Swallows at Bottisham Pumping Station

All the Swallows' nests at this location are out of sight behind a very large grill, so early on in the breeding season one sees just adults flying in and out of the grill.   As time goes by, the young Swallows fledge and expect to be fed as often as possible.   The noise is quite intense as each youngster demands its fair share!

Swans in flight - Research Park

Perhaps I shall develop a theme of images called "Syncronicity".   These are not the only pairs of Swans I've taken in flight.   It is amazing to see how close they are to one another, and the confidence they must have in the bird in front not to do something untoward!

I haven't seen that many damselflies this year, but was pleased to see this well camouflaged Common Darter this morning.

Wicken Fen - other samples of wildlife

Yesterday was a glorious morning and prompted an early walk.   Although it was sunny with virtually no wind, there were few birds to be seen.

However, there were masses of Swallows on telegraph wires at the Upware end, perhaps contemplating migration to southern Africa.   What I don't recall seeing before were Swallows sitting in trees.   As there was hardly a Swallow to be seen on the way back, it prompted the thought that perhaps they had been roosting on willow branches before spending the day catching insects.

The Buzzard made its presence known when it called out.

I expect the butterfly is a Common Blue and I have yet to identify the Fly, but I have seen images others have taken of the same fly.

Wicken Fen - Kingfisher

I was delighted to see this Kingfisher on Wicken Lode yesterday morning.   I had seen it 'flash' by about 30 mins earlier, never expecting to see it again!   Thankfully it was perched on the other side of the Lode, opposite a gap in the reeds when I did spy it again!   The first image doesn't display the Kingfisher at its most attractive but I haven't photographed one 'face on' before.   I bet it had seen me long before I noticed it!

Sad about the busy background but as the lower image is probably the best image I have of this bird, it appears here.   The iridescent blue isn't quite the colour I remember seeing, but I haven't tampered with the colour balance in Lightroom either!

Lazy Otter

Quite a bit of vegetation has been cut away on the bank from the Lazy Otter and this is having an impact on the amount of insects to be seen during the walk to Streatham Old Engine.

A Swallow caught having a good scratch - with something of a supercilious expression!