Local Mega - COLLARED PRATINCOLE in Cambridgeshire

A moulting adult COLLARED PRATINCOLE was discovered by Tim Dee and Claire Spottiswood at Tubney Fen NT, SE of Wicken Fen (Cambs), at 1940 hours this evening. It was flycatching from the ground and occasionally hawking for insects over the pool and then, for no apparent reason, suddenly took directive flight and headed low south towards open farmland at 2105 hours. It was presumably the same as that seen in Lincolnshire at the weekend and most likely the adult that has summered in Britain.

By dusk, just 12 people had connected, this occurrence representing the fourth Cambs record, following an adult at Wicken Fen in May 2005 (John Oates et al).

DIRECTIONS: Follow the B1102 northwards from the A14 and then in Swaffham Prior village, head NW towards Reach village. Continue towards Upware and park by the NT gate about half a mile west of Reach village and then walk along the track to view the pool on the right at TL 554 664.

Mark Hawkes and Lee Evans