Cambridgeshire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Digbert Doobrey]

Thanks alot for that much appreciated. Think I'll give the Ouse Washes a go. The walk between hides will do me good!

 

[mr.sim]

Where exactly is the Great White Egret at Pymoor please? I'm presuming it's in the Main Drain viewed from the road...? Thanks.

 

[Sy V]

Transited Cambs/Norfolk to and from a funeral on Tuesday and yesterday. On my way to Norwich I saw a pair of Red Kites above the A47 around Thorney (which was a cracking surprise), and on my way back yesterday I saw a Kestrel fly on to a telegraph pole in the village of Coates. The bird was wearing jesses.

 

[wolfbirder]

My personal favourate is Wicken Fen tower hide, late afternoon as the harriers and owls hunt. Overlooks a pool too but can be open to the elements and only has space for 4, so not weekends!

 

[Nicedave]

Ely

Hallo All

We are traveling to Ely tomorrow sunday 28 february and will have the afternoon free any tips on local sites would be very welcome.
Any tips on a good pubs in Ely would also be greatjy appreciatedB

 

[marklhawkes]

You could try Ely Beet Pool - just east of the town. Good for Bittern, Water Rail and perhaps Bearded Tit - and recently there have been Smew there too. However, the weather tomorrow doesn't look very promising for any birding!

 

[mr.sim]

Almost positive I had 2 Ravens over Wisbech today. They were circling over fields just to the West of the town at around 3pm and eventually headed off West. How often do these occur in Cambs?

 

[marklhawkes]

Still a mega rare in the county.... of the highest Cambs listers, only 4 out of 16 have seen this species in the county, which until 5-6 years ago was less than annual. Now usually 1-3 records/reports per year.

I have heard rumours about a pair in the north of the county, but have yet to track down a site name or source of the reports..... so you never know.

 

[Brian Stone]

Intruiging rumours! They are now regular at Fineshade not far from the NW border, and these are probably responsible for the rare reports from between King's Cliffe and Yarwell (which fall in my Peterborough recording area). It's hard to believe these haven't passed over the loop of Cambs that include Bedford Purlieus occasionally.

They are also encroaching from the north, although the reports I've seen would put them further from Cambs than the Northants birds.

Wasn't there a report from the Nene Washes not so long ago? Not so far from Wisbech.

 

[mr.sim]

Well make of it what you will, but I saw these two circling for a couple of minutes. At first I thought they were raptors due to their size (Common Buzzard sized - I had seen a couple of these the day before). They drifted closer and I noted an entirely black plumage - corvids. The wings were too narrow for Buzzard also. Although I didn't get a great look at the tail, it certainly wasn't wedge-shaped, but not quite as "diamond-shaped" as some I have seen. Separation features from Carrion Crow were the size of the bird, the shape of the tail, and also the behaviour didn't seem quite right. I haven't exactly studied Carrion Crows before but they didn't feel right to be Carrion Crows; slowly gliding in circles, then flying off with strong wingbeats. Unfortunately they never called. I have had plenty of experience of Ravens before as I see them annually when I visit Wales, so I wasn't quoting anything from a book...

 

[redeyedvideo]

Intruiging rumours! They are now regular at Fineshade not far from the NW border...

They are also encroaching from the north, although the reports I've seen would put them further from Cambs than the Northants birds.

I had a pair drift in from the east over Summer Leys in September, they're appearing in double figures at some sites in Northants.

I've just uploaded a video of the White-rumped Sandpiper at Grafham in October 2005 to Birdforum TV for old time's sake if anyone's interested. There's only been one record in Northants of this species and the observer is sadly no longer with us.

 

[TomSmith]

Cambridge Waxwings

I saw on Cambirds that there were 3 Waxwings in Cambridge last weekend - does anybody know if they are still around & if so where they can be found?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[amelia1730]

Could someone please tell me where Ely Beet Pool is? Many thanks
Amelia

 

[marklhawkes]

There is a map here:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=556500&y=281200&z=115

Its the main pool to the east of the road. Park carefully off road side

 

[amelia1730]

Many thanks
Amelia

 

[Jono L]

I had a pair drift in from the east over Summer Leys in September, they're appearing in double figures at some sites in Northants.

I've just uploaded a video of the White-rumped Sandpiper at Grafham in October 2005 to Birdforum TV for old time's sake if anyone's interested. There's only been one record in Northants of this species and the observer is sadly no longer with us.

I would love a copy of this Dave, having found the bird!
Cheers
Jono

 

[Daffyduck]

Birding Boat trip from Ely 15th May

Hi folks if anyone is going to be in the area on 15th May the local Cambridge RSPB group have arranged two boat trips on the River Ouse. Its an nice relaxing way to get some birding in and from a very different aspect. You can read last year's trip via this link and there is a contact number in the EVENTS section if you are interested in booking a place.

Wicken Fen and Welney are all close by if you wanted to make a day of it!

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/cambridge/reports/237807/

Ely Boat Trip
Location: Ely, depart from the near Maltings in Ely
Boat Trip on the River Ouse
Time: 10.00am
also another one in the afternoon - time to be confirmed

Thanks
Tina

 

[jimmyg]

Is the Great Northern Diver at Grafham in summer plumage now?

 

[Connor Rand]

Is the Great Northern Diver at Grafham in summer plumage now?

Can't answer the question but there are 5 still present today!

 

[marklhawkes]

I saw all 5 during my morning rounds today. None are showing any signs of summer plumage, but they were distant. However, it seems likely that all 5 are 1st-summer birds, which do not aquire summer plumage during their 2nd-cal year. It seems like the 2 or 3 adults from last winter have left at some point during the winter.