Gone Barny!

We enjoyed more views of the Short-eared Owl this evening but with better weather, it was much more active. This Barn Owl was very obliging and proved a distraction from SEO photography. Sadly, after last winter's weeks of wind, this species is pretty scarce locally this winter but this individual found three voles in about 15 minutes this evening- here is hoping they do alright next spring!

The next level

During the Christmas period, I cracked and got myself a thermal imaging monocular, which arrived today. Straight after work I headed to a local spot known for Jack Snipe. Sadly, most seem to have moved on during the recent wet weather. This individual was spotted using the new toy and these photos take with my macro lens. No wonder you only see them usually when you nearly tread on them! Excited as to the possibilities this device brings to future photography and wildlife finding!
 

Get Shortie

After a close encounter yesterday morning and a distant view yesterday, Amy and I were just giving up this evening when in the last light this obliging bird finally showed very well. One of my favourite Owl species- always special to see. This winter appears to be a good one locally.

Wet Buzzard

This wet Buzzard had been feeding in the ditches by the river this afternoon and was drying off. It allowed for great views. 

More Diver

 

Great Northern Diver on the Welland

 

This fantastic first winter Great Northern Diver is only the fourth I have seen in the area and the second on the Deeping Highbank. Found by Mike Weedon on Sunday, unfortunately work is full on at the moment so only had an hour window this afternoon. Usually completely un-phased by people (unless stood on top of the bank!) as Divers often are, was great fun predicting where it would next appear. 

Great Northern close up....

 

Glossy Ibis

This Glossy Ibis was found on the Nene Washes on Tuesday 27th. On Friday it was relocated further along the Nene at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough. Confiding, as Ibis often are; I spent an enjoyable hour or so watching it on the meadow with Mike Weedon and co. This is the third Ibis I have seen in the Peterborough area, after individuals at Maxey GP and Deeping Lakes as long ago as 2014.

From the archives No. 8

Forgot about this American Tree Sparrow V Dark-eyed Junco shot from Canada 2012. Check out the outer tail feathers on the Junco!

Giving it the Beans

The juvenile Tundra Bean Goose continued to perform well on my patch, Deeping Lakes, and Newborough Fen, all week. Two adults also turned up at Baston & Langtoft GP; seems very early but perhaps the start of a national influx? 

Patch Gold!

 

Missed the Bearded Vulture which Dad managed to see from my patch, Deeping Lakes, last week- he had an Osprey catch a fish on the same visit! Gutted? Of course! But with Radde's Warbler and Bearded Vulture both seen locally that week, I could hardly complain! After two mega rares for an inland area, close to home, this week was always going to be an anticlimax but yesterday's Bush Chat was a great excuse to get out the area. 

On Friday Bob Titman reported a pair of Bean Geese at Deeping Lakes but sent a photograph of Pink-foot and that was that! However, today Mike Weedon warned everyone that one of the Geese at DL had orange feet! Now, there was a orange footed Pink-foot at Ferry Meadows last year, so they do happen but on seeing the photos, I was quickly down the patch just in time to watch an adult Pink-footed Goose and juvenile Tundra Bean Goose fly off over the river!

I relocated them on Newborough Fen and watched them fly back to DL. Whizzed round to DL, where I got the above photos (Bean Goose always on the right) only this time a third Goose flew off with them- a juvenile Pink-foot! The juvenile didn't associate with the adult Pink-foot or juvenile Tundra Bean at all, when I once again relocated them at Newborough Fen and Bob's photo he sent was of the adult Pink-foot so presumably he saw the orange legs of the Tundra Bean and jumped to conclusions. 

Whatever, a long over due patch tick and a first for the reserve!