Whinchats

Whinchats are never common birds in the Peterborough area – a few come through on spring passage, usually in the first couple of weeks of May, and then a few more come along during August (sometimes July) and September. So, when Kevin Durose called me last Thursday (25.8.05) to say he had a couple of 'em on the central drove of the RSPB Nene Washes, I took a drive down there to see them. Two days later (27.8.05), I was back. One of the original first-winter birds was still in place near the entrance gate (then again, it may have been a 'new' bird finding the same good habitat), but I was surprised to see four together on a small fence/gate (with a Whitethroat there for company).
The lone Whinchat near the gate, patrolling the edge of a rough field lined with willow herb and the haystacks of the field next door.





Nikon Coolpix 880 through a Kowa TSN-821 + 32xWLER