Paxton Pits Winter Birds

The south shallower end of Heronry South Lake at Paxton was frozen over yesterday morning so the birds were concentrated in the area around the Kingfisher hide and Heronry North so good opportunity to record the various duck species etc (Tufted Duck, Swan, Goldeneye, Black-headed Gull, 2 female Goosanders, Great Crested grebe, Teal, Shoveller, Gadwall, Pochard, Heron and Cormorant). A Female Kestrel was enjoying the sunshine together with Robin and flock of Goldfinches. Quite a good list for a short walk!!

Toft 2025 Survey

In 2020 our village in Cambridgeshire collected photographs of people, buildings and nature as it was in that year. The idea was that it would serve as an historical document and the intention is to repeat the exercise every 5 years. I have made a start for 2025 by recording the wild and naturalised flowers in bloom at the start of January and hope to continue through the year, together with insects etc.

Pembroke College Mill Lane Redevelopment

Pembroke College's redevelopment of Mill Lane is nearly complete and I was able to wander round the area yesterday. The hoarding in the second photo with the demolition of the old buildings in the background is from June 2022 and these are taken with the same phone!!

Ann Miles Blog: Mill Lane 2022

The last three images show the 'modernisation' works in progress for the University buildings and Millers' Yard  further down Mill Lane.

Icy River Walk

As I missed one bus home after an eye appointment in Cambridge today, I walked across Coe Fen to pick up the next in Newnham. Although it was pretty chilly and lots of frozen areas, nothing to compare with my first winter in Cambridge - a picture here from the press in January 1963 of people skating in the river outside the Garden House Garden.