Kingfisher Dunstable Sewage Works

When Rob was clearing and doing general maintenance around the scrape he noticed huge quants of Sticklebacks in the shallow water near the hide so I thought it a good idea and suggested we put a perch above the area to see if it would bring the Kingfishers nearer the hide.

That was last week and since then we have had nothing but regular visits to the perch by the local Kingfishers with 2 seen hunting/feeding from the same perch at the same time so a success all around on that front. At this rate of predation I am not sure how long the stock of Sticklebacks will last, as I sat in the hide for 2 and a 1/2 hours today and the Kingfisher was feeding in full view for pretty much the duration of my visit.

Also on view today on the scrape where, 2 no Green Sandpipers, 1 no Little Ringed Plover, Grey & Pied Wagtail, Coot, Moorehen, Mallard + 5 surviving chicks, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting, Bullfinch, Goldfinch & Blackcap.

Reed Buntings

Male and female Reed Buntings, Biggleswade, 20th June 2015

Corn Bunting

During a warm and sunny dog walk tonight at Totternhoe NR I found some lovely Orchids and other wild fauna plus a cracking pair of Corn Buntings.

Also on site tonight Skylark, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Wren, Dunnock, Stock Dove, Wood Pidgeon, Magpie, Crow, Song Thrush, Blackbird.

Sadly after many visits this year so far no Turtle Doves seen or heard!!!

Dunstable Sewage Works

Had a lovely couple of hours at the sewage works on a bleak, damp Sunday morning 14-06-2015. I stayed in the hide for a couple of hours watching the many families of Sedge and Reed Warbler flitting in and out of the reeds on the scrape.

Other birds of note as viewed from the hide on the scrape and visible ponds, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Buzzard, Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Blackcap,Wren, Dunnock,Blue, Great & Long Tailed Tit, LB-BG, Black Headed Gull, Heron, Pied & Grey Wagtail, Coot & Moorhen with many offspring, Little & Great Crested Grebe, Mute & Whooper Swan, Gadwall at least 2 broods, Tufted, Mallard with brood of 6, Shelduck, Canada Geese.

Not bad for a dreary wet morning.

Chiloe Wigeon x Eurasian Wigeon hybrid

Probable Chiloe Wigeon x Eurasian Wigeon hybrid, GLE, Broom GP, 14th June 2015 by Roger Safford.

Sedge Warbler video

Sedge Warbler, GLE, Broom GP, 13th June 2015

Chiloe Wigeon x Wigeon hybrids

A pair of (probable) Chiloe Wigeon x Wigeon hybrids, Derek Whites Eggs Pit, 2nd June 2015