Smarties

Two Sand Martins at a gloomy Broom yesterday morning brings me up to 105.  I’ve been doing up to three visits a day to Broom recently and this seems scant reward for all that effort!  Maybe tomorrow I’ll re-find the Glossy Ibis...

MJP hits a rich seam!

Birding near Kempston gets Martin two more good ones. This fine Stonechat and a couple of Jack Snipe. Quality SFYTs.

Harrold early doors

Dawn at Harrold gave me one more SFYT with a singing Cetti's Warbler. Less exciting were the wildfowl.

A fine shot of two female Red-crested Pochards at Harrold. The second female being a SFYT for anyone other than me having found the other two. But it was me so counts for nothing.
Another quality shot of the Harrold Pink-foot with a dodgy wing. A bird from 2011 so not countable.

Tree Sparrow and Scaups

A couple of Martin's (darn it, they don't count for the SFYL) shots of a private garden Tree Sparrow and the Scaups (found in 2011 at Brogborough).

Not so glossy Blackcap

The only new bird so far this week has been a Blackcap singing by Jordan’s Mill while I was looking for the Glossy Ibis.  I hardly ever see Blackcaps in winter (as that’s what I still class early March!) so I was quite pleased.

Hopefully in the next few days there’ll be Sand Martins, Wheatears, Rock Pipits, Glossy Ibis’ to come...

Curlew at Gypsy Lane East

First day of the month and a SFYT snapped with the old iphone down the scope. Worse photos will be forthcoming no doubt.

Feburary - RIB

Well, missing finding the Beans by ten minutes was a nasty experience - but they were excellent birds to see whatever the listing circumstances. Radwell Bridge on the 5th provided a large bunting flock including Corn Buntings, more Pintails at Harrold but best for the SFYL was a Dunlin on the ice. Another three Dunlin at Radwell too. Doesn't seem right to count the Pink-footed Goose at Harrold since it is injured and has been there for months. I did find it though. February 7th - enjoying Steve's Broom Smew through slightly gritted teeth (I'd looked at this pit twice while he was away). Then it was WeBS weekend. A good start with cold weather and a trip to Wyboston, dragging SCB along. Bingo, six Bewick's Swans and a pair of Smew. A few more Goosanders on other counts but the only other SFYT was a pair of Red Kites over the viaduct pit at Radwell. The second half of the month was excellent with loads of additions - the trouble was, they were in Morocco - counts for nothing! I was back for the last couple of days but didn't manage to add anything. I even drove passed a Black-tailed Godwit at Derek Whites - I looked from the car and thought that looks good. But buying rabbit food from G&M Growers mean I'd earmarked Gypsy Lane for a quick scan but to no avail. I added just seven in Feb putting me on 95.