BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="JWN Andrewes" data-source="post: 3529023" data-attributes="member: 7131">February 21stA Barn Owl floating round the car park at Willow Tree Fen just after first light yesterday morning was our third in the space of about five miles. From the car park we could see a small herd of Whooper Swans on the water, and hear Wigeon whistling away. Goosanders passed a couple of times overhead and the Skylarks were beginning to sing. We headed off along the main drag, eyes peeled but occasioanlly distracted by Gadwall and Teal on the water to our left, Lapwings to the right on the pasture, then sharply brought back to the reeds along the track by small movements that resolved themselves into Wrens, or Reed Buntings, which had now added their voices to those of the Larks. We were the only people on site at this stage, just before half seven, but it was clear where all the action had been taking place, it looked like Terry Pratchett's Luggage had been field testing a variety of walking boots, vigorously, at one particular spot, now decorated by a couple of posts and some black and yellow tape. So we stood there for a bit, and without noticing it emerging, suddenly the Bluethroat was just there, on the grass verge between the reeds and the track. Absolute gem, it showed fantastically for several minutes before hopping back into the reeds. Job done, brilliant!With hindsight the next segment of the day was perhaps an tactical error, as we transected the fields around Throckenholt searching for Rough-legged Buzzard, but to no avail. I'd hoped we might perhaps pick up a Grey Partridge or two along the way, or even a Crane, but no, just Red-legs, Pheasants and a handful of Common Buzzards to show for our time.On then to Great Barford, with Red Kite from the A1 just north of the A14 junction a year tick; didn't realise there were any round here. At the Little Bunting site another year tick, Green Woodpecker, proved hugely popular, rendering the boys their best views to date of this species, with multiple sightings on the ground and up in trees. We then learnt from a departing birder that our protracted Rough-leg dip had cost us prolonged views of the Bunting feeding on the ground. Forty five minutes later we were still empty handed, and Sam was reaching his tolerance for standing still and quiet so we decided to split and try again later.Now, it may seem that I am ignoring our quest for target species with all of this naughty twitching, but a crucial element of today's itinerary was an attempt on the Paxton Ring-necked Duck so twenty minutes after leaving Barford we were parking up at Doddington, and heading out to scan the new workings. It was all pretty bleak, and I couldn't find it amongst the distant Tufties, or the even more distant Pochards, nor even off on its own anywhere. Oh well, we tried, but by now I was getting twitchy over the Bunting, so back we headed. Arriving at Barford we learnt that our fruitless sojourn hadn't cost us the Bunting (always a worry) and this time, after just a twenty minute wait, a sharp eyed bearded gent picked the Little Bunting out. As luck would have it his skills at giving directions were every bit as sharp as his eyes and I quickly managed to get the scope on the bird. More luck followed, as when the assorted flock of Chaffinch, Linnet & Reed Buntings spooked and flew up the Little Bunting remained, relying on being in cover to keep it safe and allowing us to keep on it. Also it didn't move around a great deal, so the boys could easily take turns on the scope while I rattled off a load of shots at where the bird was to see later if there was anything recognisable later (results attached).Stopped off at Draycote on the way home but my unfamiliarity with the site meant we didn't manage to get to where the Red-necked Grebe has been hanging out or find the best place to view the Gull roost for Glaucous Gulls. The best we managed was a sleeping drake Scaup (none last year, third sighting this year, go figure) and twenty minutes in the playground while I reviewed my laughable Little Bunting shots.Home late, tired, but satisfied.</blockquote>

Verification