Wednesday, 31 December
Seen north-west of Madingley at 0830 today - Common Buzzard
Paxton Pits - Bar-headed Goose was with a flock of Greylags at Paxton at lunchtime.Also three male Goosanders.(Stephen Green and Clare Wilson)
Godmanchester Pits - 2 redhead Smew on the main pit.(Paul Andrew)
Kings Dyke - Jack Snipe, Brambling (George Walthew)
Stilton - WHITE STORK (Janet Darke)
Tuesday, 30 December
Priors Fen - 2 redhead Smew (George Walthew)
Eldernell - male Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, Sparrowhawk (Bill Meek)
Paxton Pits - South A1 Pit - BEARDED TIT, female, calling occasionally and eventually seen [on the northside, about half way along], Water Rail, 3 male Smew, Golden Plover (Martin Davis/Chris Harbard/Julian Hughes/Paul Lippett/Jamie Wells)
Cambridge - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew over the offices of BirdLife this morning (Gary Allport)
Monday, 29 December
Ouse Washes Oxload - Oxlode a Water Pipit. Between Steven's Hide & the Pymoor railway bridge, 13 European Whitefronts, 2 Barnacle Geese, Short-eared Owl and plenty of Whooper & Bewick's Swans (John Oates)
Cambridge - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Newmarket Rd (Mrs Gary Allport)
Fen Drayton - Chiffchaffs NE corner of Elney Lake .Also around Elney Lake, 2 Smew (incl 1 drake), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Ruddy Duck. Elsewhere around the Pits 1-2 Water Rail heard calling in NE corner of Windsurfing Lake, 3-4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2Treecreepers, 2 Goldcrest with tit-flocks plus usual wildfowl sp. (Ken & Richard Hook)
Cambs Washes - Little Egret flew low over Upware and headed north towards Ely (Mark Pettit)
Landbeach Tip - 2 Caspian Gulls, at least 6 Yellow-legged Gulls and a number of pale Herring Gulls, including one looking good for a Glaucous hybrid (Dick Newell)
Paxton Pits - FIRECREST reported again this morning, in Wray House Garden near KingfisherHide, 270 Cormorants roosting (Julian Hughes)
Eaton Ford - 4 Blackcaps together (3 males) in an private garden all day (AlisonPearson)
Eldernell - 3 Marsh harriers (male, juv male and cc), 2 Peregrines (m+f), Merlin, Short-eared Owl (towards March Farmers), 11 Whooper swans, 2 Stonechats, 2 Water Rails, Jack Snipe (Gordon Hamlett)
Sunday, 28 December
Wicken Fen - From Tower Hide, Woodcock, Bittern, 3 Hen Harriers (2 males), 10 Pintails, Barn Owl. (John Oates)
Fen Drayton - On Far Fen Laket 2 Smew (1 drake) at least 13 Smew including 2 drakes at the west end of Elney Lake (Paul Rule) 2 female Goosanders, 1 Ruddy Duck. (Maggie & Richard Hook)
Orton Brick Pit - 2 Smew (Kevin Durose)
Paxton Pits - Smew (redhead), Common Sandpiper, Woodcock 5+ Goldcrest, Redshank, 15 bullfinches (Julian Hughes)
Saturday, 27 December
Paxton Pits - possible Bearded Tit, glimpsed in reeds along A1 North, Chiffchaff, 16 goosanders (8 males), Grey wagtail (Julian Hughes)
Milton Park - Hawfinch (Kevin Durose)
Fen Drayton - On the Trout Pit at least 9 Smew (3 drakes) and a cracking FIRECREST along the southern edge of Holywell Lake (Richard Allison and Dave Anderson) 14 Smew (2 drakes) at the west end of Elney Lake (Bruce & Chris Martin)
Grafham Water - 3 Scaup (2 adult females & 1st-winter female) Valley Creek/Mander CP, 6+Ruddy Duck (Mark Hawkes)
Ouse Washes RSPB - White fronts still by the railway bridge, Stonechat at Cottier Hide, Brambling etc at Feeders but no sign of Willow Tit (although it was noted in the sightings book for today). (Dave Griffiths)
Friday, 26 December
Ouse Washes RSPB - 13 European White-fronted Geese on arable south of Pymore Railway Bridge with c250 Greylags and c200 wild swans, c70 Ruff Welches Dam/Rickwood Hides, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Brambling (Mark Ward)
Grafham Water -Smew redhead at Valley creek hide (Colin Addington)
Thursday, 25 December
Paxton Pits - 2m Goosanders on washout pit, later 2m 1f on river. 4 Siskin,. 1f Red-crested Pochard,1f Pintail, Harris hawk (Neal Parkin)
Star Pit, Dogsthorpe - Waxwing (Kevin Durose)
Eldernell - 2 fem/imm Marsh Harriers into roost.Merlin, Barn Owl, Little Owl calling, Water Rail calling in pits (Gordon Shaw)
Wicken Fen -Tower Hide - 7 Hen Harriers (3 males), Barn Owl. (Rob Palmer)
Wednesday, 24 December
Eye Tip - HOODED CROW (Steve Dudley & Katie Fuller)
Ouse Washes - Between Stevens Hide & the railway bridge 13 European Whitefronts, Barnacle Goose, ad Peregrine. There are thousands of ducks in this area - mostly Wigeon, but lots of Teal and Pintail - and plenty of wild swans. Just east of the Ouse Washes a large flock of wild swans on arable near Way Head. Probably more than a thousand - mainly Bewick's.(John Oakes)
Grafham Water - 3m Goosander, 2f, Scaup, Goldeneye - numbers much reduced from earlier in the month, probably about 30. Several hundred tufties and pochard and 7 ruddy ducks. Imm Peregrine flew across the res at 11.30. (Mark Hawkes and Jono Leadley)
Cow Lane GP - Green Sandpiper, 2 Redshank (Mark Hawkes and Jono Leadley)
Fen Drayton GP - 13+ Smew inc 3m. (Mark Hawkes and Jono Leadley)
Tuesday, 23 December
Maxey GP - At least 28 Goosander present plus a pair of Goldeneye, a Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and at least 2 Water Rails. (Brian Stone)
Grafham Water - SHAG immature off Mander 2.10-2.20, then flew east with 6 Cormorants, Scaup adult female off Mander 7 Goosander (3 off Mander,2drks), 4 off lagoons, 3drks), Smew redhead in lagoons, 3 Dunlin, 2+ Ruddy Duck (Mark Hawks)
Dog-in-a-Doublet - Ruff, Goosander, male to west (Steve Dudley)
Blackbush - Grey Partridge, 16, in single covey (Steve Dudley)
Crowtree, Farcet Fen - Barn Owl (Steve Dudley)
Mepal GP - drake presumed Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid still present.(John Oates)
Ouse Washes - 2 Water Pipits (Halfway Hide), 13 Whitefronts (railway bridge), ad Med Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (Cottier Hide), 2 Bramblings & 2 Tree Sparrows (at the centre). Hundreds of wild swans in the area. (John Oates)
Monday, 22 December
Eldernell - Hen Harrier, 3 Marsh Harrier 3 Short-eared Owl (March Farmers), Bittern across pit at 16:18, Barn Owl (Jonathan Taylor)
Chrishall Grange – Marsh Harrier, probable imm fem. (Jack Harrison)
Cambridge – male Blackcap in Glenacre close(Mark Pettit), female in Langham Rd (Paul Rule)
Sunday, 21 December
Paxton Pits - FIRECREST between the moorings and Washout pit, 5 Smew - 5 (3 redheads and a male on Heronry north pit and a single redhead on Washout pit). 2 male Goosander - 2 males on Washout, Shelduck (Neal Parkin)
Ouse Washes - Peregrine, c.600 Whoopers, 8 White-fronted Geese. Along the road between Manea and Chatteris, c.1,000 Bewick's in a ploughed field. (Paul Andrew and Dave Griffiths)
Fen Drayton - 8+ Smew, including 2 adult drakes, 85+ Cormorants, 1 Shelduck, 2 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Chiffchaff, good numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings (Peter Herkenrath). 12 Smew - 2 redheads on Trout Pond, 10 inc. 3 drakes on Elney Lake, also 4 Ruddy Ducks, 5 Water Rails and the Bittern flew into Holywell Lake reedbed at 15:58 (Richard Patient)
Cambridge – female Blackcap Langham Rd. (Paul Rule)
Dog-in-a-Doublet – SHAG (Ray and Will Bowell)
Grafham Water – 3 female Scaup from Dudney hide, one then flew off towards north shore, 6+ Ruddy Duck (Mark Hawkes)
Friday, 19 December
Dog-in-a-Doublet – SHAG ( photo) (Jonathan Taylor)
Thursday, 18 December
Dog-in-a-Doublet – SHAG (Jonathan Taylor) also escaped Saker (Steve Dudley)
Oakington – Merlin perched on Lamp Post at Cambridge Rd 14:00. Flew off towards Girton (John Hoppett)
Peterborough – Grey Wagtail outside General Hospital entrance (Tony Stones)
Cambridge – female Blackcap in gardens near Mathematics centre, between Clarkson & Madingley Road. (Vince Lea)
Wednesday, 17 December
Ely BF- Bittern (Ben Green) also recorded on the 14th December
Snailwell - Little Egret on the river Snail TL639683 (Ian Delgado)
Stanground Wash - DARTFORD WARBLER still present early afternoon between the rugby club and the R.Nene on Stanground Wash (Birdguides)
Chesterton (N Cambs) – 2000+ Golden Plover next to the A1 Just north of Chesterton, best viewed from the A1 northbound 1st lay by north of Alwalton / Chesterton junction (Chris Park)
Tuesday, 16 December
Wicken Fen - Bittern flew towards West Mere hide at 2pm - veered off left over reeds towards Harrison's Drove, 2 (poss. 3) Hen Harriers coming in to roost behind Tower Hide (poss. 2 males and 1 female) (Will Burdett)
Paxton Pits - Smew - 1 redhead on Heronry north pit, Goosander - 5 over high up heading north, Harris' Hawk - landed in small tree between two hides before heading off towards the river again, Grey Wagtail - 1 over, heading north. (Jamie Wells)
Cambridge – 20 WAXWINGS circling the car park outside the BirdLife office in Girton this morning, and then flew off in the direction of Huntingdon Road. (Gary Allport / Mike Crosby)
Farcet Fen – ring tail Hen Harrier (Steve Dudley)
Twenty Pence - good selection of 1st winter, 3rd winter and adult Yellow-legged Gulls ( photos >), >plus a Glaucous hybrid, a probable Herring x Yellow-legged Gull hybrid and a 2nd winter Caspian Gull ( photos) (Dick Newell)
Monday, 15 December
Ely - 1st Winter ROSE-COLOURED STARLING (Graham Austin)
Nene Washes – 2 Marsh Harriers, Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin together at March Farmers, 2 Peregrine (ad and imm males), 2 Common buzzard , Eldernell and M Farmers, 2 Barn Owls 2 Eldernell, 2 Water Pipit, 600 Bewick's 1mile south of March Farmers. (Jonathan Taylor)
Morborne Hill - Peregrine (Brain Stone)
Cambridge - Merlin over the BirdLife office in Girton this morning (Richard Thomas) fem Blackcap in Lovell Rd. (David Heath)
Fen Drayton - m Goosander on windsurfing lake, Bittern flew from Ferry Pond to Holywell Lake c.12:00h, m Smew on Trout Pond, 3 male & 12 redhead Smew on Elney Lake (Bruce Martin)
Ouse Washes - Willow Tit at feeder 08:30h, 4+ Tree Sparrows, 6 White-fronted Geese, Peregrine, Merlin, 60+ Black-tailed Godwits, m Stonechat, 30 Whooper Swans, 50+ Bewick`s Swans (Mark Hawkes, John Oates)
From the weekend, 2 Blackcaps reported in Cambridge gardens: a male off hills Road (Gary Allport) & a female in Birdwood Road (Pete Holt)
Sunday, 14 December
Stanground Wash - DARTFORD WARBLER east of the short pylons in the middle of the rough pasture (Richard Allison); 4+ Stonechats, 3 Grey Wagtails & Green Sandpiper (Richard Patient)
Twenty Pence, near Cottenham - two 1st winter Caspian ( photos >) and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls in amongst many hundred large gulls and lots of Black-headed this afternoon (Dick Newell)
Tanholt - HOODED CROW (Richard Allison); adult Caspian Gull (Richard Patient)
Eye - HOODED CROW, 1st c.y. Caspian Gull (Richard Patient)
Elton - pale Common Buzzard (PBC photos >) on the Ash Ridge (Brian Stone)
Ouse Washes, RSPB - 18 Bramblings, 4 Tree Sparrows, Barn Owl, 2 Kingfishers, c.200 Whooper Swans, c.150 Bewick`s Swans, 2 Dunlin, 5 Ruff, Peregrine (Mark Ward)
Eldernell - 1+ ringtail Hen Harrier & 2+ Marsh Harriers towards dusk (Richard Patient)
Fen Drayton - Far Fen pit 12 Smew inc 2 drakes, FIRECREST in the trees running along southern edge of Holywell pit at 11:00h, favouring the area close to the first raised fishing platform. Could not relocate late afternoon but 2-3 calling Water Rail, Green Sandpiper & Redshank on Holywell Pit, Bittern 16:10h into roost (David Anderson)
Paxton Pits - Bearded Tit, heard twice in reeds along the north edge of A1 South this morning, but not seen in extensive search, also Common Sandpiper on A1 South, male Smew on A1 North, redhead Smew on Heronry South, Green sandpiper, male Goosander (Julian Hughes); Harris Hawk near moorings at dusk (Roger Hughes)
Prior`s Fen - 3 redhead Smew & 7 European White-fronted Geese on East Pit, also ringtail Hen Harrier, Grey Wagtail, Lesser Redpoll (Mike Weedon)
Grafham Water - imm/f Scaup Valley Creek Hide, 4+ m Goosanders, 95 Goldeneyes, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Redpoll, 10+ Ruddy Ducks (Mark Hawkes et al.)
Saturday, 13 December
DARTFORD WARBLER c200 yards east of Paholme SW on Stanground Wash, between the two pylons (Ian Delgado)
Friday, 12 December
Eye Tip - HOODED CROW present 10:00h (Malcolm Bell)
Ouse Washes - Willow Tit 11:15h (BirdGuides)
Fen Drayton - 15 Smew, inc. 3 drakes, seen initially on Trout pond, later on Far Fen Lake (John Oates)
Thursday, 11 December
Stanground Wash - Barn Owl, Green Sandpiper 09:00h in dreadful weather (Richard Allison); DARTFORD WARBLER (PBC photos) present again slightly east of yesterday`s location 12:40h but `blooming elusive` after this time, also 5+ Stonechats & escaped Saker (John Oates et al.)
Tanholt - no sign of Siberian Chiffchaff at Tanholt GP nor Hooded Crow at Eye Tip, but an eastern race Jackdaw present at the tip today (John Oates)
Wednesday, 10 December
Stanground Wash - DARTFORD WARBLER. Park carefully by the Millennium Bridge, walk west for c.1 mile and view across the river from Padholme Sewage Works. The bird is frequenting the dark vegetation either side of the large pylon opposite the sewage works this afternoon, but is mobile and often distant. Usually associating with Stonechats, present until 14:40h at least. Also Sedge Warbler c.250 yards east of the sewage works (Toadsnatcher photos), Marsh Harrier, 5 Stonechats, Barn Owl, Water Rail (Brian Stone, Steve Dudley, Katie Fuller)
Tuesday, 9 December
Tanholt - SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF at the western end of the second pit alongside the bridleway at Tanholt pits 11:15 - 11:45h, but not relocated after this time. HOODED CROW still present at Eye Tip (John Oates, Bruce & Gwen Martin et al.)
Monks Wood - up to 8 WAXWINGS at 12:00h on a private site with strictly no access (Rich Broughton)
Cambridge, Girton - Peregrine over the BirdLife office this lunchtime (Mike Crosby & David Wege)
Grafham Water - imm/f Common Scoter off Church Lane early morning, 2f Scaup around the dam (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington)
Ouse Washes RSPB - Willow Tit increasingly regular at the bird table, up to 20 Bramblings, 4+ Tree Sparrows, c.450 Bewick`s Swans & c.150 Whooper Swans on arable north of Welches Dam, 2+ Kingfishers, 3 Water Pipits flew north-east at Halfway Hide late afternoon (Mark Ward)
Monday, 8 December
Orton BP - ad Greenland White-fronted Goose (PBC photos; Toadsnatcher photos) & Pink-footed Goose amongst the Greylag Geese and exotics. White-fronted Goose then moved to Hampton North Lake (Brian Stone)
Eye Tip - HOODED CROW (CBCphotos; Toadsnatcher photos; PBC photos) showing well at lunchtime (Richard Allison)
Wicken - 2 ad European White-fronted Geese in fields between Wicken Fen & Burwell this morning (John Oates)
Ouse Washes RSPB - Spotted Redshank from Welches Dam Hide (via Mark Ward)
Sunday, 7 December
Saturday, 6 December
nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, Chiffchaff, 100s of Redwing (Jamie Wells)
Grunty Fen - a flock of about 400 big gulls right opposite the tip, including at least 5 michahellis and the ringed Caspian Gull from Long Drove (Dick Newell)
Friday, 5 December
Godmanchester/Cow Lane GP - 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshanks, 2 f Goldeneyes, Grey Wagtail, 40+ Long-tailed Tits, 50+ Fieldfares, hundreds of Redwings (Stuart Elsom)
Tanholt - HOODED CROW between Tanholt Farm and Eye Tip again 10:05h (Jim Law, Steve Dudley)
Farcet Fen - Merlin 16:10h (Steve Dudley)
Thursday, 4 December
Hamptons - c.1300 Golden Plover between Fletton and North Lake (the island `full`), c.400 Lapwing & Grey Wagtail on North Lake (Brian Stone)
Dog-in-a-Doublet - c.800 Lapwings just to the north, 20 Redshank & ad m Ruff to the south (Brian Stone)
From Monday, 1 December: Ouse Washes - m Hen Harrier, f Marsh Harrier, Barnacle Goose, 27 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Ruff, Goldeneye, 3 Curlews (Mark Ward)
Wednesday, 3 December
Tanholt - HOODED CROW on field north of Tanholt again, until early afternoon at least; also Brambling present (Brian Stone, Mike Weedon); Peregrine (Kevin Durose)
Cottenham, Long Drove - 4+ michahellis Yellow-legged Gulls, Caspian Gull (CBC photos), 7 Bewick`s Swans over (Dick Newell)
Impington - f Merlin through this morning (David Wege)
Ouse Washes RSPB - Willow Tit at bird table at least 20 times bewteen11:00-12:00h (CBC photos & comments), 10+ Bramblings, Tree Sparrow, Kingfisher (Mark Ward)
Tuesday, 2 December
Tanholt - HOODED CROW on Eye Tip. Viewed from Tanholt GP: walk along the bridleway from the Tanholt Farm end until half way along the first pit and look north towards the tip. Present until 12:50h at least (Brain Stone, Steve Dudley).
Monday, 1 December
Ouse Washes RSPB - Willow Tit, c.10 Bramblings, Tree Sparrow, Hen Harrier, c.100 Bewick`s Swans, 2 Dunlin 11:00-12:30h (Jono Leadley)
Grafham Water - Bearded Tit calling to the left of the lagoon hide (Jono Leadley)
From Saturday, 29 November: Fen Drayton - 7 Avocets arrived on Swavesey Lake c.15:15h and were last seen in flight about 30 min later. Also present Chiffchaff and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (Richard Patient)
Sunday, 30 November
Saturday, 29 November
Prior`s Fen - red-head Smew on middle pit, 7 White-fronted Geese (5 ad, 2 juv) but flighty, eventually on east pit with Greylag flock, f Goldeneye (Mike Weedon)
Grafham Water - 16 Avocet, best viewed from Savages Hide (north shore), 10+ Dunlin, Oystercatcher, 13 Ruddy Ducks, imm Peregrine over, Bearded Tit still calling in lagoons this morning, 1st winter f Scaup in Dudney Creek, 3 Siskins, 50+ Goldeneyes (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington, Mark Piercey et al.)
Friday, 28 November
Cambridge - f Blackcap in a Lovell Road garden again this morning (David Heath)
Granchester/Cow Lane GP - 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshanks, 3 Snipe, Siskin, Grey Wagtail, 5 Bullfinches, 50+ Long-tailed Tits, 3 Treecreepers (Stuart Elsom)
Grafham Water - f Scaup off Mander CP this afternoon, `100s of Tufted Ducks & Pochards` (Mark Hawkes)
Ouse Washes - m & f Hen Harriers & c.5 Sparrowhawks to roost, Short-eared Owl, 3+ Barn Owls, 9 Whooper Swans, Ruff, 2+ Kingfishers, 11 Water Pipits heading north-east along the washes, up to 12 Bramblings & 2 Tree Sparrows coming to seed at the Visitor Centre this afternoon (Mark Ward)
Thursday, 27 November
Grafham Water - f Scaup north shore of lagoons this afternoon, also a Chiffchaff (Mark Hawkes)
Orton BP - 3 Goldeneyes, Snipe, Water Rail, 150+ Fieldfares, c.30 Redwings, c.300 Golden Plovers, c.500 Lapwings (Brian Stone)
Maxey GP - 3 f Goosanders, large flocks of Lapwings & Golden Plovers between A15 & Etton (Keith Lawton)
Ferry Meadows - c.55 Siskins by Bluebell Bridge (Don Gardener)
From Monday, 24 November: Paxton Pits - f Merlin, which took a Brambling from a finch flock over the arable extension area (Jim Stevenson) & Red-necked Grebe on Sailing Lake (Chris Sargeant)
Wednesday, 26 November
Grafham Water - Bearded Tit calling at the lagoons, also present yesterday. This bird is elusive and hard to hear, let alone see (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington)
Prior`s Fen - m & f Pintails, 2 Goldeneyes, 2-3 Redshanks, 5 ad & 2 juv European Whitefronted Geese present but very flighty (Brian Stone)
Tuesday, 25 November
Ferry Meadows - Lesser Whitethroat, race not determined. Toadsnatcher photos and comments; PBC photos and comments (Nene Park Visitor Services)
Grafham Water - f Scaup, m Mandarin (BirdGuides)
Monday, 24 November
Grafham Water - f/imm VELVET SCOTER from the dam 12:45-12:52h before flying off south, imm f Scaup on north side of lagoons, 30+ Goldeneyes (Mark Hawkes)
Ferry Meadows - Lesser Whitethroat (various observers)
Paxton Pits - 4 Red-crested Pochards, Grey Wagtail on A1 North Pit this afternoon (Jim Lawrence)
Sunday, 23 November
Grafham Water - f & 2m Mandarins from Dudney Hide, 3 Grey Wagtails & 2 Water Rails on the lagoons, 20+ Bramblings Hill Farm CP, c.9 Bramblings along North Shore, Bearded Tit heard several times in front of lagoon Hide c.08:30h (Mark Piercey)
Cottenham - Red Kite over 13:00h (Neil Barker)
Saturday, 22 November
Ferry Meadows - Long-eared Owl at dusk (Matt Webb)
Friday, 21 November
Farcet Fen - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this morning (Steve Dudley)
Nene Washes RSPB - cream-crown Marsh Harrier, Water Pipit calling, 12+ Ruff (Brian Stone)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - 41 Redshanks briefly 13:00h (Mike Weedon)
Paxton Pits - Black-necked Grebe, f Scaup, 3 Red-crested Pochards on A1 North Pit, 5+ Bramblings around Sailing Lake (Martin Davis)
Cam Washes, Upware - Black-tailed Godwit, Lesser Redpoll, 11 Corn Buntings (John Oates)
Thursday, 20 November
Whittlesford - a group of 47 Red-legged Partridges between Whittlesford and Little Shelford this morning, also c.25 Golden Plovers over the A10 roundabout in Trumpington (Peter Bircham)
Hemmingford Abbots - Merlin over A14 turn-off 09:30h (Richard Broughton)
Ferry Meadows - f/imm Merlin over Heron Meadow this morning (Don Gardener)
Farcet Fen - 2 Kestrels, m & f Sparrowhawks, imm male Peregrine this morning, f Merlin this afternoon (Steve Dudley)
Ouse Washes RSPB - Willow Tit on the feeders, m Brambling, Siskin, Water Pipit, 2+ Tree Sparrows, Peregrine, f/imm Merlin, 4 Whooper Swans, 3 European Whitefronted Geese, Pink-footed Goose, 21 Dunlins, 8 Ruffs (John Oates)
Wednesday, 19 November
Farcet Fen - imm male Peregrine, 137 Pied Wagtails, 18 Corn Buntings, 42 Fieldfares (Steve Dudley)
Cambridge, Baits Bite Lock - Merlin, Grey Wagtail (Clive Sinclair)
Grafham Water - f Scaup from Savages Hide, 6 Bramblings in flock of 100+ Chaffinches at Hill Farm, 12+ Dunlin, juv & 2 ad Shelducks from Mander CP (Jim Lawrence)
Prior`s Fen - 4 Pintails, Redshank, Kingfisher (Brian Stone)
Burwell Fen - f/imm Merlin, ringtail Hen Harrier (John Oates)
Tuesday, 18 November
Godmanchester/Cow Lane GPs - 2 Green Sandpipers, Redshank, 3 Snipe, 3 Grey Wagtails, 100+ Wigeon, 45+ Teal, 2f Goldeneyes, 50+ Redwings & many over heading south-west, 2 Bullfinches (Stuart Elsom)
Paxton Pits - Red-crested Pochard (BirdGuides)
Grafham Water - f/imm Common Scoter along the north shore, f Mandarin, 12+ Dunlin (Mark Hawkes); from Saturday 15 November: 5 f/imm Common Scoters, m Goosander, 65 Goldeneyes, 450 Great-crested Grebes (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington); f Scaup (John Oates, Richard Hall)
Monday, 17 November
Lode - wild-type Budgerigar with no tail damage in a private garden attempting, unsuccessfully, to use feeders this morning (John Oates)
Earith to Mepal - highly mobile f Scaup last seen heading towards Earith 08:30h, 745 Wigeon, 48 Teal, 7 Redshanks, 4 Dunlins, 427 Lapwings, 13 Dabchicks, 3 Kingfishers, 86 Fieldfares, 34 Redwings (Mark Peck)
From Friday, 14 November: Wimpole - 2 calling Nuthatches loosely associated with a 50+ Tit flock, including 2+ vocal Marsh Tits, on the edge of Wimpole Estate c.TL338527 (Jim Lawrence); 4 Nuthatches in Cobbs Wood (Stephen green, Clare Wilson); Star Pit - m Ruff; Tanholt - ad Mediterranean Gull, ad Yellow-legged Gull (Kevin Durose)
Cottenham, Long Drove - 2 Barn Owls 22:45h (David Heath)
Chippenham - an imm GANNET found in a local garden & due to be returned to the coast appeared on BBC Look East this evening (Julian Hughes)
Sunday, 16 November
Royston, Litlington Pit - 67 Corn Buntings, Peregrine (Vince Lea)
Saturday, 15 November
Friday, 14 November
Paxton Pits - female Scaup on Island Pit, 2m & 4f Red-crested Pochards, 2m Goosanders, 3 Barnacle Geese (Martin Davis)
Ouse Washes - 2 (ad & juv) European White-fronted Geese and 5 Whooper Swans on arable between Steven's Hide & the railway bridge. Water Pipit around also (John Oates); Marsh Harrier and Merlin reported also .
Mepal GP - drake presumed Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid, of the Redhead type (John Oates)
Thursday, 13 November
Barton - c.400 Fieldfares (largely) and Redwings, 30+ Chaffinches 09:00h (Louise Bacon)
Grafham Water - f/imm Scaup off Mander CP 15:30-16:00h at least (Mark Hawkes)
From Monday, 10 November: Ramsey Mereside - House Martin (Steve Heather)
Wednesday, 12 November
Cambridge - Peregrine between Swavesey and Bar Hill this morning (Martin Smith)
Nene Washes RSPB - 3 Stonechats near the cattle pens on the central drove (Brian Stone)
Tuesday, 11 November
Farcet Fen - m Blackcap (Steve Dudley)
Prior`s Fen - 2 ad Whooper Swans, Goldeneye, 8 Redshanks, c.360 Greylag Geese also Bar-headed Goose, Barnacle Goose and Black Swan (Brian Stone)
Wicken Fen - 2 m Hen Harriers to roost, from Tower Hide, 3 wild Bewick`s Swans in with the captive Whooper Swans (Ring-necked Duck, 4 Canvasbacks also captive), Marsh Harrier & Bittern also reported recently (John Oates)
Ely - f Redstart in poplars alongside allotments towards Stuntney this morning, also Woodcock (Peter Bullett)
Monday. 10 November
Ouse Washes - Willow Tit (photos & comments) showed well at Welches Dam feeders 11:25h & 12:00h, also 6 Siskins in the car park (Jim Lawrence); Water Pipit Welches Dam Hide 13:15h, 2 Kingfishers & Merlin from Halfway Hide, 20+ Fieldfares (Paul Atkinson)
Ferry Meadows - 2m, 2f Goosanders, 1200 Lapwings, 1200 Golden Plovers, m Brambling, Marsh Tit, Lesser Redpoll, 6 Fieldfares, 50+ Chaffinches (Don Gardener)
Eldernell - 2 Short-eared Owls, Sparrowhawk (Steve Gann)
Sunday, 9 November
st winter males, 4 probable immatures/or fems), Bar-headed Goose, (Julian Hughes); 5 Bewick's Swans (2 ad & 3 imm) flew NE, f Red-crested Pochard, 2f Pintails, 18 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Green Sandpipers, Chiffchaff, 3 Redpolls, Siskin (Julian Hughes/Jamie Wells); Goosander seen on Washout Pit (Ian Langdon/Mike Hodgson)
Cambridge, Jesus Green - Merlin 13:00h (Peter Stockwell)
Great Wilbraham Fen - possible GOSHAWK (Richard fowling)
Milton CP - presumed escape ad Lesser White-fronted Goose (Stuart Jack)
Saturday, 8 November
Wicken Fen - 2 ad & juv Bewick`s Swans of wild origin with the wildfowl collection (Ralph Sargeant)
Nene Washes - Curlew (Steve Gann)
Friday, 7 November
Thursday, 6 November
Northey - 1st winter or female BLACK REDSTART (photos) & m Brambling by the south end of the Millennium Bridge; Grey Wagtail also near the bridge; 90 Fieldfares & one or two Redwings at Wash Northey (Brian Stone)
Farcet Fen - f Merlin, m & f Sparrowhawks, 6 Tree Sparrows (Steve Dudley)
Ouse Washes - Willow Tit 11:30-11:50h & again at 14:05h (photos & comments); also from the Visitor Centre 2 Peregrines over 12:05, 5 Siskins, 10 Bramblings, Grey Wagtail, 8+ Tree Sparrows, 9 Black-tailed Godwits (Jim Lawrence, Mark Ward); between Sutton Gault & Jolly Bankers Bridge - up to 13 Water Pipits near the Cormorant nests, Short-eared Owl, 650 Lapwings, 2 Tree Sparrows, Siskin, Brambling, 80 Fieldfares, 2 Little Owls calling (Owen Marks)
Byall Fen Farm, TL443876 - c.500 Golden Plovers, 2 Ruff (Jim Lawrence)
Grafham Water - ad Mediterranean Gull off Mander CP from 16:10h, 2+ ad Yellow-legged Gulls, 10+ Dunlin (Mark Hawkes)
Fen Drayton - Short-eared Owl, Little Owl, 2 Water Rails, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (John Oates)
Wednesday, 5 November
Paxton Pits - ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew from the path by Island Pit towards Pumphouse Pit12:00h (Martin Smith); Bittern flew over the CP by the Visitor Centre towards the Hayling Lake reed-bed c.15:00h (Jim Stevenson); no further sign of the Hen Harrier this afternoon (Martin Davis, Martin Smith)
Earith - RAVEN over towards St. Ives late morning (Ian Heath)
Fen Drayton - 5 Goldeneyes this afternoon (Mike Foley)
Ouse Washes - Willow Tit coming to the feeders at Welche`s Dam on & off 12:50-14:20h, Rock Pipit, 2+ Water Pipits, 3 Bramblings, Redpoll, 2 Siskins, Barn Owl, 2 Bewick`s Swans, 3 Whooper Swans (Richard Hall, John Oates)
Wimpole - Buzzard over the estate 15:18h, m Brambling & 4 Marsh Tits; also Buzzard south west of Kingston Wood 14:30h (Jim Lawrence)
Tuesday, 4 November
Ouse Washes - Willow Tit on Welche`s Dam visitor centre feeders 13:00h, a regular since October 8th. Also 3 Water Pipits at Halfway Hide, Buzzard over 12:00h, 3 Bramblings over, 2 Lesser Redpolls, Barn Owl (Jim Lawrence)
Cambridge - 2 Buzzards over the BirdLife office in Girton this lunchtime (Mike Crosby et al.); Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling at Chesterton Corn Mills (Jonathan Stacey)
Flag Fen - Peregrine this lunchtime (Brian Stone)
Prior`s Fen - 4 Pintails, 2 Redshanks, Snipe, `plenty of Wigeon` (Brian Stone)
Fletton BP - 832 Golden Plovers in nearby field at c.TL185945 (Brian Stone)
Grafham Water - ad Mediterranean Gull off lagoons 16:50 (Mark Hawkes)
News from Saturday, 1 November: Ouse Washes - Richard`s Pipit reported from c.200 yards south of Jolly Bankers. The bird was looked for, but not relocated, on Monday 3rd (Mark Peck, Mark Ward)
Monday, 3 November
Monks Wood - Merlin over 13:45h (Rich Broughton)
Grafham Water - m Goosander, 20 Dunlin, f Mandarin (Mark Hawkes)
Between Mepal & Earith - 320 Wigeon, 56 Teal, f Merlin, 31 Redshanks, 33 Stock Doves, 311 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Wagtails. Also Water Pipit at Chain Corner this morning (Mark Peck)
No sign of the Rose-coloured Starling this morning (Bruce Martin)
No sign of the Green-winged Teal at Star Pit this lunchtime (Brian Stone)
Sunday, 2 November
Eldernell - ring-tail Hen Harrier, 4 Marsh Harriers, 3 Short-eared Owls, Barn Owl, Little Owl, 50+ Pied Wagtails roosted (Jim Lawrence)
Grafham Water - Little Stint, 21 Dunlin (Mark Hawkes)
Saturday, 1 November
st winter Mediterranean Gull, Little Stint, 16 Dunlin, drake Goosander (Mark Hawkes, Mark Telfer); also 4 Whooper and a Bewick's Swan reported but all flew east towards Paxton Pits (Anon)
Histon - ROSE-COLOURED STARLING just off Park Lane. It gets on roof-tops in the vicinity frequently so it is viewable from the surrounding streets (Chris Martin); also Merlin over at 12:00h (Jim Lawrence)
Cambridge - Barn Owl hunting along the roadside verge south of Godmanchester on the A1198 between Kings Bush and Lattenbury Farms, TL267670 (Jim Lawrence)
st (Martin Davis); also Rock Pipit (Jamie Wells); Siskin, Redpoll, 200 Fieldfares, 14 Little Grebes, 10 Snipe, Green Sandpiper (Martin Davies/Julian Hughes/Neal Parkin/Jamie Wells)
Fen Drayton - red-headed Smew on Ferry Lagoon (Dave Anderson); adult Caspian Gull, adult & 4th winter Yellow-legged Gulls in the gull roost, impressive numbers of starlings going into the reed beds (John Oates, Richard Patient)
Friday, 31 October
Littleport - FIRECREST in the grounds of a chapel TL538884 (Tony Wilson); also present on the 30th
Thursday, 30 October
Landbeach - ad RING-BILLED GULL at the landfill viewed from A 10 c.250 yards north of entrance roundabout till 08:55h when it flew north (John Oates, Ian Delgado). No further sign of the bird from c.09:00h until dusk, although ad Caspian Gull and several Yellow-legged Gulls present. White Stork in field between A10 and the landfill until 11:00h (Mark Hawkes). NB. There is strictly no access to the landfill site.
Fowlmere - TWITE present along the farm track east of the reserve 08:00h, although it flew east when flushed by a jogger (Julian Hughes); present c.09:00h (Jim Lawrence)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls 11:30h (BirdGuides)
Farcet Fen - Short-eared Owl, f Goldeneye, Redshank, 3 Snipe, 11 Fieldfares, 2 Corn Buntings (Steve Dudley)
Nene Washes - a vocal Cetti`s Warbler, 2+ Water Pipits, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sort-eared Owls at Eldernell (Jonathan Taylor)
Melbourne - Merlin opposite Tyler`s Garden Centre 16:30h (Michael Ricketts)
Wednesday, 29 October
Fowlmere - TWITE showing well on central track, can be very confiding, 07:20-07:50h. Directions as yesterday (Stuart Elsom); present 11:55h (BirdGuides)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - GREEN-WINGED TEAL showed well c.14:00h, also Water Rail, Green Sandpiper, 5 Redshanks, Grey Wagtail (Mark Ward, Katie Fuller); GREEN-WINGED TEAL showing well at the west end 15:20-15:40h (Stuart Elsom)
Landbeach - RING-BILLED GULL in the area of the tip (Dick Newell); also Caspian Gull (BirdGuides). There is no access to the tip and viewing is difficult from the A10. The bird had not been located in the surrounding area by other birders by c.15:00h. White Stork present between the tip and Chittering (John Oates)
Grafham Water -3 Rock Pipits along the dam this morning, ad Mediterranean Gull off Lagoons 16:50h (Colin Addington); single Rock Pipit late afternoon (Lee Evans); juv Little Stint, 16 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, f Mandarin, 28 Goldeneyes, Blackcap (John Oates, Mark Hawkes)
Nene Washes - Hen Harrier (BirdGuides); Reed Warbler by DIAD bridge (Jonathan Taylor)
Eldernell - 4 Marsh Harriers, 2+ Short-eared Owls, 20+ Kestrels, Barn Owl, 4 Bramblings, Siskin 16:00-17:00h (Stuart Elsom); 5+ short-eared Owls, Merlin, ringtail Hen Harrier, hundreds of Fieldfares (Mike Weedon, Steve Gann) Prior`s Fen - m Merlin, 2 Lesser Redpolls over, 3 ad Dunlin, 3 Goldeneyes, Oystercatcher, Redshank, hundreds of Wigeon 07:30-09:00h (Mike Weedon)
Tuesday, 28 October
Fowlmere - a colour-ringed TWITE at c.TL413452, found yesterday (Doug Radford). Park in the reserve car park, go over the bridge towards the reserve and turn immediately left. Follow this track, go through the gate and head up the hill between the large fields. Approach carefully - it is easily flushed (it usually returns fairly quickly). Please note this is not a public right of way, although it is used by local dog walkers and horse riders (so please be polite to any you see - very important if asking them to change their route!!). The colour rings have been read and hopefully it will be traced (John Oates)
Grafham Water - m Goosander, 20+ Goldeneyes, 3 Ruddy Ducks, 186+ Pochards, hundreds of Teal, 273+ Tufted Ducks, Grey Plover (Mark Hawkes)
Serpentine BP - 60+ Redwings, 2 Woodcocks, Snipe (George Walthew)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - GREEN-WINGED TEAL, Water Rail, Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshanks, lots of Snipe (Ray & Will Bowell)
Some late news: Hampton 26 October - Ring Ouzel; Dogsthorpe, Star Pit 24 October - Jack Snipe. Green-winged Teal at Star Pit may have been present, in eclipse until very recently, for 2 or 3 weeks (Kevin Durose); Grafham Water 26 October - Jack Snipe at Mander CP, Red-crested Pochard at Plummer CP (Ade Cooper)
Monday, 27 October
Paxton Pits - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in the same private area this morning. Please use the reserve car park and follow the instructions given yesterday when trying to view this bird (Jamie Wells); still present at 14:00h (BirdGuides)
Dogsthorpe Star Pit - GREEN-WINGED TEAL showing `brilliantly` at 14:25h, also 2nd calendar year Caspian Gull 15:15h (Martin Coates)
Grafham Water - juv Little Stint, 15 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, juv Grey Plover, 20+ Redshanks, 20+ Goldeneyes, Red-necked Grebe off Mander CP & Peregrine over 16:10h (Mark Hawkes, Jim Lawrence)
Eldernell - Curlew, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Short-eared Owls (Steve Gann)
The Ramsey Black Woodpecker - `the photos have not come out as well as was hoped. The observer is very disappointed.` (John Oates). So it is not going to be a Cambs addition to the British list just yet.
Cambridge - no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler 07:00-09:10h. Brambling over 08:25h (Stuart Elsom)
Sunday, 26 October
Paxton Pits - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in private part of the pits to which there is strictly no access. It may be possible to see and hear it from the public footpath between Little Paxton and Diddington at approx. TL198644, at the south end of the paddock adjacent to Boughton Lodge Farm. Please do not enter the working quarry. Also 3 Blackcaps singing, Siskin, 20+ Fieldfares, Green Sandpiper, 35 Goldeneyes, 10 Ruddy Ducks, 11 Little Grebes and 2 Green Sandpipers, male Stonechat reported (Julian Hughes/Jamie Wells)
Cambridge - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in gardens between Parsonage Street and Brunswick Terrace (Peter Herkenrath, Bruce Martin et al.)
Dogsthorpe Star Pit - GREEN-WINGED TEAL, ad Caspian Gull, Blackcap (Kevin Durose)
Tanholt GP - 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, Whooper Swan, 35 Fieldfares (Steve Dudley / Katie Fuller)
Saturday, 25 October
Cambridge - YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in private gardens in the vicinity of Parsonage St, off Newmarket Rd. (Peter Herkenrath)
Grafham Water - Red-necked Grebe, juv Little Stint, Dunlin 13, juv Grey Plover, 154+ Pochard (inc. a male with a very white back, much like a Canvasback!), all around Mander/Dudney Creek (Mark Hawkes); Common Tern (Jim Lawrence)
Chippenham Fen (permit required) - FIRECREST loosely associating with Long-tailed Tits and a few Goldcrests, 100 metres east of the new building near a shooting ladder at 11:00h and again next to the entrance gate at 12:25h. Also 4 Bramblings, 11 Fieldfares, c.30 Redwings, 2 Siskins, Tree Sparrow over, c.8 Marsh tits, 3 Sparrowhawks, & a leucistic Woodpigeon (Owen and Monica Marks)
Tanholt GP - FIRECREST present until 11:45h ranging widely along sycamore belt from Tahholt Farm entrance to beyond the life-buoy. Also adult Mediterranean Gull earlier, but flew off with loads of other gulls towards Dogsthorpe Tip (Steve Dudley)
Priors Fen - 2 Goosander to west, Merlin, Jack Snipe, 202 Fieldfares (Steve Dudley)
Northey - 420+ Fieldfares (Steve Dudley)
Fulbourn - 50+ Fieldfares over Teversham Road (Paul Rule)
Friday, 24 October
Ferry Meadows - fem/juv Stonechat on Coney meadow (Matt Webb / Don Gardener)
Bluebell Wood - 2 Marsh Tits. Also c.20 Goldcrests recorded over Bluebell Wood, Ferry Meadows & Lynch Wood (Don Gardener)
Prior`s Fen - Jack Snipe, 3 Redshank, 30 Fieldfares over, Black Swan (Brian Stone)
Grafham Water - 6 Corn Buntings (Colin Addington)
Thursday, 23 October
Farcet Fen - 450 Linnets, 2100 Woodpigeons, 3 Golden Plovers this morning, Buzzard this afternoon (Steve Dudley)
Paxton Pits - 3 Whooper Swans, 3 Golden Plover, Coal Tit (Martin Davis)
Grafham Water ã Sandwich Tern (probably 1st winter) high over Plummer CP 17:35h, also juv Little Stint, juv Grey Plover, 10 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 3+ Redshanks (Mark Hawkes)
A report of a Black Woodpecker on October 21 has been received from a Ramsey resident. The bird apparently caused some damage to an apple tree. Photographs of the bird concerned may become available (John Oates)
Elton ã 3 Red Kites together over village (Josh Jones)
Wednesday, 22 October
Paxton Pits - 3 Whooper Swans on Heronry South Pit this morning (Julian Hughes); still present at dusk, also 50-60 Mute Swans, 2 Swallows, 2 Grey Wagtails (Julian Hughes, Jamie Wells)
Godmanchester GP - 2 Yellow-legged Gulls. Green Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wagtails, Kingfisher, 100+ Wigeon, 60+ Redwings, 50+ Long-tailed Tits, 7 Bullfinches 12:45-13:45h (Stuart Elsom)
From 19 October: Prior`s Fen - Bearded Tit, `hundreds` of Wigeon, Black Swan (John Rodford)
Grafham Water - 5 ad Bewick`s Swans Savage`s Creek, 3+ Bramblings Hill Farm CP, Grey Plover Dudney Creek, juv Common Tern Mander CP, 21 Redshanks, 10+ Dunlin, 8 Goldeneyes (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington)
Eldernell - 5 Marsh Harriers, 33 Fieldfares, Snipe, also 16 Teal, 7 Gadwalls, f Pintail on the pit (Steve Gann)
Tuesday, 21 October
Cambridge, Girton - GOSHAWK 09:15h (BirdGuides)
Ferry Meadows - at least 6 Sparrowhawks this lunchtime (Chris park)
Fletton BP - Goldeneye, Stonechat, Water Rail, Siskin, 6 Redwings (Brian Stone)
Prior`s Fen - Marsh Harrier, 3 Snipe, Ruff, Redshank & Black Swan (Brian Stone)
Farcet Fen - 3 Sparrowhawks, Stonechat (Steve Dudley)
Grafham Water - Red-necked Grebe, Green Sandpiper, 13 Dunlin (Mark Hawkes)
From 18 October: Grafham Water - 3 Little Gulls, juv Common Tern, Grey Plover, Red-necked Grebe, 17 Dunlin (Mark Hawkes et al.). Paxton Pits - ad Caspian Gull, Rock Pipit, Wheatear, Stonechat, 7+ Golden Plovers (Mark Hawkes, Jamie Wells)
Monday, 20 October
Newborough - 2 Stonechats at TF217034, Yellow-legged Gull at TF217037 (Brian Stone)
Dog-in-a-Doublet - 60 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings (Brian Stone)
Farcet Fen - Brambling (Steve Dudley)
Sunday, 19 October
Trumpington - Common Buzzard @ 12:20h and one seen at 14:15h hunting over NIAB trial fields by M11
Saturday, 18 October
Nene Washes - 5 Goldcrests, 30 Fieldfares, 2 Bramblings, 2 Curlews, 1 Woodcock, 4 Stonechats, 1 Swallow (Jonathan Taylor)
Fen Drayton GP - 3 Little Gulls, Rock Pipit, Jack Snipe, 6 Ruddy Ducks, 5 Water Rails, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Green Sandpipers, 25 Fieldfares, 10 Redwings, Grey Wagtail, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskins, 7 Goldcrests, 210 Cormorants, 50 Golden Plovers (Richard Patient)
Godmanchester GP - Scaup, Peregrine, 2 Bramblings, 2 Ruddy Ducks, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Swallow, 25 Fieldfares, few Redwings/Goldcrests (Richard Patient)
Diddington - 2 Common Buzzards near A1 c.15:00h (Graham Askew)
Coton - c.200 Redwings, 9 Grey Partridges this afternoon (Louise Bacon)
Fowlmere - 11 Grey Partridges opposite the entrance road (Guy Manners)
Friday, 17 October
Flag Fen - GREAT GREY SHRIKE at TF230001 08:50h, along the rough Hawthorn-lined drove that runs east from Pearce`s Road. The track has a small pile of burnt rubbish on it near the main road. The Shrike was perching on Hawthorns but just hopped down as I went for a photo and then I had to get into work (Brian Stone)
Prior`s Fen - Curlew, Dunlin, 5 Redshanks, 3 Snipe, 2 Pintail, Fulvous Whistling Duck & Black Swan (Brian Stone)
Thursday, 16 October
Swaffham Prior Fen - ad m Merlin, headed towards Upware c.17:00h (John Oates)
Eldernell - Red Kite over c.15:10h, 5 Whooper Swans over c.17:55h, imm male Peregrine, 4 Marsh Harriers in to roost (Steve Dudley)
Paxton Pits - Stonechat, 25+ Goldeneyes, 8 Golden Plovers, 5+ Snipe, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Buzzards, 4+ Sparrowhawks, 32 Fieldfares, c.15 Redwings (Jamie Wells)
Some further information on the 28/9 Kneesworth Red-footed Falcon: As well as being seen in flight it was also seen perching on the telegraph wires and once on a bush. The observers were Mark Ward, Richard Patient, Alan Hitchings, Ade Cooper, John Oates.
Wednesday, 15 October
Paxton Pits - m Merlin, 2 Marsh Tits (Steve May); f Red-crested Pochard, 2 Goldeneyes, 21 Redwings (Julian Hughes)
Tuesday, 14 October
Grafham Water - m Common Scoter west of Hill farm CP this afternoon, juv Little Gull over this morning, ad & 2 juv Little Gulls off Marlow this afternoon, ad Red-necked Grebe west of Marlow, Common Tern, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Redshanks, f Goldeneye (Mark Hawkes)
Farcet Fen - imm m Merlin (Steve Dudley)
Ely - OSPREY over south-west 17:45h (Paul Atkinson)
Monday, 13 October
Ferry Meadows - 50+ Redwings, ad m Brambling, Redpoll (Chris Park)
Between Mepal & Earith - Barn Owl, 64 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 10 Snipe, 3 Kingfishers, 76 Fieldfares, 112 Redwings, 20 Siskins, 28 Reed Buntings this morning (Mark Peck)
Bainton Pits - 242 Wigeon, 79 Gadwall, 18 Teal, 49 Pochard, 3 Water Rails on Frank`s Pit, Green Sandpiper, Buzzard over, c.230 Lapwings over east (Bob Titman)
Sunday, 12 October
Woodwalton Fen - 9 or10 Buzzards (7 together to the west & 2 or 3 over the fen), 2 Redwings, 2 Redpolls, 3 Siskins, 2 Kingfishers (Monica & Owen Marks)
Longthorpe - Buzzard (Gordon Hamlett)
South Bretton, Peterborough - 2 Buzzards (Don Gardener)
Cambourn - Grey Wagtail (Roger Hughes)
Paxton Pits - Tree Pipit over calling, 2 Goldeneyes, Fieldfare, 6 Redwings, Buzzard, 2 Redshanks, Green Sandpiper (Neal Parkin, Jamie Wells)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - 2nd win Caspian Gull, Black-tailed Godwit (Kevin Durose)
Prior`s Fen - 34 Fieldfares, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Kingfisher, 134 Wigeon, 5 Ruff, Dunlin, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank (Steve Dudley, Katie Fuller)
Grafham Water - m Common Scoter, ad Red-necked Grebe, 3 Greenshanks, 2 Dunlin, Water Rail, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Bramblings, Wigeon (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington)
Fen Drayton - juv Knot, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, f Pintail (Mark Eaton)
Saturday, 11 October
Grafham Water - ad Red-necked Grebe still off Mander, ad Mediterranean Gull off lagoons mid-afternoon, 2 Buzzards, 3 Ruddy Ducks, 4 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, Green Sandpiper, 2 Redshanks, 3 Greenshank, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Grey Plover (Mark Hawkes)
Ferry Meadows - 6 Whooper Swans, family calling and flying low in an easterly direction, 3 Bramblings, Common Sandpiper, 2 Kingfishers, House Martin, 2 Redpolls (Don Gardener & Matt Webb)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - ad Yellow-legged Gull (Kevin Durose)
Cantelupe Reservoirs - Green Sandpiper, Golden Plover, 320 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, and a Shag flew around without landing (Louise Bacon)
Friday, 10 October
Grafham Water - GREY PHALAROPE, ad Red-necked Grebe still off Mander, Grey Plover (Mark Hawkes)
Paxton Pits - Stonechat, 46 Golden Plovers, Goldeneye, Buzzard, 4 Snipe, Grey Wagtail (Martin Davis)
Monks Wood - Swallow over south this a.m. (Rich Broughton)
Farcet Fen - f Merlin chasing Skylarks this afternoon (Steve Dudley)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - ad Caspian Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (Kevin Durose)
Thursday, 9 October
Orton BP - 3 Goldeneyes, Redwing, Kingfisher (Brian Stone)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - ad Caspian Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Chiffchaffs with tit flock (Kevin Durose)
Cambridge, Girton - 2 Buzzards over the BirdLife office 11:00h (David Wege)
Grafham Water - GREY PHALAROPE 11:40h (BirdGuides)
Holt Fen - Grey Plover, Knot, 15 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 3 Golden Plovers, 32 Ruff, 6 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Redshanks, 3 Greenshanks (Bruce Martin)
Eldernell - 24 Swallows, 2 Whopper Swans over, Tawny Owl calling, 2 Sparrowhawks this evening (Steve Gann)
Nene Washes - Jack Snipe, 2 Peregrines, Whinchat, Stonechat, Fieldfare (Jonathan Taylor)
Ferry Meadows - Sedge Warbler, Common Sandpiper (Don Gardener)
Cambridge, Trumpington - 428 Golden Plovers c.16:00h (Peter Bircham)
Wednesday, 8 October
Grafham Water - GREY PHALAROPE off dam 11:30h, Grey Plover, Greenshank, 6 Dunlin (Richard Bashford); GREY PHALAROPE off north end of dam this afternoon (Colin Addington); 2 f Pintails, 30 Wigeon (Mark Hawkes); Buzzard, Snipe, Grey Wagtail, 2 Swallows in the evening (Tony Stones)
Paxton Pits - f Peregrine over Pumphouse Pit 13:25h, also f Goldeneye, 2 Green Sandpipers (Martin Davis); Stonechat by Island Pit (Martin Smith); Osprey reported over yesterday, observer unknown (Jamie Wells)
Chain Corner - 2 Fieldfares, f Merlin (Mark Peck)
Cambridge - 304 Golden Plovers on the Shelford side of the A10 just out of the park & ride c.17:45h (Peter Bircham)
Fletton BP - ad Yellow-legged Gull (Brian Stone)
From 4 October: Morborne Hill - 7+ Buzzards, 3+ Red Kites, 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks 14:00-16:30h (Mike Weedon, David Goddard)
Tuesday, 7 October
Fletton BP - 35 Golden Plovers, c.40 Pied Wagtails, c.80 Lapwings (Brian Stone)
Grafham Water - 1st winter GREY PHALAROPE until 16:50h at least (Mark Hawkes), also Grey Plover at north end of dam mid-afternoon & Saker Falcon over Dudney Wood late afternoon (Colin Addington)
Prior`s Fen - 2 Greenshanks, Redshank, Dunlin, also Black Swan, 2 Bar-headed Geese (Brian Stone)
Holt Fen - ad Little Gull, 116 Shoveler, 110 Wigeon, c.30 Teal, 3 Golden Plover, 8 Riff, 10 Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank, Snipe, juv Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtails 16:15-17:50h (Owen Marks)
Cambridge - GANNET over M11 near the city 17:35h (BirdGuides)
Eldernell - 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Kestrels (Steve Gann)
Late news from Grafham Water: 2 October - Rock Pipit (Mark Hawkes); 3 October - m Common Scoter, juv Grey Plover (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington)
Monday, 6 October
Grafham Water - 1st winter GREY PHALAROPE, 2 Greenshanks, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, (Mark Hawkes, Colin Addington); Kittiwake late p.m. (Colin Addington); Little Stint at south end of dam (Mark Hill)
Farcet Fen - Buzzard (Steve Dudley)
Nene park - Redwing, Fieldfare, 2 Kingfishers (Don Gardener)
Sunday, 5 October
Cambridge - 12 Redwings over King's College between 8:30 and 9am, plus a steady passage of Meadow Pipits (about one every 2 minutes). Also of interest, a single House Martin nest is still occupied in the Porter's Lodge there (Richard Hall)
Prior`s Fen - 4 Pink-footed Geese, Greenshank, Redshank, Snipe (Steve Dudley)
Paxton Pits - Red Kite, Short-eared Owl, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Ruddy Ducks, 4 Golden Plovers, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, m Stonechat, 60+ House Martins, 10 Swallows, Chiffchaff, lots of Song Thrushes (presumably continental migrants) (Julian Hughes/Jamie Wells); eclipse m Garganey, Barn Owl, 3 Snipe, Green Sandpiper between 17:00h & dusk (Jamie Wells)
St. Neots - Common Buzzard over A428
Croxton - Red Kite over A428
Grafham Water - drake Mandarin, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Dunlins, 5 Ringed Plovers (Stuart Elsom, Jill Williams and Mark Hawkes)
Eldernell - 3 Marsh Harriers, 4 Kestrels, 15 Golden Plovers, 2 Swallows (Gordon Hamlett)
Comberton - first 6 Redwings of the season (Louise Bacon)
Saturday, 4 October
Holt Fen - 3 newly arrived Whooper Swans on the flooded field today. Also 238 Wigeon, 86 Teal, 117 Shovelers, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlins and 24 Ruff (Bruce Martin)
Grafham Water - Rock Pipit at north end of dam, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (adult + 2nd W), 3 Greenshank, Grey Wagtail (Stuart Elsom)
Friday, 3 October
Cambridge - WRYNECK present in a private garden in Langham Road for 10 min only this morning (Paul Rule)
Godmanchester GP - ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Snipe, Grey Wagtail, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Treecreepers (Stuart Elsom)
Nene Washes - Brambling, Merlin, Hobby, Common Buzzard & several Marsh Harriers (Jonathan Taylor)
Thursday, 2 October
Dog-in-a-Doublet - 1 or possibly 2 Wheatears, Sand Martin with c.10 Swallows east of pub at Plum Tree Farm, m Stonechat in RSPB CP area (Chris Monk, Brian Stone)
Huntingdon - Osprey reported over Hartford Marina this morning (via Paul Atkinson)
Graveley - Buzzard 17:00h (Sarah Kendall)
Wednesday, 1 October
Prior`s Fen - fem or imm Scaup, 48 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 6 Teal, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, also a Black Swan, 2 Bar-headed Geese and a Barnacle Goose (Brian Stone)
Girton - c.250-300 Golden Plovers on finely tilled field west of Girton to Histon Road this morning (David Wege)
Godmanchester GP - 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 juv Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Grey Wagtails 12:15-13:15h (Stuart Elsom)
Paxton Pits - possible Honey Buzzard over high south-east c.11:40h, 2 Stonechats, 2 Green Sandpipers, Snipe, Pintail, 3 Sparrowhawks(Jamie Wells)
Tuesday, 30 September
Orton BP - 1 or possibly 2 Tree Pipits flying around calling this morning (Brian Stone)
Grafham Water - Little Stint this morning, GREY PHALAROPE still present this afternoon (BirdGuides)
Dog-in-a-Doublet - Wheatear (Chris Monk, Brian Stone)
Godmanchester GP - juv Black Tern, 4 Green Sandpipers, 3 Siskin, Egyptian Goose, `good numbers` of Meadow Pipits & Yellow Wagtails passing over, also a flock containing at least 40 Long-tailed Tits 12:30-13:30h (Stuart Elsom)
Monday, 29 September
Grafham Water - GREY PHALAROPE 08:30h (BirdGuides)
Hilton - Wheatear beside Gravely Way this morning (Duncan McNiven)
Paxton Pits - m Stonechat by Island Pit (Martin Smith); 2 m Stonechats, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, f Shelduck, 5 Snipe, Yellow Wagtail (Martin Davis, Jamie Wells)
Fen Drayton - PECTORAL SANDPIPER (BirdGuides)
Nene Washes - 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Peregrines around, 2 Redpolls south, Tree Pipit over 09:00h (Jonathan Taylor)
Sunday, 28 September
Paxton Pits - eclipse m Garganey briefly, 4 Pintails, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7+ Snipe, 11 Golden Plovers over west, Yellow-legged Gull (Julian Hughes, Jamie Wells)
Orton BP - Red Kite (Brian Stone)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - ad Yellow-legged Gull (Brian Stone)
Saturday, 27 September
Grafham Water - GREY PHALAROPE off Plummer car park this morning (Paul Rule), remained most of the day, also 4 adult Little Gulls, Little Stint, Dunlin, 6 Greenshanks, 20 Ringed Plovers, 6 Buzzards, Hobby, Common Tern (Mark Hawkes, Monica & Owen Marks, Andrew Massey); Rock Pipit (Ian Delgardo); Sanderling (Colin Addington); Black Tern (anon)
Fen Drayton - PECTORAL SANDPIPER on north side of Elney Lake. Also Little Egret, 2 Pintails, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, 34 Golden Plovers, 3 Ruddy Ducks (Richard Patient)
Littleport - Osprey early afternoon, flew west (per RBA)
Prior`s Fen - 2 Buzzards, Marsh Harrier, 3 juv Greenshanks (Brian Stone)
Elton - up to 12 Red Kites visible to the west of Elton pre-roost (Brian Stone)
Friday, 26 September
Barton - Woodcock over south-east 07:20h (Louise Bacon)
Fen Drayton - PECTORAL SANDPIPER on north side of Elney lake 15:45h (John Oates)
Grafham Water - GREY PHALAROPE 16:35h (BirdGuides), Rock Pipit west of Marlow car park at 16:15h (Mark Hawkes)
Thursday, 25 September
Grafham Water - Purple Sandpiper north end of the lagoons c.08:30h (Colin Addington) still present 16:50h (Mark Hawkes) but not located after 17:10h, although juv Sanderling present with a Knot and Ringed Plovers at north end of the dam (Stuart Elsom); GREY PHALAROPE from Mander CP 09:45h, close in between Hill Farm CP and Savage`s Creek in the evening, also 2 Black Terns, 2 Dunlin, Hobby, 6+ Greenshanks (Mark Hawkes)
Ferry Meadows - 32 Teal, 5 Shovelers, Snipe, 3 Water Rails (Brian Stone)
Croxton - 2 Buzzards c.13:30h (Dave Anderson)
Monks Wood - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Stocking Close Ride (Richard Broughton)
Late news from 22/09/03: Sawston - Red-footed Falcon reported on power lines just north of sewage works on Cambridge Road 09:00h (TL478505) and again in same location at 19:30h (BirdGuides)
Wednesday, 24 September
Grafham Water - GREY PHALAROPE 07:40h, probable ringtail Hen Harrier & 2 Buzzards (BirdGuides); skua sp. briefly10:00h (Jim Lawrence, Colin Addington), GREY PHALAROPE still present mid-afternoon (Martin Smith); f Goldeneye by Plummer CP (Mark Hawkes, John Oates); juv Peregrine over Dudney Creek (Jim Lawrence)
Coton - Buzzard (Vince Lea)
Orton BP - 9 Wigeon, 15 Pochard (Brian Stone)
Fen Drayton - PECTORAL SANDPIPER 14:20h (BirdGuides)
Paxton Pits - Redwing, 2 Hobbies, 2 Buzzards, 3 Grey Wagtails, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Snipe, no sign of the White-headed Duck today (Martin Davis, Jamie Wells)
Tuesday, 23 September
Peterborough - c.40 geese, probably Pink-footed Geese, over the centre of Peterborough 12:00h (Brian Stone)
Dog-in-a-Doublet - Wheatear (Brian Stone)
Grafham Water - Black Tern, Hobby, Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, 4 Ringed Plovers, 4 Greenshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Swift this morning (Mark Hawkes, John Oates); GREY PHALAROPE near tower 19:00-19:15, also 5 Black Terns, juv Arctic Tern, juv Little Gull (Mark Hawkes)
Cambridge - Redwing over Fanshawe Road this morning (Richard Patient)
Monday, 22 September
Godmanchester GP - 2 Garganey, ad Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, Hobby, Kingfisher, 19 Yellow Wagtails, 65+ Meadow Pipits. Also present regularly a partial albino Coot: `from some angles looks like a cross between one of the Pacific alcids and a Spectacled Eider` (Stuart Elsom)
Grafham Water - 2 Black Terns off Mander, ad Yellow-legged Gull (Mark Hawkes)
Sunday, 21 September
Abington Piggots - White Stork flushed by 2 Buzzards flew low towards Abington Piggots from Litlington c.15.55. One Buzzard was later seen c.1745 flying north near Wendy, and again (or probably another bird) 10 minutes later over Bassingbourn Airfield. (Geoff Barlow)
Paxton Pits - WHITE-HEADED DUCK on Island Pit, 2 Pintails on Heronry South, 5 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Hobbies, 2+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper (Julian Hughes & Jamie Wells)
Toft - Wheatear (Clive Sinclair)
Morborne Hill - Wheatear (Brian Stone); 5+ Buzzards, 3+ Red Kites, ad Hobby 11:00-13:15h (Mike Weedon)
Grafham Water - Red-necked Grebe (Birdguides)
Fotheringhay - 3 Red Kites, Buzzard c. 10:30-11:00h (Mike Weedon)
Fen Drayton - PECTORAL SANDPIPER on Elney Lake late afternoon (A. Payne)
Saturday, 20 September
Paxton Pits - adult winter Mediterranean Gull, 4 Golden Plovers, Turtle Dove, 2 Snipe, 2 Hobbies, Grey Wagtail, Greenshank (Jamie Wells)
Prior's Fen - Whinchat, in 'set-aside' weedy rectangle that sticks out into stubble field south of the footpath, 3 Tree Sparrows, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Greenshanks, Kingfisher (Mike Weedon)
Fen Drayton - PECTORAL SANDPIPER with 4 Green Sandpipers southern shore line of Moore lake 18:45h (Julian Hughes)
Eldernell - 20+ Marsh Harriers to roost, juv Hobby, Sparrowhawk (Mike Weedon)
2 Ospreys seen soaring between Sibson and Nassington (Northants). Although seen over Nassington parish they had come from Cambs (Brian Stone)
Friday, 19 September
Fen Drayton - PECTORAL SANDPIPER with 4 Green Sandpipers southern shore line of Moore lake 18:45h (David Anderson)
Holt Fen - Little Gull, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 12+ Ruff (Alan Wadsworth, Guy Manners)
Eldernell - 9+ Marsh Harriers in roost (including 2+ adult males and 2 immature males), Hobby (great views, no 'red trousers'), 2 Kestrels, Green Woodpecker, 17 Snipe over (one flock of 15), 2 juvenile Swallows over (Alan Wadsworth, Guy Manners)
Prior`s Fen - 2 Hobbies, 3 Greenshanks, 3 Ruff (Brian Stone)
Paxton Pits - WHITE-HEAEDED DUCK on Island Pit today, also 4 Corn Buntings, 7 Yellow Wagtails, Hobby, Greenshank, Green sandpiper, Snipe (Martin Davis)
Grafham Water - probable HONEY BUZZARD high over dam heading south 12:10-12:20h, 2 Buzzards, 5 Hobbies, Black Tern, 2 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 10+ Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 10 Wigeon (Mark Hawkes)
Thursday, 18 September
Grafham Water - GREY PHALAROPE briefly, lost to view at 17:00h (Colin Addington et al.)
Morborne - juv Peregrine, ad Hobby, Little Owl, Sparrowhawk (Mike Weedon)
Paxton Pits - WHITE-HEADED DUCK on Island Pit today (Martin Smith)
Holt Fen - juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER 15:10 (BirdGuides)
Fen Drayton - juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER on the island in Moore lake with the Cormorants, present 18:00-18:30 at least, also Green Sandpiper, 10 Yellow Wagtails over south (Richard Allison)
Wednesday, 17 September
Holt Fen - juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Park at TL537730 & walk north along the railway for 1/4 mile to view (BirdGuides); still present 17:25h, also Curlew Sandpiper, 2nd winter Little Gull, 5 Black-tailed Godwits (Richard Allison); 2nd winter Caspian Gull this evening (Dick Newell)
Paxton Pits - WHITE-HEADED DUCK on Pumphouse Pit this morning, also Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail (Jamie Wells); N.B. Please do not cross any of the new workings - this is very important! This is a sensitive site and there is no formal access to Pumphouse Pit, but birders will be allowed access as long as they don't attempt to cross the workings.
Barton, Cambridge - m RED-FOOTED FALCON reported sitting on wires by A603 west of Barton, but before Mullard Observatory at c.TL401550 this morning (Kevin Standring); Not relocated by 11:20h (David Wege)
Ferry Meadows - Shoveler, 28 Teal, Water Rail calling, 2 Kingfishers, Grey Wagtail, Siskin (Brian Stone)
Tuesday, 16 September
Morborne Hill - 5 Grey Partridges, 2 Buzzards (Mike Weedon)
St. Neots - Hobby (Jamie Wells)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - 1st winter Mediterranean Gull 08:30h (Kevin Durose)
Ouse Washes RSPB - Buzzard from Churchman`s Hide, drifted off east (Robert Coleman)
Monday, 15 September
Whittlesford - WRYNECK photographed in a private garden 13:30h (Doug Radford); still present 16:45 (BirdGuides)
Paxton Pits - WHITE-HEADED DUCK on Island Pit (RBA). Site access detailed at www.paxton-pits.org.uk and click on `Sightings` (Julian Hughes); still present early evening, also eclipse m Garganey, Hobby, Greenshank, Grey Wagtail (Martin Davis)
Godmanchester GP - Garganey, 2 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, Hobby (Stuart Elsom)
St. Neots - OSPREY over East Street,13:25h (Steve May)
Cambourne - 5 Buzzards over c.15:30h (Graeme Reed)
Between Mepal & Earith - m Mandarin, 7 Snipe, Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, Green Sandpiper, 4 Turtle Doves, 16 Yellow Wagtails (Mark Peck)
Eldernell - Little Egret over c.19:00h, 15+ Marsh Harriers in to roost (Tom Bailey)
Sunday, 14th September
Fen Drayton - 7 juv Black Turns over surfing pit for 20 min from 10:50h (David Anderson); 2 Little Egrets on Moore lake, juv Redstart, Turtle Dove, Shoveler, Hobby (Vince Lea)
Paxton Pits - WHITE-HEADED DUCK now on Island pit, also Nuthatch (5th record for Paxton), Redstart, Buzzard, Marsh Tit, Grey Wagtail, several Yellow Wagtails, 4 Green Sandpipers, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Hobby this morning. Also m Ferruginous Duck on Island Pit this evening (Julian Hughes)
Morborne Hill ¶ 7+ Common Buzzards, 2 Red Kites, Peregrine, 2 Hobbies, 3 Sparrowhawks, Tree Pipit, Whinchat, 2 Siskins, Goldcrest (Stuart Elsom & Richard Patient)
Woodwalton Fen - Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, 4 Marsh Tits. N.B. Access by permit only (Stuart Elsom)
King`s Dyke NR - HONEY BUZZARD drifted over south-west at 10:00h (George Walthew)
Impington - 2 Buzzards c.12:00h (Nigel Butcher)
Wicken Fen - A solitary Lesser White-fronted Goose with other geese on The Mere, Saturday 19:00h (Michael Ricketts)
Saturday, 13th September
Paxton Pits ¶ drake WHITE-HEADED DUCK SW corner of Pumphouse pit (Julian Hughes). N.B. Please do not cross any of the new workings - this is very important!! This is a sensitive site and there is no formal access to Pumphouse Pit, but birders will be allowed access as long as they don't attempt to cross the workings.
Holt Fen - juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER still present (Daniel Osbourn). N.B. Please do not park in the lay-bys or along the track but park on the gravel close to the A1123 and walk north alongside the railway line.
Woodwalton Fen - 5 Marsh Harriers to roost, Hobby (Duncan McNiven)
Friday, 12 September
Holt Fen - juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1.25 miles SE of Stretham N of A1123 at 15:45h (BirdGuides).
Elton - ad OSPREY 08:10h (Brian Stone)
Brampton - HONEY BUZZARD circled over A14, 1 mile west of the Ellington junction of the A1 13:00h (BirdGuides)
Godmanchester GP - 27 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Garganey, 4 Green Sandpipers, Kingfisher, Egyptian Goose (Stuart Elsom)
Prior`s Fen - juv Curlew Sandpiper, 8+ Ruff, 3 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plovers, also Bar-headed Goose (Brian Stone)
Fen Drayton - 3 Greenshanks, Green sandpiper, Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers (Dave Anderson)
Thursday, 11 September
Holme Fen - 2 OSPREYS, 2 Buzzards, Hobby at lunchtime. All flew off in different directions (Kevan Wolstencroft)
Grafham Water - Little Stint at the north end of the dam, also 10 Greenshanks present (BirdGuides 12:20h)
Fen Drayton - 7 Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, Ringed Plover, Hobby (Mike Clydesdale)
Paxton Pits - 3 Sandwich Terns headed north over the pits c.16:20h (Martin Davis); Redshank, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, Yellow Wagtail this evening (Jamie Wells)
Holt Farm - Little Gull still present this morning (Dick Newell)
Wednesday, 10 September
Godmanchester GP - 2 Garganey, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Kingfishers, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Fulvous Whistling Duck still present (Stuart Elsom)
Farcet Fen - Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail (Steve Dudley)
Fen Drayton - Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, imm. Black Tern this afternoon (Robin Cox)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - ad & 3rd winter Caspian Gulls late p.m. (Kevin Durose)
Tuesday, 9 September
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - 1st winter & 2 ad Caspian Gulls, c.400 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c.50 Herring Gulls, 3 Shovelers, 4+ Yellow-legged Gulls (Will Bowell, Martin Coates)
Prior`s Fen - 3 imm. Garganey, 2 Wigeon, 3 Greenshanks, 9 Ruff (Steve Dudley)
Tanholt Pit - 1st winter Wheatear, ad Yellow-legged Gull (George Walthew)
Paxton Pits - Hobby, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher (Jamie Wells)
News from Thursday, 4 September: Nene Washes - up 9 Whinchats on the reserve & High Wash, Stonechat & f Pintail on the reserve (Jonathan Taylor, Steve Dudley)
Monday, 8 September
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - juv/1st winter & ad Caspian Gulls, 10 Yellow-legged Gulls c.18:15-19:45h (Kevin Durose)
Grafham Water - 2 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper (Stuart Elsom)
Buzzards moving south today: 3 between Alconbury & Alconbury Weston 12:55h, 5 over Alconbury Hill 13:30h, 2 high over Great Stukeley 14:50h (Stuart Elsom)
Ferry Meadows - 76 Teal, Water Rail and a male Pin-tailed Whydah in the area (George Walthew); 6 Shoveler (Brian Stone)
Sunday, 7 September
King`s Dyke NR - HONEY BUZZARD over low, headed off south west (George Walthew)
Grafham Water - OSPREY 10:00h (BirdGuides)
Cambridge - 2 Common Swifts with hirundines over East Chesterton (Peter Herkenrath)
Eldernell - 19 Marsh Harriers inc 4 m, 3 f & 12 juv, Hobby, Little Owl, Barn Owl (Steve Dudley & Katie Fuller)
Paxton Pits - 2 Buzzards, Red-crested Pochard, c.30 Wigeon, 7 Greenshanks, 2 Snipe, Lesser Whitethroat (Julian Hughes)
Ferry Meadows - OSPREY distantly, 3 Buzzards, ad Common Gull (Brian Stone)
Sutton Gault - Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Wheatear (Mark Peck)
Cantelupe Reservoirs - Common Sandpiper, 2 Shoveler, Teal, 4 Golden Plover (Louise Bacon)
Holt Farm - Little Stint, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 150+ Snipe, 30+ Ruff, 40+ Black-tailed Godwits, Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, Little Gull, Yellow Wagtail (Paul Rule)
Saturday, 6 September
Maxey GP - Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Grey Wagtails (Josh Jones)
Paxton Pits - Whinchat, 5 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, Hobby, Garden Warbler, juv Common Tern over south (Jamie Wells)
Sutton Gault - Peregrine (Mark Peck)
Friday, 5 September
A mobile OSPREY providing some entertainment today, past Grafham Water Plummer CP 12:25h, heading east towards Paxton by 12:34h (Stuart Elsom); possibly this bird over the Lodge in Beds at 15:00h (Julian Hughes); over Little Paxton at c. 15:30h (Martin Davis)
Grafham Water - 2 Greenshanks, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper (Stuart Elsom); Black Tern (BirdGuides)
Paxton Pits - 7 Whimbrel over south c.13:30h. Also Greenshank, Green Sandpiper present (Martin Davis); 3 Swifts south with 250+ Swallows (Martin Davis, Jamie Wells)
Coton - Buzzard, 2 Hobbies (Vince Lea)
Dogsthorpe, Star Pit - f & imm Marsh Harrier, 8 Snipe, Kingfisher (Brian Stone)
Thursday, 4 September
Nene Washes, High Wash - juv PECTORAL SANDPIPER west of the sluice early afternoon. View from the north barrier bank half a mile from the Dog-in-a-Doublet. To locate the relevant pool, start counting pylons from the B1040 and it is in the field with the 5th pylon (Jonathan Taylor via John Oates); no further sign this evening, nor at Prior`s Fen (Steve Dudley)
Dry Drayton - 5 Buzzards over south (Mike Clydesdale)
Maxey GP - 2 Green Sandpipers, Greenshank, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails (Katie Fuller, Brian Stone)
Holt Fen - 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 17 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Greenshank, 50+ Ruff, c.10Black-tailed Godwits (Chris Kelly)
Wednesday, 3 September
Holt Fen - 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Gull (Paul Rule); Grey Phalarope not located this morning. No sign on Shropshire`s Reservoir or the Cam Washes either (Bruce Martin)
Sutton Gault - juv Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 6 Yellow Wagtails this evening (Mark Peck)
Prior`s Fen - juv Curlew Sandpiper, Little Egret, 4 Hobbies, f Marsh Harrier late p.m. (Kevin Durose)
Barleycraft - 2 Little Egrets, 2+ Greenshanks, Green Sandpiper, Garganey (Jem Holding)
Tuesday, 2 September
Holt Fen - GREY PHALAROPE found first at Kingfisher`s Bridge (Ian Delgado) but relocated here this afternoon (Chris Martin). From Stretham, head towards Wicken on the A1123. Just after the level crossing take the left turn to the Fish & Duck and park immediately on the left (gravel area at TL527730). Walk along the road, following the railway line north, to view the flooded fields. PLEASE do not park along the single track road or block any gates. Birders are currently welcome and we would like to keep it that way! Also present 3 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint (John Oates)
Prior`s Fen - juv Curlew Sandpiper, Little Egret, 4 Hobbies, f Marsh Harrier late p.m. (Kevin Durose)
Ferry Meadows CP - 5 Mandarins, 41 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Water Rails, Snipe from Ian Presst Hide, 10 Common Terns, Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Chiffchaffs elsewhere (Brian Stone)
Godmanchester GP - ad Mediterranean Gull moulting into winter plumage, ad Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 18 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Kingfishers, 40+ Long-tailed Tits 12:00-13:00h (Stuart Elsom)
Sutton Gault - 3 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, 3 Snipe, Hobby, Kingfisher, 9 Yellow Wagtails. On Sutton South Fen Whinchat & m Marsh Harrier (Mark Peck)
Grafham Water - in the Plummer & Marlow CP arrears today, juv Arctic Tern, 40 Common Terns, Red-necked Grebe, 2 Curlew, Turnstone, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Ruff, 4 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plovers, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Garganey (John Oates)
Cam Washes, Upware - 7 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier, Yellow Wagtail (John Oates)
Paxton Pits - Curlew, 2 Whinchat, 2 Greenshanks, 4 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, Buzzard, 1 or 2 Hobbies (Martin Shadbolt/Jamie Wells)
Monday, 1 September
Sutton Gault - Whinchat, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Turtle Dove (Mark Peck)
Barleycraft - Little Egret, 2 Greenshanks, 3 Barnacle Geese, m Marsh Harrier (Mark Peck)
Cams Washes, Upware - Wood Sandpiper, 2 Greenshanks, 3 Green Sandpiper, 60+ Black-tailed Godwits, 12+ Yellow Wagtails (Mark Pettit)
Ouse Washes RSPB - Peregrine & juv Marsh Harrier over Stockdales pool 16:00hrs. Also 50+ Teal, 2 Greenshanks, Ruff (Robert Coleman)