Reed Warbler family

Not an attractive perch but these little guys seemed to gravitate towards it and judging by the state of the post, had done for sometime. Interestingly the female was the only bird feeding these three- the male was constantly chasing the female around, singing, presumably keen to get on with the next brood!

Bluethroat in Lincs

I haven't seen many Bluethroats in Britain (one at Welney, one on Scilly and found one with Mike Weedon last autumn at Skegness)...In fact I haven't seen that many world wide bar a migrant in Turkey and breeding birds in Norway, so a bird 20 minutes from home was irresistible. A great winter record for this site with growing reputation. Also great to see the old greats- Day, Harriman, Catley and Blake on site plus the new kids on the block!

Yellow-billed Loon

Remarkably this bird appeared at the same stretch of river as Lincolnshire's only other live record of a White-billed Diver which was found by Pinky in 1996. Being only about 40 minutes from my house felt it was rude not to go and have a look, especially since the last one I saw 10 years ago in Cornwall. However, that also showed well.... Despite some reports, I think the reported fishing line in the bill is in fact just river weed.

Blue Rock Thrush

Went with David Roche to see this beauty at Stow-on-the-Wold. Encouraged to see it mainly sticking to roof tops like wintering Blue Rock Thrushes do in their native land. Quite impressed to see it found a Queen Bee in January as well....

The Emperor's Purple Clothes

Purple Emperors are famed for their love of dog poo and rotten banana skins and there is plenty of both in Fermyn Woods near Oundle. However, we didn't see any Purple Emperors in Fermyn on Wednesday (20th) but a walk through to Lady's Wood was very productive with around 12 individuals coming to the woodland track (no dog poo or banana skin needed). Great animals- big and beautiful and incredible how they can look black/brown and white until the sun catches them just right (such in the last photo). 

Other Fermyn Butts

Sunday (17th) saw Mike Weedon and I visit Maxey Gravel Pits and Frampton Marsh RSPB. Due to excessive sun and a broken tripod we soon decided a visit to Fermyn Woods near Oundle was in order. However afternoons are no good for Purple Emperors if it is hot (why we didn't go there in the first place I don't know). However Silver-washed Fritillaries showed well and was good to get some decent images.

The White-letter Hairstreak pictured below was seen on Wednesday (20th) when Pops and I returned to Fermyn. All though a little tatty, was good to see as didn't see any at a traditional site near Peterborough later in the day.

Blast from the past 1: Spotted Crake 25.08.15

Spotted Crake at Rutland Water in August 2015. Nat and I went to see this gem a week after the bird fair a few summers back, Nice to see a showy one for a change.

Peterborough Reptiles

Spent a couple of days at a site near Peterborough looking for Adders- had 8 one day and 6 the other (same individuals involved in both days). However day two was better for other reptiles with 21 Slow Worms (vs just one on the first day!), 4 Grass Snakes and 8 Common Lizards. We also had a Shrew and a Bank Vole. Many thanks to Mike Weedon on help with this site.

Dartford Warbler

Fantastic encounter with this male wintering in Cambridgeshire in mid March. Incredible close views and at one point it fell asleep just a few feet away from me. A nice PBC grip back after Brian Stone's bird back in the day.

Great White Egret

Found this on the way home from work on Deeping High Bank, Lincs on the 2nd April. Was pleased to hear it was still present the next day and showing just as well. Seems like its incredibly loyal to one patch. Not the rarity it was- but a nice bird non the less. Note the slight dark tip on bill and plumes coming through suggesting summer plumage is on it's way...