L Spot !

Caught by Ed Green at Sandy Smith NR 28th Feb 12

Mealy Redpoll

This hansome male Mealy Redpoll was also caught by Ed Green on the same day as the Lesser Spot, at Sandy Smith NR, 28th Feb 2012.  So far, it's the only Mealy seen this winter in Beds, after the huge influx of last winter when they were common in the county.

Blackwit

Black-tailed Godwit, Derek Whites Eggs pit, 27th Feb 2012

Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe, Harrold & Odell CP, 26th February 2012

Goldfinch

Goldfinch, Biggleswade, 25th February 2012

Luton Hoo Bewick's

Thanks to Richard Biffen and Andy Garrett for this record of 22 Bewick's Swans at Luton Hoo - a fabulous record. These birds stayed for just a few hours. Photos by Richard Biffen.

Mediterranean Gull - MVCP Pillinge

A video of the adult Mediterranean that has been spending most of the last few days on the MVCP Pillinge. Videoed using a Canon S95 compact camera attached to a Nikon ED50 scope via a universal adaptor. The bird was at a range of about 200 yards and I used 5x digital zoom to take the video. Video by Martin Green.

Little Gull

Little Gull, Broom GP, 18th February 2012

Tundra Bean Geese

The ten Tundra Bean Geese from Blunham made a one day detour to Broom GP on 15th Feb.

Swan for dinner?

Med Gull

Med Gull, Brogborough Lake, 12th February 2012

Jacks on the border

Out of the county by less than ten metres on occasions and showing as well as I have ever seen them, the Jacks at East Hyde were taking advantage of the flowing water of the side stream next to the River Lea this afternoon in superb sunlight. The birds were continuously active and feeding. Attached are a couple of my digiscoped efforts which can only hint at the images that could be obtained here by somebody with some decent camera gear.

Jack Snipe

Jack being watched over by his larger cousin

East Hyde water meadow; view SE from Thrales End Road. The road marks the Beds border as does the river beyond. The nearside bank and this side stream are Herts territory. On view this afternoon from this spot were three Jack Snipe, eight Common Snipe, Little Egret, two Green Sandpipers, two male Goosander, Kingfisher and a Water Rail as well as good numbers of Gadwall, Little Grebe and Teal. Can you see the Jack Snipe in the near foreground ?

Another typical view

Yellow-legged Gull

A typically small Yellow-legged Gull which turn up in the winter roosts inland.  But why are these mid-winter birds always fairly petite when the summer michahellis are usually large brutes?  Brogborough Lake, 11th February 2012.

Scaup

Two of the four Scaup at Brogborough Lake today, 11th February 2012

Common Scoter

Common Scoter, The Pillinge, MVCP, 11th February 2012

Smew

Smew, The Pillinge, MVCP, 11th February 2012

Hybrid Tufted Duck x Pochard

Hybrid Tufted Duck x Pochard, Stewartby Lake. 11th February 2012

Bewick's Swans

Six Bewick's Swans were at Wyboston Lakes this lunchtime.  Two Smew were also here but flew before I could get a shot.

Merlin

Beautiful male Merlin sat on telegraph wires above the unmade road leading to Brookland Farm off Gypsy Lane, Broom. (7/02/2012)

Tundra Bean Geese

One of the ten Tundra Bean Geese at Blunham Lake today (7/02/2012), presumably the same group there on the 3/02/2012

Smew

The red-head Smew was still at Broom GP this afternoon, 5th Feb 2012

Egyptian Geese

Four Egyptian Geese near Broom GP, 5th Feb 2012

Half a fudge

A Ferruginous x Pochard hybrid on the portakabin pit, Radwell Lakes.

Tundra Beans

Record count of ten Tundra Bean Geese - Blunham Lake Friday 3rd February

Smew

Smew, Broom GP, 2nd February 2012.

Mediterranean Gull

2nd winter Med Gull at Grovebury for a short while on Sunday 29/01/2012