December 15, 2008
Quality Cambs birding
Work, xmas socialising, preparations for my imminent emigration and a stinking cold have all prevented me from getting out birding recently. A window finally presented itself yesterday, and James Hanlon and I headed out to Fen Drayton, in search of a Shag we couldn't find. The site was very birdy, however, with many squealing Water Rails, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a single Ruddy Duck and best of all, a smart drake and 2 redhead Smew.
Our next stop was Coveney, where along with a collection of Cambirders we had decent if brief views of the wintering Rough-legged Buzzard. Along with a dashing male Merlin, this brought my total number of raptors observed in the county this year to 14!
Frustratingly, a Waxwing was found just off of my cycle route to work, but then vanished. Plenty of berries and winter thrushes in the area though, so fingers crossed it's still in the area...
