30th April
Grafham Water, 1 Black Tern, 3 Arctic Terns (Jono Leadley).
Ferry Meadows CP, 1+ Arctic Tern at Gunwade Lake. Also, 1 m Yellow Wagtail (Brian Stone).
Cam Washes, Upware, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 39 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ruff, 11+ Yellow Wagtail (John Oates).
Alconbury Airfield, 1 f Wheatear (Mark Hawkes).
29th April
Paxton Pits, 3+ Arctic Tern, c10 Common Tern, c10 Dunlin, Hobby, (Jamie Wells).
Grafham Water, 2 Arctic Terns (Mark Hawkes).
Terns with good numbers of Common favouring central western area of Gunwade Lake opposite the sailing centre and a little to the right. 1 White Wagtail with several Pied on Wagtail Mound/Lynch Lake. This bird was not as pale on the back as some. 1 Common Sandpiper at the Sailing Centre. (Katie Fuller, Brian Stone & Mike Weedon)
Prior's Fen, c.7.30am, 2 White Wagtails, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Terns (Mike Weedon).
Cam Washes, Upware (from the Waterbeach side) 1 LRP, 5+ Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 36+ Black-tailed Godwit, 16+ Yellow Wagtail, 100+ Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, 3 Swift (Dave Gandy).
Bainton GP, most migrants have arrived, including Nightingale, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden, Sedge and Willow Warblers, Whitethroat and 2 Lesser Whitethroat, but no Grasshopper or Reed Warbler yet (Malc Holley).
28th April
WOOD WARBLER in Cottenham, singing and showing well along Brenda Gautry Way off Beach Road (Simon Stirrup et al).
Ely, Wood Sand on pool, Ely meadow at 8 pm, but flew off West. 10+ Yellow Wagtail on meadow. 13 Common Tern at Roswell pits during the day, 40 Sand Martin, also Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 2+ Kingfisher present (Paul Atkinson).
Nene washes, central drove, 1 male Whinchat, 2 female Wheatears, 1 Merlin, 2 Marsh Harriers (Ray and William Bowell).
Fen Drayton GP 2 Arctic Tern, 11 Common Tern and a Common Sandpiper (Richard Allison). Also Hobb 2, LRP (Dave Griffiths, Cambridge and Paul Andrew).
Godmanchester GP 1100-1230. 1 Black Tern , 1 pr Garganey (Ade Cooper).
27th April
Nene Washes, Central Drove small mixed party of tundra and nominate hiaticula Ringed Plovers, plenty of Yellow-Wagtails, 2 Whinchats (Dick Newell). 1 Garganey at Dog in a Doublet on RSPB side (Mike Weedon).
Eynesbury Lakes Greenshank, LRP 4, Yellow Wagtail 45+, Sparrowhawk 1, Grey Wagtail pair, Common Tern 2 (Stuart Elsom).
At Grafham Water 06:30-08:30 12 Common Terns, 10+ Swifts, 1 Curlew, 3 Dunlins, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Nightingale (Richard Patient).
At Somersham GP 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Wheatear, Swifts (Richard Patient).
At Fen Drayton GP possible Honey but more likely Common Buzzard at Fen Drayton, being mobbed by crows, flew off high to the west (Peter Herkenrath). 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Dunlins, Nightingale, Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Swifts (Richard Patient). On 26/4 2 Hobby over Far Fen Lake, 1 Greenshank, 4 Ruddy Duck, 1 Swift Moore Lake (Dave Anderson )
Godmanchester GP pair of Garganey, Common Sandpiper, Cuckoo, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat (Paul Andrew). Also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 4 Pink-footed Geese (Richard Patient).
In the fields between Bar Hill and Longstanton, 1 Whinchat and several Corn Buntings (Peter Herkenrath).
26th April
DOTTEREL with 18 Northern Golden Plovers SW of Chatteris in large pea field near Honey Farm at TL362835 (Bruce & Gwen Martin, John Oates).
LITTLE TERN off Mander car park, Grafham (Colin Addington, BLEA). No sign later but 3 Arctic Terns, 34 Common Terns. On the dam LRP, 25 Yellow Wags (Bruce & Gwen Martin, John Oates).
At Sutton Gault at 1.00pm: 1 Bar-tailed Godwit still present on flooded field; 1 White Wagtail; 2 Swift; 2 House Martin; 6+ Sand Martin; 6+ Swallow; 2 Lesser Whitethroat; 2 Oystercatcher; 3 Common Tern (Mark Peck)
Nene Washes BAR-TAILED GODWIT on flooded area at E end of RSPB reserve (near end of central drove). Also 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Tern, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Brian Stone).
Turtle Dove and Lesser Whitethroat singing at Morborne Hill (Brian Stone).
Influx of Swifts today in many areas (various observers).
On 25/4 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming in Cambridge along Fen Causeway pm (Richard J Hall).
On 24/4 c50 Golden Plover in field by A505 at crossing of Fowlmere - Chrishall Grange road (James Guthrie).
On 24/4 1 Whimbrel over Wicken Fen (Dave Gandy)
25th April
5 DOTTERELS inc 2 females between Great Raveley & Wistow (Mark Hawkes et al).
Firecrest singing and showing nicely in a private garden in Melbourn 1100-1400 at least (Ade Cooper).
At Sutton Gault at 1.30pm: 1 Bar-tailed Godwit feeding on flooded meadow; also 2 Lesser Whitethroat; 4+ Whitethroat; 2 Common Terns; 1 Cuckoo (Mark Peck)
Ferry Meadows, Gunwade Lake 2 Whimbrel flew east, 20 Common Tern, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (Brian Stone).
Fen Drayton GP 2 Avocets on Moore Lake this evening, until 20.10 at least - also 6+ Common Tern. Also Hobby over Ferry Lagoon (Dave Anderson, Richard Allison) At Somersham GP Whimbrel, pair Wheatear, 13+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 Little Ringed Plovers (Martin and Wendy Phillips)
Woodwalton Fen 1 Nightingale, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, several Whitethroats, 2 Grasshopper and 2 Reed Warbler. Also Wheatear on the bare field along the approach track. Access to Woodwalton Fen is by permit only (Brian Stone).
1 drake Garganey showing extremely well on the pool nearest the river east of the wash road (B1040) at Dog in a Doublet (Brian Stone).
Cam Washes, Upware a drake Garganey, 35 Blackwits, 10+ Ruff, 8+ Yellow Wags (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen Greenshank, 2 Yellow Wags, 4+ Marsh Harriers, several Large Red Damselflies, Green Hairstreak (John Oates). On 24/4 Wicken Fen 19.15-21.15 ringtail Hen Harrier flew NW past Tower Hide 19.50 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Whimbrel North, 1+ Garden Warbler, 5 Grasshopper Warblers reeling, 4+ Woodcock roding (Paul Atkinson).
Swaffham Prior Fen 2 Wheatears in the dirt field close to the start of the rough road leading to the carrot cleaning plant. Also 5 Corn Buntings and 2 Yellow Wags (John Oates). On 24/4 Grey Partridge near the crossroads (seen by Richard J Hall).
Paxton Pits Barnacle Goose, Common Sand, 3 Oystercatcher, 10 Common Tern, Turtle Dove, 3 Swallow, Kingfisher, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 11 singing Nightingales and a very strange singing Willow Warbler which gave a mixed burst of both willow warbler and chiffchaff song!(Jamie Wells)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming in Cambridge along Fen Causeway pm (Richard J Hall).
24th April
At Fowlmere NR WOOD WARBLER between Drewer's hide and Post 9 until 5.15pm (Ade Cooper).
5 DOTTERELS inc 2 females Great Raveley, Ramsey in pea field immediately east of the village along road to Wistow at approximately TL260810 from 6am to late pm. Also 156 Golden Plovers, including sum plum Northern birds (Paul Bellamy per Rich Broughton, Mark Ward). Short-eared owl in the area (RBA).
Singing FIRECREST at Monks Wood NR 12.30-130. Park at lay-by on B1043 (B1090 on some maps) at south edge of Monks Wood at entrance of lane that leads to Monks Wood (at west end of Bevill's Wood). Follow lane 300m to style at entrance to Monks Wood NNR, between 2 gates that say 'no access'. Cross style and take path on right, just inside the wood. Bird is singing continuously under 4th electricity pilon from style, favouring hawthorns and a low branches of an oak tree coming into leaf (Rich Broughton).
At Godmanchester GP Garganey pair on lake on the right, once over the stile from the parking area - present since 22nd. Also 2 LRP, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail (Paul Andrew ).
At Ely Washes 2 Marsh Harriers, Sedge Warbler 20; Lesser Whitethroat 1; Cuckoo 2; Snipe 1 (Bob Scott).
3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit, Red Kite, Lesser Whitethroat (George Walthew).
Paxton Pits NR 19 Nightingales, Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. (Julian Hughes).
At the Ouse Washes, RSPB 4 Greenshanks, Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, 60 Ruff, 6 Blackwits, 1111110 Yellow wags, Marsh Harrier (Richard J Hall, John Oates).
Possible Grey-headed Gull at Prior's Fen briefly (Brian Stone).
23rd April
Grafham Water. Mander Car Park: 2 Black Tern 20.15 to 20.3010 Common Tern. From the Dam: 2 Little Ringed Plover. 3 Dunlin. 1 Cuckoo. 10 Yellow Wagtail. (Monica and Owen Marks).
Ferry Meadows CP 2+ Arctic Terns on Gunwade Lake. Grasshopper Warbler reeling opposite the hide. 1+ Yellow Wagtails (Brian Stone & Katie Fuller).
Drake Red-crested Pochard & Turtle Dove Kennet GP (Kevin Warrington).
At Somersham GP (evening): Whinchat 1, Wheatear 1, Yellow Wagtail 25, the first Cuckoo, Whitethroat and Swallow here this year. (Alan Hitchings).
Ouse Washes RSPB 6 Greenshank, pair Garganey, 2 LRPs, 21 Ruff, 4 Dunlin, 6 Icelandic Black-wits, pair Marsh Harrier, Common Tern NE, 26 Wigeon, 6 Teal. At the Mepal Washes 2 Greenshank, 40 Ruff, 4 Dunlin, female Wheatear (Mark Ward).
Fen Drayton GP male Marsh Harrier flew N, 3 Barnacle Geese, 2 LRP (John Oates).
Paxton Pits NR 7 Shelduck, Snipe, 4-6 LRP's, 7 Dunlin, Oystercatcher, lots of Redshank, 13 Common Terns, Cuckoo, 10+ Yellow Wags, Lesser Whitethroat, Corn Bunting (Jamie Wells).
Grasshopper Warbler still in scrub opposite Northfield Avenue, Cambridge. Reeling at c8.30pm. (David Chandler).
Milton Country Park 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (David Bradnum).
Cam Washes, Upware male Wheatear and a few Yellow Wagtails (Dick Newell).
Monks Wood: 1 Gropper reeling, influx of whitethroats (Rich Broughton).
Croxton 10.30am 3 Common Buzzards very high heading in north east direction (Dave Anderson).
Cottenham Grasshopper Warbler reeling (Simon. Stirrup).
On 22/4 Cam Washes, Upware Sand Martin 150+, Yellow Wagtail 9 (Christoph Zockler).
On 22/4 Wicken Fen Little Ringed Plover 2, Whimbrel 1 flying over, Yellow Wagtail 5, Grasshopper Warbler (Christoph Zockler).
22nd April
WOOD WARBLER singing Papworth Everard at Papworth Hospital by car park behind pathology lab (RBA).
Nene Washes central drove pair of Garganey near gate & male Whinchat halfway along drove - near pen (Mike Weedon, Katie Fuller, Brian Stone).
Lesser Whitethroat singing 8am behind the factory at Belham Wood, North Bretton (Katie Fuller).
Lesser Whitethroat singing in garden at Eaton Ford (Richard Bashford).
Fen Drayton GP Oystercatcher 2, Dunlin 2, Cuckoo 1, Swift 1, Sedge Warbler 16, Whitethroat 5, Garden Warbler 3, Blackcap 10, Willow Warbler 6 (Bruce & Gwen Martin).
On 21/4 at Roswell Pits, Ely 8 Yellow Wagtails (John Thake).
On 20/4 Cam Washes, Upware White Wagtail (Ade Long).
On 20/4 Wheatear at Swaffham Prior Fen (Ade Long).
21st April
Ouse Washes, Earith Blue-headed Wagtail along the footpath by the Old Bedford river with 7 or 8 Yellows; 2 male Wheatears nearby (David Griffiths, Earith).
Ouse Washes RSPB fem Blue-headed Wagtail, pair Garganey, Spotshank (Mark Hawkes), 34 Ruff, 1 LRP, 2 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Blackwit, Kingfisher, Grey Wag Male, House Martin 3 over, Yellow Wags everywhere, Tree Sparrows (Keith Honor).
Nene Washes Dog in a Doublet Turtle Dove, Short-eared Owl. Central drove Merlin 2, Short-eared Owl, Marsh Harriers, Yellow Wagtail flock of c10 males, Black-tailed Godwit c50, Ruff 17, Greenshank (Gordon Hamlett). Eldernell 2 Marsh Harriers, Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Tree Sparrows (Julian Hughes).
Grafham Water 2 Barwits flew E 7.20pm. Also 12 Common Terns (Mark Hawkes).
Fen Drayton GP LRP, Ringed Plover 2, Goldeneye 8, Oyk, Whitethroat 2, Ruddy Duck 1m, Barnacle Goose 4 (Richard Allison).
Cam Washes, Upware: 46 Blackwits, 3 LRPs, 14 Ruffs, 3 Yellow Wags, 16 Fieldfares. 2 male Wheatears in a roadside field nearby (Kathleen Rosewarne, Ian Barton).
Cambridge, Gropper reeling in scrub opposite Northfields Avenue (Bruce Martin).
At Woodwalton Fen am Nightingale, Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 16 Golden Plovers, pair of Siskins. Please note that access is by permit only (Richard Patient).
Paxton Pits Blackwit, Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Arctic Terns, 4 Dunlins, 5 LRPs, Garden Warbler (Julian Hughes).
BBS square, near Earith Buzzard flying NE along Ouse - missing a central tail feather, probably the same bird seen 20 minutes previously flying NE over Papworth Everard (Julian Hughes).
BBS on two squares in the Fens - Mere Farm, Ramsey Fen and White Fen, Benwick. At 0625 2 Sandwich Terns flew NE along River Nene at Mere Farm. 6+ Yellow Wagtails at White Fen, 2 Barn Owls at Mere (Bob Scott).
Needingworth 4 Grey Partridges (Julian Hughes).
Swift over Alconbury Weston (Simon Browne).
Wicken Fen PM Gropper, 11 Blackwits, 2 LRP, 2 Ringed Plover (John & Christine Oates).
Fowlmwere NR Gropper reeling (RBA).
20th April
Sandwich Tern flew low NE over St. Neots 6.30pm (Jill Williams).
Grafham Water Black Tern 2 dropped in 8pm, Whimbrel flew from savages towards the dam 7.30pm, Common Tern 11, Nightingale, Cuckoo, Yellow Wagtail 14 (Stuart Elsom, Colin Addington).
Ouse Washes, Earith White Wagtail. Also Parakeet sp. over briefly - red breast and extremely long tail (David Griffiths, Earith).
RSPB Ouse Washes Stockdales 2 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Dunlin, c61 Ruff (Steve & Jayne Gann).
Nene Washes, Lord's Holt area 1 Grasshopper Warbler & 3 Garganey (Mike Weedon). Eldernell 8-9 Marsh Harriers, Garganey pair (Ray and William Bowell).
Fowlmere NR Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail (Doug Radford).
Eynesbury Lakes Yellow Wagtail 12, LRP 2, Kingfisher, Common Buzzard 3 drifted off N 1pm, Common Tern 2, Reed Warbler (Stuart Elsom, Jill Williams).
Paxton Pits NR Turtle Dove, Ruff, 4-6 LRPs, 10+ Nightingales, 4+ Common Terns, female Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Shelducks, 2 Dunlins, several Whitethroats, 1+ Cuckoo. For more information, visit www.paxton-pits.org.uk (Julian Hughes).
Bainton GP Nightingale heard at 9.00am on far side of pea gravel pit (Malc Holley).
Swift over Wisbech (Martin Coates).
Wicken Fen 3+ reeling Grasshopper Warblers, 4 calling Woodcock (Adrian Colston). Also 2 LRP (John Oates).
Fen Drayton GP Cuckoo, Whitethroat, 20 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Arctic Tern, 3 Common Terns, 4+ Goldeneye, 3 Ruddy Duck and White-fronted Goose (Richard Patient).
Cam Washes, Upware 17 Ruff, c50 Blackwits (John Oates).
Isleham Water Meadow 2 Ruff, 7 LRP, 2 Ringed Plover. This site is rapidly drying out (John Oates).
Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showing well and drumming at Bedford Purlieus (Michael Holdsworth).
19th April
At the Cam Washes, Upware 2 male Blue-headed Wags, male White Wag, 5 Yellow Wags, 52 Blackwits, 15 Ruff, LRP & fem Ruddy Shelduck. A single House Martin with 150+ hirundines - most Sand Martins (John Oates).
Wicken Fen 4 Dunlin, Grey Wag (John Oates).
Prior's Fen Little Ringed Plover 1, Ringed Plover 2, Dunlin 1 (Bill Meek).
Nene Washes, Lord's Holt area pm Garganey drake, Wheatear 1 male, Marsh Harrier 2 (Bill Meek). Also 1 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Water Rail, 1 Greenshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, c18 Ruff, 8 Pochard. Nearby Common Sand at Dog in a Doublet (Brian Stone).
Fen Drayton GP Cuckoo, Whitethroat and Dunlin 2 (Richard Allison).
2 male Wheatears in field N of Upware (Kathleen Rosewarne, Ian Barton).
3 LRPs at Dimmock's Cote wash (Kathleen Rosewarne, Ian Barton).
18th April
Bedford Purlieus Lesser Spotted Woodpecker male - very vocal and drumming. Also 3+ Great Spotted Woodpecker & 1 Green Woodpecker (George Walthew).
Ferry Meadows 18/4 Gunwade Lake 11 Common Tern, 2 Kingfisher, many Swallow & Sand Martin. Also 1+ Arctic Tern reported by Ron Clark (Brian Stone).
At Sutton Gault 1f Merlin chasing snipe; 25 Black-tailed Godwit; 1 Cuckoo; 1 Yellow Wagtail; reasonable passage of Swallows (Mark Peck)
Cambridge, at the Madingley Road Park & Ride pond Hobby hawking (Jack Harrison).
Ad male Peregrine with one noticeably tatty wing tip flew from Sawtry Fen due east towards Woodwalton Fen at c.18.30. Lots of sum plum Golden Plover in the area (Duncan McNiven).…
Nice flock of full summer plumage Golden Plover just outside Yaxley on the Holm road just past the For Sale sign on the right (Kevan Wolstencroft).
Common Buzzard south west of Grafham Water (Dave Anderson). At the dam Common Sand, 2 LRP, Dunlin, 20 Yellow Wags, 4 White Wags, Grey Wag. 15 Common Terns off Mander (Mark Hawkes). 2-3 Groppers reeling at 8.30pm W of Church Lane (RBA).
Pair of Blackcaps in our Longthorpe garden (Gordon Hamlett).
17th April
Grafham Water 2 sum plum Black-necked Grebes off the dam/Plummer (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley). On 16/4 at the dam 2 LRP, 20 Yellow Wagtails (Jono Leadley).
Fen Drayton GP 1 Fieldfare, 12 Yellow Wags, 11 Goldeneye, 2 Oystercatchers, 7 Ruddy Duck, c100 Sand Martins and Swallows surfing pit, 2 LRP (Dave Anderson).
Drake Goosander on riverbank from the bridge in St. Neots. (Jamie Wells)
Nene Washes 3 Merlin still present, 4 Pinkfeet on main flood, 18 Ruff (Jonathan Taylor). On 16/4 4 Pinkfeet feeding in the middle of the flooded area west of Lord's Holt. 1 male Pintail, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 8+ Ruff, 6+ Dunlin. 1 Common Buzzard high over just east of Bassenhally (Brian Stone).
Cam Washes, Upware LRP, 15 Ruff, 52 Blackwits, 4 Yellow Wags (John Oates).
Fen Drayton GP (circuit of Holywell Lake) Whitethroat 1 pr (Rob Scoffin). Also 2 Common Tern, 200 Sand Martin, 10 Fieldfare, 5 Yellow Wags and 7 Swallow (Richard Allison).
Kings Dyke 2 Jack Snipe, 6 Common Snipe, 3 Ruddy Ducks (George Walthew).
Ouse Washes 16/4 Green Sand 2, Greenshank 1, Spotted Redshank 2, Garganey 6+, Peregrine 1, Redwing 1 (Richard Humpidge) Also 1st s Little Gull, c500 Icelandic & 4 "limosa"Black-tailed Godwits, c40 Ruff, LRP, Dunlin, 150 Wigeon, 8 Pintail, 6 Tree Sparrows around centre, Grey Wagtail, 3 Kingfishers (Mark Ward).
On 16/4 Paxton Pits 4 Dunlin (Jono Leadley). Also Whitethroat & 4 Nightingales (Martin Davis).
On 16/4 Wicken Fen - Bakers Fen: 1 ad Peregrine flying N E 18.20. 2 m. 1 f. Marsh Harrier. 2 Little Ringed Plover. 1 Green Sandpiper. 1 Barn Owl. 9+ Sedge Warbler. 8+ Chiffchaff. 4+ Willow Warbler. (Monica and Owen Marks).
On 16/4 Cottenham 3 Grey Partridges, 10 Corn Buntings at Twenty Pence and Green Sandpiper, Little Owl and Yellow Wagtail at Long Drove (Dick Newell).
On 16/4 Swaffham Prior Fen 25 Fieldfare (Peter Bircham).
On 16/4 Wicken Fen: 2 Woodcock roding, up to 3 Wigeon remaining, 3-4 Water Rail calling (Peter Bircham).
16th April
GREEN-WINGED TEAL male on the Nene Washes RSPB reserve on flood west of Lord's Holt. Also on central drove Water Pipit 1, Ruff 42+, Dunlin 11+, Black-tailed Godwit 18+, LRP4 (Steve Dudley).
At Grafham Water 3 Arctic Terns, 2 Common Terns, LRP, 2 White Wags, 4 Yellow Wags (RBA).
At Fen Drayton GP escaped Purple Gallinule still, feeding along N side of river. Also present 15/4 (RBA). Male Marsh Harrier east, 20 Sand Martins, 12 Goldeneye, 2 Ruddy Duck, 15 Yellow Wags, Kingfisher and 8 spp of butterfly (Richard Allison). On 14/4 3 Little Ringed Plover (Clive Sinclair).
2 Common Buzzard circling Croxton 13.55 moving in St Neots direction (Dave Anderson).
Buzzard over Bretton Centre, Peterborough, for 3-4 minutes harried by 2 corvids, 10.20am (Tony Stones).
At Isleham Flood Meadow 7 LRP, 2 Green Sands (John Oates).
At the Cam Washes, Upware 46 Blackwits, 7 Ruff, 2 LRP, Yellow Wag (John Oates).
At Paxton Pits singing Nightingale (RBA).
Greenshank dropped in at the Flag Fen visitor centre (Brian Stone).
15th April
At Grafham Water 7+ ARCTIC TERN, 4 Common Scoters, ad Kittiwake (Mark Hawkes).
At Sutton Gault at 1.00pm: 1 male Hen Harrier, also am Barn Owl; 33 Ruff (Mark Peck)
In Peterborough probable crane at 5.10 pm flying fairly low from the town hall, along Priestgate in the direction of the museum (per Gordon Hamlett).
At Bury Fen 271 Blackwits (John Oates).
Ouse Washes RSPB 1st s Little Gull, 2 Spotshanks, 3 Garganey, 6 Dunlins & large numbers of Ruff & Blackwits. At Fortrey's Hall 60+ Ruff & at Chain Corner 45 Blackwit, 2 Ruff (John Oates).
Cam Washes, Upware 25 Blackwits, 15 Ruff, Dunlin, 4 Pintail (John Oates).
On 14/4 Grasshopper Warbler singing in scrub near Weybribge Farm, Alconbury (Peter Rowlings).
On 14/4 Fen Drayton GP 9 Yellow Wags, 1 Swallow, several Sedgies singing, I male Garganey, 70+ Fieldfares, 12+ Goldeneyes, 2+ Ruddy Duck, 1 LRP, 4+ Snipe, Kingfisher (Sarah Howlett).
On 14/4 at St Neots male Peregrine flew NNE at 1150 (Stuart Elsom, Jill Williams).
Nene Washes 14/4 Greenshank on small pool on the east side of the Whittlesey Wash road, next to the Dog in a Doublet Bridge (Matt Francis).
Jack Snipe trapped and ringed at Wicken Fen during 13-14/4 ringing session (Rich Billington).
Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane on 14/4 c200 Blackwits over (Simon Henderson).
On 13/4 Paxton Pits NR Snipe 3, Dunlin 4, Green Sand 1, LRP 3, Ruff 2, Yellow Wag 3+ (Jamie Wells).
14th April
Ouse Washes. At Fortrey Hall and Witcham Toll: SAKER FALCON, 100 Ruff. 1 Sparrowhawk. 2 Sedge Warbler. 2 Blackcap. At Bury Fen: 545 Black-tailed Godwit. 18 Ruff. 2 Oystercatcher. 1 Kingfisher. 5 Redwing. At Chain Corner: 235 Black-tailed Godwit. 150 Ruff. 2 Shelduck. At Welches Dam: 524 Black-tailed Godwits. 202 Ruff. 1 Green Sandpiper. 23 Dunlin. 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Kingfisher. 74 Shelduck. 1 1st summer Little Gull. 4 Yellow Wagtail. 1 Grey Wagtail. Nearby in Norfolk Welney Wildfowl Trust: 312 Black-tailed Godwits. 10 Ruff. 50 Dunlin. 2 Spotted Redshank. 2 Oystercatcher. 1 Ringed Plover. 2 Little Ringed Plover. 69 Avocet. 1 pr Garganey. Excellent views of an ad. Peregrine eating a duck. 30 Shelduck. 20 Whooper swan. (Monica and Owen Marks).
Nene Washes Short-eared Owl hunting over High Wash (seen from Dog in a Doublet) at 7:15pm (Bill Meek).
Dark-bellied Brent Goose Grafham Water flew west towards Dudney Creek 6.45pm. Green Sand on dam. Osprey reported by visiting RSPB group at 3.30pm (Mark Hawkes).
At Fowlmere RSPB Jack Snipe still showing very well to the left of main hide, from 0800 to at least 0845. Also Water Rail showing well and Kingfisher (Ade Cooper). Still present in 2-4 pm (Alan Wadsworth).
Bury Fen, Needingworth 400-500 Blackwits, also drake Pintail, on flooded fields on 13-14/4 - the water levels are dropping here and looks superb currently (Terry Murfitt).
At Fen Drayton GP 100+ Fieldfare, 5 Swallow, 150+ Sand Martin, 2 Oyks, 5 Snipe, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Ringed Plover and 14 Goldeneye (Richard Allison).
At the Cam Washes, Upware100+ Black-tailed Godwits, 20+ Ruff, 70+ Teal. Also 60 Fieldfares, 1 Redwing in fields (Julian Hughes). Also Yellow Wag, 3 Pintails (John Oates).
Priors Fen Common Sandpiper 1, Green Sandpiper 2, Jack Snipe 2, Snipe 1, Oystercatcher 2, Shelduck 4, Sand Martin 30+ (Steve Dudley).
Orton Brick Pit Nightingale 1 singing, Garden Warbler (Steve Dudley).
Hampton Lakes Little Ringed Plover 2, Golden Plover 249, Ringed Plover 6 (Steve Dudley).
13th April
Tree Pipit at the dam briefly, Grafham Water. Also 4 Yellow Wags, 2 LRP, 4 Ruddy Ducks, Buzzard, Reed Warbler (Mark Hawkes).
Escaped Purple Gallinule at Fen Drayton GP by the river (Bruce Martin). Presumably the bird first noted in 1998.
At Fowlmere RSPB Jack Snipe all day to the left of main hide (Ade Cooper).
Eynesbury Lakes LRP 1, Yellow Wag 1, White Wag 2, Pied Wag 120+, Oystercatcher pr, Sparrowhawk 1 male (Stuart Elsom). On 11/4 Little Ringed Plover, Grey, Pied and several Yellow Wagtails (Richard Bashford).
Drake Goosander St Neots, opp Beefeater restaurant from river bridge (RBA).
Swaffham Prior Fen 21 Ruff, 7 Golden Plover, 5 Corn Bunting, 2 Grey Partridge (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen Grey Plover, 5 LRP, Yellow Wag (John Oates).
At Isleham Water Meadow 18 LRP, Dunlin, 3 Green Sand, Yellow Wag (John Oates).
Hen Harrier ringtail at Lode over fields N of playing field. also 10 Corn Buntings (John Oates).
12th April
Fen Drayton. 17.00 - 19.20 hrs. 40 Goldeneye. 12 Golden Plover. 1 Ringed Plover. 2 Kingfisher. c100 Sand Martin. 2 Swallow. 2 House Martin. 4 Yellow Wagtail. 40 Pied Wagtail. 2 White Wagtail. 58 Fieldfares. 3 Sedge Warbler. 2 male Blackcap. (Monica and Owen Marks).
At Wicken Fen Grey Plover, 4 LRP, 3 Yellow Wag (John Oates).
Pair of Grey Partridge on the Monsanto trial grounds at Trumpington (Peter Bircham).
On 10/4 Hobby at Swaffham Bulbeck (Ian Delgado).
On 8/4 sludge lagoons, Grafham Water Brent Goose (Dean. Harlow).
11th April
Ouse Washes RSPB between Welches Dam and Churchman's Hides, hybrid drake duck - possibly Gadwall x Falcated Duck at Halfway Hide, 1st s Little Gull, Curlew, Dunlin, c600 Blackwits, 100+ Ruff, 3 Garganey - 2 drakes, 3 Tree Sparrows. At Chain Corner Grey Plover, drake Garganey, c400 Blackwits (John Oates).
Paxton Pits NR Common Tern, Yellow Wagtail, Ruff, 6 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 LRP, 12 Ringed Plovers, 12 Redshank, 2 Nightingales. On 9/4 Cuckoo - earliest ever at Paxton by 4 days. For more information, visit www.paxton-pits.org.uk (Julian Hughes).
10th April
Ouse Washes: Welches Dam to Churchman's Hide 17.00 to 20.00 hrs. 77 Shelduck. 1 female Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Pied & Yellow Wagtails. 542 Black-tailed Godwits. 110 Ruff. 5 Dunlin. 1 lst winter Little Gull. 3 Kingfisher. 2 Sand Martin. 8 male Yellow Wagtail. 1 Grey Wagtail. 7 Pied Wagtail. 6+ Tree Sparrow. (Monica and Owen Marks).
At Fen Drayton GP 2 White Wags, 2 Yellow Wags with flock of Pied wags in field between Oxholme & Far Fen Lakes (Jim Guthrie, John Oates). Also 28 Fieldfares, 15 Golden Plovers, 46 Goldeneye, Kingfisher and hundreds Sand Martins at surf pit (Dave Anderson).
Wicken Fen Bittern, 3 House martins, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Ringed Plover, Willow Warbler, Sand Martin, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Buzzard (Adrian Colston).
Nene Washes Common Buzzard, imm Merlin, imm male Peregrine, 8+ Marsh Harriers, Garganey, 2 LRP, Ruff (Jonathan. Taylor).
Ferry Meadows male Pintail & Green Sand on waderscrape, Garden Warbler along Goldie Lane (George Walthew).
On 9/4 Tawny Owl in broad daylight flew along Cambridge Street, St. Neots at 7pm (Stuart Elsom & Sandra Hughes).
On 9/4 Redwing over Fairbairn Road, Cambridge, at 22.30 (Richard Thewlis)
9th April
Priors Fen GP 15 Ruff, Dunlin, LRP, Jack Snipe. Also escaped ad Silver/Grey-headed type gull over to east at c.7.15 pm, possibly towards Eldernell with loads of other gulls to roost. (Steve Dudley, Mike Weedon)
At Wicken Fen Yellow Wag, Grey Plover, 2 LRP, 4+ Marsh Harriers (John Oates).
At the Cam Washes, Upware c10 Ruff (John Oates).
Ouse Washes RSPB 17.40-19.50: Halfway- Rickwood Hides 2 Garganey pair Rickwood Hide, White Wagtail Welches Dam Hide, Yellow Wagtail 3 males, Teal c700, House Martin 2, Swallow 5, Kingfisher 2+, Barn Owl 2, Wigeon c120, Pintail 9, Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit c300, Ruff c70, Oystercatcher 6, Dunlin 2 (Mark Ward)
Isleham Water Meadows 15 LRP, 2 Green Sands, 3 Ringed Plovers, Yellow Wag (John Oates).
Ferry Meadows male Pintail still on scrape pool. Escaped Fulvous Whistling Duck on lake outside visitor centre (Malcolm Holley).
Cuckoo am in the Hamptons (Mike Weedon).
8th April
Fen Drayton 6.30 - 8.00pm 30 Golden Plover, 5 Fieldfare, 4 Yellow Wags, 44 Goldeneye, 10 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 7 Ruddy Duck, 18 Shoveler and 4 Oystercatchers ( Dave Anderson).
Ouse Washes RSPB 18.15- 19.55 from Welches Dam Hide 3 Grey Plovers (2 flew in from the SW and remained on Sole's Wash and 1 on Rickwood Wash), Brambling: male in willows by Delph Bridge, Kingfisher: 4, Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit: c200, Ruff: c30, Green Sandpiper: 1, Barn Owl: 1, Teal: c70, Wigeon: c12, Pintail: pair (Mark Ward). On 7/4 1st summer Little Gull on reserve c3pm (Clive Sinclair)
Ferry Meadows male Pintail still on waderscrape 15.45 (Chris & Sarah Monk).
7th April
Grafham Water Red Kite over N shore 4.10-4.50pm (Mark Hawkes).
Ouse Washes Garganey drake, Green Sand Halfway Hide & 6 Tree Sparrows in car park (RBA). At Chain Corner 288 Black-t Godwits, & at Fortrey's Hall pair Garganey, 25 Ruff, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Swallows (Simon Stirrup).
At Paxton Pits 2 LRPs on washes (RBA).
Fen Drayton 500+ Sand Martins over sailing pit, 3 Golden Plover 3 Fieldfare 11 Ruddy Duck Blackcap Chiffchaff Willow Warbler (Dave Anderson).
St Ives GP 40+ Fieldfare (Martin & Wendy Phillips).
6th April
Ouse Washes, at Chain Corner drake Garganey (Simon Stirrup).
Paxton Pits NR Yellow Wagtail, Jack Snipe, 4 Snipe, 7 Dunlins, Swallow, 100+ Sand Martins, Sedge Warbler, 8 Shelducks, LRP, Green Sandpiper (Jamie Wells). On 3/4 Common Whitethroat, the earliest ever recorded at the Pits, by eight days (Trevor Gunton). For more information, visit www.paxton-pits.org.uk
Offord Cluny House Martin 1 along High St mid morning (Stuart Elsom, Jill Williams).
At Eynesbury Lakes Sedge Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 4, Treecreeper 2, Grey Wagtail 2, LRP 1, Ringed Plover 2, Pied Wagtail 40+, White Wagtail 1, Yellow Wagtail 1, Linnet 60+, Goldfinch 80+, Meadow Pipit 100+ (Stuart Elsom, Jill Williams).
Grafham Water Med Gull 1 1st s, Yellow Wagtail 2, LRP 2 (Stuart Elsom, Jill Williams). Also 2 Swallows, 1st s Little Gull & albino gull, probably Black-headed (Mark Hawkes).
On 4/4 at Wicken Fen Ruddy Shelduck flew around Baker's Fen 6pm before heading N. Also there were 2 LRPs and 2 Ruff (Dave Hatton, Tony Mills).
At the Nene Washes central drove 5/4 2 Bewick's Swans, 6+ Blackwits, 6+ Ruff, 3 Marsh Harriers (Alan Wadsworth).
5th April
Ferry Meadows CP Swallow 5 Lynch/Overton Lakes, LRP 1 Heron Meadow, Mediterranean Gull 1st s outside cafe/bar at sailing club, Common Tern 2 Gunwade lake (Steve Dudley). On 4/4 Med Gull (Gordon Hamlett) and Water Pipit (Terry Daunt).
Fen Drayton GP 2 Yellow Wagtail amongst 53 Pied Wagtail, LRP, Sedge Warbler, 130 Sand Martin, Blackcap only migrants noted. Also 4 Ruddy Duck, 2 Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, 2 Kingfisher (Steve Cooper).
Ouse Washes RSPB: 1 Grey Wag singing, 1 Corn Bunting, 6 Tree Sparrows (Richard J Hall). On 4/4 between Rickwood and Halfway hides 3 Garganey (pair and male) from Halfway Hide, White Wagtail, 300 Black-tailed Godwits (mostly "islandica", few "limosa"), 80 Ruff, GreyWagtail, 50 Corn Buntings, 100 Pintail, 250 Teal, 500+ Wigeon, 200 Shoveler, 2+ Water Rails, 3 Kingfishers, several Tree Sparrows (Mark Ward).
Flag Fen: 2 Grey Partridge (Richard J Hall).
Skating Pond, Dog in a Doublet, Nene Washes: drake Garganey (Richard J Hall). Central Drove 2pm-4pm on 4/4 imm Marlin, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Curlew, Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Oystercatchers, 23 Shelduck, 1 drake Pintail (Matt Francis)
Woodwalton Fen: singing Marsh Tit, Chinese Water Deer, Tawny Owl heard about midday! (Richard J Hall). Access by permit only.
Paxton Pits 2 Willow Warblers, 2 LRP on Washout Pit (Richard J Hall). On 4/4 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Nightingales, Swallow, Corn Bunting. For more information, visit www.paxton-pits.org.uk (Julian Hughes).
At Isleham water Meadows 18+ LRP, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Green Sands (Bruce & Gwen Martin, John Oates).
At Wicken Fen on Baker's Fen 2 LRP, 4 Ruff (John Oates) and Dunlin (RBA). On 4/4 LRP 1, Ruff 3, Green Sandpiper 2, Woodcock: 3 -4 roding, Marsh Harrier 1 male, Merlin 1 (Carol Inskipp, Christoph Zöckler et al).
On 4/4 2 LRP on Ely meadow (Paul Atkinson).
On 4/4 in St Ives approx 6.15 pm probable Osprey fllew towards Needingworth, seen without optics (Paul Wileman).
At Sutton Gault 4/4 25 Shelduck; 2m Garganey; 1 Sedge Warbler; 2 Sand Martin (Mark Peck)
4th April
OSPREY Peterborough, sitting in a large fir tree with a dead top near the slip road onto Nene parkway on Oundle Road. This is just on the Orton Mere side as you go under the parkway heading out of town on Oundle Road 10.50 am (Steve Dudley). No sign at 11.05 (Brian Stone).
Ferry Meadows 2 Common Terns at Gunwade Lake (Brian Stone).
At Paxton Pits Nuthatch reported again 2/4, 2 Marsh tits, 2 LRP, Curlew west on 3/4 (Jamie Wells). 2 Nightingales (equalling the earliest ever at the site), Sedge Warbler, Ruff, Dunlin, 100+ Sand Martins, 2 LRP on 4th (Julian Hughes) & Swallow over A1S pit at Paxton NR (Martin Davis). For more information, visit www.paxton-pits.org.uk
At the Cam Washes, Upware 10 Ruff, 3 Yellow Wags (John Oates).
At Fen Drayton GP LRP, 7 Ruddy Ducks, 200 Golden Plovers (John Oates).
3rd April
STONE CURLEW flew over Coolidge Gdns, Cottenham, calling, about 10.30 pm. Also Oystercatcher over about 10 pm (Richard Thomas).
Southey Wood quarry 1 Jack Snipe (flushed); 8 Common Snipe; 1 Little Ringed Plover; 1 Green Sandpiper (Chris Dawn/Chris Jones).
At Isleham Waterside, on flood meadows 14 LRP, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sand (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen LRP, Ruff, Yellow Wag, 4 Marsh Harriers (John Oates).
On the Cam Washes, Upware Blackwit, Yellow Wag, 8 Ruff (John Oates).
3 Yellow Wagtails (with c15 Pied Wagtails) at Fen Drayton GP (Sarah Kendall).
At Sutton Gault am 1 Willow Warbler; 2 Blackcaps (Mark Peck).
2nd April
At Ferry Meadows CP Ferry Meadows, Heron Meadow, Wheatear fem, Water Pipit with 14 Meadow Pip and 9 Pied Wags. Also Pintail male nature reserve (Steve Dudley).
At Sutton Gault 2 Little Ringed Plovers; 1m Garganey (Mark Peck) & pm 3 Garganey inc 2 drakes (Jono Leadley).
At Fowlmere 1 Green sandpiper. On 1/4 1 Little Ringed Plover.1 Redshank.1 Jack Snipe. 5 Blackcap [singing]. 3 Willow warbler[singing] (Ade Cooper).
Ouse Washes RSPB Greenshank, 2400 Blackwits, Yellow Wag 2, Wheatear, Swallow, Peregrine showing well at Churchman's hide and a Curlew (Leigh Marshall).
At Wicken Fen 3 Ruff, 3 Marsh Harriers (Jono Leadley, John Oates).
On the Cam Washes, Upware Blackwit, 2 Green Sands, 10+ Ruff (John Oates).
On 1/4 at Godmanchester GP Ruff, Barnacle Goose (Mark Hawkes).
On 1/4 at St Ives GP LRP (Mark Hawkes).
1st April
Nene Washes, Eldernell ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Marsh Harriers (Matt Francis).
Isleham Water Meadow/Waterside (much bigger pool than in previous years) On 31/3 12+ Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 100 Fieldfare. On 1/4 15 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 100 Fieldfare, Kingfisher, 1/2 singing Blackcaps, 3 singing Chiffchaff, Green & GS Woodpecker (Paul Atkinson).
At Wicken PM Fen Yellow Wagtail flew over main reedbed, ad Peregrine, 3+ Marsh Harriers (Richard J Hall, John Oates).
At the Cam Washes, Upware fem/imm Merlin, 4 Pintail, 20 Ruff, 1 Green Sand (Richard J Hall, John Oates).
Ouse Washes RSPB, 1 Sedge Warbler singing near the car park, 1 White Wagtail, pair of Goldeneye, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 5+ Ruff, female Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Tree Sparrows (Peter Herkenrath).
News from Paxton Pits 30/3 3 LRP, 31/3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, female Merlin, possible Goshawk, 80 Sand Martins, Ruff, 9 Dunlins, 3 LRP, 1/4 Nuthatch (only the second record in 20 years!), 2 Bramblings, Common Sandpiper, 2 pairs LRP, Ruff, 3 Dunlins, 45 Fieldfares, 3 Redwings, Green Sandpiper. More information from www.paxton-pits.org.uk (Julian Hughes).
31st March
Nene Washes, Eldernell Hen Harrier (ringtail), 4-5 Marsh Harriers, Peregrine imm female, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatchers, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk & at the North Bank Short-eared Owl (Gordon Hamlett). Also Sparrowhawk and 2 Grey Partridges at Eldernell Lane and drake Garganey at Dog in a Doublet (Will Bowell).
At Ferry Meadows CP Willow Warbler (Coney Meadow), 2 singing male Blackcaps, 4/5 Sand Martins, 2 Redshank, male Pintail (Don Gardener). Also Grasshopper Warbler - from the hide, back right of the pool, 3 Chiffchaffs (Gordon Hamlett).
Male Hen Harrier at Thriplow hunting a Linnet flock before heading north (Steve Cooper).
Drake Garganey at Ouse Washes RSPB (RBA).
Short-eared Owl 1 ml S of Stonea at Honey Farm (RBA).
At Paxton Pits possible Goshawk over Heronry South Pit, Ruff on Pumphouse Pit, escaped Harris' Hawk by post 12 early am (RBA).
At the Cam Washes Green Sand, 8 Ruff, 40 Sand Martins (John Oates).
On 30/3 ringtail Hen Harrier over fields N of Lode (John Oates).
On 30/3 Willow Warbler at Cherry Hinton pits (Richard J Hall).
30th March
2 Short-eared Owls over fields just south of Stonea. Another Short-eared Owl hit by a car on the Warboys to Chatteris race track. It was still alive and seemed to be physically intact dispute some blood on it's leg. I took it to the animal hospital in Haddenham. (Dean Harlow).
Nene washes Dog in a Doublet/Skaters pond Garganey drake & along central drove Sand Martin, 4-5 Marsh Harriers, Short -eared Owl (Gordon Hamlett).
At Fen Drayton GP Sedge Warbler, Jack Snipe (Richard J Hall, John Oates). On 29/3 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 5+ Chiffchaff, 8 Ruddy Duck, 600 Golden Plover (Richard Patient).
Swallow at Bressingham Garden Centre in Elton at 12:00 (Brian Stone).
Pair of Mandarin flying south along the Billing Brook and circling for a while over the Poplars at Morborne Hill (Brian Stone).
On 29/3 Ouse Washes Pymoor railway bridge 10.00 am 1700 Black-tailed Godwits & on RSPB reserve 14.50 1 male Garganey, 1 Common Buzzard (flying NW at c.16.30), 1 female Hen Harrier, 10+ Tree Sparrows giving great views and one was singing (Kathleen Rosewarne and Ian Barton)
29th March
Nene Washes, at Eldernell 2 Peregrines (ad & imm), 20 Ruff, 20 Dunlin, Buzzard, 2 Whooper Swans, Tree Sparrow (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley). Central Drove Water Pipit, 1 female Hen Harrier and 1 very confiding female Merlin, see: http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=682 (Dick Newell).
2 Red Kites Morborne Hill (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley).
At Paxton Pits Scandinavian Rock Pipit on new workings pm (Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley). Earlier 2 drake, 1 fem Garganey, 4 Ruff, 10 Dunlin (Martin Davies).
Wicken Fen 06:45 Bittern flew past at junction of Drainers and cross ditch Blackcap singing near tower hide (George Lendrum).
Merlin in the fields between Bar Hill and Longstanton, took a Linnet. Also Grey Partridge, Sparrowhawk and Corn Bunting in the area (Peter Herkenrath).
At Cottenham, Long Drove 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, 15+ Snipe, 15+ Redshank, 2 Little Grebes (David Heath).
Ferry Meadows female Blackcap (in tree belt by Lynch Lake), 4 Sand Martins, 2 Redshank, Male Pintail (circling over Gunwade Lake) (Don Gardener).
28th March
Grafham water, dam Green Sand, LRP, drake Mandarin. Also report of Hen Harrier & 2 Buzzards 1 ml E of dam 27/3 (RBA).
Dog in a Doublet 2 Garganey on skating pond (per Brain Stone).
Fen Drayton GP Jack Snipe, 12 Sand Martin (Bruce & Gwen Martin).
At Ouse Washes, Sutton Gault 9 Ruff on the flooded meadow to the east, also 70 Black-tailed Godwit flew up the washes (Bruce & Gwen Martin).
On 26/3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near Eltisley (MJE per Bruce Martin). No further details.
27th March
Nene Washes sum plum Water Pipit, Curlew, 10+ Dunlins, 40+ Blackwits all west of Lord's Holt, drake Garganey on the skating pond, Dog in the Doublet, and Merlin, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, 2 Whooper Swans, 5+ Ruff along the central drove (John Oates).
At Ferry Meadows Ruff with 2 Redshank on Heron Meadow on the small flooded area (Charles Harvey).
26th March
Nene Washes GREEN-WINGED TEAL drake west of Lord's Holt, Peregrine, Barn Owl, 2 male Marsh Harriers (Mike Weedon). Green-winged Teal still present pm, also drake Garganey, 3 Water Pipits, 30 Blackwits, 6 Dunlin, 1200 Wigeon, pair Marsh Harriers (Mark Ward). On 23/3 Grey Plover and Curlew along central drove (Martin Coates per Brian Stone).
Whimbrel over Orton Longueville north-west at 2.10pm & heard 3 times at 4.27pm (Steve Dudley).
At Wicken Fen Bittern, 2 Marsh Harriers, Ruff, Woodcock (John Oates).
Drake Mandarin at Upware on Burwell Lode, close to Upware Lock (John Oates).
At Ferry Meadows Ruff with 2 Redshank, 2 White Wags, c.8 Pied Wags, c.12 Meadow Pipits all on Heron Meadow (Brian Stone).
At Prior's Fen GP Australian Shelduck 5 Whooper Swans, 1 male Pintail, 1 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Ruff (George Walthew).
25th March
Flag Fen Mediterranean Gull ad in near full sum plum (Steve Dudley).
Nene Washes Skating Pond Garganey male. On reserve Water Pipit 1, Merlin imm male, Curlew 1, Ruff 13, Black-tailed Godwit 41, Dunlin 5, Ringed Plover 4, Golden Plover 260+ (Steve Dudley). Also Dog in Doublet sluice male Merlin (Chris Dawn/Mark Sutcliffe). On 24/3 2:15 to 3:00pm drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Low Wash west of Lords Holt. This was on the south side, opposite field 21 and viewed from South Barrier Bank (Steve Gann).
Black-necked Grebe sum plum still on Ferry Lagoon, Fen Drayton GP (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Ruff (John Oates). On 24/3 2 Sand Martin, male and female Marsh Harrier and Merlin all around the reed bed. Also continental Song Thrush trapped (Rich Billington).
On 24/3 Paxton Pits 4 Goosander (2 drakes),1 fem. Ruddy Duck, 11 Shelduck, 1 m.Sprawk, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Green Sands, 1 m.Ruff, 13 Dunlin, 1 LRP, 1 Snipe, 7 Sand Martins, 1 White wag, 17-18 singing Chiffchaffs, 1 singing Blackcap. Siskin & Coal Tit in village (Martin Davis, Jamie Wells).
On 24/3 Long Drove, Cottenham 1 Merlin (Ian Barton, Kathleen Rosewarne).
On 23/3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling from wooded area N of the River Cam at Stourbridge Common, W of Green Dragon bridge, Chesterton, Cambridge at 09.30 (Richard Thewlis).
On 23-24/3 Ouse Washes, Earith drake Garganey flying north 23/3, 800 Black-tailed Godwits, Little Owl at Jolly Banker's Bridge, 2 Siskins in riverside trees, Common Seal swimming along the Great Ouse at lunchtime 24/3 (David Griffiths,Earith).
On 23/3 Fortrey's Hall, Ouse Washes flock of c130 Ruff (Simon Stirrup).
24th March
COMMON CRANE circling on same thermal as a Buzzard over Woodwalton Fen at 12.45 p.m drifted north. Permit required for access to the Fen (Dave Griffiths, Cambridge & Paul Andrew).
Male Garganey 7.45 a.m on pool south of the Dog & Doublet, Nene Washes (Dave Griffiths, Cambridge & Paul Andrew).
At Fen Drayton GP 35 Sand Martins NW over Ferry Lagoon. Also Black-necked Grebe on north east side of Ferry Lagoon. 500 Golden Plover in field by iron bridge (Dave Anderson).
1st w Glaucous Gull Paxton Pits (RBA).
On the Ouse Washes Whooper Swan, Red-crested Pochard pair at the railway bridge, Ruddy Duck, 150 Ruff, 11 Blackwits, LRP at Sutton Gault, 15 Sand Martins (John Oates).
23rd March
No sign of the recently present Green-winged Teal or Ferruginous Duck (various observers).
Nene Washes AM 2 drake Garganey on the skating pond at Dog-in-a-Doublet 08:20 also Short-eared Owl and Whooper Swan (Bill Meek). March Farmers, 24 Whooper Swans, Short-eared Owl, Corn Bunting singing. At Eldernell Little Egret flew low behind Lord's Holt, Merlin, 300+ Black-tailed Godwit, Tree Sparrow (Mike Weedon and Katie Fuller). PM 180+ Golden Plover (lots in summer plumage), c250+ Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Whooper Swans, 2 Oystercatchers, 25 Ruff. At the Dog in a Doublet 2 Short-eared Owls (Will Bowell). Also 2 Marsh Harriers, Jack Snipe, Peregrine & Hen Harrier (RBA).
Common Buzzard 11.00-1105 over St. Neots (Stuart Elsom, Jill Williams).
At Long Drove, Cottenham 1 Water Rail (David Heath, Daniel Osborne).
Barnacle Goose on Swaffham Prior Fen (John Oates).
The Gloucester's Wimpole 5 species of Tit, Little Owl (Tony Roberts).
On 22/3 Monks Wood: 3 Chiffchaff singing (first ones there), Nuthatch (Richard Broughton).
On 22/3 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harriers at Wicken Fen (John Oates).
22nd March
GREEN-WINGED TEAL drake on the Nene Washes RSPB reserve central drove, on first pool on left past the sheds, til 09:15 at least. Also female Peregrine, female Merlin, plenty of Black-tailed Godwit, a few Ruff and Dunlin, male Wheatear (Brian Stone).
Rock Pipit Grafham Water at the dam (Colin Addington, per Mark Hawkes).
Merlin at the Cam washes, Upware (John Oates).
350 Golden Plovers at Swaffham Prior Fen (John Oates).
21st March
Ferry Meadows CP 1 Common Sand calling on Overton Lake, 1 Chiffchaff singing, Kingfisher and c.6 Lesser Redpoll (Katie Fuller, Brian Stone & Mike Weedon).
Nene Washes Eldernell/Lords Holt Short-eared Owl, 26 Blackwits, c1000 Golden Plovers (Bill Meek).
At Grafham Water LRP on dam & 80 Blackwits flew W (Mark Hawkes).
Bretton Centre Common Buzzard drifting NE (Katie Fuller, Brian Stone & Mike Weedon).
Drake Pochard x Tufted Duck Holywell GP (John Oates).
On 20/3 c fem still at Buckden GP. Also Goldeneye 48 inc 21 males, Pochard 35, Grey Wagtail 1, Kingfisher 1 (Stuart Elsom).
20th March
At the Cam Washes, Upware Dunlin, Green Sand, 2 Ruff (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen 2 Marsh Harriers, Dunlin, 40 Fieldfares including an albino (John Oates).
At Lode 35 Corn Buntings (John Oates).
1,400+ Golden Plover over Alconbury Airfield (Richard Broughton).
On 18/3 an Osprey flew NW over Hilton (John Clark). This matches the previous earliest date in the county in 1990.
19th March
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem still at Buckden GP (RBA).
Nene Washes reserve male Garganey, 2 Merlin, male Marsh Harrier, 1000 Golden Plover (Jonathan Taylor).
Paxton Pits 2 Wheatears, pair of Red-crested Pochards, 3 Smew (2 males), Willow Warbler, 10+ Chiffchaffs, 93 occupied Cormorant nests, 5 Shelducks, 7 Dunlins. More info at www.paxton-pits.org.uk (Julian Hughes).
18th March
Paxton Pits : Willow Warbler, 22 Dunlin, 12 Shelducks, 16 Redshanks, female Ruddy Duck. Other recent news 14/3: Pochard/Tufted Duck hybrid, Jack Snipe, 9 Shelducks. 15/3: Water Rail, Goldcrest. 16/3: Buzzard, 26 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers, Snipe, 7 Redpolls, 2 Ruddy Ducks. 17/3: Common Sandpiper, redhead Smew, 4 Goosanders, 23 Dunlin, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Oystercatchers (Julian Hughes).
17th March
Fen Drayton GP Peterborough Bird Club field trip 3 Smew, Black-necked Grebe, 6 Sand Martin, 13 Ruddy Duck, ca 60 Golden Plover, displaying Goldeneye, male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Martin Coates et al).
Ouse Washes. Sutton Gault to Chain Corner. 47 occupied Cormorant nests. 465 Black-tailed Godwit. 35 Dunlin. 60 Golden Plover. 27 Redshank. 1 Chiffchaff singing. Ouse Washes. Fortrey Hall. 4 Whooper Swan. 8 Shelduck. 1 Merlin. 1 Sparrowhawk. 40 Black-tailed Godwits. 15 Dunlin. 7 Ruff. 455 Golden Plover. Ouse Washes. Pymore. 340 Black-tailed Godwit. 20 Dunlin. 3 Ruff. 1 Little Owl. 1 Green Woodpecker. (Monica and Owen Marks).
16th March
Black-necked Grebe at Fen Drayton GP on Ferrl Lagoon (Dave Anderson).
Cam Washes Upware 1 male Pintail, 2 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 male Hen Harrier (Peter Herkenrath, Christoph Zoeckler).
Wicken Fen: 6 Sand Martins, 21 Fieldfare, 1+ Dunlin, c. 45 Cormorant roosting, several Water Rails calling, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1-2 Woodcock (Peter Herkenrath, Christoph Zoeckler).
15th March
Swallow Great Chishill (Birdguides per Brian Stone).
Barleycroft GP 23 Brent Geese flew over (Jonathan Taylor).
14th March
Prior's Fen: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 6 ad Whooper Swan, 1 adult Bewick's Swan, 3 Goldeneye (Brian Stone).
Padholme Pumping Station: 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 33 Redshank, 1 Grey Wagtail (Brian Stone).
Marsh Harrier (imm female possibly), female Merlin, female Mandarin, Chiffchaff, Dunlin, 89 Fieldfare on Baker's (Ian Barton).
13th March
SNOW BUNTING flew along Brook Road, Eaton Ford, heading north calling about five times before lost it to view (Richard Bashford)
Ringtail Hen Harrier and 60 Corn Buntings at Lode, near playing field (John Oates).
Jack Snipe at Kings Dyke NR AM (George Waltham).
Buzzard flew over Yaxley Fen (Kevan Wolstencroft).
Buzzard SE of St Neots this morning, near Abbotsley. Also, 3 chiffchaffs, 2 smew (1 male), 54 occupied cormorant nests at Paxton Pits (Julian Hughes).
12th March
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem still at Buckden GP (Steve Cooper).
Chiffchaffs heard and seen in several places e.g. Ouse Washes, Ferry Meadows, Woodwalton Fen (various observers).
Little Ringed Plover was heard flying over by Jonathan Taylor today and was later on a pool at the NE end of the RSPB reserve (Brian Stone).
Woodwalton Fen 220 Siskin & presumed Canary. Access to Woodwalton Fen is by permit only (Brian Stone).
2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Ruff, 2 Dunlin and 2 Curlew, great views of a pair of Sparrowhawks displaying over Sedge Fen midday (Ian Barton).
Bevill's Wood (just south of Monks Wood) Common Buzzard heading west towards A1, Tawny Owl repeatedly hooting at 12.45pm under blue skies and warm sunshine! (Richard Broughton).
Common Sand at Paxton Pits on sailing lake island 1.30pm (RBA).
Blackcap singing in Cambridge outside the Grafton Centre (Richard J Hall).
At Ouse Washes, Chain Corner 11/3 1150 Black-tailed Godwit; 600 Golden Plover; 93 Dunlin; 18 Ruff; 37 Redshank; 2 Oystercatcher; 3 Shelduck (Mark Peck).
11th March
No news on the Ferruginous Duck at Buckden today. Though at least one observer is convinced it is a hybrid, most others are happy it is a pure Ferruginous Duck.
Jack Snipe at Paxton Pits, sailing boat lake 10.15am (RBA).
Presumed newly arrived Chiffchaffs at Lode (John Oates) & near the BirdLife office in Girton (Mike Crosby).
10th March
At Sutton Gault on Sunday Evening: 1 SPOONBILL flying NE (Mark Peck)
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem still at Buckden GP (Stuart Elsom).
Nene Washes Eldernell AM Water Pipit 2, Peregrine 2 (ad fem, imm fem), Merlin ad male, Dunlin 26+, Ruff 2, Oystercatcher, Jack Snipe 1, Ringed Plover 1, Stonechat 3 fem (Steve Dudley).
SAND MARTIN at Grafham Water. Also 4 Goosanders, 2 Mandarins (Mark Hawkes).
2 SAND MARTINS Fen Drayton GP (Dave Anderson).
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER at a private site (John Oates).
At Paxton Pits sightings reported to www.paxton-pits.org.uk 2 SAND MARTINS, Common Sandpiper (also on 7th), 2 Smew (1 male), redhead Goosander, 2 Oystercatchers, 56 occupied Cormorant nests. Also, an Otter was reported. (per Julian Hughes).
Male Brambling in our Longthorpe garden again (Gordon Hamlett).
Coney Meadow at Ferry Meadows female Stonechat in scrub area - along the side facing the visitor centre (Don Gardener).
9th March
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem & 2 drake Red-crested Pochards still at Buckden GP (RBA).
Mander Car Park Grafham Water 17.00hrs - 18.20hrs 1f Goosander, 1m 3f Goldeneye. 1ad & 1 2CY Iceland Gull (Monica and Owen Marks).
Red Kite drifting slowly E over Prickwillow Road, Ely, at 10.45 from near the sailing club, Roswell Pits (Paul Atkinson).
Nene Washes, Eldernell Water Pipit 1 on flood just west of Lords Holt, Hen Harrier imm fem, Oystercatcher 4, Golden Plover 1500+ (Steve Dudley).
At Paxton Pits sightings reported to www.paxton-pits.org.uk 16 Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plovers, 8 Redshanks, 4 Shelducks (2 pairs), 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails, many Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits around (per Julian Hughes).
On 8/3 Ouse Washes, Pymoor railway bridge 17:30 Short-eared Owl (George Lendrum).
On 8/3 a male Merlin in Cambridge - it appeared on the wall of Westminster College garden before flying across Lady Margaret Road into Lucy Cavendish College grounds. (Brian Ratcliff).
8th March
Nene Washes RSPB Merlin, ringtail Hen Harrier, Barnacle Goose (Brian Stone).
At Wicken Fen Bittern, pair of Stonechats, drake Pintail (John Oates).
At the Cam Washes, Upware Barnacle Goose, 2 Ruff, Dunlin, 2 Oyks (John Oates).
7th March
Nene Washes, E end 2 Water Pipits, main floods 3 Peregrines, central drove 2 Merlins (Jonathan Taylor). High Wash (opp 11.2kph sign) 31 Redshank, 47 Lapwing, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Shelduck (Brian Stone). At Fen Drayton GP 2 Bitterns at 5.55pm (Dave Anderson).
Barn Owl, 10+ Corn Buntings at Lode (John Oates).
At Ferry Meadows 6/3 & Med Gull (Chris Park).
6th March
At c9.30 am Little Egret flew over Cottenham High Street, heading roughly south. Not what I expected when waiting for my bus! (Vicki Harley).
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem at Buckden GP. Also 2 drake Red-crested Pochards (John Oates).
At Grafham Water pair of Goosanders, pair of Mandarins, pair of Ruddy Ducks (John Oates).
5th March
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem at Buckden GP. Also 2 drake Red-crested Pochards (Richard Allison).
Monks Wood (southern edge) 2 Mealy Redpolls, 1 Common Buzzard (Richard Broughton).
In Cambridge 20 Siskins in Alders on the Backs behind Clare College pm (Richard J Hall).
Male Hen Harrier over Baker's Fen at Wicken Fen (John Oates).
At the Cam Washes, Upware 1 Ruff, 7 Dunlins, 900+ Golden Plovers (John Oates).
4th March
At Fen Drayton GP 4 Smew (2 males displaying to 2 females), 950 Golden Plover on rape along the entrance, 2 Oyks & a Blackwit (Bruce Martin). On 3/3 Bittern, Smew pair, Ruddy Duck (Stuart Elsom).
At Nene Washes, Water Pipit Eldernell on floods beyond Lord's Holt. Also male Marsh Harrier, ringtail Hen Harrier, Barn Owl (Brian Stone).
At The Gloucester's, Wimpole Marsh Tit 3 (Tony Roberts).
3rd March
At Buckden GP hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem, also 2 drake Red-crested Pochards there (Richard Patient)
At Grafham Water Common Sandpiper (Richard Patient).
At Wicken Fen Bittern, male Hen Harrier, 2 Woodcocks (RBA).
At Monks Hardwick, St. Neots male Stonechat (Bob Scott).
Nene Washes, Eldernell 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls, 2 Pinkfeet (RBA).
2nd March
At Grafham Water ad Iceland Gull, 2 CY Glaucous Gull, ad Caspian Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, 7 Goosanders, 2 Grey Wags (Stuart Elsom, Richard Patient).
At Ferry Meadows CP 1st w Med Gull sitting with Black-headed and Common Gulls on a mooring pontoons near the visitors centre (George Waltham).
Red Kite over Dunkirk (near Ely) pm (Gilly Banks per Richard Thomas).
Nene Washes, Eldernell pm 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls (Gordon Hamlett).
On the west side of Cambridge at 3:15 pm, a singing male Blackcap opposite Wolfson Court, singing from bushes alongside Clarkson Close on Clarkson Rd, off Grange Road (David Bradnum).
1st March
At the Ouse Washes, Welches Dam area: 3rd cal yr YL Gull roosted, 400+ LBB gulls roosted, Kingfisher, 16 Tree Sparrows, male Brambling, 13 Corn Buntings, 160 Black-wits flew SW, 30+ Ruff SW (Mark Ward).
At Prior's Fen 1 Barnacle, 1 Bar-headed and 1 Pink-footed Goose with the Greylags (Brian Stone).
On 28/2 Barn Owl at Cawdle Fen, Ely, from the train 5.30 pm (Kathleen Rosewarne).
28th February
Possible 2nd winter Caspian Gull at Dogsthorpe Tip - seen in flight over the working area (Brian Stone).
At Wicken Fen, Tower hide (to dusk) 4 Hen Harriers inc 3 male, female/juv Marsh Harrier, 1+ roding Woodcock (John Oates). Also recently Merlin, Stonechat & 2 Bitterns reported recently (NT).
At Sutton Gault today: 550 Black-tailed Godwit flying SW; 1 Dunlin, 8 Ruff; 6 Redshank; 1 Oystercatcher; 2 Shelduck; 1 Kingfisher (Mark Peck).
At the Cam Washes, Upware 5 Ruff, Oystercatcher, 16 Redshanks, 40 Golden Plovers (John Oates).
Nene Washes - High Wash floods (at 11.2kph sign between Dog in a Doublet and Holly Tree) 17 Lapwing, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Shelduck (Brian Stone).
27th February
Common Buzzard flew south along the A15 between Glinton and Werrington heading for Peterborough at about 12:50 (Brian Stone).
On 26/2 2 CY Glaucous Gull roosted at Grafham Water off Mander - as well as near ad (Steve Cooper).
26th February
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck female still at Buckden GP. Also 12 Ruddy Ducks (Steve Cooper).
1st w Med Gull in flight over Dogsthorpe tip (Brian Stone).
4th w Glaucous Gull roosted at Grafham Water off Mander car park (Steve Cooper, Mark Hawkes).
20+ Siskins around the play area in the corner of the nature reserve at Ferry Meadows (Chris Dawn).
25th February
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck female still at Buckden GP. Also redhead Smew (Mark Hawkes).
HAWFINCH over Ham Lane, Ferry Meadows (Mark Hawkes).
At Comberton 2 Lesser Redpolls in garden (Tony Roberts).
Barn Owl hunting the verge on the west side of the Arrington roundabout on the B1042- a regular spot (Nigel Wood).
On 24/2 Short-eared owl hunting over garden at Tick Fen (Simon Henderson).
On 24/2 St Ives GP White-fronted Goose with Greylags/Canadas on flood meadows, ad male Tufted Duck x Pochard (classic "Lesser Scaup type"), 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Redshank (Dave Buckingham).
On 24/2 2 CY Glauc & 2 CY Yellow-legged Gull at Milton (Richard Thomas).
On 23/2 'Eastern' Jackdaw & Water Rail at Long Drove, Cottenham (Richard Thomas).
24th February
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem at Buckden GP (Mark Hawkes, Richard Patient).
Fen Drayton GP Bittern roosted Holywell Lake, 17.06 (Geoff Barlow).
At Milton Tip 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull (Richard Patient).
Ouse Washes, Chain Corner to Fortrey Hall 60 Bewick's Swans, 22 Whooper Swans, 113 Mute Swans, 7 Shelduck, 1 male Goldeneye, quite a good no of Pintail, Pochard, and Tufted, 25 Ruff flying south with 34 Dunlin, 22 Redshank, pair Stonechat, a flock of 60 Goldfinch (Owen Marks).
Male Blackcap in our Longthorpe garden (Gordon Hamlett).
23rd February
hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem at Buckden GP (RBA).
Near Milton Tip a pair of Lesser Redpolls in a flock of Goldfinches, also 1 Siskin and 2 Green Woodpeckers (Peter Herkenrath).
Barn Owl over fields just N of Upware (John Oates).
No sign of possible female American Wigeon at Grafham Water (Jono Leadley).
22nd February
A possible female American Wigeon at Grafham Water in the vicinity of Marlow car park (Colin Addington per Mark Hawkes).
Juv Marsh Harrier over fields just N of Upware (John Oates).
On 21/2 Ouse Washes, Sutton-Mepal Washes (Sutton Gault): pair of Stonechats, calling Tawny Owl (at 11.00 AM!), 50+ Bewick's Swans viewed distantly to SW, 40 Pintail, 600+ Wigeon. Pingle's Pit- Common Wash: Merlin, female Stonechat, 80+ Whooper Swans, 6+ Bewick's Swans, 22 Ruff, c1000 Wigeon. (Mark Ward).
On 21/2 at Ferry Meadows CP Woodcock on Heron Meadows, Siskins/Redpoll flock 70ish (Terry Daunt).
21st February
HAWFINCH male feeding outside Ham Farm offices, Ferry Meadows (Terry Daunt).
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem at Buckden GP (RBA).
At Fen Drayton GP pair of Smew on wind surfing pit & 400 Golden Plovers along the Swavesey entrance track (John Oates).
20th February
HAWFINCH feeding outside Ham Farm offices, Ferry Meadows (Terry Daunt).
Hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem at Buckden GP (Mark Hawkes, John Oates).
A a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers along south edge of Thorpe Wood (Terry Daunt).
Nene Washes, Dog in a Doublet a pair of Stonechat in the corner of the shrike field next to the start of the track. 6+ Pintail with the Wigeon mostly on the skating pond. A Common Redshank on the flash with extensive black feathering (oiling or similar) on the breast and a slightly decurved bill (Brian Stone).
19th February
HAWFINCH again feeding outside Ham Farm offices, Ferry Meadows (Terry Daunt).
hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck fem at Buckden GP on the West side of the pit. It was visible by looking north from the road between Buckden & Buckden Marina, through a gap in the hedge (near to the caravan). An advantage of viewing from there is the risk of confrontation with unhappy site workers is zero! (John Oates).
Ouse Washes, between Earith and the Jolly Banker's Bridge (opp Chain Corner)SAKER (last years bird), 1200 Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Redshank, 200 Dunlin, 50 Ruff, 210 Bewick's Swans. In addition Golden Plover and Lapwings are present in the low thousands (David Griffiths).
In Cambridge roost of 7000+ Starling in conifers around Jesus Green swimming pool (went into roost at 17.15). Also Kingfisher on River Cam & 5+ Siskin on King's backs, including singing male (Hugh Venables).
Common Buzzard over Bevill's Wood (nr Monks Wood), lunchtime (Richard Broughton).
18th February
Female hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck at Buckden GP again (Mark Hawkes, Mark Ward).
2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull at Milton again lunchtime (Dick Newell).
Merlin in lengthy pursuit of small bird beside A1 near Norman Cross, 9.15 am (Richard Broughton).
At Hinchingbrooke CP 4 Siskins, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 25 Goldeneyes (Mark Ward).
Nene Washes, Eldernell, Tree Sparrow 4 along Eldernell Lane, Marsh Harrier, Oystercatcher (Brian Stone). Pm 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, female Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Barn Owl (Dave Griffiths & Paul Andrew).On 17/2 1+ ringtail Hen Harrier, 1+ Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Barn Owl (RBA).
Merlin at Grafham Water (RBA).
On 17/2 2 Short-eared Owls towards the northern end of the RSPB Ouse Washes reserve yesterday (17/2). Excellent views from the disabled access hide looking over the rough grass at the edge of the arable. Also 1 Stonechat (Vince Lea).
17th February
At Buckden GP female hybrid resembling Ferruginous Duck until 8.40 am when it flew off with 2 Pochards. Also 11 Ruddy Ducks (Mark Hawkes, John Oates).
At Grafham Water female Common Scoter and 5 (2 drakes) Goosanders off Plummer, drake Ruddy Duck in Dudney Creek (Mark Hawkes, John Oates).
At Milton Tip 1 Common Buzzard over 12:50 - 13:00 then SE over Cambridge (Richard Patient)
At Fen Drayton 2 Smew (mating), 6 Ruddy Duck, female Stonechat, Chiffchaff, 450 Golden Plovers (Richard Patient)
5 Goosander (2 drakes) just W of Hatley St George on pond on N side of minor road to Gamlingay opp Hatley Park (RBA).
Highlights from Paxton Pits this weekend: 15th: Common Sandpiper, male Goosander. On 16th: 2 male Goosanders, 5 Green Sandpipers, 32 Reed Buntings, 30+ Siskins, 35 Fieldfares. On 17th: Female FERRUGINOUS DUCK on Heronry South (the lake nearest to the car park) was reported to two local birders this afternoon, but neither they nor several other observers were able to find it before dusk. Also, 12 Goosanders (4 males), 155 Cormorants, Buzzard (flew north), female Ruddy Duck. In addition, 6 Dunlins, 2 Shelducks, 2 Oystercatchers, a redhead Smew and up to 12 Ringed Plovers have been present all weekend. More information from www.paxton-pits.org.uk (Julian Hughes).
16th February
At Buckden GP hybrid resembling fem Ferruginous Duck(Mark Hawkes, Jono Leadley, Jamie Wells). There is a strong possibility that this is the bird present at Elstow, Beds recently.
At Godmanchester Tip 1st w Iceland Gull - paler than the 'usual' bird (Simon Stirrup).
15th February
Bittern flew into Holywell Lake 4.30 pm, 2 Smew (pair) on Far Fen Lake (RBA).
At the Nene Washes, Eldernell Brambling, 3 Hen Harrier, 2 Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl 4 (RBA).
At Wicken Fen 2 (1 juv, 1 juv/fem) Marsh Harriers, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Pintails, Kingfisher (John Oates).
At the Cam Washes, Upware 3 Ruff, 7 Redshanks, 20 Snipe (John Oates).
14th February
At the Nene Washes, Eldernell Sparrowhawk, ringtail Hen Harrier, Barn Owl 2, Short-eared Owl 4 (Tony Roberts).
Buzzard over Prospect Row, St Neots 12.50 pm (RBA).
13th February
On riverside meadows at Hartford pair of Eastern Jackdaws 2nd CY & 4th CY Yellow-legged Gulls, Dunlin (Mark Ward).
Nene Washes, Eldernell ad Peregrine, 3000+ Lapwing & Golden Plover over the reserve with more on the floods opposite the car park, a few tens of Dunlin, Redshank and Ruff here and 9 Blackwit over (Brian Stone & Chris Monk).
At Fen Drayton GP 2 Bitterns, Curlew, 9 Ruddy Ducks (John Oates).
At Godmanchester GP 2 2nd w (3CY) Yellow-legged Gulls, pair of Smew, Curlew, Green Sand, Kingfisher, 2 Barnacle Geese (John Oates).
Monks Wood: 4 Common Buzzards, 700+ Golden Plover over, 70 Fieldfare over, Nuthatch, also Brimstone butterfly (Richard Broughton).
Recently at Coldhams Estate (private area) Short-eared owl, 2 Barn Owls, pair of Stonechat, c80 Tree Sparrows, 250 House Sparrows (Mark Ward).
12th February
Tree Sparrow project update: 287 individuals now located (at 10 sites). Feeding and nestbox scheme in operation (or in process of coming into operation) at most. We clearly have a sustainable population which, with a bit of help, should be secure for the foreseeable future. I have several more known "hot spots" to check and this figure will undoubtedly continue to rise. During the process, I have also encountered several sizeable flocks of Yellowhammers (2 in 3 figures) and Corn Buntings which will of course also benefit from the feeding scheme (Mark Ward).
At Milton Tip 3+ 2CY Yellow-legged Gulls & a 1st winter (2CY) CASPIAN GULL: see http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=576 (Dick Newell).
Nene Washes, Dog in a Doublet at 7:20am Short Eared Owl half way along the North Bank straight (Matt Francis).
Male Hen Harrier between Pondersbridge & Ramsey St. Mary (Brian Stone).
At the Ouse Washes (and Block Fen) from Wardy Hill to Chain Corner am 15 Water Pipits on the Sutton-Mepal section (Sutton Gault) - they were keeping as a tight knit group and often visited Gault Pool. Also female Barn Owl on the south west side of the causeway. At Witcham Gravel Drove area, c800 Black-wits and 30 Whoopers. c80 Black-tailed Godwits to SW & at Chain Corner c100 Black-wits - birds from Witcham Gravel Drove (Mark Ward).
At Prior's Fen 1 Pink-footed Goose with the Greylags. Also 1 redhead Smew on East Pit and 20 Shelduck, c.200 Wigeon, 40+ Pochard, c.30 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye. (Brian Stone & Chris Monk).
11th February
2 buzzards over Fowlmere at 16.50 - too distant to see details (Doug Radford & Robin Cox).
10th February
At the Nene Washes: flooded area west of Lord's Holt (walk west from Eldernell) Pintail 550+, Lapwing 4000+, Golden Plover c/2000 Wigeon thousands plus smaller nos Shoveler, Teal, Tufted etc, Black Swan 2, Whooper Swan 1, Stonechat 2 (Bill Meek & Kevan Wolstencroft).
At Milton 1 hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (either with michahellis or argentatus) & 1 4CY Yellow-legged Gull (Dick Newell).
Grafham Water ad Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 5 Goosander, Redpoll 2 flew over calling, Goldeneye 7 (Stuart Elsom, Jono Leadley).
At Woodwalton Fen (permit only): 1 Jack Snipe, 32 Snipe, 3 Marsh Tit (Simon Henderson). 14 Corn Buntings on the wire adjacent to the track leading to Woodwalton Fen (Matt Francis).
Paxton Pits 4 Smew (1 drake), 7 Goosanders (3 drakes), Oystercatcher, pair of Shelducks, 6 Ringed Plovers, 3 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 171 Goldeneyes (second highest ever WeBS count at Paxton), 148 Cormorants in roost, Marsh Tit. Also, a late report of Common Sandpiper on 31st January and 2nd February. For more info, visit www.paxton-pits.org.uk (Julian Hughes)
In a Longthorpe garden a Brambling (Gordon Hamlett).
Tick Fen: ringtail Hen Harrier (Simon Henderson).
Fordham Wood am 5+ Siskin with Goldfinch and mixed tit flock. Also 4 Marsh Tits, 3 Treecreepers (Ian Delgado).
Bainton WeBS count (total complex) Pochard 179, Tufted 153, Goosander 8, Goldeneye 27, Gadwall 75, Wigeon 43, Shoveler 15, Mallard 11, Canada Goose 44, Greylag Goose 9, Barnacle Goose 1, Coot 191, Great Crested Grebe 9, Little Grebe 6, Cormorant 2, Black-headed Gull 4, Green Sandpiper 1, Moorhen 1. Also C100 presumably Redpoll/Siskin flying amongst the Alders adjacent to the railway and a mixed tit flock including 2 Marsh (Bob Titman).
9th February
Milton Tip 1W KITTIWAKE, 5+ Yellow-legged Gull (Richard Patient)
Grafham Water Dam End Chiffchaff, 5 Goosander, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull. Highlight though was a stunning leucistic adult Herring Gull. Particularly in flight it was highly reminiscent of a white-winged gull. The central mantle had a very pale grey wash, and the outermost primaries were a very faded pale beige, otherwise entirely white. The bill was as per adult Herring Gull and the structure of the bird was exactly as argenteus. (Stuart Elsom, Richard Patient).
At Grunty Fen 2 CY Glaucous Gull - looked like the Milton bird (Dick Newell).
At Godmanchester GP 2 Bullfinches, 1 Green Sand, 1 Grey Wag, 7 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 probable Glaucous Gull (Will Bowell).
Nene Washes, Eldernell pm female Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier (male, 1+ ringtail), Bewick's Swan, two Black Swan, loads of Pintail, Wigeon etc. (Trevor Williams).
Redhead Smew on Heronry Pit, Paxton (RBA).
8th February
Common Buzzard again at Monks Wood (Richard Broughton).
Nene Washes 1 Chiffchaff at Eldernell by the old barns, calling at 4pm, was nominate race (Jonathan Taylor).
At Lode early AM 48 Corn Buntings, 2 Grey Partridges (John Oates).
At Wicken Fen, Tower hide late pm 2 male & a ringtail Hen Harrier (John Oates).
7th February
At Godmanchester GP ad Iceland Gull, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Green Sand, Grey Wag (John Oates).
At Fen Drayton GP pair of Smew on Windsurf Pit, Bittern on Holywell Lake, 12 Ruddy Ducks on Moore Lake (John Oates).
At Grafham Water, Dudney Creek female Goosander, pair of Mandarins, Kingfisher (John Oates).
Barn Owl sat on a post along the B660 near the bridge over the A1 north of Connington (Brian Stone).
3 Common Buzzard at Monks Wood, also Nuthatch and Woodcock (Richard Broughton).
6th February
Red Kite at Morborne Hill am (Brian Stone).
Glaucous Gull 2nd cal yr, 3 ad Yellow-legged Gulls at Milton Tip (RBA).
Kittiwake at Grafham Water (RBA).
At Swaffham Prior Fen 8 Corn Buntings, 250 Golden Plovers but no sign of yesterdays large falcon sp (John Oates).
On the Cam Washes, Upware 9 Ruff, 2 Redshanks, 200 Golden Plovers (John Oates).
5th February
Nene Washes reserve 10:00-13:00hrs Golden Plover 5600, Lapwing 6300, Blackwit 170, Ruff 15, Peregrine 1 adult female. At March Farmers (from Poplar Farm) Whooper Swan 110, Bewicks Swan 205 (Jonathan Taylor).
At Stanground Washes 2 Short-eared Owls (Steve Dudley, Brian Stone and Mike Weedon).
At Swaffham Prior Fen 1000 Golden Plovers, large unidentified falcon, Merlin (John Oates).
In Cambridge 6-8000 Starlings roosting, watching from the bridge over the Cam by Jesus lock, opposite Hertford St (David Bradnum).
4th February
Glaucous Gull 2nd cal yr at Milton Tip (RBA).
At Woodhurst on 3/2 female Blackcap eating honeysuckle berries (Duncan McNiven).
At Milton Tip 3/2 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull (not yesterday's Grafham bird). Also 4+ Yellow-legged Gulls, female Merlin (Richard Patient).
On 3/2 7.45-9.00am, Nene Washes, Eldernell: 100 Black-tailed Godwits; thousands of Golden Plovers; 1 Ruff; 16 Dunlin; uncountable masses of Lapwings (many more than Golden P's); uncounted mixed wildfowl; last (30 or so) of the Bewick's Swans departing; 1 Merlin; 2 Barn Owls; Water Rail; 1 male Stonechat. (Mike Weedon, Katie Fuller).
On 3/2 9.30-10.00am Prior's Fen redhead Smew (Mike Weedon, Katie Fuller).
On 3/2 Peterborough, West Town garden female Brambling briefly (Mike Weedon, Katie Fuller).
3rd February
At Grafham Water 3 (2 ad & 1st w) Med Gulls, 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Goosanders, 1 Kingfisher, 31 Pochard (Stuart Elsom).
At CEGB Reservoir Snipe 37, Jack Snipe 9, Woodcock 2 (Steve Dudley).
At Hampton Snipe 4, Jack Snipe 2 (Steve Dudley).
On the Nene Washes, Eldernell pm 2 Merlins, 3 ringtail Hen Harriers, 3+ Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls, 6+Stonechat, 800+Pintail, 5000+Golden Plover, 3500+Lapwing, 2 Ruff (Martin Davies, Steve Dudley).
Marsh Harrier at Wicken Fen (per Ralph Sargeant).
At Milton Tip 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull, 6+ Yellow-legged Gulls (Dick Newell).
2nd February
Med Gull (2.15pm) coming to bread outside Ferry Meadows visitor centre (Matt Webb per Gordon Hamlett).
At Grafham Water 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull off Mander 15:10 until dark, 2cy & 3cy Yellow-legged Gull and 5 Goosanders (Richard Patient).
At Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane 1st w Glaucous Gull (Mark Ward).
At Milton Tip 2 hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gulls, 4+ (2 2CY, 2 3CY) Yellow-legged Gulls. See: http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=556 (Dick Newell). Also ad Yellow-legged Gull (Peter Herkenrath) & 2 Eastern Jackdaws (Simon Stirrup).
1st February
At Huntingdon on River Ouse water meadows, viewed from riverside car park 1.15pm 1st w Iceland Gull, 1st w Glaucous Gull (RBA).
3 (1 drake) Goosanders Hatley Park, E of Gamlingay
At Sutton Gault am 1 Little Egret flying SW (Mark Peck).
At Fen Drayton GP 5 Smew (1 drake), leucistic fem Teal (John Oates).
31st January
A Merlin at Eldernell seen from car park 1pm. Put up est. 5000 Golden Plover & similar numbers of Lapwing mainly over the RSPB reserve (Brian Stone)
1 male, 5 redhead Smew again at Prior's Fen. Approach from Prior's Farm to avoid disturbance of east pit (Brian Stone & Steve Dudley)
At Butt Lane, Milton 'Eastern' Jackdaw (Simon Stirrup). Also near ad Yellow-legged Gull (Dick Newell).
30th January
Slavonian Grebe briefly at Grafham Water - flew towards Dudney Creek (Colin Addington per Mark Hawkes).
Glaucous Gull 1st w at Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane (RBA).
2nd CY Iceland Gull at Milton Tip (Dick Newell).
At Priors Fen Smew 6 (1m, 4 r/h on Middle Pit) & r/h on Priors Farm garden pond). Also Woodcock, Pintail 240+, Shelduck - 21, Bewick's Swan 18 in fields with Mute Swans, Golden Plover 350+ over to west. Approach from Prior's Farm to avoid disturbance of east pit (Brian Stone & Steve Dudley).
At 4:50pm North Bank - 300 yards west of Dog in a Doublet sluice Jack Snipe flew across in front of my car and proceeded to fly alongside (Matt Francis).
29th January
Bittern at Wicken Fen, flew across The Mere at 12.20 pm. Also fem Goldeneye, 6 Pintail (John Oates).
1st w Glaucous Gull on flood meadows by River Great Ouse at Hartford/Huntingdon most of PM. Also ad Yellow-legged Gull and 20 Dunlin. Gulls loafing birds from Cow Lane. (Mark Ward).
At Hinchingbrooke Country park 1st w male Peregrine (Mark Ward).
At Godmanchester Tip Glaucous Gull & Iceland Gull (per Bruce Martin).
On the Cam Washes, Upware 13 Blackwits, 20 Shelducks, 15 Redshanks (John Oates).
At Swaffham Prior Fen 1200 Golden Plovers & 2000 Lapwings (John Oates).
28th January
On the Nene Washes, Eldernell 251 Swans inc 10-12 Whooper (rest Bewick's), 6 Ruff, Dunlin with 100's Lapwing and Golden Plover, 100's Pintail and Wigeon, 2 Black Swans (Brian Stone).
At Castor Hanglands 2 Woodcock. Also Peregrine flying low over road back to Marholm (Brian Stone, Mike Weedon, Katie Fuller).
Female Blackcap recently in garden off Huntingdon Road, Cambridge & a male just before Christmas (Sarah Howlett).
On 27/1 On the Ouse Washes at Chain Corner 3+ Water Pipits, adult male Peregrine, female Stonechat. On the reserve 5 wild geese south (probably landed in Mepal section), 1 TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE (near Cottier Hide) and 1 Pink-footed Goose (Steve Cooper, Richard Patient).
On 27/1 Fen Drayton Chiffchaff along railway line, Smew female (Bill Meek).
27th January
At Milton Tip ICELAND GULL & Yellow-legged Gull - both 2nd CY (Dick Newell, Simon Stirrup).
Little Egret on flooded field to the north of Sailing Lake, Paxton Pits, from 11.30 at least, but flew SE at 12.10 (Neal Parkin). Also 5 Smew inc 1 male (Julian Hughes), Marsh Tit & 2 Woodcocks (Martin Davis/Jamie Wells). For more info, visit www.paxton-pits.org.uk.
At the Nene Washes, Eldernell 8-9.15am. At least 300 Bewick's Swans (some already departing); 2 Barn Owls, Water Rail, 2 Stonechats, 2,000+ Lapwings (frequently disturbed by shooters), 300+ Golden Plover, many ducks inc 2 Shelducks (Mike Weedon).
26th January
2 GLAUCOUS GULLS (4th w & 1st w) & Green Sand at Godmanchester GP (RBA). Also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (Simon Stirrup).
Ad Med Gull flying from Kennett towards Cambridge am (Kevin Warrington ).
25th January
At Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane 1st w & 4th w GLAUCOUS GULLS, 1st w ICELAND GULL, 3rd w CASPIAN GULL, 2 ad, 1+ 1st w & 4th w Yellow-legged Gulls, Little Egret, Green Sand (Richard J Hall, John Oates).
In the roost at Grafham water off Mander 4th w GLAUCOUS GULLS & ad Yellow-legged Gull. Also 3 Goosander & 40+ Siskin (Mark Hawkes, Mark Ward).
At Fen Drayton GP ad Yellow-legged Gull & 8 Smew inc 1 male (Richard J Hall, John Oates).
At Chain Corner this morning: 260 Golden plover; 115 Redshank; 65 Dunlin; 3 Shelduck (Mark Peck).
At Comberton 2 Redpolls on house roof (Tony Roberts).
Buzzard between Eltisley & Great Gransden am (RBA).
24th January
At Grafham Water 1st w GLAUCOUS GULL, 1+ ad Yellow-legged Gull in the roost off Mander car park (RBA).
At Paxton Pits 3 Smew (2 drakes), Water Rail, drake Red-crested Pochard, drake Goosander, Dunlin (RBA).
At the Ouse Washes Water Pipit, 10 Ruff, 600 Pintail, 118 Blackwits, 85 Bewick's Swans, 4 probable Pinkfeet. Nearby 11 Whoopers near Pymore (RBA).
23rd January
At Grafham Water 1st w ICELAND GULL, and 2 probable Peregrines (RBA).
At Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane 2nd w & 1st w Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Green Sands and c10 Goldeneye (Mark Ward).
22nd January
GLAUCOUS GULL 1st w Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane. Also Green Sand (Mark Hawkes, Duncan Poyser).
106 Tree Sparrows, fem Merlin & male Stonechat at the Coldham estate (Mark Ward).
2 redhead Smew at Fen Drayton GP (RBA).
From Bob Scott: Just had a phone call from Chris Seargeant to say there is a Harris Hawk - with very large ring (!) at Paxton this morning!!
Common Scoter fem off Hill Farm, Grafham Water N shore. Off Mander 2 (ad & 1st w) Yellow-legged Gulls & Dunlin (RBA).
Lotting Fen (accessed along Middle Drove from Ramsey Heights) Corn Bunting 38, Stonechat 2 (Steve Dudley).
Grey Wagtail at Padholme Pumping Station (Brian Stone).
On the Nene Washes, Eldernell 08:00-08:30 am: 1 Peregrine, many Bewick's Swans leaving the reserve heading east, 2 or 3 Barn Owls up to 08:15 (Brian Stone).
A couple of flocks of Bewick's Swans within 10 minutes of the centre of Peterborough - about 30 were just north of Willow Hall and another 10 were on the south-western edge of Prior's Fen (Brian Stone).
21st January
At Grafham Water Bittern from Littleless hide, Ruddy Duck 25, Mandarin male (Bob Scott).
3 Peregrines (2 male & a female) together low over the Coldham estate for at least 10 minutes around midday (Mark Ward).
Common Buzzard heading west over Monks Wood, 9.30am (Richard Broughton).
On 20/1 2 male Bramblings in a large mixed flock of Chaffinches, Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings and the odd Reed Bunting and Goldfinch with Starlings and Stock Doves in a recently ploughed field, viewable from the entrance to Woodwalton Fen (Mike Weedon).
20th January
1 Bittern, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier at the Mere, Wicken Fen at dusk (Michael Holdsworth).
At Fen Drayton GP 3 redhead Smew, 1 Shelduck, 15 Ruddy Duck (Dave Anderson).
At Trumpington (inside the Cambridge City boundary) Merlin 1 - ad male, Golden Plover, Siskin 15 - a tight flock flying strongly SSE, Redpoll 3 (Howard Slatter).
At the Nene Washes at Eldernell ringtail Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin (RBA).
19th January
At Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane 3W CASPIAN GULL and 1W Yellow-legged Gull (Richard Patient). Also 2 2CY Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Grey Wagtail (Simon Stirrup).
At Grafham Water GLAUCOUS GULL (3rd or 4th W) and 3 ad Yellow-legged Gull. Also there 35 Ruddy Ducks, pair of Goldeneyes mating (!) and 1 Chiffchaff (Richard Patient)
Little Egret flew north along the Cam just south of central Cambridge (from Paradise nature reserve) at 3pm. Also a 1st w drake Gadwall with the mallards there, origin unknown. Good numbers of finches (40 Linnet, 15 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 15 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch) and Yellowhammers (25) along Cam between Cambridge and Grantchester (Hugh Venables).
At Wicken Fen 2 Bitterns, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers and 1 Grey Wagtail (Peter Herkenrath, Carol Inskipp, Christoph Zockler).
At the Ouse Washes RSPB, 1 Peregrine, causing havoc amongst the thousands of ducks and waders (including 1,000 Blackwits, 3+ Ruff, 2+ Dunlin), also 1 Barnacle Goose and in the fields near the reserve hundreds of Bewick's/Whoopers Swans. At the visitor centre, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and a Brambling (Peter Herkenrath, Carol Inskipp, Christoph Zockler).
At the Nene Washes 4:15-5pm at Eldernell 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, steady passage of Bewicks Swans west - groups as large as 50. At March Farmers 7 Whooper Swans feeding behind the barn before flying west just before 5pm (Matt Francis).
Hen Harrier at Fowlmere RSPB (Doug Radford).
At Landbeach 1 ad Yellow-legged Gull and 500+ Lapwing. Nearby at Butt Lane, Milton 1 ad Yellow-legged Gull (presumed same as that at Landbeach) and 1 'Eastern Jackdaw' (Simon Stirrup).
At Paxton Pits NR 7 Goosanders (5 drakes) on Heronry South Pit, adult drake and redhead Smew on Island Pit and c50 Goldeneye (Mark Ward).
18th January
At the Ouse Washes RSPB ad Peregrine, imm/fem Merlin, 4 Pinkfeet, 2 presumed feral Barnacle Geese, 300+ Blackwits, 20 Ruff, 3 Dunlin, 500+ Golden Plovers, 1 Tree Sparrow, 30+ Corn Buntings and plenty of Wigeon, Teal, Pintail & wild Swans (John Oates).
At Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane 1st w Med Gull, 2 Green Sands, 4 Goldeneye and 5 Pink-feet and a Barnacle with c150 Greylags. This group perhaps includes the Fen Drayton quartet of 3 Pinks and a Barnacle (Mark Ward).
At Woodwalton Fen Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Kevan Wolstencroft). Access by permit only.
2 male Blackcaps not too peacefully together in a backyard at Hills Road, Cambridge, and a possible third one heard nearby (Peter Herkenrath).
17th January
At the Ouse Washes RSPB TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE south of Pymoor railway bridge, amongst the swans and geese. Also 5 Pinkfeet (also present 16/1), 2 Barnacle Geese, ad female Peregrine between Churchmans and Stevens, 3 Little Egrets from Steven's hide, 1000 Bewick's Swans (mainly on arable to the west) and 350 Whoopers, 300 Black-wits, 2 Tree Sparrows, 80 Corn Buntings (Purls Bridge farm) and thousands of other wildfowl and waders. Up to 3 Peregrines on the Washes recently: 1st w female at Welney, ad female & ad male (Mark Ward).
At Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane 1st GLAUCOUS GULL, 1st w CASPIAN GULL (RBA) & 1st w Med Gull (John Oates).
Ringtail Hen Harrier at Fowlmere, over the reedbed at noon (Bruce Martin).
At Milton Tip 2 Herring Gull types with yellow legs, one confusable with michahellis could well be a hybrid Herring x LBB Gull - see: http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=525 (Dick Newell).
On 15/1 Nene Washes, Eldernell male Marsh Harrier, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, 2-3 Barn Owls, 28 Bewick's including a bird with a blue neck collar, 6 Whoopers, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker reported flying in to the heronry, Water Rail, c220 Golden Plovers (Gordon Hamlett)
16th January
At Fen Drayton GP Bittern showing mid pm at Holywell Lake, 13 Smew mainly on Swavesey Lake (inc 3 ad male engaged in display & 1 imm male), Green Sand (Richard J Hall, John Oates).
At Lode 67 Corn Buntings by the playing field (John Oates).
At Nene Park NR, Peterborough 2 Redpolls & 40+ Siskins (Chris Dawn).
15th January
At Ferry Meadows HAWFINCH (also present on 14/1). Also 100+ Siskins on Nat Res nr the Play equipment (TD FM). 1st w Med Gull in the middle of Overton Lake at 14:45 (Steve Dudley).
Ad CASPIAN GULL & 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls at Butt Lane, Milton Tip (Dick Newell, Simon Stirrup).
130 Bewick's Swans at Somersham GP (Mark Ward).
2 ad & 2nd w Yellow-legged Gull at Godmanchester GP, Cow Lane (Mark Ward).
3 Pink-feet (not Tundra Beans) & 1 Barnacle Goose still at Fen Drayton at eastern end of complex (appeared to come from and land in Far Fen area). Also 5 redhead Smew (Swavesey, Windsurfing Pit, 2 Elney, 1 Moore Lake), 45+ Goldeneye, 4 Ruddys and 6+ Water Rails. 1 Bittern flew from south-west corner of Holywell lake into reeds further back to roost at 16.20 (Mark Ward).
At the Ouse Washes, Pymoor railway bridge 2 Pinkfeet, 340 Blackwits, 20 Dunlin, 35 Ruff, 400 Goldies, 150 Bewick's Swans, 10 Whooper Swans, 100's Wigeon (John Oates).
At Lode 49 Corn Buntings by the playing field (John Oates).
Blackcap male in garden at Short Lane, Willingham recently (Neil Barker).
From Jane Williams: A PBC member has phoned to tell me that an aquaintance of his has lost a (previously!) captive Eagle Owl. It was last seen late this afternoon in the area of Norwood school, Gunthorpe. Its owner is anxious to recover it and would appreciate it if anyone who spots it could ring him. If you see this bird, please telephone Jed on Peterborough 762713. Thank you.
14th January
At Grafham Water fem Common Scoter & Brambling (RBA).
At Fowlmere 2 Hen Harriers. They have been seen regularly recently (Doug Radford).
Dunlin, 20+ Snipe & 9 Redshanks on the Cam Washes, Upware (John Oates).
Female Blackcap in amongst flock of 10+ Long-tailed Tits at Thorpe Park, Longthorpe 1:55pm (Neil Corral).
On the Nene Washes, Eldernell 13/1 Merlin, Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Bewicks Swan 33, Golden Plover several hundred, Stonechat 3, Woodcock (Steve Dudley & Mike Weedon).
13th January
At Fen Drayton : 3 Bitterns at Holywell Lake this am, 11 Smew (incl 2 males), Water Rail and 2 Kingfishers (Simon Stirrup, Brian Cleary, plus news from other birders).
At Butt Lane, Milton : 1 'Eastern Jackdaw' (Simon Stirrup).
12th January
At Butt Lane, Milton : 2 x 2 CY and 1 x 3 CY Yellow-legged Gull (Peter Herkenrath, Simon Stirrup).
At Fen Drayton : 3 Bitterns again at Holywell Lake this pm (Richard Patient, Mark Ward). Also 15 Smew, 11 were on Swavesey Lake (the extreme easterly pit north of the railway line), including 2 drakes (Bruce Martin).
At Cow Lane GP : 3 CY Caspian Gull with a green ring and 2 Green Sandpipers (Bird Guides).
At Grafham Water : 2 CY Mediterranean Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 7 Goosander (Bird Guides).
In Cambridge : Blackcap in garden in Eachard Road, yesterday 40 Golden Plovers flying west over Huntingdon Road (Christoph Zockler).
Some news from Paxton Pits, if you're visiting in the next few weeks:
1. Work starts on a major extension to the Visitor Centre at the Pits on 21st January. Construction will take about three months, and there will be less room for parking, not least because there will be a temporary visitor facility and toilets in the car park.
2. From 14th January, the road between St Neots and Little Paxton will be closed owing to demolition of the old mill next to Paxton Lock (home of the last proper house martin colony in the village, sadly). Pedestrians and cyclists can still cross the river, but drivers coming from the east will have to use the by-pass and come up the A1. According to the signs, this could last up to a month.(Julian Hughes)
10th January
At Cow Lane : 1 2CY GLAUCOUS GULL (John Clarke).
10th January
At Paxton Pits : female merlin, water rail, 427 cormorants in the dusk roost. (Julian Hughes)
8th January
At Fen Drayton : 3 Bittern, 19 Smew (3 Drk), 3 Goosander (2 Drk ), 1 Ruddy Duck and 52 Goldeneye (Richard Allison, Mark Ward).
At Milton Tip : 1 2CY or 3CY GLAUCOUS GULL, 2CY Yellow-legged Gull (Richard Thomas).
6th January
At Milton Tip : adult Mediterranean Gull and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (Richard Thomas).
5th January
At Milton Tip : 1 2CY or 3CY GLAUCOUS GULL feeding on tip - a very white looking individual. Definitely different from the bird in late December (Simon Stirrup, Peter Herkenrath).
4th January
Orton Brick Pits : Barnacle Goose, 2 confiding Water Rails at the outflow culvert, 2 adult + 3 juvenile Whooper/Bewick Swan flew over SW and continued over Yaxley (Brian Stone).
Ferry Meadows : One Hawfinch behind Ham Lane Offices at 10am this morning. Also, 2 sightings of Kingfisher, Snipe, Bullfinch and Grey Wagtail (Matt Francis).
Nene : The Nene is now largely frozen over along North Bank but there were hordes of birds on and around the dyke carrying effluent from the sewage works. 20-30 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2-3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Grey Wagtail, c.20 Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 26+ Magpies, 2 Little Grebe, Teal, many Moorhen, Blackbird, Song Thrush, etc. At Dog in a Doublet a Short-eared Owl was mobbed by a corvid along the north bank east of the bridge Brian Stone).
Fen Drayton : At least 4 Smew (1 Drake), 2 Ruddy Duck and 4 White-fronted Geese on Ferry Lagoon. Just about all the pits completely frozen over. No sign of any (obvious) Bitterns around Holywell Lake by 3.50pm. (Richard Allison).
3rd January
Pair of Mandarin Duck as usual at the river Cam, downstream of Jesus Lock (Peter Herkenrath).
2nd January
At Eldernell 4+ Hen Harriers 2m 2rts - mostly out towards the area right of the decoy wood, Short-eared Owl, 2 Barn Owls, 6 Tree Sparrows, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, c500 Woodpigeons, Snipe, 2 Bewick's Swans over, 2 Merlins (m and f) and a Peregrine reported (Gordon Hamlett).
At Milton Tip a new juv ICELAND GULL, different from the coarse individual last seen on Christmas Eve was at Milton, lunchtime today (Dick Newell).
At Grafham Water: BLACK-NECKED GREBE 1 wp, Smew 1m, 4f, Little Egret 1, Nuthatch 1 (Jono Leadley & Mark Hawkes).
At Little Paxton: Jack Snipe 4-6, Green Sandpiper 2. (Jono Leadley & Mark Hawkes).
At Fen Drayton: Tundra Bean Goose 3, White-fronted Goose 6, Smew 2m, 9f, Water Rail 1, Bittern 2 (Jono Leadley & Mark Hawkes).
1st January
At Paxton Pits drake and 5 redhead Smews on Island Pit, plus a fine drake Red-crested Pochard (Ian Dawson, Jamie Wells).
At Sutton Gault 1 ringtail Hen Harrier; 6 Stonechat; 1 Water rail; 1 Kingfisher; 10 Snipe (Mark Peck).
At Fen Drayton a BLACK-NECKED GREBE and a pair of Red-crested Pochard on the Windsurfing Pit, 5 Red-crested Pochard on Ferry Mere, male and female Red-crested Pochard plus 2 Smew on Ferry Lagoon, 2 Bitterns on Holywell Lake, 26+ Ruddy Ducks, and geese along the approach road included 7 wild White-fronts (plus the usual feral), 3 Pink-feet and 1 Barnacle. Also 1 Jack Snipe on Ferry Mere (Dave Anderson, Steve Cooper and Richard Patient).
Despite not 'bird racing' Steve Cooper and Richard Patient recorded 95 species in Cambs today. What is the county record?