Knot

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On January 1 of the last couple of years, I have started my birding at Baston Fen, Lincs. For 2007 I was plotting the same, but needed to check it out to see what was there. Floods was the answer when I arrived this morning (30.12.06) and it was not looking at all promising. However, just when I was thinking it would be a waste of time, a spring of Teal came whizzing past, with a Knot in tow. Then they whizzed off. Luckily, a few minutes later the Knot returned, landed and sat around doing not much. It allowed a reasonably close approach and I got some rather pleasing shots. Enjoy!

180

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This superb Red-throated Diver was found by Vin Fleming on 27.12.06 on the Lake at Deeping Lakes LWT. It only stayed for one day and was only seen by a few locals, but it was a much finer specimen than the freaky-billed bird on the Nene in May 2003, which was my only other RtD in the PBC area. After a fine week of PBC year ticks, when I also added White-fronted Goose, Bittern, Long-tailed Duck, Grey Plover, Common Scoter and Sanderling to my annual list, my PBC area year list now stands at 180, my second-best ever (after 2003, when I scored 182 [or 184 in new money]). Just two days to go, what's next... ?

Kite and harrier

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The UK's first Black-eared Kite has moved to the raptor-dense Blakeney Freshmarsh and nearby Cley area, north Norfolk. I went up there yesterday (28.12.06) with Kevin Durose, but the kite was always about 400m or more away. It spent a large amount of time sitting on this bush with a full crop, occasionally being mobbed by Marsh Harriers (as here). Interestingly, though, later in the day it was sat in a field with three Marsh Harriers also down, no more than a couple of yards from it.

Red in tooth and claw

On Boxing Day, I went up to Baston and Langtoft pits. I parked at the ARC pit and climbing over the low fence saw 15m from me a Stoat attackign a Rabbit. The action had obviously been going on some time as the Rabbit was severely wounded over the back of its head and had lost control of its body, was rather weak and twitchy. I took some shots and watched the amazing (though slightly disturbing) action of a tiny Stoat trying to overcome, by persistence, its massive prey. I even took some video (see below), but BE WARNED, it is not for the squeamish and is a tad gruseome. If you find the photos of the blood-stained Stoat offensive, do NOT watch the video!



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Moorhen grazing

One of several Moorhens grazing in the frozen grass by the visitor centre near Overton Lake, Ferry Meadows CP, Peterborough.
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Loony fun

Now you see it...

...now you don't!

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Sparras

Our garden, Peterborough, Cambs, 17.12.06
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Robin with sloes

Woodwalton Fen, 9.12.06
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High Bank Scaup

First-winter Scaup, Deeping High Bank, 3.12.06
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Goldie

Goldfinch on Burdock, Deeping Lakes LNR, 2.12.06
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Fallow

Fallow Deer at Burghley, Lincolnshire, 25.11.06
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Bluebell Wood portraits

Robin

Chaffinch

Pheasant

Kingfisher
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Stonechat

Stonechat, Holbeach Marsh, Lincolnshire, 19.11.06
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Black-eared Kite

A potential first the UK, this Black Kite of the eastern race lineatus has been hanging aroudn the Holbeach area, Lincolnshire for a while now. Kevin Durose took me up there yesterday and after a mighty long walk we caught up with it. Here are some shots of it at a range of c300m.
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Shag @ Dog

A couple of weekends ago I headed off to Norfolk (see the Dovekies below) with Ray and Will Bowell. As we were crossing the Nene on the A47 on the very edge of the PBC area (at Ring's End), we spotted a Shag out of the window. Will got some shots, but it flew upstream and we lost it. However, our prediction that it would eventually reach the Dog in a Doublet sluice came true when Jonathan Taylor found what was presumably the same bird there a couple of days later. A week on it was still there and I paid my respects on Saturday morning (11.11.06), while everyone else was headign to Devon to feast on the UK's first Long-billed Murrelet...
As usual, click each photo for a bigger version.
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Greylag close-up

Greylag, Ferry Meadows, 3.11.06
Click it to make it big.
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Firework Sunset

View from the A47 east of Peterborough, heading home, November 5, 2006.
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Shore Lark

Shore Lark, Salthouse, Norfolk, 5.11.06
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