Ouse Fen Birder

Having looked at lots of Bewick’s photos, I finally found one of a juvenile with two yellow points on its bill (although no yellow across the bridge). So, it appears this bird is an extreme example of variation in Bewick’s

This young swan hanging around with the local Mutes has been causing some headaches. Inset shows it’s Bewick’s-sized but bill pattern (especially lhs) & head/bill structure closer - but not quite right - for Whooper. Could it be a hybrid? #birdhybrids

And this is the same view through the phone camera

This is how it appeared in the thermal

It was almost unthinkable prior to thermals to find a Jack Snipe without flushing it first

Somewhat surprised to find an adult dark-bellied Brent Goose this afternoon at Radford Meadows, Staffs. Apparently a site first. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

It’s not difficult to come up with a list of likely suspects: just find the nearest shooting estates and who works as gamekeepers on them.

I thought I’d taken a wrong turn and ended up in Wimbledon given the number of Wombles driving in Stafford today.

Our semi-resident female "Ferruginous Duck" on RSPB Berry Fen today. I'm still not 100% convinced it's not a hybrid: the pale U shape on the bill is just a bit too well-marked.

Could be Snow Geese: did you see any black primaries? I saw a couple in October 2024 at Burnham Overy with PfGs that briefly visited Norfolk during an east coast tour

It’s only taken me 43 years to see Eurasian Eagle-owl again: this one in a park in Madrid, Spain

A bit surprised when a Glossy Ibis walked out at cell 10, RSPB Ouse Fen this morning: I’d already been waiting 90 minutes to confirm the identity of 5 Ringed Plovers and a juv Little Stint. Amazing how birds hide away there.

Birds from RSPB Ouse Fen and Fen Drayton Lakes on 18/09/2025

A few bits and pieces from birding around RSPB Ouse Fen and Fen Drayton Lakes yesterday: (clockwise) Whinchat, Whinchat flying, distant pair Cranes, adult Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis (one of two).

Grab of train cancelled email

Just watched the superb Yes Minister where Hacker accepts the job of Transport Supremo, tasked with developing an Integrated Transport Policy - so no surprises when I awoke to find my train was no longer stopping at the station I’d bought a ticket for!

Flock of Sanderling with a Ringed Plovers, Dunlins and a Little Stint

Just back from a few days at RSPB Snettisham, recording a remarkable 25 species of waders. Love the place!

Mike Carr and Richard Thomas

Wonderful to meet my old mate Mike Carr at RSPB Ouse Fen recently: good job he recognised me as I didn’t recognise him. It must be more than 30 years since we last met and both of us are showing a few miles on the clock @mike-carr.bsky.social

Bird behind LT is a juv Common Tern - gingery on mantle, pale reddish bill base. Ringed bird in flight looks like adult Common Tern - angle and light makes bill look short and redder than others in pic but Arctic wing pattern would be much neater.

It flew over the Wash at RSPB Snettisham a short time later: about 10:00 I seem to recall. Heading west

Same bird? A 2CY Arctic Tern I videoed on 27th July at RSPB Snettisham

White-rumped Sandpiper

Video grabs of White-rumped Sandpiper at RSPB Snettisham this morning. It appears the individual pre-high tide (l) is different to the one post-high tide. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

Showing again 11:50 off old jetty then flew south with 2 Dublins, landing near Oystercatcher flock

Adult White-rumped Sand showing well on mud in front of benches RSPB Snettisham 10:40 @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

@birdguides.bsky.social

Lovely White-rumped Sand on the falling tide at RSPB Snettisham today. Also yesterday’s Pec Sand still on the pits - it is a different bird to last week’s bird

Lovely White-rumped Sand on the falling tide at RSPB Snettisham today. Also yesterday’s Pec Sand still on the pits - it is a different bird to last week’s bird

Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper from Shore Hide RSPB Snettisham this evening. Fairly sure it’s not the same individual last reported here 3/8 but will compare photos when I get an opportunity. @birdguides.bsky.social

I’m guessing there wasn’t much happening in the penalty box then.

Blink and you miss it: the Zitting Cisticola at Walberswick yesterday.

Apparent display today between the Caspian Gull (left) and Lesser Black-b Gull at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes. Let’s hope they don’t hit it off!

Adult Dunlin with colour ring

It’s fascinating to find out where birds have been: this Dunlin at RSPB Snettisham on Sunday had been colour-ringed in 2024 at Ynyslas National Nature Reserve, Wales