No Place Like Holme.

David Boucher, a new Bird Club member met the usual crew , Bob, Wendy, Mark
and myself just outside Holme village, Cambridgeshire.

David was a Bird Club member quite some time ago and now in his retirement has picked
up his binoculars again.

Reed Bunting.               RDG

A early but gentle stroll on the northern loop on the Great Fen a nice male Stonechat was enjoyed perched on the electric fence, I asked if Bob would do the same ? along with a small flock of Reed Bunting, Linnet and Goldfinch, feeding in the weeds.             Merlin habbo.

Whooper Swan            Mark Williams

Although the sky was still grey four Whoopers flew past, others with Mutes could be seen
on the distance dykes.

Whooper  Swan               Bob gill

Rough Legged Buzzard         Bob Gill

Rough Legged Buzzard        Mark Williams

Slowly moving on to the north end of the loop Mark ever vigilant pointed out a large bird
hovering in the distance.
All bins were aimed at a distant Rough legged Buzzard, a winter migrant from Scandinavia.
This was our main quarry, the black tipped white tail spread prominently, dark carpel patches
on whitish wings coupled with a dark lower belly against a whitish chest is a typical
Rough Leg.

Hanging around, the Rough leg decided not to approach  nearer and eventually flew out of site.
Cue for a cuppa and cake. Ambling back, the big bright thing in the sky decided to shine.

Fungi                 RDG

Everybody happy especially David, a walk in the fen woodland produced a tit flock, partying
through the birch trees along with a few fungi still in evidence. On the lake were the usual
culprits with the Gadwall being quite vocal.

Fen view          Bob Gill

Gadwall              RDG

A little more scoff, then back along the B660 to a point advised earlier by Alan Coles.

Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Red Kite and Kestrel all seen, obviously a great hunting
area. Then our second Rough Leg came into view. A little closer than our first but still
distant.

Rough Legged Buzzard                 Mark Williams

Red Kite        Mark Williams

About this time Bird Club member David Arden turned up, having been to Eldernel and
not seeing much.

About twenty minutes away near the A1 lies Ferry Meadows our last stop. Here a Red Necked
Grebe and Red Breasted Merganser had been reported.

Great Crested Grebe           Bob Gill

The RN Grebe was found by Mark, asleep floating in the middle of the lake, too distant for
anything but a record image.

R N Grebe  Kipping'    RDG

No sign of a Red Breasted Merg but a close female Goosander
was very nice.

Female Goosander                    Bob Gill

Grey Heron             RDG.

The problem with this time of year are the short days so paying the car parking charge we cruised
down the A605 and home.

Photographic Competition Changes

Hi Everyone,

Well its getting toward that time of year again, how quickly time goes.

I'm hoping that many of you will be sorting through you best images of the year
in anticipation for the NBC Photographic Competition and winning the coveted
GRAHAM SODEN Photographic shield.

Can I  remind all those thinking of entering to read the NEW Rules instigated
earlier this year.

These can be found on the photographic tab, on the blog.

A few salient points,

Please make sure your Bird Club Subscription is up to date as only
NBC Members may enter.

Please make sure that each image is no larger than 1.5mb. If unsure go lower as
no image over will be entered.

John Showers, who over a great number of years has collated, sorted and organised
the images for our competition, has decided to call time.
John does a lot of other work, not least in regard to his Diptera commitments.
So to have more time to practice his pootering skills, I shall be taking the job over
for a while.

I'm sure we would all like thank John for his past efforts.

Please bear in mind that this is a fare bit of work so please take pity on me as I
endeavour to fill Johns shoes.

In regards to this could I please ask that all entries and all cross referencing (on paper only) are marked up correctly. This is a significant help, especially when getting the images on the Blog.

Make sure your name and a contact are with the media and cross referencing.

Many Thanks for this and help in creating a super evenings entertainment for your club.

If you have any questions you can contact me at   robin.gossage@sky.com  

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker   RDG.

Best of luck, Robin.

Presentation University of Northampton

Indoor Meeting 7th Nov

Hello

Our next indoor meeting will be on Wednesday 7th November when our presenter will be Conor Jameson who will be talking about the The Hudson Legacy. W. H. Hudson was a Victorian author, campaigner and ornithologist and his work pioneered much of the conservation measures and structures that are in situ today.

As usual the meeting will begin promptly at 7.30pm at the Pitsford Reservoir Fishing Lodge and hot drinks and biscuits will be available, including a break in the middle of the presentation.

Everyone is welcome!

Regards

Neil M

W.H. Hudson

Common Buzzard.