Afternoon Sightings from Martin Palmer

4 Waxwings were showing well in the sparsely berried tree opposite the Mulberry Bush Pub, Orchard St, Kempston at 10.10

Around mid-day I was in the Southill area and saw 3+ Tree Sparrows up the lane opposite the small shop - respect owners' privacy here please - a Tawny Owl was basking in the sunshine from it's roost hole between the village and Broom lakes and 7+ Brambling and a Jay were by the sharp bend between Southill village and Southill Lake. Two Common Buzzards and 2 Kestrels were in the general area. 2 Coal Tits were at garden feeders in Old Warden. A Green Woodpecker was on the paddocks SW of Ickwell. Another Buzzard was south of Cople along the lane toward Sheerhatch.

A Common Shelduck was on Peacock's Island, Broom Lake.

The Bittern was showing really well for around half an hour c1.30 this afternoon from the Kramer Hide at Priory CPk and I counted 60 Mute Swans about the lakes. 5 Shoveler were nice too.

50 species in all for my couple of hours birding - and only one species of gull! (MJP)