Byron's Pool

"Byron's Pool, named after Lord Byron, who is said (by Brooke, at least) to have swum there. The pool is now below a modern weir where the Bourn Brook flows into the River Cam."

photo taken with iPhone

Wicken Fen

My first visit to Wicken Fen proper today (after a pre-work twitch of the displaying Buff-bellied Sandpiper there a few years ago).

In summary:

Squacco Heron: hiding
Little Egrets: grumpy
Konik ponies: fighting
Weather: hot
Hairy Dragonflies: everywhere
Painted Ladies: migrating
House Sparrows: tame, and dining on a superior standard of discarded sandwich and cake crumb

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM or  Canon Powershot A640

Waresley Wood

Good job this morning's thick fog cleared up, because I had a day off work. I ended up at Waresley Wood for a wander around. Things got off to a bad start when I realised the memory card from my big camera wasn't where it should have been... it was at home, still in the card reader.

It didn't matter too much, as there was plenty to enjoy: loads of fresh, bright green leaves, Bluebells and Lady's Smock in bloom; bee-flies and bumblebees buzzing; Orange-tip and Peacock butterflies flitting about; Bullfinches peeping, Robins singing and Sparrowhawks causing havoc.

Migrants were conspicuous by their absence. I'd at least expected Blackcaps to be singing, but heard only a couple of Chiffchaffs. Where are they all?

photos taken with Canon Powershot A640

Fowlmere

Along the boardwalk


Catkins


Singing Chiffchaff


Dyke


Brown Trout swimming in one of the chalk streams

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM or Canon Powershot A640

Abandoned village

The site of the abandoned village of Clopton

photos taken with Canon Powershot A640