Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover, Octagon Farm Pools, 28th March 2009 by Steve Blain.

Black Vulture over the Lodge

This is the little one - the American Black Vulture rather than the European one - even so, a bit bigger than the Jackdaws chasing it.

Dartford Warbler

Dartford Warbler, Blows Downs, 23rd March 2009 by Lol Carman.

Green Sandpiper at Hollington Basin

Ruff

Ruff, Castle Mills, 21st March 2009 by Steve Blain.

Water Pipit

Water Pipit, Octagon Farm Pools, 21st March 2009 by Steve Blain.

MVCP Wheatear - near "Long Meadow"

A record shot of the male Wheatear, the bird was initially between the MVCP visitor's centre and the Long Meadow, then went to the field immediately in front of the cafe. For anyone who doesn't know the Long Meadow is the field between the MVCP access track and the Pillinge Lake. Photo by Martin Green.

Chiffchaff at The Lodge

Photo by Roy Norris

Avocet at Great Barford

In praise of WeBS! The only reason I go to this small lake is for WeBS. Previous avian highlight was probably Bar-headed Goose so this was a nice find... My next WeBS count was Roxton during which, this bird flew in there too! Bonkers!

Ring-necked Parakeet

Ring-necked Parakeet, Southcott, 16th March 2009 by Rory Morrisey.

Peregrine

More on my Blog

Iceland Gull

Juvenile Iceland Gull, Stewartby Lake, 14th March 2009 by Steve Blain.

Leucistic Gadwall, Wyboston

A distant video grab of a striking bird.

In praise of nyger feeders

Many have commented on the Beds Birds Newsgroup on the Lesser Redpolls and Siskins etc feeding at the Nyger feeders near the gate-house at the Lodge. They are quite approachable!

Both species are also frequent visitors to drink at the pool in front of the hide as are Crossbills. Unfortunately I only saw females of this species, having apparently missed a male by 10 minutes!

More Birds in my Clifton Garden

Siskins and Reed Buntings both arrived in the garden on 02 March. They both come here annually, usually in March (though in 2008 year an early female Siskin was 14 Feb, but thereafter regular from 29 Feb to 07 April). The first Reed Bunting in 2008 was 4 March and they were present until 25 March). Since their arrival this year Reed Buntings have been seen daily (though not really giving unimpeded views for photography). Siskins have been seen sporadically. Brambling is also a regular each year with birds present this year from 03 Jan, the most recent sighting being 5th March. (All photos taken through window glass!)

Crossbills at the Lodge

Acouple of photos taken by Paul Cook on Monday.

Bean Geese

This family party of Tundra Bean Geese, which have wintered in the county, have now moved a few miles to Old Warden. 11th March 2009, by Steve Blain.

Possible Kumlien's Gull

Possible Kumlien's Gull, Stewartby Lake 8th-9th March 2009 by Steve Blain. The upper shot taken on 9th, the lower shot taken on 8th.

Crossbill at The Lodge

Photo by Roy Norris

This splendid male Crossbill was photographed from the hide at The Lodge

Short eared owl - Wrestlingworth

Taken last night whilst looking for the Hen harrier, nice substitute for the harrier though.

Little Owl Woburn 4 March

After failing to find any Waxwings this obliging Little Owl was a nice surprise in the Deer Park. Up to 8 Goosander and at least 1 Mandarin also present. Ray Roche

Wrestlingworth.

A couple of record images of the hen harrier from last night. The light had almost gone and i didn't expect to get anything on camera, these have been brightened quite a bit so as too bring out the bird as much as possible. * My home is one road away and so this morning i set off to be there for first light and saw from down the track the harrier flying from the roost at 6:37. I watched it distantly fly further afield, and i walked a few miles to try and re-locate it but no more sightings were had.

The Lodge.

Myself and Sarah spent about an hour on Sunday 1st march watching around five species coming to drink and bathe on one of the pools in the gardens, also 4 buzzards calling overhead.