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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Cambridgeshire Birding (4 Viewers)

Matthebirder said:
Grafham - ? Black Terns reported today; not aware reservoir is open yet. AWA state maybe soon; even the footpaths were closed last time I looked:
Good day for a WWBT so will have a look distantly.

https://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/coronavirus-updates
Click to expand...

I found the 4 Black Terns. They were viewable from the Bridleway along north shore, which has remained open throughout lockdown, but (as you know) only affords limited views of some parts of the reservoir.

2 Sanderling on dam, plus two Caspian Gulls, on Monday evening.

Reservoir was re-opened on Monday.
 
Grafham Water 6/7 June - after a 10 week gap it seems the Caspian Gulls have matured. (assuming one of the regular two. Nice to look it in the eye....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/avesandmore/49978589257/in/album-72157712463187667/
A Sanderling on 6th ; and my first Yellow Wagtail this year...

For locals; the new pit at Brampton is looking good for daytime gulls https://www.flickr.com/photos/avesandmore/49981908321/in/album-72157712463187667/ Less than two miles from Grafham, maybe an alternative to Paxton?
 
Matthebirder said:
Grafham Water 6/7 June - after a 10 week gap it seems the Caspian Gulls have matured. (assuming one of the regular two. Nice to look it in the eye....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/avesandmore/49978589257/in/album-72157712463187667/
A Sanderling on 6th ; and my first Yellow Wagtail this year...

For locals; the new pit at Brampton is looking good for daytime gulls https://www.flickr.com/photos/avesandmore/49981908321/in/album-72157712463187667/ Less than two miles from Grafham, maybe an alternative to Paxton?
Click to expand...

I've checked this pit a few times this spring. A few bits through, but nothing notable. I have seen one of the Grafham Water Caspian Gulls here in the day, along with good numbers of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls - I even came here after the Stanford (Northants) Caspian Tern went through east, but sadly no luck....
 
Good to know it’s getting some checking; difficult to park anywhere near but I see the gulls on the island every morning now while driving up onto the A14. I am interested to know what plans are for it ; there was a footpath running across from the houses to the Grafham lane but it seems to be closed ( for good)?
Caspian Tern always springs to mind...
 
Grafham Water 14 Jun; probably the same Caspian Gull 2 yr distantly from Marlow point with a large gull flock mid morning. New carpark barrier system now explained to me; no more free parking soon! £6.50 for all day....
 
Grafham Water 18 Jun; Caspian Gull - probably usual bird distantly from Mander this evening; Solar farm rapidly developing below the dam ; hope the breeding Yellow Wagtail has finished breeding....
 
Matthebirder said:
Grafham Water 18 Jun; Caspian Gull - probably usual bird distantly from Mander this evening; Solar farm rapidly developing below the dam ; hope the breeding Yellow Wagtail has finished breeding....
Click to expand...

I've contacted AW about this very matter, as some species, like Skylark, are still nesting in the field now!
 
Grafham water 09:00 - 11.00 ; just the regular Caspian gull. A Hobby and then a Kestrel over the Marlow woods were the only falcons. No sign of Red-foot.
 
Grafham water 21 June; Caspian Gull touring the reservoir but not favouring any particular roosting location. Very few birds for the gull to hassle and no chance of any further photos since 6 June when the Park was unlocked. Little Egrets building up now with at least 5 together.
 
Matthebirder said:
Grafham water 09:00 - 11.00 ; just the regular Caspian gull. A Hobby and then a Kestrel over the Marlow woods were the only falcons. No sign of Red-foot.
Click to expand...

That's more raptors than I have there from 06.00-08.45!

Green Sandpipers in lagoons only other birds of note.
 
GWB77 said:
I've contacted AW about this very matter, as some species, like Skylark, are still nesting in the field now!
Click to expand...

Good news! After a little pressure, work has been halted as Skylarks and Yellow Wagtails have been confirmed breeding still....

Not sure how the "ecologist" failed to notice these before now.
 
Grafham water 4 July; 2 Common Sandpipers on the dam.
Note new parking restrictions at end of Church Road; ‘No Parking’ now.........
Grafham soon to become the most non-birder friendly place in the region so soon time to move on.

2 Little Ringed Plover on the dam late pm and a Common Gull
 
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Grafham water 5 July: 2 Little Ringed Plovers and Common Sandpiper on the dam.
Thank you for the RBA instant message about the Osprey; i could see a large raptor circling beyond Mander from the dam immediately after message so guess it was the bird. It seemed to leave the reservoir and no sign by 12:00
I’m not seeing Caspian Gull or gulls this weekend just Yellow-legged ?
Carpark barriers to begin on 6th ; no more free- loaders!
 
Grafham water 7 July; many 100’s of Swifts this evening. Also 30 plus Common Terns . 3 -5 Common Sandpipers.

Cinnamon Teal near Ely - not made it into capital letters on pager so I don’t need to worry........?? Or should I?

Osprey from Mander Carpark 16:30 Briefly

— Briefly again at 17:40 over Savages Creek
 
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Matthebirder said:
Note new parking restrictions at end of Church Road; ‘No Parking’ now.........
Grafham soon to become the most non-birder friendly place in the region so soon time to move on.
Click to expand...

I'm in contact with the Wildlife Trust about the removal of parking at Hill Farm car park, as this is just ludicrous. Hopefully this will lead to some conversations with AW too.

As you say, the whole site is becoming less and less birder (and wildlife) friendly each year that passes.

Glad you caught up with Osprey. I've seen a few new Yellow-legged Gulls the last few weeks.
 
No sign of Osprey this evening in the rain. The new Barrier in Mander Carpark wouldnt open tonight so had to reverse back out! Waiting for the plastic pass cards still; you dont need to pay to exit Marlow currently though no-one knows this until they have paid! I might take my chances at Hill Farm and just display my disk. Not sure if anglers have different discs?
 
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