Early birding on the Great Ouse

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A beautiful still and sunny morning was ideal for the wildlife boat trip we had booked this morning from St Ives along the Great Ouse.  There were 7 early risers plus the boat owner and a volunteer from the local wildlife  trust.    Plenty of birdsong heard and birds seen along the route as we glided alongside the banks and into backwaters.  Sightings included a kingfisher flying past, two cuckoos in the skies above us and glimpse of reed warblers among the reeds.  45 in total and 4 new ones for this years list.


St Ives Bridge, early morning
 
Two swans in the morning mist
 
Swan cloud formation

 
brief stop at Hemingford Lock
 
Heron on river bank

A local seal
 
Reed bunting

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