We’d heard lots of good things about Paxton Pits NR (Cambs), most interestingly that it’s a well known Nightingale stronghold containing up to 20 pairs. We were there early and upon entering the reserve were greeted by the sound of several singing males. I’d never heard Nightingale song before, so hadn’t been sure what to expect, but the song and repertoire of calls was out of this world (the sound sample on RSPB website hardly does it justice at all).
A couple of Nightingales were spotted briefly flitting into the foliage but it wasn’t long before we had one singing and fully visible near the top of a bush (lifer 219). We watched and listened to this Nightingale for a while and even got a couple of digi-scoped shots.
A couple of Nightingales were spotted briefly flitting into the foliage but it wasn’t long before we had one singing and fully visible near the top of a bush (lifer 219). We watched and listened to this Nightingale for a while and even got a couple of digi-scoped shots.
Again it was a scorcher and not the most pleasant of conditions for birding/walking (my shoulders are still burnt) but we wiled the day away strolling around the reserve and taking our time with the birding. Garden warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and several Hobbies. A Cuckoo and a Cetti’s Warbler were heard.
There was an annoyingly fruitless search for Turtle Doves, which could be heard purring away in the trees, but they kept well concealed. There was also a hairy moment when we got on to a dark Buzzard and got a bit carried away thinking it was possibly the dark morph Honey Buzzard that was reported in the area that morning. Just a Buzzard though– call it sunstroke!
Disaster struck when we tried to leave Paxton. Max’s car key had become warped by the hot weather and he couldn’t get the car started. Good old AA to the rescue yet again! Thank goodness there was a solution to the problem and Kimberly was back on the road before long.
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