Paxton Best of the Rest

The shallow water at some of the edges of Heronry Lake make wonderful drinking and washing areas for birds and reflection pools for photographers. Here a Grey Wagtail and Pigeon beautifully reflected. Another photographers favourite, the Otter, made a brief subject to aim the cameras as it traversed the water ahead of us. Cormorant, Llttle Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe and pair of Teal complete the swim/flypast.

Sunny Afternoon at Paxton

Just about the full cast performed for us in front of the Hide yesterday - the Great Crested Grebes are guarding their two chicks well at the moment while Cormorants, Little Egrets and Herons flew in and out at regular intervals. The chicks are beginning to make short dives and also appeared to be catching damselflies. As the sun came round and lit the perches, we were entertained by Ruddy Darters (body shape, black legs), Willow Emerald Damselflies (yellow spur on the thorax, no blue pruinescence), Tachina fera Fly, Migrant Hawker and Green-Veined White Butterflies.

Life and Death on Heronry Lake

This Little Egret was clearly hunting something among the vegetation and the camera reveals they were Red-eyed Damselflies which I hadn't recorded before on Heronry South. The Heron has caught a good-sized fish though can't ID it from the photo! Several Great White Egrets present plus a very large number of Gadwall - wonderful ducks in flight. I suspect these Migrant Hawkers will end up on somebody's menu but getting on with displaying, mating etc at the moment

Lackford Lakes Part 1

The weather stayed fairly chilly and overcast all day at Lackford Lakes despite the promise of sunshine so a bit challenging for birds in the woodland areas but this Wren put on a great display, singing its heart out trying to compete with an equally vocal Blackcap. The Marsh Harriers, Heron, Egrets and Shelducks put on good displays so the morning passed very quickly!!

Lady Fen Welney Sightings

A very enjoyable day at Welney yesterday in the company of RPS Nature group members and volunteers from Paxton Pits. The dull light all day did not lend itself to distant photography but I enjoyed the challenge of finding and capturing the variety of wildlife on Lady Fen in the fenland landscape. The first Short-eared Owl took us by surprise as it flew close and over the bank. Other views were more distant. In the afternoon Steve located a Hare in its 'form' - amazingly camouflaged - just the eye giving it away. Good to get some closer photography of the Tree and House sparrows and Stonechat. Three species of Egret (Cattle, Great and Little), two deer species (Roe and Chinese Water), Heron and Kestrel completed the roll call