Trip reports

Mini-bus trip to Paxton Pits & RSPB Nene Washes

Sunday, 20 May 2007

11 members joined me on a very long days birding in Cambridgeshire. 1st stop was Paxton Pits reserve, to be met by our guide Trevor Gunton, ex-head of International Affairs at the RSPB, who took us around the reserve that he is passionate about.
30 singing Nightingales are present on the reserve, half of which we heard, with a few fleeting glances of 1 or 2. A mist-trapped Nightingale this year on the reserve, was found to be ringed in 2001, making it at 6 years, the oldest Nightingale in the U.K, probably.
Blackcap, Garden Warbler were abundant as were Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.
Swifts, House Martin & Swallows flew over the reedbeds and up to 4 Hobbies graced the skies.
Gt Crested Grebe chicks were happily gulping down fish brought by their harrased parents, whilst newly hatched cygnets were being shepered by their parents.
Late afternoon we moved onto the RSPB Nene Washes , the first birds seen being Snipe flying high in the air and plummeting down to produce their unique "drumming" sound.
Marsh Harriers glided through the fenland, mobbed by Lapwings, Redshank and Godwits defending their young.
Star bird of the day must go to a hunting ( successfully) Barn Owl, who quartered the scrub for about 15 minutes,glowing ghostly white in the waning light.
The breeding Bar-tailed Godwits were a delight, but sadly there was no sound from the Spotted Crake which are known to breed on the reserve.