Cambridgeshire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Jonny Rankin]

It was first seen on Sunday evening as a definate Night Heron, heading north over Ferry Lagoon towards Needingworth - it had possibly been roosting on the reserve, and was heading out to feed at night.

Last night, a small dark heron was seen heading east over Ferry Lagoon at 9pm, but it was distant, too dark, and only seen heading away, which didn't make for ideal viewing! On both occasions it wasn't seen to leave a roost area, so pinning it down to a certain spot may be impossible (given the huge number of potential roost sites at Fen Drayton). Last nights bird didn't come out of the Little Egret roost trees, as it was already quite high-up when spotted - so perhaps it came from somewhere else further west on the lakes complex).

Many thanks Mark superb stuff. Good to know there has been a confirmed sighting birdguides had it as possible.

Hope to get there for a look tonight or tomorrow:t:

 

[JCLynn]

Started doing a regular 'migration watch' at Foul Anchor from the beginning of August.
Pretty quiet so far although there is always some 'movement'. Thursday 20/08/2009 being quite a good couple of hours, with Swallows, House martins and Sand martins moving up the river in considerable numbers, a surprise Hobby also flying upriver, a couple of common terns flying through along with a huge flock of BH guls. 12 Common sandpipers were feeding and resting at the north level outfall with a small group of 8 Lapwing on the point and 2 Cormorants out in the river.. A flyby by a lone Kingfisher was a bonus.

 

[jimmyg]

Hi all, I am now regretting not going to search for the Pallid Harrier this morning! Is it still being seen from the same place as yesterday?

 

[marklhawkes]

Hi all, I am now regretting not going to search for the Pallid Harrier this morning! Is it still being seen from the same place as yesterday?

Yes, being seen in same area. Details here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=151023

 

[jimmyg]

Thanks Mark, well done for checking this morning! I saw it on its last showing this evening and will hopefully be there tomorrow as well.

 

[ColonelBlimp]

Anyone got any ideas of a very underwatched but potentially good area walkable/bikable from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, as I will be needing a 'patch' soon for my uni days.

I would mega appreciate advice!!!

 

[marklhawkes]

The "backs" have good potential for passerines (this is basically some of the uni grounds and gardens). Cherry Hinton pits used to get some good birds, but has been very quiet (underwatched) for many years now. Otherwise, you will have to travel east out of the City to Little Wilbraham Fen (near the A14), or travel to Wicken Fen, Cam Washes at Waterbeach or perhaps the Gog Magog (south of the city) a large area of woodlands, and part of the chalk ridge that runs the south edge of the county (potential for raptors and passerines).

 

[oceancol]

Grafham Water Sunday 4th October

Anyone any idea what the excitement was at the Sludge lagoons on Sunday??

Many telescopes and people on the shore looking north.

Only things I saw all day were Cormorants, Gulls and the odd Grebe.

 

[marklhawkes]

There was a Grey Phalarope just off-shore, and a juv Curlew Sandpiper on the shoreline (plus 2 Jack Snipe in the lagoons)

 

[TomSmith]

The "backs" have good potential for passerines (this is basically some of the uni grounds and gardens). Cherry Hinton pits used to get some good birds, but has been very quiet (underwatched) for many years now. Otherwise, you will have to travel east out of the City to Little Wilbraham Fen (near the A14), or travel to Wicken Fen, Cam Washes at Waterbeach or perhaps the Gog Magog (south of the city) a large area of woodlands, and part of the chalk ridge that runs the south edge of the county (potential for raptors and passerines).

I thoroughly recommend Little Wilbraham Fen - I went there regularly last year when I was studying. I popped in two weeks ago and got 39 species in 2 hours. Upware is really good but you have to be quite keen to bike there regularly; the same goes for Fen Drayton, though that might get easier when they open the guided busway. You can also reach Fowlmere easily by bike, train or a combination of both.

Tom

edit: just realised you said "underwatched". Little Wilbraham is definitely what you want - I only ever met another birder there twice.

 

[cwpbirder]

I hope to try for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper tomorrow if still there today, I would appreciate any more detailed directions for Diddington pit as I don't know the area? Thanks in advance.

 

[marklhawkes]

I hope to try for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper tomorrow if still there today, I would appreciate any more detailed directions for Diddington pit as I don't know the area? Thanks in advance.

Access from A1 (easier if coming southbound) into Diddington village. Turn-off carriageway, and drive down to bottom of village and park carefully at the end in the small car park. Then walk back (only 300 yards) to the farm in the SE corner of village, and go over style, and take public footpath across field to large gap in hedge. The pit in-front of you is Diddington pit. The bird favours the small shingle islands in the middle.

Please park carefuly and don't access working areas of the quarry.

Good luck

 

[cwpbirder]

Mark, thanks for info, hope it reappears.....

 

[ColonelBlimp]

Just had a female goshawk go over the road from Trumpington to Grantchester.

My first scarcity for the region! I'm very pleased!

 

[marklhawkes]

Red-rumped Swallow at Witcham this morning - lingering around Silver Street 09.30-09.45ish

 

[jimmyg]

Hello, who watches Sutton Gault and/or Earith please, or for that matter anywhere along that river system south of Downham Market? I'd like to know what sort of movements they see during migration.

 

[marklhawkes]

Both Earith and Sutton Gault have local birders who cover them as their patches, but I'm not sure if they read Birdforum.

The Ouse Washes main reserve is possibly one of the most under-watched areas in the county (apart from some coverage from the wardens and WeBS counts). A couple of people watch the area around Pymoor, but it is certainly not covered on a daily basis.

What sort of movements are you interested in James?

 

[jimmyg]

Both Earith and Sutton Gault have local birders who cover them as their patches, but I'm not sure if they read Birdforum.

The Ouse Washes main reserve is possibly one of the most under-watched areas in the county (apart from some coverage from the wardens and WeBS counts). A couple of people watch the area around Pymoor, but it is certainly not covered on a daily basis.

What sort of movements are you interested in James?

Well, everything really! I'd just like to know if the whole river system is used as a flyway... how far up the birds go I suppose, as they certainly go through Denver Sluice (mainly observed passerines and raptors, but also gulls). I am doing a project on it for my degree, looking at potential for windfarm fatalities.

 

[marklhawkes]

Birds seen at Grafham Water this weekend include:

Black-throated Diver, 1 adult
Great Northern Diver, 4 (2 adults, 2 juveniles)
Black-necked Grebe 1
Whooper Swan 6
Scaup 2 (drk and female)
Goosander 1
Little Egrets, Green Sandpipers and Yellow-legged Gulls.

 

[marklhawkes]

Puffin seen last week on New Bedford River (Ouse Washes) at Mepal. Probably came through Denver Sluice at some point! Gutted. Last Cambs record was in 1996.

photo here:
http://cambsbirdclub.blogspot.com/2009/11/puffin.html