Week commencing 2nd July

Monday 2nd

Hot weather continues, so again up and out early to Burwell Fen. Usual good numbers of Grey Heron and Little Egret around the Roost Tree and at the top end of the Fen.

Little Egret and Grey Heron

Grey Heron

A group of twenty-three Black-tailed Godwit feeding on the far side towards Pouts' Hall.

Black-tailed Godwit

There was also three Ruff at Pouts Hall and a single one on the pool nearest to the path. A single Egyptian Goose was still present as were three Little Ringed Plover. A Water Rail was calling nearby but as yet they seem to be reluctant to show themselves as well as they did last year.

A Greenshank is summer plumage was showing well on the pool near the path to the old barn.

Greenshank

45 species recorded

Tuesday 3rd

A more leisurely start to the morning with a walk around my local patch. Interesting that the usual song of the Blackcap was missing but replaced by that of Garden Warbler. Usually there are three or four singing along the sidings of river but today not a sound. However the three Garden Warbler made up for the Blackcap.

Female House Sparrow: The background reminds me of Spain or Italy in the summer not the Cambridgeshire Fens.

Little else of note except a kerfuffle from the local Swift attracted my attention to a passing Sparrowhawk.

Sparrowhawk

This evening, while walking along the sidings, a Sparrowhawk (same one?) was kicking up its own kerfuffle and drove a Buzzard out of the trees.

Added a tick to my garden list this evening with two Lapwing passing over the house.

Wednesday 4th

The hot weather continues so up and out again early to see if anything new had moved in overnight to the Burwell area.Up to seven Green Sandpiper across the fen and a seven Black-tailed Godwit on the top pool.

Black-tailed Godwit

Seven Ruff were present. An immature Caspian Gull was in with the Black-headed Gull.

Thursday 5th

Covered the local patch this morning, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Garden Warbler present along the siding and Whitethroat and Reed Warbler along the river. A Stock Dove put in an appearance.

Friday 6th

Still hot! Back to Burwell to cover the lower section from bridge to barn and back.
Five Black-tailed Godwit and the same number of Little Ringed Plover on the pool and area of mud. The single Egyptian Goose still mooching around. Also seem to be a lot of Hare around; sadly Annie disgraced herself by chasing one!

On the way back came across a Water Rail with at least three chicks that was showing well along the ditch to the left of the path heading towards the bridge.

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail and one of at least three chicks

35 species recorded