Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler, Arlesey Fishing Lakes - 13th May 2010

Common Crane & Marsh Harrier

The Common Crane pair were still present at Quest pit, but on the far bank. Eventually they flew off west. The female-type Marsh Harrier, seen over the weekend, put in an appearance.

Emperor Moth, Orton Waterville, 28 April 10

Belated photos of a beautiful surprise Emperor Moth to MV light in the garden. My first here and not particularly common in Hunts.

BBS UTB OML ETC

The flying pig had departed before I arrived at Rutland Water at about 06:45 this morning, but luckily the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still present on Lagoon 4. No photos as usual, as it was too far away. But very nice all the same. Thanks for another good find Matthew!

Cambridge, 15-17 May 10

Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina, singles recorded most years

Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria, another species of which singles occur most years here

pete
CB1 3ST
22W actinic
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

Common Cranes

Common Cranes, Quest pit, 17th May 2010. More can be found here.

****, ****, ****, ****** & ********!

Just as I'm finishing my tea this evening my phone rings. I look at the screen - it's Matthew. Shit (sorry Matthew!) - that can only mean there's a good bird at Rutland Water. Let's hope it's something I don't need as I've got to go to a meeting about the LROS interpretative boards in about 15 minutes.

I answer it. "Do you want a first for the County?" says Matthew. No, no, no, no! I get at most two county ticks a year these days; I don't need one to turn up at 7pm on a night when I've got to go to a fucking meeting. "What is it?" "Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Lagoon 4!" Bollocks, bollocks and more bollocks.

Now, if it had been 'just' some sort of committee meeting I'd have been off to Rutland Water like a shot. But as I'm being paid to do these boards I feel it would be unprofessional not to go, especially as this particular meeting has already been postponed twice. So I put the news out on Twitter, turn my phone off and go to the meeting.

Oh well, perhaps it will still be there tomorrow. And there might be a flying pig perched on the Osprey nesting platform as well. Although as Richard Bayldon has just pointed out to me, the last two Cambs birds stayed for a few days, so you never know. The difficult decision now is whether to get out there early tomorrow or wait for news..... (I must stop ending all my blog posts with ..... - it's very lazy!)