Cloudy Pit: Water Rail calling and a single Redpoll.

Heron Trail: 6 Goosander around Heronry North and South pits, Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff along moorings, Sparrowhawk at Heronry South and Woodcock along concrete road.

Northern Pits: drake and redhead Smew still, GREAT WHITE EGRET on Diddington Pit, Jack Snipe, 8+ Snipe, 7 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers, Water Rail calling, plus an immature Peregrine.

Washout Pit: 2 Water Rails.

Drake and redhead Goosander at Heronry Pits © Stuart Elsom

Hayling Pit: LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER heard calling from south side of pit at 10:20, also Snipe over.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET around top end late morning, then flew north. Also drake and redhead Smew, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin and a Chiffchaff.

A1 North Pit: redhead Smew, 2 female Stonechats, c.100 Linnets, 8+ Corn Buntings.

Northern Pits: drake Smew on New Workings, adult Bewick's Swan on Pumphouse Pit, 9+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff over, 3 Pintail (1 drake), Shelduck, Little Egret.

A1 North Pit: male Merlin hunting Skylarks and Buntings around stubble and weedy fields late afternoon. Also 4 Goosanders (2 drakes) over, male Stonechat, c.80 Pied Wagtails, 100+ Yellowhammers & several Corn Buntings.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET still, plus 2 European White-fronted Geese

Northern Pits: European White-fronted Goose with Greylag Goose flock on Pumphouse Pit, also GREAT WHITE EGRET feeding alongside a Little Egret on Diddington Pit, plus 35+ Black-tailed Godwits, Green Sandpiper and Snipe.

A1 North Pit: male and female Stonechat.

Sailing Lake: Redpoll in Birch tree on NW side of pit.

Heronry North: 3 Goosanders (2 drakes) and an Otter again early morning.

Little Paxton village: single Pink-footed Goose flew over Anchor pub late afternoon, calling.

Boughton Lodge Farm: Little Egret along brook.

Island Pit: drake and redhead Goosander.

A1 North Pit: 21 Corn Buntings & 80+ Skylarks around stubble fields east of pit.




No sign of the 1w drake Ring-necked Duck this weekend.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET around Pumphouse Pit again today.

Heronry North: Otter from Kingfisher hide again this morning.

Pumphouse Pit: 3 White-fronted Geese amongst Greylags late afternoon; also 2 Barn Owls and a Green Sandpiper.

1 of 2 Barn Owls at Pumphouse Pit.

A1 North Pit: RING-NECKED DUCK still at NE end of pit.

Island Pit: GREAT WHITE EGRET flew north, plus female Scaup.

A1 North Pit: 1w drake RING-NECKED DUCK back on A1 Pits today, showing well at far NE end of pit. Also Corn Bunting.

Heronry North Pit: drake and redhead Goosander.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET again on Pumphouse Pit throughout the morning, plus single Little Egret, adult Peregrine (bearing red-colour ring), Green Sandpiper and Chiffchaff.

1w drake Ring-necked Duck at A1 North Pit.

Island Pit: 1w drake RING-NECKED DUCK (relocated from A1 North Pit), drake and redhead Goosander, 2 Kingfishers.

A1 North Pit: pair of Stonechats still.

Northern Pits: female Merlin again, Peregrine chasing Lapwings, Green Sandpiper and female Stonechat.

Heronry North Pit: Otter from Kingfisher Hide again early morning.

Washout Pit: Water Rail calling.

A1 North Pit: 1w drake RING-NECKED DUCK showing well at north end of pit at 12:30 (per Birdguides).

A1 North Pit: 1w drake RING-NECKED DUCK still this morning, plus 3 adult Whooper Swans, female Scaup , drake Red-crested Pochard, 3 Water Rails and a Redpoll over.

A1 North Pit: 1w drake RING-NECKED DUCK still this morning, plus drake Red-crested Pochard still. Also 60+ Yellowhammers, 80+ Linnets, 60+ Skylarks and 3 Stonechats.

A1 North Pit: 1w drake RING-NECKED DUCK still at north end of pit with Tufted Ducks and Pochard. Also female Scaup and pair of Red-crested Pochards.

1st winter drake Ring-necked Duck, A1 North Pit.

A1 North Pit: 1w drake RING-NECKED DUCK at north end of pit, plus female Scaup and drake Red-crested Pochard.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET again late morning, also Little Egret, 3 female Pintail, Green Sandpiper, Snipe and a pair of Stonechats still.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET again on Pumphouse early afternoon; also female Merlin, 2 immature Peregrines, 1-2 Water Pipits, 4 Pintail (2 drakes), (presumed) drake American x Eurasian Wigeon still, Green Sandpiper, 12 Golden Plover over, Snipe, Woodcock, Kingfisher and a Chiffchaff.

Great White Egret, Pumphouse Pit

Heronry North: Otter from Kingfisher hide in morning.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET at NW end of Pumphouse Pit late morning, then flew south along east side of Island Pit. Also 43 Redwing over.

Heron Trail: 3 Woodcock late afternoon between Washout Pit and the concrete road.

Northern Pits: 6 redhead RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS dropped on to Diddington Pit late morning for 5 mins only, then flew south. Also today: single Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 8 Pintail (2 drakes), pair of Egyptian Geese, 2 Little Egrets and a Kingfisher. The presumed drake American x Eurasian Wigeon also still present this morning (photo's on the CBC photo blog http://cambsbirdclub.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/wigeon-hybrid.html).

A1 North Pit: female Red-crested Pochard, pair of Stonechats still just east of pit and 5+ Corn Buntings.

Sailing Lake: 1+ Siskin over.

A1 North Pit: 4 Red-crested Pochards, also 10 Corn Buntings in nearby arable fields.

Sailing Lake: Kingfisher.

Northern Pits: Peregrine, Green Sandpiper, probable Water Pipit (seen in flight only).

Visitors' Centre: Coal Tit on feeders.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET on bund at Pumphouse Pit at 13:30 (per RBA).

A1 North Pit: pair of Stonechats around weedy field east of pit, plus 4+ Corn Buntings.

Heronry South: Grey Wagtail over.

Stirtloe: ringtail HEN HARRIER over elephant grass east of Stirtloe sewage works late morning (this area is just NW of the northern end of the Paxton Pits complex).

Northern Pits: WATER PIPIT again in evening, plus Pintail, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets and a Grey Wagtail.

A1 North Pit: juvenile Pink-footed Goose with 400 Greylag Geese.

Heronry South: male Peregrine circling over east scrub.

Island Pit: 5 Goldeneye.

Washout Pit: Water Rail.

Northern Pits: pair of Stonechats still, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Green Sandpipers, plus Clouded Yellow.

Northern Pits: WATER PIPIT late afternoon at Pumphouse Pit, feeding alongside a Rock Pipit on and off. Also single Wheatear, 14 Snipe and 2 Pintail.

Northern Pits: 1-2 Rock Pipits, Green Sandpiper, Peregrine, Barn Owl, Fieldfare over.

Northern Pits: GREAT WHITE EGRET this evening, plus Barn Owl, 5 Little Egrets, Pintail, Snipe, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Green Sandpiper.

Northern Pits: an incredible few minutes this evening in which a GLOSSY IBIS dropped in briefly just after 6pm (then flew south through the reserve), followed a few minutes later by the first site record of a LONG-TAILED SKUA (a juvenile) heading west with Black-headed Gulls. The Skua was then located at Grafham Water shortly afterwards.

Also seen during the evening were a Jack Snipe, 1+ Rock Pipit, 7 Pintail, 4 Little Egrets & 15 Golden Plovers.

Washout Pit: 2 Water Rails, including one showing well on edge of reedbed from the east side of  the pit.

Northern Pits: 4 Pintail, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Golden Plovers & Snipe.

Washout Pit: GREAT WHITE EGRET stood on north edge of reeds at 10:10, but not again by late morning.

Northern Pits: 1-2 Rock Pipits .

Heronry South: no sign again of Yellow-browed Warbler, but 1-2 Marsh Tits, 3 Coal Tits, 2 Chiffchaffs and Goldcrest in the area. Some Song Thrush and Skylark movement evident overhead.

Northern Pits: male and female Stonechat still around, plus Ruff and Green Sandpiper again and a single Ringed Plover through. Blackcap & Cetti's Warbler noted at north end of Island Pit.

Heronry South: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in hedgerow by Education Centre, then in Silver Birches between Ed. Centre and site of Hayden Hide at 18:06, but no further sign by dusk.

Northern Pits: Curlew Sandpiper flew low south with 2 Dunlin at 17:15; also immature Peregrine, 1st winter Mediterranean Gull (not the bird from Saturday), 2 Green Sandpipers, Ruff, 6 Snipe, Grey Wagtail and 1-2 Rock Pipit(s).

Northern Pits: An apparent 1cy Mediterranean Gull with an entirely adult-type black hood! This bird has also been recorded at Grafham recently, see photo here: Med Gull .The full black hood is understood to be caused by some form of hormonal imbalance.

Also present were 4 Pintail, Goldeneye, Ruff & 2 Snipe.

Some recent news

Highlights over the past week:

Monday 22nd Sept - the first Redwing of the autumn flew over the farm yard area between the moorings and Wray House Garden, single Rock Pipit flew over in the evening, plus juvenile Little Stint and Black-necked Grebe still around northern pits.

Tuesday 23rd Sept - another single Rock Pipit over (flew SW), plus Black-necked Grebe still.

Wednesday 24th Sept - 2 Knot (a juv and a more advanced bird moulting to first winter) and the juvenile Little Stint again.

Thursday 25th Sept - male and female Stonechat around south side of Diddington Pit, plus first two returning Goldeneye of the autumn on Island Pit. 2 Knot still around. Warblers still around included 1-2 Lesser Whitethroats, Common Whitethroat, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs.

Friday 26th Sept - Black-tailed Godwit & a Clouded Yellow butterfly around north end.

Saturday 27th Sept - Black-necked Grebe and Black-tailed Godwit still, plus Common and Green Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plover, Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat still on site, plus the pair of Stonechats still.

Female-type Stonechat

Juvenile Knot (1 of two birds present midweek)

Northern Pits: BLACK-NECKED GREBE still, 3 Pintail, 6 Red-crested Pochards, Hobby, 2 Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Common Sandpiper. No sign of Pectoral Sandpiper.

Little Paxton village: Hobby flew north in evening.

Northern Pits: PECTORAL SANDPIPER still, also juvenile Black-tailed Godwt, 1+ Ruff over, Ringed Plover over and a single Wheatear.

Island Pit: BLACK-NECKED GREBE still, plus Red Kite drifted east.



Wheatear at Paxton Pits today

 

Pumphouse Pit: adult PEC SAND still early morning, plus Ruff and LRP still, 8 Snipe, Pintail and a Wheatear.

Island Pit: BLACK-NECKED GREBE still late morning.

Island Pit: BLACK-NECKED GREBE again at north end of pit amongst large numbers of Tufted Duck.

Pumphouse Pit: adult PECTORAL SANDPIPER still, although distant. Also Ruff and Little Ringed Plover still, 2+ Common Sandpipers, Green Sandpiper and 2 Wheatears.

Northern Pits: PECTORAL SANDPIPER still this evening, though rather elusive at times; also Ruff, 3 Greenshank briefly, 3 Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, 2 Kingfishers and Grey Wagtail over.

Northern Pits: adult PECTORAL SANDPIPER around Pumphouse Pit throughout the day, viewable from the public footpath at NW end of Pit. Also juvenile Spotted Redshank (am only), juvenile Little Stint, 2+ Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 2+ Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plover, 6+ Ringed Plovers, 5 Red-crested Pochards still, juv Shelduck, 5 Pintail, Red Kite, Hobby, 2 Sedge Warblers, Marsh Tit and Coal Tit.

Island Pit: juvenile BLACK-NECKED GREBE still.

Heron Trail: 3 Spotted Flycatchers, see: http://cambsbirdclub.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/spotted-flycatcher.html

Upper photo: Pectoral Sandpiper (left) with Ruff. 

Lower photo: record shot of juvenile Spotted Redshank.

Northern Pits: juvenile Little Stint, 3 Ringed Plovers, Peregrine, Hobby, Turtle Dove briefly, 4 Pintail.

Island Pit: juvenile BLACK-NECKED GREBE still, 3 Cetti's Warblers and Swift over.

Boughton Lodge Farm: 2 calling RAVENS flew low north-west late morning, plus TREE PIPIT (heard only) over late morning.

Island Pit: 2 juvenile BLACK-NECKED GREBES still, plus drake Lesser Scaup-type hybrid aythya.

Northern Pits: juvenile Whinchat, 5 Red-crested Pochards still, 2+ Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Snipe, 2 Swifts, 32 Meadow Pipits over.

Visitors' Centre: Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Blackcap in garden area, plus singing Cetti's nearby.

Black-necked Grebe, Island Pit.

Island Pit: 2 juvenile BLACK-NECKED GREBES at north end.

Northern Pits: TREE PIPIT and 7 Meadow Pipits south mid morning, plus 5 Red-crested Pochards (3 drakes), imm/female Marsh Harrier, 6+ Common Buzzards, juvenile Hobby, 3 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpipers and a Coal Tit.

Northern Pits: juvenile Peregrine around Pumphouse Pit, also Pintail, Dunlin and 5 Meadow Pipits (over south).

Little Paxton village: Tawny Owl calling noisily for c5 minutes around 11pm at north west end of village.

A1 North Pit: female-type REDSTART along track east of the north end of A1 North Pit. Also juvenile Whinchat in weedy field east of southern end of the pit.

Heronry North Pit: Coal Tit and Goldcrest around Wray House Garden.

Northern Pits: another female/imm REDSTART (the 3rd around the complex in past two days), juvenile Little Stint still, 4 Red-crested Pochards (inc. 3 eclipse drakes), Pintail, 4 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, Ruff, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, Hobby, 2+ Swifts & c.10 Yellow Wagtails.

Boughton Lodge Farm: female-type REDSTART along hedgeline at NW end of farm.

Northern Pits: 6 Turnstones, 12 Ringed Plovers, Whimbrel and 4 Ruff through south/south-east. Also juv Little Stint still, 3 Common Sandpipers, 19 Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, 13 Pintail, 2 Hobbies and a Marsh Tit.

Northern Pits: adult OSPREY circling west of Pumphouse Pit at 09:35, then drifted west towards Grafham Water. Also juvenile Little Stint, 6 Turnstones through south at 07:50, juvenile Ruff, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Snipe, 4 Pintail, Lesser Whitethroat.

Norhern Pits: juvenile Black Tern briefly in evening, then flew west, juvenile Little Stint, 4 Garganey, Pintail, Snipe, Wheatear and c.30 Yellow Wagtails.

Northern Pits: 1+ Ringed Plover, 3+ Snipe, 3 Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, drake Red-crested Pochard, 11+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Swifts.

Washout Pit: Coal Tit.

Little Paxton village: OSPREY circling for c.10 mins over the southernmost end of Paxton Pits, viewable from the Anchor pub at c.16:50, then drifted south.

Northern Pits: Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Garganey, Pintail, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, adult Hobby, 2 juvenile Grey Wagtails, c.10 Yellow Wagtails over, plus Spotted Flycatcher briefly.

A1 North Pit: juvenile Whinchat along west margin of fields east of pit early morning.

Northern Pits: 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 5+ Snipe & single Painted Lady.

Northern Pits: Little Stint still present today around islands at NW end of Pumphouse Pit. View from public viewing point in NW corner of pit.

Northern Pits: juv Little Stint in evening on northern most islands, viewable from public footpath in NW corner of Pumphouse Pit. Also this evening were a juvenile Ruff, juvenile Redshank, Dunlin, juv Little Ringed Plover, juv/fem Garganey and the female Goldeneye again. Also the first Wheatear of the autumn at Diddington Pit and a single Swift milling around.

Sailing Lake/A1 Pits: juvenile Spotted Flycatcher in wasteland area south of A1 South Pit/west of Sailing Lake. Also single Swift over.

Great Meadow: 12+ Wasp Spiders counted; most of the residing in long grass around the edge of willowherb clumps.

Northern Pits: 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Greenshank briefly, 4 Common Sandpipers, Green Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plovers, c600 Lapwing, 14 Little Egrets, 3 Red-crested Pochards, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and Yellow Wagtail (all in evening).

Northern Pits: 13+ Little Egrets, 3 Red-crested Pochards, Pintail, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Hobbies, c.15 Swifts with group of Martins.

Northern Pits: female Marsh Harrier flew south, 3 Red-crested Pochards still, male Ruff still, 9 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Yellow Wagtails and c.250 Sand Martins.

Little Paxton village: c.12 Swifts low south-west ahead of a fast moving storm.

Northern Pits: 3 Pintail, moulting male Ruff, Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher, Hobby, Red Kite, single Swift. Single Painted Lady noted.

Boughton Lodge Farm area: pair of Little Grebes with 3 newly hatched young, Green Sandpiper.

Heron Trail: 12+ Swifts & Coal Tit

Northern Pits: Garganey, female Goldeneye, 2 Wigeon, 2 Egyptian Geese, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover, 6 Common Sandpipers, 3+ Green Sandpipers, 3 Oystercatchers, Redshank, 284 Lapwing, 8 Yellow-legged Gulls, 7 Little Egrets, Cetti's Warbler. Clouded Yellow again.

Northern Pits: female Goldeneye again, 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, 2 Turnstone through early afternoon, juvenile Ruff, 5 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Green Sandpiper, 6 Common Sandpipers, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, plus a single Clouded Yellow.

Northern Pits: An incredible flock of c.50 Knot flew low south through Pumphouse Pit at 09:23, representing a new county record count. Also today were 3 Garganey (inc. 1 eclipse drake), eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Egyptian Geese, juvenile Ruff, 11 Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and a juvenile Hobby.

Northern Pits: female Goldeneye amongst group of Tufted Ducks, 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, 2 drake Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes, c.40 Shoveler, 22 Little Egrets (mainly juveniles), 2 adult Turnstones, adult Sanderling, juvenile Ruff, juvenile Dunlin, 4 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 2 juvenile Ringed Plovers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 7+ Common Sandpipers, single Black-tailed Godwit over, 634 Lapwing, 3 Oystercatchers, 14 Yellow-legged Gulls and a probable adult Caspian Gull.

Great Meadow river trail: Wasp Spiders discovered in the area; a new species to Paxton Pits. See: http://paxton-pits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/wasp-spider-new-at-paxton-pits.html

Northern Pits: 27 Black-tailed Godwits (in separate groups of 14, 7, 5 and a single), Sanderling, Turnstone over, 3 Dunlin (1 juvenile), 11+ Snipe, 354 Lapwing, 4+ Little Ringed Plovers, 3 juv Ringed Plovers, 9 Common Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, pair of Egyptian Geese and a single Hobby at dusk. No sign of yesterday's Sabs Gull. Single Painted Lady noted in evening.

Northern Pits: adult/sub-adult SABINE'S GULL for just under 15 minutes late evening. Initially feeding on Diddington Pit, the bird then flew towards Pumphouse Pit and was lost from view. Earlier in the day: 24+ Yellow-legged Gulls, eclipse drake Red-crested Pochard, 8 Black-tailed Godwits over, 2 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10+ Common Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 2 juv Little Ringed Plovers, 2 juv Ringed Plovers and 3 Snipe.

2 seperate juvenile Cuckoo's seen around the complex today also.

Northern Pits: 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, 347 Tufted Ducks (including a brood of 6 Tuftlings), Pintail, 12 Shoveler, Teal, 8 Pochard, 8 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Greenshank, Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 7+ Common Sandpipers, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Island Pit: Marbled White along north end of pit.

Meadow Trail: Musk Beetle seen well near the boardwalk by Rudd Pit.

Musk Beetle by the boardwalk at Rudd Pit © Paul Freeman

Heronry South: 2 Curlew flew SW at 21:12.

Northern Pits: 2 Greenshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 3 Little Ringed Plovers and 2 Ringed Plovers in evening.

Northern Pits: pair of COMMON SCOTERS still, plus adult Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls early afternoon, 6+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Hobby & eclipse drake Wigeon. Purple Hairstreak also seen well, settled on a leaf in a young Oak Tree on east side of Pumphouse Pit.

Purple Hairsteak at Pumphouse Pit.

Northern Pits: male and female COMMON SCOTER on Diddington Pit; also 2 Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank, 2 Redshanks, 12 Little Egrets, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

Common Scoters on Diddington Pit (record shot!).

Northern Pits: 7 Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, moulting adult Golden Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 206 Lapwing, Egyptian Goose, 3 Red-crested Pochards. Juvenile Common Terns now on the wing.

Northern Pits: Garganey, 4 Teal, 3 Red-crested Pochards, Curlew through, Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults and a 2nd summer).

Sailing Lake: 2-3 Tawny Owl fledglings actively calling and occasionally on view as they move between trees. Look/listen out for them from the track along the north end of the lake just before dusk.

Northern Pits: 3 Egyptian Geese, Greenshank, Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Barn Owl, Kingfisher.

Sailing Lake: begging calls of a young Tawny Owl heard late evening on north side of lake.

Northern Pits: eclipse drake Garganey around Willows on east side of Diddington Pit, plus a drake Scaup amongst 308 Tufted Ducks and 53 Pochard at south-east end of same pit.

Visitors' Centre: 2 Bee Orchids around car park entrance.

Heron Trail: Turtle Dove still singing in general area around Education Centre, often showing well on nearby telegraph wires.

Heron Trail: Turtle Dove still 'purring' from dead trees beyond Education Centre, plus singing Nightingale and Cuckoo. 2+ Coal Tits in Rory's Wood.

Visitors' Centre area: Turtle Dove singing in Fisherman's car park area.

Turtle Dove nr Education Centre along the Heron Trail.

Heron Trail: 2 singing Turtle Doves (1 by Fisherman's car park; 1 in dead trees nr education centre); 4 Nightingales, Hobby. The pair of Common Terns nesting on the new tern raft now have two chicks (viewable from the Kingfisher hide).

Northern Pits: 4th summer Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Red-crested Pochards still, 3 Egyptian Geese, Red Kite, Hobby, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail over.

Island Pit: Green Sandpiper (the first of autumn!), also Painted Lady.

Washout Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing.

Egyptian Goose, Paxton Pits.

Rudd Pit: Grass Snake swimming.

Heronry South: Turtle Dove in trees opposite track leading to Hayden Hide early afternoon.

North end: 2 Barnacle Geese, 3 Red-crested Pochards, Tufted Duck female with brood of 7, 4 Little Egrets, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover.

Male and female Red-crested Pochard, Paxton Pits.

Northern Pits: Hobby, Red Kite, 3+ Cuckoo's, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, drake Red-crested Pochard, drake Teal and drake Shoveler.

Meadow Trail: GREAT WHITE EGRET flew south in morning.

Farm Pit: Turtle Dove singing at south end.

Northern Pits: drake Garganey around island at Diddington Pit this evening, also 3 Red-crested Pochards still, Tundra Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and a hunting Barn Owl over fields west of Diddington Pit at 10pm.

Northern Pits: drumming Snipe, 5 Dunlin, 3-4 Ringed Plovers, 6 Oystercatchers, c150 Swifts and c.60 House Martins in evening.

Heron Trail: Turtle Dove on wires nearby to dragonfly pond/eduction centre.

Northern Pits: Curlew, 3 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 2 Hobbies, 3 Red-crested Pochards still, 2 Egyptian Geese and a Yellow Wagtail over.

Northern Pits: 1st summer Little Gull throughout afternoon and evening; also Whimbrel still, 3 Dunlin, Tundra Ringed Plover, 2 Red-crested Pochards (1 drake), pair of Egyptian Geese and c.150 Swifts.

1st summer Little Gull, Paxton Pits.

Northern Pits: drake Mandarin Duck on Diddington Pit in evening, although elusive around island. Also 3 Red-crested Pochards (2 drakes), 6 Pochards, 3 Egyptian Geese, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, 14 Oystercatchers and 4+ Little Egrets.

Northern Pits: 2 summer plumage Knot today, plus 2 Whimbrel still, Sanderling, 7+ Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, plus 1st summer and adult Hobby.

Northern Pits: Summer plumage Knot in evening, 2 Whimbrel, 4+ Sanderling during day, 2+ Dunlin, 5 Tundra Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpiper, drake Red-crested Pochard and 13 drake Common Pochard.

Knot and Sanderling on Pumphouse Pit this evening.

Northern Pits: 2 Sanderling, Greenshank, 2 pairs of Egyptian Geese, 10 Pochard and Little Egret.

Northern Pits: 4 Black Terns, Grey Plover flew east, 7 Sanderling briefly (before departing north), 2 Whimbrel in evening, 5+ Tundra Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover, 2 drake Red-crested Pochards still, 3+ Little Egrets and 1-2 Yellow Wagtails over.

Northern Pits: SANDWICH TERN & 2 Black Terns around north end during evening. Also 2 Tundra Ringed Plovers, 2 drake Red-crested Pochards and 2 Common Pochards.

Sandwich Tern (centre bird, with two Black-headed Gulls), Paxton Pits.

Northern Pits: 2nd summer-type Arctic Tern in evening, plus 2 Sanderlings briefly and a single drake Red-crested Pochard.

Arctic Tern: presumed 2nd summer (with Sanderling in background in 1st photo) on Pumphouse Pit in evening.

Northern Pits: adult Arctic Tern on Pumphouse Pit mid morning. Also female Goldeneye still, 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, drake Wigeon, drake Shoveler, drake Pochard, Egyptian Goose, Little Ringed Plover, Tundra Ringed Plover and Red Kite.

Sailing Lake: Common Sand around lake. Also Turtle Dove singing in area between Sailing Lake and Little Paxton playing fields.

Northern Pits: 2 BLACK-WINGED STILTS flew south through Pumphouse Pit and Diddington Pit at c.07:05, and were not seen subsequently. Also female Goldeneye in evening, plus 2 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plovers.

Sailing Lake: Turtle Dove still west of the lake.

Heron Trail: Honey Bee swarm around tree by reed screen at start of haul road. Also Little Egret on Heronry South.

Honey Bee swarm, Heronry South.

Heron Trail: dark-morph Honey Buzzard reported circling to height over river viewpoint at 10:15 am, then drifted east. Also Turtle Dove around trail.

Meadow Trail: Common Sandpiper & Cetti's Warbler at Hayling Pit. Hairy Hawker on the wing also.

Sailing Lake: Turtle Dove still in area to west of lake this morning.

Northern Pits: Rock Pipit showing well at the west end of Diddington Pit was the latest ever spring record for Cambridgeshire (beating the previous record by a day). Also today, male Whinchat on south side of Pumphouse Pit, plus Hobby, pair of Sparrohawks displaying, 16+ Dunlin and 5 Tundra Ringed Plovers.

Rock Pipit today at Paxton Pits.

Heronry South: Barn Owl in flight around pit this evening.

Northern Pits: TEMMINCK'S STINT this evening between 20:00-20:20, but not again by dusk following heavy rain shower. Also this evening single Bar-tailed Godwit & 5 Black-tailed Godwits briefly, 8 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and 4 Ringed Plovers. Pair of Teal still remaining.

Island Pit: 2 Pochards still.

Northern Pits: female Whinchat, Wheatear, 1-2 Turtle Doves and 2 drake Red-crested Pochards still.

Female Whinchat, Paxton Pits.

Northern Pits: 2 drake Red-crested Pochards still, plus 3 Arctic Terns briefly this evening. 14 Swifts and a small number of Swallows present this evening.

Northern Pits: drake Garganey in SE of Diddington Pit and 1w White-fronted Goose still (on Pumphouse Pit today). Also today 2 drake Red-crested Pochards, 2 drake Shoveler and 2 Little Egrets.

Drake Garganey, Diddington Pit.

Diddington Pit: 1w White-fronted Goose with Greylags on south bank of pit this evening. Also Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plovers and Wheatear.

1w White-fronted Goose, Paxton Pits.

Heron Trail: Hobby flew from Heronry North Pit and headed low across fields heading towards the river at 8pm.

Northern Pits: 13+ Arctic Terns (10 straight through during the morning, with another 3 lingering for a few hours at least), 2 Black Terns (1 lingering all day), 2 Avocets over heading east, 3 Little Egrets and a single Swift.

South-easterlies bring in migrant waders and terns...

Northern Pits: 2 LITTLE TERNS very briefly on Pumphouse Pit early on, also 2 Black Terns and 3 Arctic Terns through. Waders passing through included 12 Whimbrel (in 3-4 small groups), 7 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Black-tailed Godwit, whilst 5 Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper were present throughout the day. A male, then a female Marsh Harrier passed through during the morning and a male & female Wheatear were present in the evening.

Washout Pit: Grasshopper Warbler still singing in evening. 

Northern Pits: Little Ringed Plover still, plus Ringed Plover and 2+ Yellow Wagtails.

A1 North Pit: pair of Grey Partridges again, plus a female Wheatear.

Hayling Pit: Grasshopper Warbler singing in scrubby areas of field south of the pit.

Northern Pits: 9 Egyptian Geese in morning, also Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 2 White Wagtails & 5+ Yellow Wagtails.

Washout Pit: singing Grasshopper Warbler still.

Northern Pits: male Whinchat on SE side of Diddington Pit this afernoon. Also Red Kite, 3 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Cetti's Warblers seen fighting and 6 Yellow Wagtails.

Washout Pit: Grasshopper Warbler singing still, also Cetti's Warbler, 2+ Reed Warblers.

















Whinchat at Diddington Pit.

Meadow Trail: OSPREY flew low north at 16:33 and was then later seen (at 16:45) heading north along the river from Island Pit.

Northern Pits: Grey Plover and Curlew north during evening, also 2 Whimbrel still, 2 Turnstones briefly in am, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, 2 Wheatears, 2 Garden Warblers and 2 Reed Warblers.

Washout Pit: Grasshopper Warbler 'reeling' early morning.

A1 North Pit: pair of Grey Partridges.

The Osprey seen over Paxton Pits this afternoon. © John Walsh

Northern Pits: Groups of 5, 6, 3 and a single Arctic Tern noted passing through today. 5 Bar-tailed Godwits this evening, plus 2 Whimbrel, Ruff, Dunlin, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover and a singing Grasshopper Warbler.

Northern Pits: 15 Arctic Terns on Pumphouse Pit this morning. Also Ruff still.

Meadow Trail: Cuckoo singing.

Northern Pits: 3 Red Kites, Ruff, Snipe, male and female Wheatear, White Wagtail.

Northern Pits: Whimbrel on Pumphouse Pit bund this morning (the bund is viewable from the public footpath north of Diddington village), plus 2cy Little Gull; also Sandwich Tern reported over Diddington Pit. Also this morning Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, female Wheatear, 1+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat and Cetti's Warbler.

Northern Pits: 7 Little Gulls (5 adults and two 2cy birds) on Pumphouse Pit early afternoon; also Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, pair of Grey Partridges and 2 male Wheatears.

Washout Pit: Cuckoo on opposite side of the river to pit.

Island Pit: possible female Ring Ouzel flew towards north end of pit mid-morning, but could not be relocated. Also along the north edge of the pit a singing Grasshopper Warbler this morning. Nearby several Yellow Wagtails, 2 Cetti's Warblers and a drake Shelduck.

Weedy Pit: Turtle Dove reported today.

The first couple of singing Common Whitethroats on site today with one along the eastern side of Island Pit and another heard from the public footpath running south from the south-eastern corner of Diddington village. 4 Nightingales heard singing around the Heron Trail, with at least one bird showing well in the Wray House Garden. 2 House Martins were over Heronry North Pit. Also of note today around the northern end of the pits were a single Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 17+ Common Terns, Red Kite, 3 Swallows and a single White Wagtail. At least 7 Sedge Warblers singing around the complex today.

Weekend round-up

At least 5 Nightingales are now present on the reserve, with 2-3 singing around the Wray House Garden, 1 singing along the Meadow Trail and another singing on the west side of Sailing Lake. 2+ singing Lesser Whitethroats were noted and several Sedge Warblers are now singing around the site, whilst Willow Warblers and Blackcaps are now on the reserve in good numbers. Cetti's Warblers can regularly be heard singing around the Meadow Trail, Island Pit and at Washout Pit. Common Terns are in with some noisy aerial pursuits already taking place over the reserve. 13 Yellow Wagtails and a single female White Wagtail were noted at the north end of the complex on Saturday evening. A Hobby was reported on Sunday, whilst 2 Red Kites were seen circling together to the west of Diddington Pit.

The sunshine on Sunday meant that butterflies were out in good numbers, with Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Orange-tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Brimstone all being seen.

First two House Martins back over Little Paxton village on Sunday.

Heron Trail: No sign of male Pied Flycatcher at Wray House Garden early morning, but two Nightingales singing in the vicinity. Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler singing nearby to main quarry workings area.

Meadow Trail: 5 Common Terns squabbling over a caught fish above the Meadow this morning; REDSTART reported in Willow tree near the boardwalk.

Arable Fields: RING OUZEL seen along track at southern end of the 'arable fields' at 14:45.

Heron Trail: male PIED FLYCATCHER in the Wray House Garden, just before Kingfisher Hide this evening from c.18:30 - 19:20.

Northern Pits: first noteable arrival of Sand Martins today with c.150 feeding over Island Pit/Pumphouse Pit throughout the afternoon. Also 3 Swallows, male Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Ringed Plover and pair of Egyptian Geese.

Male Pied Flycatcher at Wray House Garden, Heron Trail. Photo's © Stuart Elsom.

Boughton Lodge Farm: male Brambling in the small wood at north end of the farm this morning and singing Lesser Whitethroat along footpath NW of farm.

Island Pit: Single Sedge and Cetti's Warblers still singing.

Northern Pits: 3 Red Kites, 14 Buzzards, 3 Sparrowhawks, Dunlin, Common Tern, 3 Sand Martins, Swallow, 4 White Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails.

Male Yellow Wagtail, Paxton Pits.

Northern Pits: 2 SANDWICH TERNS flew south over Island Pit at 19:00, then later sat on the island at Diddington Pit from c.19:20 to just before dusk at least. Also 4-5 Common Terns, winter plumaged Sanderling, Curlew through north, female Scaup still, 4-5 Swallows, 1+ Sand Martin, 2 White Wagtails and a handful of Yellow Wagtails.

1 of 2 Sandwich Terns this evening at Paxton Pits.

Heron Trail: singing Nightingale on southern edge of sanctuary area, opposite Peter's Field in morning. Female Scaup reported on Heronry South early afternoon.

Northern Pits: adult winter Little Gull in morning, Bar-tailed Godwit in evening, plus 3+ Common Terns, female Scaup still (later reported on Heronry South), 4 Egyptian Geese, Ringed Plover, Snipe, c.6 House Martins, White Wagtail, 1+ Yellow Wagtail

White Wagtail, Paxton Pits today.

Island Pit: Lesser Whitethroat singing briefly at NW end of Pit; also 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers and drake Red-crested Pochard.

Northern Pits: 2 Avocets early morning, female Scaup, female Marsh Harrier flew south, Red Kite, 5 Sand Martins and a single Swallow.

Northern Pits: Adult & 1st winter Little Gull and Common Tern on Pumphouse Pit early afternoon. Also drake Red-crested Pochard, pair of Egyptian Geese, Little Egret, Snipe and singing Sedge Warbler this morning.

Heron Trail: redhead Goosander flew south along the river; 3 singing Willow Warblers, several Blackcaps and a Lesser Redpoll feeding in Sallows at the south end of Washout Pit this morning.

Little Paxton village: male Blackcap singing at west end of village early morning.

Northern Pits: 2 Little Ringed Plovers through during the morning, Curlew present throughout day, female Scaup still, imm. male Marsh Harrier over north, male Yellow Wagtail, singing Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, 2+ Little Egrets.

Little Paxton village: Red Kite 'hanging' above fields by Great North Road.

Heron Trail: Willow Warbler singing by Peters' Field; 3 Blackcaps singing.

Northern Pits: Grey Plover circled low around Pumphouse Pit late morning, then headed off east. Female-type Marsh Harrier over Diddington Pit early afternoon. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER still on new workings, female Scaup still Diddington Pit, single Swallow and Sand Martin.

Farm Pit: Barn Owl roosting in hedgerow on west side of pit, also Redpoll over.

Heron Trail: Blackcap singing between the two hides; Redpoll over Wray House Garden.

Island Pit: male and female Goosander, plus 1-2 Cetti's Warblers

Northern Pits: adult summer Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls late afternoon.

Northern Pits: the first Wheatear (a male) of the spring at Diddington Pit. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER & female Scaup still present.

Ouse Valley Way: Otter swimming downsteam along river at north end of pit complex early evening.

Heronry North: 2 redhead Goosander.

Heron Trail: 2 redhead Goosander on Heronry North Pit; Green Sandpiper near main quarry workings area.

Island Pit: Cetti's Warbler singing.

Northern Pits: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER and female Scaup still, 2 Avocets (later flew off towards Grafham Water), Little Egret, 2 Snipe, 3 Ringed Plover, 31 Sand Martins, 7 Chiffchaffs and a male Sparrohawk displaying.

Chiffchaff, Paxton Pits.

Northern Pits: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER still on Pumphouse Pit west, plus 6 Sand Martins over Pumphouse Pit east in the morning. Also 2 Siskins flew south.

Boughton Lodge Farm: 140+ Fieldfare.

Northern Pits: G.N.DIVER still, drake Shelduck, 7 Redshank, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 6 Oystercatchers still, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Chiffchaffs and 43 Fieldfare over.

Northern Pits: First passage Rock Pipit of the year at Pumphouse Pit this afternoon, also Scaup and GREAT NORTHERN DIVER still, plus 2 Ringed Plover, 11 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 male Sparrowhawks seen tussling together, 6+ Buzzards, 2+ Little Egrets, Cetti's Warbler and several singing Chiffchaffs.

Heron Trail: 2 (separate) Weasels seen: one by Heronry North Pit, and the second near Peters' Field.

WeBS count highlights and Iceland Gull

Island Pit: redhead Smew, drake Red-crested Pochard and 2 Goosander at south end of pit. Also singing Cetti's Warbler and Chiffchaff.

Northern Pits: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER and Scaup still, plus 320 Teal counted and a pair of Shelduck. Wigeon numbers greatly reduced on recent weeks.Waders comprised of a single Avocet, 6 Redshank, 4 Ruff, Ringed Plover and 6 Oystercatchers. A 3cy ICELAND GULL was also reported flying SW over Diddington Pit.

Northern Pits: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER still on Pumphouse Pit west (aka New Workings) viewable from public footpath west or north of the Pit; female Scaup on Diddington Pit, viewable from public footpath at SW end of pit. Also a very mobile redhead Smew, 2 Egyptian Geese (flew north); singing Cetti's Warbler, Red Kite, 6 Snipe, Dunlin and 3 Redshank.

Washout Pit: Cetti's Warbler heard calling.

Heron trail: Little Egret, 2 Kingfishers, Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaffs.

Boughton Lodge Farm: Barn Owl, c.50 Fieldfare.

Island Pit: redhead Smew, Chiffchaff and singing Cetti's Warbler.

Northern Pits: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, redhead Smew, 12 Redshank.


Butterflies on the wing today: Brimstone, Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell

Northern Pits: GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, 5 Egyptian Geese, redhead Smew, redhead Goosander (flew south), 4 Pintail (2 drakes), 2 Red Kites, Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, Little Egret, 2 Siskins & 2 Lesser Redpoll. No sign of Friday's Snow Bunting today.

Great Northern Diver on new workings/Pumphouse Pit west.