Fowlmere

Today dawned bright and sunny, clouded over around midday then ended with clear skies again, but it was very cold all day.  We went to see what was about at Fowlmere RSPB reserve and were well rewarded.  From the central reed-bed hide we spotted three snipe - strongly striped waders with hugely long bills - and one jack snipe (this was only just visible in the reeds, and I only know it was a jack snipe because the lady with the telescope was sure as she had seen it more clearly and observed it bobbing - a good characteristic).

The sun was very low in the sky by now, slanting through the narrow windows in the hide and flooding the reed bed with pinky-gold hues.  Looking across towards the Drewer hide we saw a dramatic hen harrier pass low across the reeds and behind the trees, a few seconds later it returned flying left and dropped down into the reeds.  Just a few seconds to view it, but it has been seen here, roosting, for several days and is unmistakable with its pure white rump, easily seen in the dusky light.

Friends told us that a hawfinch was being observed by a large group of bird enthusiasts at Wimpole Hall on Saturday, outside the restaurant.  This is the UK's largest finch, very shy, but with beautiful rich coloured plumage.