Great Northern Diver

News of a Great Northern Diver on the River Welland at Crowland came too late for anyone to get to see it yesterday, so dawn this morning saw WeedWorld and Bogbumper on site at 0700h to spread the good news that it was still present. A much wanted Peterbirder area tick for many of us (and no. 214 for me).

Immature Great Northern Diver



Just look at that bruise on its for'ed!

Long-tailed Duck

A text from the young Bowell informing me that he had just found a female Long-tailed Duck at Welland Bank Pits/Deepings Lake (or whetever it is called now). Having seen the OBP bird back in '99, I wasn't in a mad dash to get to it (for a change!), so wandered up late afternoon to get rather distant views as it fed. Also present the winter Black-necked Grebe, Goldeneye and Wigeon.

Whoops on the Welland

A visit up to Vine House Farm for a meeting (and to collect some seed) had me picking up a single Brambling around the yard. Afterwards, a quick check of hte River Welland north of Crowland and I came across another couple of Bramblings and these two Whooper Swans (adult and imm).

Late Common Darter

Noticing a Common Darter basking in the strong autumn sun outside the office window, I couldn't resist trying to be creative with the strong light. Just look at the amber suffusion to the wings. Unfortunatey, the movement of its jaws as it chomped on a fly doesn't come through on a still shot!