Lesser Whitethroat ssp.

This bird conveniently favoured some trees in front of the offices of Nene Park Trust along Ham Lane near the entrance to Ferry Meadows Country Park west of Peterborough.

A remarkable late date for this species - the latest for Cambs. There have been two overwintering birds, one of these was in the PBC area at Bainton from Jan-Apr 1991 and resembled the Siberian form blythi. The Ham Lane bird does not appear to be of the usual nominate curruca form either: it appears too brown-toned above, has a weak face mask, rather sullied underparts and the grey head does not contrast very strongly with the upperparts. It may also be rather short-winged and has rather pale outer tail feathers. It is possibly the halimodendri form but would perhaps need to be examined in the hand to be sure





Digiscoped with the Nikon CP995, Leica APO77 and 20x eyepiece.

Robin at Ham Lane

While waiting for the Lesser Whitethroat to put in an appearance I got a bit of digiscoping practice in the difficult conditions under the trees and captured this Robin.

Digiscoped with the Nikon CP995, Leica APO77 and 20x eyepiece.

Black Redstart, Wash Northey

A regular visit to the area near the new foot/cycle Millenium Bridge over the Nene at Wash Northey, normally only good for the large winter thrush flocks that are sure to turn up something rarer one day. This time luck was in as two scarce migrants were present. The Black Redstart was using a small paddock and a Brambling was with a building finch flock nearby. I couldn't get a pic of the Brambling.

Female or immature Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
 
 
 
Digiscoped with the Nikon CP995, Leica APO77 and 20x eyepiece.