Gadwall brood

A brood of Gadwall at Blunham, one of three on the lake today, making it one of the best breeding sites in the county for this dapper duck. 30th July 2007 by Steve Blain.

Mistle Thrush

July 2007

Meadow Lane GP

Male Yellow Wagtail


Little Ringed Plover

More Gulls at Broom

The first juvenile Common Gull of the autum on the right side of the island, and a Yellow-legged Gull on the left side.



These two adult Yellow-legged Gulls were roosting on the newly excavated area down Gypsy Lane.

A nice sunset tonight at Broom. 22nd July 2007 by Steve Blain.

Juv Med

Andy Plumb and I found this juvenile Med Gull on the new workings at Broom this evening. I'd only said to Andy five minutes before that the first juv Meds should be appearing any day! This one had a green ring on its left leg and a metal ring above its knee on its right leg. We think the inscription is 398 (see the image below). 21st July 2007 by Steve Blain.

Little Egrets at Octagon

There were six Little Egrets between Octagon Farm and Meadow Lane this morning. The bottom image is a juvenile taken at Meadow Lane. 21st July 2007 by Steve Blain.

Black Terns at Broom

Seven of the fifteen Black Terns at Broom GP tonight, 20th July 2007. By Steve Blain.

Another Garganey at Blunham

Adult Garganey at Blunham Lake. 18th July 2007 by Steve Blain.

Green Woodpecker

Green Woodpecker Beds July 07

House Med Gull

A good house tick. This first-summer Med Gull was in a field behind my Broom home at around lunchtime today with c.100 Black-headed Gulls. 14th July 2007 by Steve Blain.

Mandarin

Female on the river at Willington on Tuesday.

Little Ringed Plover

Juvenile Beds July 07

Common Tern

Common Tern Beds July 07

Barn Owl

Little Egret at Broom

The Little Egret looking only mildly concerned at the sight of me, before being terrified by Mr Ball looming into view.. :-) Martin Green

Juv Common Tern

I can't quite pick out the ring colour/detail. Priory Marina on Sunday.

Linnet

Male Linnet DWR July 07

Visited Broom with Martin Green on Sunday, but no sign of the Lesser Emperor. Three Little Egrets and then a single flew over, and as we were leaving we had a quick look at the settling lagoon and one of them (or another) flew in again. We walked down behind the bank and looked over to find ourselves dead level with it, so I let Martin have a go at some shots before looking over again. The two of our heads were too much for it and it wisely legged it. None of my shots were that brilliant, but I had fun making them up into a photomontage:

How to flush a Little Egret (1). At the bottom left it's just spotted Ball and Green and is thinking 'Chuffing heck, I'm outta here!'...

How to flush a Little Egret (2). ..gaining height, it circles round...

How to flush a Little Egret (3). ...before coming over for another look...

How to flush a Little Egret (4). ...and not liking what it sees, finally legs it...

This is a more sensible shot of one flying in to the Lesser Emperor pool earlier...

...and another as it glides in to land.

Blackwit

Black-tailed Godwit at Broom GP, 6th July 2007 by Steve Blain.