Friday 29 December 2006

Chinese Water Deer

1 Of 8 Chinese Water deer seen whilst searching game strips around Steppingly

Long-eared owl



This is another shot of the same bird photographed by Steve on the 26th

Little Owl


This bird was photographed just outside Great Barford on the road to Wilden. Photographed on the 26th

Thursday 28 December 2006

Yellowhammer


A female Yellowhammer at the set-a-side near Thurligh. 28th December 2006, by Steve Blain

Wednesday 27 December 2006

GND at Cuckoo Bridge

Another shot of the juvenile Great Northern Diver, 27th December 2006 by Steve Blain

Red-crested Pochard

Not a great image really! Taken on 27 Dec. I guess this bird does seem to be a bit pale - on the back especially. Photo by Richard Bashford

Tuesday 26 December 2006

Having a stretch...

Pink-footed Goose at Cuckoo Bridge Lake

With about 5 Greylags. Photographed on 26 Dec by Richard Bashford

Great Northern Diver at Cuckoo Bridge Lake

Getting rather used to turning up at Lakes and seeing Great Northern Divers! This one (which could well be the Roxton or Blunham bird - or are they the same?), at least gave me the chance to photograph it. Also Pink-footed Goose and 2 Goldeneye here.

Long-eared Owl


Just one of over 100 species found on Christmas day 2006, this Long-eared Owl was one of a pair. Image taken 26th December 2006 by Steve Blain

Monday 25 December 2006

Buzzard


A Common Buzzard near Old Warden, 25th December 2006 by Steve Blain

Sunday 24 December 2006

Friday 22 December 2006

Blunham 22 December

The fog has been with us in the Ivel Valley for five days now. As I passed Blunham Lake today, it appeared to be less intense so decided to scan the lake. When I arrived I could see the far side and was amazed to see a Great northern Diver. I assume this is the Roxton bird but I see from Birdguides there is a record from there this afternoon also! The Garganey was still present and is moulting quickly.

Wednesday 20 December 2006

Another bird from Thurleigh

A male Stonechat by the side of the road at Thurleigh. 20th December 2006 by Steve Blain

Tuesday 19 December 2006

Monday 18 December 2006

Great northern Diver at Roxton

Taken at Roxton Lakes on the 18th Dec by David Fisher

Wintering Garganey




Some dodgy shots of the stunning male Garganey currently wintering at Blunham Lakes. The plumage is developing very quickly on this little duck. 18th December 2006, Steve Blain.

Sunday 17 December 2006

Another Beds Great northern Diver

I was out today to do my WeBS count of Roxton. Roxton really has gone downhill in the last year and recent visits have been pretty birdless. Today started well with a female Red-crested Pochard - a site first for me and a year tick. I nipped back to the car to get my camera but couldn't relocate the bird. Thinking it may have flown to the oldest lake along the river (which is normally very quiet indeed), I decided to pay a rare visit to this lake. This is very rarely watched and I only visit about 4 or 5 times a year. True to form, the lake had 5 or so Tufted Ducks and a Mallard or two and the flock of Greylags. Then I saw what I assume would be a Cormorant but it looked a bit pale.... Raising my bins revealed a Great northern Diver. From photos of the other two, I'm sure this is the third found in a month. The Priory bird looks darker around the cheeks. I spent some time trying to photograph it but failed apart from the above.

Pink-footed Goose



Not the best of shots! This bird (presumably this same one) has been wintering in the Ivel/Ouse valley for a few years now - Broom/Blunham/Roxton mainly. Never really sure if it is too wild but it must be a bit suspect as there is only the one - although it only seems to be around in the winter.

17th December birding



Cuckoo Bridge Lake - a rarely watched site - usually because there is little here except good numbers of Mute Swans. Only 56 today but I've seen over 80 here before.

Saturday 16 December 2006

Redwing at Pegsdon Hills

A Redwing seen at Pegsdon Hills, 16th December 2006 by Steve Blain

Thurleigh raptors


The set-a-side next to Thurleigh airfield in north Bedfordshire is superb for raptors at the moment with Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard all seen there in the last few days. The shots above are of a female type Merlin (top) and an adult female Peregrine (bottom) seen there on 16th December 2006, by Steve Blain

Saturday 9 December 2006

Stewartby Lake Gull roost

Gulls roosting on Stewartby Lake, 9th December 2006 by Steve Blain.

Great Northern Diver at MVCP



Great Northern Diver on the Pillinge at Marston Vale Country Park, 9th December 2006 by Steve Blain

Friday 8 December 2006

Melanistic Black-headed Gulls

Please click on the images for a larger view








Ray comments:"I first picked it up looking down to the sailing club from the 'Beach' . it immediaterly stuck out like a sore thumb in the Bins as being so much darker than all the other Black heads in flight but as I got nearer I was struck by the amount of white in the tail, and, having got nearer still by how pale it appeared in the wing and head compared to what I remembered of the bird the other day. However as soon as went back into the air it immediately stood out alongside the other Gulls so I remain somewhat confused,undecided etc and stuck firmly sitting on the fence as to wether it was a different bird or just different lighting conditions!!!!

The 2 from the other morning (see below) are an attempt to show the tail and some colour comparison with the other Black heads and the rest are from this afternoon.

Regards Ray Roche"


Monday 4 December 2006

Golden Plovers


Part of a good flock of Golden Plovers at Biggleswade. 4th December 2006 by Steve Blain.

Friday 1 December 2006

Little Owl

A Little Owl seen at night just outside Old Warden, 1st December 2006 by Steve Blain

Thursday 30 November 2006

Monday 27 November 2006

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