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...

Black Redstart in Peterborough

Black Redstart in Yaxley, Peterborough, late March 2016. A stones through from my Grandparents, it would have been rude not to visit this fine young drake Black Redstart. Only the second I have seen in the Peterborough area- a bird that used to breed regularly in the city.

Classic Norfolk

Been a while since I posted on here- usual excuses but I have also moved out into the fens near the Wash and in particular Frampton Marsh/Kirton Marsh/Moulton Marsh which has been very rewarding birding wise. However this post is about a rare venture out into Norfolk on a bit of a classic day- Isabelline Shrike, Olive-backed Pipit, Red-flanked Bluetail, Pallas's Warbler and Hume's Warbler- what a day. The Shrike and Pipit showed particularly well..

Masked Shrike- third for Britain

Another weekend and another Shrike, this time a third for Britain and the first for mainland England. And very nice too; loyal to it's hedge, showy, plenty of supporting cast (Barred Warbler, Red-breasted and Spotted Flycatchers, Wheatears, Redstarts, etc) and a good seawatch at the end.

Butcher bird

Didn't seem bothered about the masses of Migrant Hawkers zooming up and down the hedge. Seemed happy enough with craneflies and in this case grasshoppers.