(Photographs copyright Phil Farrer)
Our last shared car trip of the season was to Paxton Pits
near St. Neots. This reserve is 75 hectares of lakes, meadows and woodland next
to the River Great Ouse.
14 people braved the uncertain May weather and we split
into two groups to go around the old gravel pits.
The reserve is noted for its Nightingales and we were not
disappointed on this occasion. The males were singing all around the reserve but
seem able to throw their voices as it was very difficult to see them even when
they seem to be very close.
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| Willow Warbler | Reed Warbler |
The Heronry Trail looks set to be renamed the Cormorant
Trail with the large number of cormorants nesting in the trees surrounding the
lakes. The lake areas were very busy with terns fishing, Egyptian geese flying
in and plenty of swifts and swallows providing good hunting for the hobbies.
The weather was rather mixed with periods of brightness but
longer periods of rain.
The bird of the day was undoubtedly the Red-necked Grebe on
the Sailing Lake, which was showing well and was in full breeding plumage.
An excellent reserve and I envy the people of Little Paxton
who are lucky enough to have this on their doorstep.
Mary Attwood
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| Birders looking over the Sailing Lake | Coot feeding young |