Toft Birds - Some Migrants Have Arrived

Chiffchaffs (images 1,3) and Willow Warblers (2,4) were singing their heads off this morning. I do hope that they both have partners and may be joined by other pairs. There was a Blackcap singing in the Allotments but no Whitethroats (hopefully still to arrive). Only a single Swallow hunting over the field and so far only one Skylark. There are no Yellowhammers or Reed Buntings but since the banks of the Brook have been cleared there isn't a habitat for them.

 Looking back at my bird sightings book for 1967 when I moved to Toft - so many birds are no longer seen/heard on my walks - Corn Bunting, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat, House Martin, Swifts, Linnets, Spotted Flycatcher, Snipe, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker etc We have gained the Red Kite!!

Season is Changing at Paxton

There are definite signs that Spring is on its way at Paxton with the Cormorants in breeding plumage and busy nest building, and the Great Crested Grebes are showing their breeding ruffs. Winter visitors are still with us while immature nonbreeding Cormorants and Herons are sitting around looking very bored. Poor light most of the time for photography.

Frosty Walk with Full-spectrum Camera

We had a hard frost overnight which was great for walking the 'muddy' footpaths now rock solid and the frost patterns on the leaves were beautiful. A single Red Kite occupied the usual morning tree - hoping its mate is safe somewhere. These are images with the full spectrum camera with very little processing.

Our Red Kites and Winter Visitors

 We have a resident pair of Kites that fly around the house and are often seen in the local trees . This morning, the light was beautiful as they flew and then rested warming themselves in the early sunlight. There are also large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfare together with Starlings (probably immigrants) feeding on the abundant berries.

Toft Raptor Show

 Yesterday afternoon we were treated to our own personal raptor show as Buzzard, Kestrel and Red Kites swooped down into the field next to our bungalow when the hay-making machine disturbed rodents and insects. The light wasn't very good for most of the time and backgrounds difficult but quite an experience seeing them sometimes very close.