06/03/2023 Knarr Fen, Cambridgeshire

Common Crane: These magnificent birds are now breeding in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Yorkshire and East Scotland, as well as populations in Somerset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire. but rarely seen over my way. So, while working away with Gary Allwood in Lincolnshire and after finishing our first survey of the week we couldn't resist but to and see them.

A report of 37 cane wasps out early in the morning, but the report also said that all birds flew off when a tractor came to work in a nearby field.

I didn't think my luck would hold and they would return, especially as the late afternoon draw closer and the rain came in. 

While driving down the road towards were the birds were reported we had a barn owl quartering, and after a short wait all 37 carne are flying past and landed close to us in a recently tiled field to feed. 

28/02/2015 Slimbridge WWT

Common Carne: Dawn and I woke up early and decided to give the new car another big run out and with the local reports slim on the ground I thought I would try again for the fudge duck down at Slimbridge.

After a quick McDonalds and a good run down to Gloucestershire we headed straight over to the Tower Hide where the fudge was last reported.


We waited about half an hour before a familiar face turned up.

Great to see some locals so far from our stomping groups up North, Peter & Sue, a great couple from Wrexham who share the same passion for birds and Tony from Halton a great local birder with a wealth of knowledge.

Ferruginous Duck: I waited with them for about half an hour before trying our luck at another site on Slimbridge where the duck could be found.


On the way Dawn and I got distracted by some lovely Crane showing well from one of the hides.

 Then out of nowhere Tony turned up saying "Aust the birds back, com'on" so we raced back up to Tower Hide and there it was, suckling about the reeds of the Knott Pool.

We watched the bird come out in the open water and paddle across to the nearby bank, giving us all some cracking views!

Thanks again to Tony who came back and gave me a heads up, I owe you a drink mate, cheers.

09/08/2014 Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

Common Crane: Sometimes it all goes wrong!
After a three and a half hour drive, one MacDonald's breakfast and a hell of a long walk from the car park to the site, Garry and I arrived 15 minutes after the BW Part got spooked by a Marsh Harrier and flew off not to be seen again!

We waited a few hours got some nice views of Kingfsher and a pair of Crane but no prat.