Last Sunday, 8th June, a Red-backed Shrike has been reported at nearby Fen Drayton. A rare visitor to Cambridgeshire and, despite me not usually going out at weekends, I decided to go.

It was present, on the far side of a hedge with no access to it. Very frustrating to know that the target bird was just 20 feet away and not visible. As a consolation, a juvenile Common Whitethroat posed for a shot.

I had already planned to visit Fowlmere RSPB the following day, but just for the afternoon. The weather had changed, cloudy and a little blustery - not ideal for my target birds of Marsh Harriers and Hobbies and so it proved to be. On the mere, a trio of sub-adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls came in for a bathe.

Reed Warblers were active in between the wind gusts although giving no opportunity for a shot but eventually one stayed in the open to allow a series of photos..

So eventually the visit was worth while but I intend to visit again when the weather forecast is more suitable.