Ravens close to Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

There is a pair of Ravens nesting close to Peterborough, indeed in the same area that the Peregrines featured in my previous post are trying to set up home. They are at present feeding young and can be viewed quite easily from a distance. The above heavily cropped images show one of the pair.

The largest passerine, larger than a Common Buzzard, is making a welcome foray into the east of the country. The Raven is a huge bird, with a loud clanging 'kronk kronk' call and an obvious silhouette with the wedge shaped tail key identification features. Another bird that has been persecuted heavily and until recently was confined to the more remote areas in the west of the U.K., but now those times seem to be changing with the bird moving slowly eastwards. Although there are some that are now calling for the species to be put on general licence, meaning that they can be shot. This MUST NOT happen.

Peregrine Falcon near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Even non-birders have heard of a Peregrine Falcon. A bird that can fly at eye-watering speed, a thing of legend and thankfully a bird that is getting more and more common. The bird is still persecuted by some, especially Pigeon fanciers who object to losing their prized flying rats to these magnificent creatures. I know of at least two sites in the local area where these birds are to be found regularly and I managed to catch up with a pair at one of these sites yesterday where the above heavily cropped photos were taken.

Great White Egret at Deeping High Bank, Lincolnshire

Female Redstart at Eldernell, Nene Washes in Cambridgeshire

A few ropey images of the female Redstart that was present at Eldernell on the Nene Washes in Cambridgeshire yesterday. Always distant, but showing well and feeding continuously. A nice companion to the even more distant juvenile Spoonbill that was seen at the same site and was the intended target of the visit.

Turnstone at Ferry Meadows CP, Cambridgeshire

Not a rare bird nationally, but pretty scarce inland, this Turnstone was found today by Paul Taylor pecking around the small area of shingle by Gunwade Lake in Ferry Meadows CP. As is pretty usual for this species it was pretty approachable, but did object when you got a bit too close.

Little Gulls at Maxey/Etton pits, Cambridgeshire

Yesterday the whole country seemed to have Little Gulls passing through. We had a fair share in the Peterborough area with a couple at Ferry Meadows CP, 7 reported at Deeping lakes and at least 5 at Maxey/Etton pits, where I managed to take the above images. At least 3 of the Maxey birds seemed to be in full summer plumage, a stunning bird with an all black hood, black bill and a slight pink tinge to the breast, which is hopefully obvious in a couple of the photos.

Definitely not just a "sea"gull!