Oates).
More news from 01/01/03, 6 Bewick's Swans, 3 Pintails, Jack Snipe, Red-necked Grebe, Common Sandpiper, 2 Woodcocks, 5 Siskins, 6 Smew (though someone reported 11, inc 5 males), 60 Snipe, 68 Redshanks, 4 Dunlins, 300+ Golden Plovers, and 156 Cormorants in tonight's roost (Julian Hughes).
Also on the 01/01/03, Long-eared Owl at Ferry Meadows (Don Gardener). At Holme Fen, Merlin, 1. At Woodwalton Fen, Lesser Redpoll, c30, MEALY REDPOLL, 2, Siskins, c40, Jay, 6. At Eldernell, Merlin, 1, BITTERN, 1 (William Bowell).
1 January 2003
At Fen Drayton, 3 Smew (1 drake, 2 redheads) over Oxholme Lake and presumably the same later at Far Fen Lake. Also several small flocks of Snipe over, the biggest with 15 birds (Peter Herkenrath).
Further news for 31 December, 2002, at Fen Drayton, 2 Bittern at Oxholme Lake several times between 1 and 3 pm, also 1 Water Rail (Peter Herkenrath).
At the Nene Washes, Dog in a Doublet, Water Pipit, Stonechat, Little Owl, plus 1500 Herring Gulls and 400 Great Black Backed Gulls. Wash road is now flooded (Jonathan Taylor).
4 Bewick's Swans on ploughed fields S of Ely BF (Paul Atkinson).