Lincolnshire

Andrew Jeffery · Status: Offline

RE: Lincolnshire

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Sunday 08/10/23

An array of American waders tempted Chris Chandler and I to Frampton Marsh RSPB, braving the UK rail network and staying in Boston on Saturday night, with arrival at Frampton at just after 7am. The conditions were lovely and we soon found a flock of small waders in tufty vegetation from the 360 Hide. We got on a very good candidate for the Semipalmated Sandpiper pretty quickly and then the entire flock scattered as a Peregrine came over the scrapes. It showed all the features we wanted but the view amounted to a couple of minutes with no more than 30 seconds fully in the open. Never mind, there should be plenty of time to get better views...

After an hour or more we relocated to see if we could reconnect with the Semi P but in doing that Chris found the Lesser Yellowlegs, showing beautifully. Then we headed up to the seawall to look at the smart Buff-breasted Sandpiper, so that was at least half of the 4 species knocked over. However even with dozens of birders onsite nobody even shouted the White-rumped Sandpiper and the Semi P got more and more mythical as the day progressed. The core flock of Dunlin and Little Stints was incredibly mobile, groups of 10 or 20 birds would start feeding and then just as you started sifting through they would dart off again. We lost count of times people called a smaller bird then someone would say 'oh no, it's got tramlines'...not many birding sessions have you cursing a Little Stint when you get on one to be fair; I went to Audenshaw to twitch one a few weeks ago, and now we'd have been happier if they'd all buggered off!

Ironically after several false alarms and plenty of time to take in 5 or 6 Little Stints, it crystalised for us that the initial sighting had been the Semipalmated. And we certainly agonised over it, unlike a few guys on the day calling distant birds after 10 minutes and trotting off happy with their work. My only previous episode with this species is from Hoylake in 2013, which I barely took in, so it's fair to say I have still got an itch to scratch with this species!

I ended up with 48 on the daylist, including Cetti's Warbler and Great White Egret that turned out to be my first for Lincs, never mind Frampton. It was a brilliant day on the reserve, the only shame really being having to leave mid-afternoon instead of after a full day.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Oldham Birders trip May 12th - 15th.

Better Lincolnshire start this year, despite the freezing wind and grey skies.

First stop Freiston Shore for the drake Blue-winged Teal and 2 drake Garganey. While we were watching a Temminck's Stint dropped in for about 10 mins, so that was lucky. Then to Frampton Marsh where they were being very cloak-and-dagger about the 4 Black-winged Stilts that are all over the pagers! We saw two, and a couple of rather splendid male Ruff. While we were scanning round history almost repeated itself when someone found a Little Stint among a small flock of Dunlin and Ruff. Some late staying Brent Geese and 4 Barnacle Geese as well. Reasonable selection of waders and water birds but the small birds were sensibly keeping out of the cold by staying low, apart form a couple of hardy Sedge Warblers. Quick warm up in the visitor centre then on to East Anglia (continued on that thread)

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

Before the trip to Bempton spent a couple of hours at Alkborough Flats reserve on the Humber/Trent confluence.

After an hour and a half the target species Stilt Sandpiper showed, but only after walking past Prospect hide for 50 meters and peeking over the reeds and fence, to where it was associating with Common Redshank.

An excellent supporting cast included 9 Spoonbill, 2 Bittern, 3 Bearded Tit, 3 Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Sedge Warbler, Cettis Warbler feeding young, 6 Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, 9 Avocet, 7 Ruff, 7 Dunlin, 100+ Black Tailed Godwit, Green Woodpecker.

10:40-12:40

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

A few highlights from holiday in Lincolnshire based in Sutton On Sea -

Monday 14th March 2022:
Walk from Sutton On Sea to Mablethorpe along beach and sand dunes:
Snow Bunting (2)
Purple Sandpiper (1)
Sanderling (40)

Tuesday 15th March 2022:
Anderby Creek and Wolla Bank Pit Nature Reserve:
Chiffchaff (1)
Stonechat (2)
Little Egret (4)

Wednesday 16th March 2022:
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorp National Nature Reserve:
Red Kite (1)
Peregrine (1)
Kestrel (3)
Kingfisher (1)
Lots of Redshank and Curlew

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Thursday 17th of March 2022 04:37:32 PM

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Saturday 12th March 2022

Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve. Had a nice chat and great advice from Jacob - one of the volunteers on the reserve. My first visit - what a cracking site! Would be good to come later in the year when the Ringed Plover and Little Tern nest on the beach (protected by Beach Warden).

Red Kite (2)
Buzzard (1)
Kestrel (1)
Brent Geese (300)
Avocet (5)
Little Egret (1)
Redshank (15)
Skylark (10)
Curlew (8)
Snipe (4)
Shelduck (7)
Fieldfare (2)
Goldcrest (2)
Great Spotted Woodpecker (3)
Wigeon (40)
Pochard (2)
Gadwall (34)
Teal (4)
Tufted Duck (25)
Little Grebe (1)
Oystercatcher (4)
Linnet (1)
Lapwing (20)
Pied Wagtail (1)
Chaffinch (7)
Robin (3)
Blue Tit (5)
Great Tit (7)
Blackbird (5)
Goldfinch (4)
Cormorant (1)
Greylag Geese (15)
Canada Geese (30)
Mallard (20)
Woodpigeon (50)
Magpie (5)
Jackdaw (12)
Carrion Crow (14)
Black-Headed Gulls (90)
Starlings (12)
Great Black-Backed Gulls (2)

Recent sightings that I dipped on included:
Red-Breasted Goose
Male Hen Harrier
Marsh Harrier
Short Eared Owl
Crossbills
Did not do any sea watch as sea was too far out and my scope was not 'top of the range' to clearly identify!

John Rayner · Status: Offline

Mike Chorley wrote:

Began our Oldham Birders Eastern England Weekend in Lincs at Langtoft, after an "interesting" trip down including disguised exits and disappearing diversions.

The drake Ring-necked Duck showed well on the second pit, along with an assortment of commoner waterfowl including Wigeon and displaying Goldeneye. A few farmland birds had started the trip list off en route and more, including a Red Kite and a Glossy Ibis, were added as we headed into Cambridgeshire to dip the 5 Ibis reported at Bluntisham for yesterday, before moving on to Welney.

A poor image of the Ring-necked Duck to illustrate Mike's post

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Began our Oldham Birders Eastern England Weekend in Lincs at Langtoft, after an "interesting" trip down including disguised exits and disappearing diversions.

The drake Ring-necked Duck showed well on the second pit, along with an assortment of commoner waterfowl including Wigeon and displaying Goldeneye. A few farmland birds had started the trip list off en route and more, including a Red Kite and a Glossy Ibis, were added as we headed into Cambridgeshire to dip the 5 Ibis reported at Bluntisham for yesterday, before moving on to Welney.

Nick Hilton · Status: Offline

An excellent day out yesterday with Stockport Birdwatching Society (https://stockportbirders.blogspot.com/) at RSPB Frampton Marsh. 75 species seen collectively with the highlights being;
Black Stork
29 Spoonbill
Red Kite
Marsh Harrier
Osprey
Merlin
Peregrine
Curlew Sandpiper
Little Stint
Spotted Redshank
Greenshank
Pectoral Sandpiper
Yellow Wagtail

Dave Ousey · Status: Offline

Pacific Golden Plover at RSPB Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire. 27/7/2021 The chance to visit RSPB Frampton Marsh came along when a Pacific Golden Plover was found on Tuesday 20th July, as one of our number had never seen one before. This reserve has only been in existence since 2007 being situated on The Wash in Lincolnshire, 4 miles from Boston. It is surely one of the best places to see many of the wading birds returning from breeding in the Arctic/Greenland area. We decided to make an early start and with myself driving along with Bob K and Kevin C left Castleton at 6am. Heading along the M62, A1, A17 into Boston town centre then A16 and arriving at Frampton around 8-40am. As the tide was in we could see that there were lots of waders on the various pools feeding and roosting. We headed for the grassy fields along a small road that heads to The Wash and were soon watching the Pacific Golden Plover at about 60 yards distance, a fairly distinctive bird in very good plumage. It had a European Golden Plover with it so a really good size and structure comparison was made between the two of them. We headed up onto the sea-wall and enjoyed an elevated look down onto the pools to see what we could find, we saw: - Dunlin, Black tailed & Bar tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Knot, Lapwing, Redshank, Greenshank in varying numbers. As we looked across the River Witham area a fellow birder told us that the place in the distance was the prison that had Jeffrey Archer as a resident! We continued our walk visiting all the hides around the reserve and managed to see: - Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Snipe, Curlew, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Ringed & Little Ringed Plover. In all we managed to see 22 species of wading bird out of a total of 65 species. A solitary Marsh Harrier was the only bird of prey that we saw, this bird did manage to send lots of birds heading out onto the saltmarsh as the tide began to fall. It?s always a real pleasure to visit this fairly new reserve to enjoy what it has to offer. We headed for home after a good days birding. Dave O. <![endif]-->

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Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

I took a trip over to Frampton Marsh RSPB today, up at 4.20am and on the road not long after 5am. Again at that time an easy, uneventful trip over, not always the case going west to east!

As I arrived I was told that my main quarry was still present, but arriving at the lagoon I soon found out that it had flown off.... more of that later! The main lagoon was awash with waders, a huge gathering of Black-tailed Godwits, several Bar-tailed Godwits, a few Knot and Dunlin and best of all a summer-plumaged adult Curlew Sandpiper. there was also, quite surprisingly, a Whooper Swan! I then decided on a circuit round the lagoons on the 'Sea Wall' route. First call was Reedbed Hide where I identified a Green Sandpiper for a couple of birders in there. Next I set about checking the lagoons as I went and added some great birds to my day list, including 7 Spotted Redshanks together, some still in black summer garb, a juvenile Black-necked Grebe, a Ruff, a Ringed Plover, Avocets with chicks, a group of over 200 Knot including brick red birds and an Egyptian Goose. On the return down the track towrds the Visitor Centre lagoon I had a nice Wood Sandpiper on a small pool but it flew before I could get my photo gear ready. As I arrived at the lagoon I got the news I wanted to hear, the main attraction was back and I was soon watching the long-staying Caspian Tern out in the middle of the lagoon, mostly sleeping but occasionally lifting its head to reveal its huge bright red beak. Also present now was a Little Stint and a Common Sandpiper. Over on the far side of the same lagoon more 'sleeping birds' were seen, this time 13 Spoonbills, an impressive group indeed. A couple of other nice birds were added after I'd eaten my lunch, including Water Rail, a party of Yellow Wagtails and a Sedge Warbler breeding right next to the path and showing down to literally 3 feet!!

I have only been here once before but they have improved the reserve immensely since that visit. I am very impressed with it now and am looking forward to heading back soon. Without trying I amassed 64 species and even left early, at 1.30pm! I didn't do the farmland trail where Turtle Doves were being seen and could easily have added at least 10 more species. I ended up with 4 year ticks and enjoyed a fabulous reserve.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by Tony Koziol:

Black Throated Trush:

A quick early morning drive to Grimsby saw us leave at 06.45 arrive at 09.25 connect with the "lifer" at 09.35 and be back to visit my brother in Failsworth at 12.05...such a hectic schedule.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

For various reasons this month's Oldham and other birders trip was a 'do your own thing' so Mike A and I set off for Grimsby, arriving just after 9 a.m. A text from Mr Rayner informed us that the bird had been seen at 8.30, but there wasn't even a birder to be seen outside the Institute, let alone a Black-throated Thrush. However by the time we'd circled the block to find a convenient parking space, half a dozen had appeared, including Mr I Johnson, formerly of this parish. After about 30 mins waiting/mooching the bird was spotted in the centre of the trees but flew back up into the branches almost at once. A couple of repeat performances followed, but eventually, once given a bit of space, it came back down and showed well on the raised area within the trees. When it flies up, the uniform tones help it to blend particularly well with the tangle of branches and on the ground offset the occasional flash of underwing covert. Understated but smart bird and a nice lifer for both of us.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Dipped on the Black-winged Pratincole today, after making the three hour trek to Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve. At the time of writing this it has not been seen all day (according to Birdguides) and may possibly have departed. Yesterdays Marsh Warbler, a first for the Reserve, has not been seen today either. I arrived at 8.30am and stayed for six and a quarter hours.

A pleasant enough Reserve, although only a small reedbed, I clocked up 42 species without really trying. The other species were what I came across whilst scanning continually for the Pratincole. The best of these included Spoonbill, Pochard, Avocet, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler.

There is a Turtle Dove viewing point which I didnt venture to.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

East Anglia was cloudy this morning (glad I didn't get up early for the Blood Wolf Supermoon biggrin

) so Riggers and I took Mr Blessed's jam-avoiding magical mystery tour to Lincolnshire instead. On arriving at Frampton Marsh the first birder we met again had news of the Long-billed Dowitcher. This time that it was 'just over there and showing well - at least it was 15 mins ago' so we headed along to the small tarmaced area and there it was, continuing to show well in what is apparently it's favorite place. smile

. Another nice year tick to add to our list.

After some discussion about heading to Hope Carr we decided to stick to plan A and headed to Huttoft for the Dusky Warbler at Roman Bank. As we arrived at High House a couple were just preparing to leave and indicated that it was favouring a particular garden, but although it was 'calling a lot', was 'keeping low and difficult to see'. We made our way to said garden expecting a long wait for the odd brief glimpse but Riggers soon located the bird in the circle of dead vegetation in the middle of the lawn, where it showed very well, calling almost continuously. It made forays out from the central circle, perched up and in general behaved so unlike the usual skulker we were expecting that Riggers was tempted to go and fetch his camera. Almost as soon as his back was turned the bird flew into the front corner of the garden, where the grass was longer, then up into the bottom of the hedge and back into the long grass. Just as he returned it flew into one of the bare trees along the garden path then disappeared into the weeds along the side fence. 'Normal service' had been resumed biggrin

With nothing else in the area or en route home to tempt us we headed back via Greenfield to year tick Red Grouse and Dipper to bring our 'door-to door' trip total to 124 seen and 2 (Crossbill and Bearded Tit) heard. All in all, a good trip.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

Called in this morning en route to East Anglia and just missed the Long-billed Dowitcher waking up and flying off the frozen pools at East Hide onto the salt mash. Completing the circuit back to the hide gave us several of the commoner wader and duck species, Canada, Greylag, Pink-footed and Brent Geese, all three swan species..............and a Cape Shelduck. Small birds were less obvious today but we had a good-sized flock of Linnet and managed to find Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer just off the reserve. Depending on what happens over the rest of the weekend we may be back on Monday for another go at adding the Dowitcher to our year lists.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 26th August

RSPB Frampton Marsh.
First visit here for me, only spent 3hrs on site as the report didn't come through until gone 8am (as is what happens sometimes on Sundays) and the 2h30 driving each way cut my time window short.

- Stilt Sandpiper (Lifer)
A corker of a bird and I had it in my scope within 2 mins of arriving, at the reedbeds from the path by the visitor centre, despite some birders present saying it hadn't been seen for a while so I was only too happy to get them onto it, good scope views but a little distant. After around 25mins it flew off with the Godwit flock.
However it was relocated later at the East Hide (North Scrape) where it showed much closer so that was a nice bonus. The rain got heavier early afternoon so I headed back to the car.

Other birds of note...
- 1 distant Spoonbill
- 4 Yellow Wagtails
- 1 Northern Wheatear
- 1 Merlin
- 1 Marsh Harrier
- 1 Common Tern
- Black-tailed Godwits in abundance
- 50+ Golden Plover
- 15+ Common Snipe
- 10+ Ruff
- 10+ Dunlin
- 4 Knot
- 4 Avocet
- 2 Ringed Plover
- lots of Sand Martin over the reserve

No sign of the Turtle Doves, Wood Sandpiper, or Spotted Redshanks for me, oh and I met some nice people on the reserve too!

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Not sure what happened to the post but some sightings didn't appear on it and couldn't get them to add on properly to original post cry

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 27th of August 2018 10:35:36 PM

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 27th of August 2018 10:36:15 PM

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

Saturday 12th May

Stockport Birdwatching Society trip to Whisby Nature Park 10.30-16.00

This was a first visit to Whisby for most of those present, with the trip planned in the hope of seeing the Nightingales. There was a good amount of anticipation mixed with tension as we arrived because this is a notoriously tricky bird to see at times, but it was reassuring that the staff knew where to direct people and birds had been seen regularly in preceding days.

Having headed to the classic area by Coot Lake we soon heard a singing bird and then a second, and this one got spotted and sat singing at full volume in open view for about 15 minutes. All done and dusted within an hour of arriving! What a bird! The contentment created by this sighting allowed everyone to disperse around the reserve and enjoy lots of other birds. You suspect a less fortunate visitor would spend hours stood in front of some dense scrub and hence miss out a bit. The volume of the singing was exactly right for the SBS membership, being a few decibels less than a 747 taking off.

Other notable sightings for me were:
Garden Warbler - 6 different singers I can place, but they were singing everywhere, never been anywhere so heavily populated
Lesser Whitethroat - momentarily in a tree with a Blackcap, Whitethroat and Garden Warbler, a nice set
Hobby - at least 2 cruising around feeding on insects
Little Gull - very smart bird, almost immaculate adult sp except for some black on wingtips

There was a good set of typical gravel pit wetland species like Reed and Sedge Warbler, Med Gull, Common Tern, Common Sandpiper

Other members reported Cuckoo and Arctic Tern

A very good trip for the Society

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Thursday March 22. From 12.30 - 14.30 hrs. With Ian & Matt Lyth.

Great scope views of the Female Snowy Owl ....... at about 400 yds range ..... sat out in the open on the saltmarsh next to some washed up timber.

RAF Wainfleeet Range.

Find the "Barley Mow" on the A52 at Friskney ....... directly opposite the pub isi Sea Lane ..... drive down here to the end to the car park.

Roger.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Two (dog) walks today, one morning, one early evening, through farmland east of Metheringham. Weather fine and cool, then warmish, this morning with the second walk accompanied by light rain. Amongst others :-

Little Grebe (4)
Tufted Duck (1)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Buzzard (1)
Hobby (1)
Reed Bunting
Skylark
Linnet
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Red legged Partridge (1)

No yellowhammer.

Ian McKerchar · Status: Offline

Originally posted today by Dave Ousey:

By way of a change to our regular east coast haunts all five of us decided to have a trip into Lincolnshire on 24th September. The fact that Long billed Dowitcher, Red necked Phalarope where there, made it even better because one of the team needed both these species!

At 6am we all piled into Chris B`s people carrier and were soon on our way (biggest person in the front, guess who?) The satnav somehow took us right to Covenham Reservoir, where the Red necked Phalarope was last seen. Now some of the lads have not been there before and when they saw the exact size of it appeared visibly shocked. Thoughts of us having to tramp a long way to see the phalarope were soon dispelled as after a 100 yards or so it was found only 10 yards away and close to the shore. Camera`s out and time for some serious clicking! A nice selection of waders all afforded close views with 2 Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin and 5 very showy Little Stint`s. The phalarope whizzed around feeding, as they do until the whole flock of birds flew farther away from us. We all enjoyed such a close encounter with the birds, it was time to move on.

A Long billed Dowitcher was on Paradise Pool in Saltfleet, an area none of us have really visited before, it was only 10 miles from Covenham Res, so it was not so hard to find. The pool was soon located and the Dowitcher was feeding on the pools edge firstly, with a Common Snipe and later with a Black tailed Godwit and good size comparisons were made. Another new bird for one of our number. We had a good wander around the bushes near to the saltmarsh and a few of the more common warblers were seen.

News of a Yellow browed Warbler at MOD Donna Nook had us searching the area without success, but a flock of Tree Sparrows and a few Yellowhammers were very nice. Three Cattle Egrets had been found by a couple of birders who we saw stood near to the road. They also told us that a couple of Whinchat`s had been seen. We saw the egrets as they emerged from a gully and also managed to locate a couple of Whinchat`s, bit of a result really. Our final call was at Rimac, an area famous for Lesser Sand Plover, Alpine Accentor and lots of rare or unusual birds. Its a few years since any of us have visited the area, so, upon arrival, I began waxing lyrically about where I had seen this and that when, the warden stopped to talk to us. It only turned out that we were not even at the right place, I got that wrong then. We found the real Rimac and began searching for a Snow Bunting, now this involved walking about a mile straight out over the saltmarsh. It was an enjoyable walk, but my shoes did not like it as they had turned into sponges! Only a flock of Starlings for company also. It was a really nice day out in an under watched county with some great locations. We got home at around 5pm

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

RSPB Tetney Marshes, Humberston (nr Cleethorpes) with Simon Gough.

- White-rumped Sandpiper 1 (Lifer)

We soon picked up on the bird at the side of the pools near the car park to the yacht club. A little distant at first on the far bank but we moved round to the adjacent banking path and got better views.
After we'd had our fill and we're contemplating our departure, unbelievably the Sandpiper decided to drop fairly close infront of us. It gave exceptional views showing all key features including the white rump. We stayed until it flew back over to the far bank again.

Other birds of note...
- plenty of Dunlin for comparison
- Greenshank 1
- numerous Redshank
- lots of Teal
- Little Grebes about
- lots of Swallow

...and 2 Hobby over the M180, 1 chasing a small bird, the other looking to be preparing for hunting mode.

Chris Greene · Status: Offline

Returned yesterday from a few days in bracing Skeggy.Plenty of birds around Gibraltar Point NNR, highlights being....pair of Garganey,Short-Eared Owl,Several Cuckoo,plenty of Whimbrel,at least three Grasshopper Warblers,plus literally dozens of Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats,with a good scattering of Lesser Whitethroats and Reed Warblers.

We spent Thursday afternoon at Frampton Marsh,where the highlight of the trip was a superb pair of Black-Winged Stilts . Also seen was a Great White Egret, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Doves, Yellow Wagtails,plus plenty of the Frampton regulars.All in all an excellent trip,in sunny but breezy weather!

Cheers Chris

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Red Kite, mid afternoon, five miles west of Metheringham.

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

One and a half hours mooch in farmland north of Metheringham. Weather cool and fine. All the usuals including :-

Greylag Goose (4)
Little Grebe (1)
Lapwing (2)
Skylark (c.8)
Linnet
Reed Bunting
Yellowhammer (5)
Red legged Partridge (3)
Buzzard
Green Woodpecker (1)
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Garden Warbler (1)
Whitethroat

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sightings per Stephen Ellison.

Wednesday, best mate on his weekly stint working in Lincoln and had these sightings around East Marsh Lane area of Goxhill.
2 Little Egret
1 Barn Owl
1 Marsh Harrier
Incidentally, the project he is working on as part of National Grid is currently involved with other relevant bodies in carrying out a Marsh Harrier survey in the area. On site personnel regularly report sightings of Marsh Harrier, Short-eared Owls, and other Raptors.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sighting from Stephen Ellison.

Best mate working in Goxhill again today and had cracking views of a male Hen Harrier in the East Marsh Lane area this afternoon, it was lost to view though as it chased off another smaller Raptor.
smile

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

Bluethroat still present at Willow Tree Fen this morning but very elusive, 2 one minute views over a 2 hour visit in very wild and windy conditions, Photographers are putting down meal worms to entice the bird out of the reedbed into view, It duly obliges just not for long enough, Can't complain, Views down to 15/20 feet.

2 Marsh Harrier in display flight were a welcome supporting cast,

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

By general concensus the Bluethroat is tbe White Spotted sub species. Showed really well for a minute for my visit at 2pm today at Willow Tree Fen LWT near Spalding. Waited another 30 minutes to try for a shot but didn't reappear by the time I had to leave. Plenty of mealworms on the path so lets hope it sticks around. Cracking.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 19th Feb.

A cracking day in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire with Chris Chandler, eventful to say the least!

Willow Tree Fen (between Spalding and Bourne)
- Bluethroat, what a fantastic bird this was despite over an hour wait for it to show. But when it showed, did it !!!

Also...
- 1 Stonechat
- 1 Yellowhammer
- 1 Reed Bunting
- 1 Marsh Harrier
- 1 Red Kite (just outside reserve)
- 1 Little Egret
- Skylark in abundance
- usual Wildfowl
- Water Rail heard

After off-roading for about a mile from the main road, we eventually reached the opposite side of the reserve, then after locating the birders it looked like we would be walking towards the bird infront of everybody so rather than a 500yd walk and possibly scaring the bird off we took the 1.5 mile detour round the perimeter path to join them from the rear (passing the main car park in the process) and discovered that the bird wasn't showing anyway so we could've saved ourselves a lot of walking!

Steve Thomson · Status: Offline

Quick dart over to Willow Tree Fen this afternoon 3.00- 345 after Rutland Water for the Bluethroat which appeared after 45 minute wait and showed to about 10 feet, absolutely stonking little bird and a lifer for mw and shirl

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

17th February.

With Ian Lyth.

Willow Tree Fen.

Had a ride down for the Bluethroat arriving at 08.45 hrs.
What a cracking little beauty this is ... confiding is an understatement ..... we were on the path and at one stage the bird hopped up to about 8ft away in the open.

Next stop was Four Mile Bridge on the R. Welland to try for a Great Grey Shrike at Deeping High Bank but no joy.
Decided to visit the Deeping Lakes N.R. for the Long Eared Owl roost as it is only 10 mins down the road just following the road at the side of the Welland .... en route we had the added bonus of a Long Tailed Duck keeping company with a flock of Tufted Duck and and also great close up views of three day hunting Barn Owls, a pair and a single.
So what should have been a 10 minute drive actually took an hour.

Three Long eared Owls were in the Nature Reserve roost and two Green Woodpeckers in the field at side of the car-park.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Friday 17th of February 2017 10:42:12 PM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sightings from Stephen Ellison.

Best mate is working over in Goxhill and Barton-upon-Humber for a couple of days and had these sightings around the East Marsh Lane area.
1 Barn Owl approx 5.15pm yesterday
1 Short-eared Owl 12.15pm today

Dave Ousey · Status: Offline

Midweek Twitching. 31/1/2017

A juvenile White billed Diver had been found on the River Whitham near Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. A strange inland record for the county, but even stranger was that the last one in the county was also found on the same river! Myself and Bob K decided on a last minute trip to see the bird and an early start was planned. 6am dawned and we departed from a gloomy Newhey heading along the most famous carpark outside London, the M62. My trusty Satnav took us towards the A1 and then into Lincoln. At this point I must really sympathise with all the commuters who have to pass through Lincoln on a daily basis, its a real mess. We pressed on and reached Kirkstead Bridge, near Woodhall Spa, we immediately saw the White billed Diver in the river at the side of the road, what luck! There now followed a game of cat & mouse as we walked up and down the river to try and get a couple of pictures of this rather splendid bird. After an hour or so the bird had won and we retreated to the car to get warm.

News of a male Ring necked Duck on some gravel pits in Kirkby on Bain soon followed, so after some expert directions from one of our York birding colleagues, we arrived safely. We found the Ring necked Duck, after a bit of searching (isnt that what birdings all about?) and really enjoyed distant views of a cracking American duck. Lots of different pits / pools in this area holding lots of duck and gulls from the nearby active tip. Worth keeping an eye on this place.

Our next port of call was to be Rufford Abbey C.P in Nottinghamshire that usually has a small flock of Hawfinch. The dry weather we had enjoyed, turned to being a little damp as we found our way into the country park area. As we got out of the car a flock of 5 Hawfinch flew above us and landed in a tall tree for us to admire, more nice birds to enjoy. We watched a small flock of Redwing feeding on the ground along with Mistle and Song Thrushes, really nice to watch. It was time to get home and we reached very wet Newhey around 3-30pm. Nice day out watching some cracking birds.

Dave Ousey.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 29th Jan, with Simon Gough.

Woodhall Spa.
- White-billed Diver (Lifer)
Well worth the drive over and the 1.5 mile walk from Kirkstead Bridge to see this beauty, and as Chris mentions ... the bill was spectacular, reminiscent of one of those old dagger shaped Ivory letter openers!

Kirkby on Bain.
- 1 Ring-necked Duck drake on pool/pits, mostly asleep
- 1 Scaup female type

We just missed the juv Glaucous Gull by literally minutes on the tip opposite the pool, and a Great White Egret was reported but we didn't see it.

Other birds we saw...
- 1 Yellowhammer
- 1 Reed Bunting
- 2 Bullfinch (females)
- 1 Coal Tit
- 1 Little Egret
- 1 Great Black-backed Gull
- 2 Common Buzzard
- Pochard / Gadwall / Goldeneye

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

Made the 2 and a half hour trip to Woodhall Spa today to see the White Billed Diver and was not disappointed. Parking at Kirkstead Bridge the bird showed very well after about a 15 minute walk North along the River Witham path. Never seen a bill look so huge on a bird as it glistened in the light.

Cropped photo attached.

Andy Bissitt · Status: Offline

Western Swamphen seen at vast distance at Alkborough Flats. But this was only support for a pretty decent list of star birds - all of which were seen MUCH closer and at length: Little egrets, avocets, water rails, spotted redshanks, bearded tits, marsh harriers (4 in one tree), kingfisher, ruff, and oodles of other stuff. Far and away the highlight was separate sightings of male and female hen harrier, the male suddenly banking steeply from around the side of the reed bed only 30 meters away at eye level, the nearest view of one I can recall (as well as the first I've seen beyond my recent memory). I was impressed by the place too.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Thursday 13th October 10.45am - 1.15pm

Day off work, dropped the Gf off at work 6am and decided to go to Gibraltar Point.
One of my best decisions in more ways than one!!!

- Red-flanked Bluetail 1 (Lifer)
Took a bit of finding in the West Dunes area. But then once found it showed ridiculously well at times, even perched up right infront of me and it didn't bat an eyelid at me. Pure quality bird.

Other birds of note...
- 1 Yellow-browed Warbler
- 5 Goldcrest
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Redwing / Fieldfare / Robin everywhere

One thing that I had to chuckle over was that when I arrived in the West Dunes, the bloke from Spurn who had waited over 8 hours for the Rustic Bunting without success was already there and I remember thinking 'oh no, this isn't a good sign' but gladly that wasn't the case.

Chris Greene · Status: Offline

Great views of the Red Flanked Bluetail, at Donna Nook this afternoon,a lovely little bird, which showed well at times around the Pye's Hall area.A supporting cast of Firecrest, Yellow-Browed Warbler and Little Bunting near the control tower.

Cheers Chris

-- Edited by Chris Greene on Saturday 15th of October 2016 06:23:06 PM

Patrick Earith · Status: Offline

Showed well again today for me. Walk to the hide from the car park off Prospect Lane takes 5 minutes (thanks Sid!) Showed well, on and off, all day. Also 8 Spoonbills (one ringed, silver over yellow over pale green, left leg), 3 Spotted Redshank, 23 Avocet, 20+ Ruff. On the walk to Tower hide, there were at least 5 Yellow Wagtail, mainly juvs, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (juvs), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, pair of Kestrel. From the Tower Hide, of note were 3 Greenshank, 8 Golden Plover, 2 Ruddy Shelduck amongst the Barnacle Geese. No Bearded Tit seen, but, several heard, frustratingly! Called in at Blacktoft Sands on the way home, not much of note other than a Whinchat and an eclipse male Garganey from Singleton Hide

sid ashton · Status: Offline

steven burke wrote:
a few photos from myself of the purple gallinule from yesterday 4th sept with rob. lifer for me also
a cracking bird & a cracking site which will be visited again. cheers again rob.

A nice comparison with the Moorhen there Steve.

steven burke · Status: Offline

a few photos from myself of the purple gallinule from yesterday 4th sept with rob. lifer for me also smile

a cracking bird & a cracking site which will be visited again. cheers again rob.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Thanks very much Sid.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Roger Baker 3 wrote:
Glad to see you finally caught up with the Purple Gallinule Sid .... 3rd time lucky.

i dipped on it Friday evening 16.30 - 20.00 hrs when only one or two people had fleeting glimpses of it when it had moved onto the "square" pool .... this had to be viewed off the side of the hill 1/2 mile away ... think only two vantage points and I chose the wrong one ... typical !

Couldn't moan as at one point I had 13 Spoonbills right in front of me.

As both yourself and Rob say there are some great birds here but it is massive site .... it took me half an hour to find a hide never mind the gallinule !

Just in case the bird sticks around and I get another opportunity to go ... does anyone know the name of that road that goes down to the bottom car park ?

I used the main car-park and walked to the first hide without seeing a soul then found that the bird had moved and had to tramp back up the hill again !!

Roger.

Roger - The car park is down Prospect Lane and it's the first road on the left after St John the Baptist Church - it includes some disabled parking.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Glad to see you finally caught up with the Purple Gallinule Sid .... 3rd time lucky.

i dipped on it Friday evening 16.30 - 20.00 hrs when only one or two people had fleeting glimpses of it when it had moved onto the "square" pool .... this had to be viewed off the side of the hill 1/2 mile away ... think only two vantage points and I chose the wrong one ... typical !

Couldn't moan as at one point I had 13 Spoonbills right in front of me.

As both yourself and Rob say there are some great birds here but it is massive site .... it took me half an hour to find a hide never mind the gallinule !

Just in case the bird sticks around and I get another opportunity to go ... does anyone know the name of that road that goes down to the bottom car park ?

I used the main car-park and walked to the first hide without seeing a soul then found that the bird had moved and had to tramp back up the hill again !!

Roger.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

At the third attempt, we too caught up with the Purple Gallinule (aka Swamphen) this morning at Alkborough Flats. It showed really well from the hide closest to the lower car park for about half an hour from 9 o'clock until it vanished into the reeds. Indeed an amazing bird.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 4th Sept.
A full day here with Steve Burke.
First time here and an absolutely brilliant place with 72 species seen. A tip for anyone going...try and park in the bottom car park near the marsh rather than up at the top of the hill!

- Purple Gallinule 1 (Lifer)
An absolutely spectacular looking bird which showed within minutes of arrival and showed constantly as it hugged the reedbed edges, sometimes in view for long periods and from what we could gather it showed for most of the day. Brilliant colours reflected back in the glorious hot sunshine and we got a true measure of this bird, it had a real relic from the prehistoric ages look about it.

Lots of other good birds around too...

- Water Rail 2
- Spoonbill 12
- Little Egret
- Little Stint 10
- Ringed and Little Ringed Plover
- Spotted Redshank 15+
- Greenshank 15+
- Ruff 20+
- Golden Plover 1
- Black-tailed Godwits
- Dunlin
- Curlew
- Bearded Tits quite a few seen over the reserve, at one point there was one swaying on a reed above the Gallinule
- Reed Bunting common over the reserve
- Reed Warbler 2
- Willow Tit 1 outside main hide
- Gadwall
- Shoveler
- Wigeon and Teal around
-Shelduck
- Ruddy Shelduck 4 at Tower hide
- Barnacle Goose few 100 at Tower hide
- Little Grebe 2
- Hobby 2 (1 juv and 1 adult)
- Peregrine 1
- Kestrel 1
- Marsh Harrier 1
- Common Buzzard 1
- possible Red Kite seen drifting over the woods, 1 was seen a few minutes earlier there
- Sparrowhawk 1
- Chiffchaff 3
- Cetti's Warbler 1 with a Chiffchaff near Tower hide
- Linnet
- Stock Doves around

At the haystacks...all birds together in 1 area.
- Redstart 1
- Spotted Flycatcher 2
- Lesser Whitethroat 1
- Whitethroat 1
- Willow Tit 1
- Robin 1
- Dunnock 1
- also Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Tawny Owl heard only
- Lots of usuals around too

Also 1 x Mike Dilger with the One Show crew filming the Purple Gallinule

A top reserve and we will definitely be back!

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 5th of September 2016 02:30:01 PM

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 5th of September 2016 03:07:02 PM

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Arrived at Alkborough Flats at 08.00 and left at 14.30 with John Barber and Dave Hugestone - birds seen included Spoonbill (12), Avocet (10's), Little Egret, Lapwings, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Yellow Wagtail, Greenshank, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Peregrine and Kestrel. Unfortunately we didn't find the Swamphen despite splitting up and investigating the reported sightings. It's a big area with a big reed bed and plenty of places for it to hide.

Good to see Phil Hampson again.

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Set out this morning with John Barber heading over to Alkborough Flats, north of Scunthorpe intending to look for the Purple Swamphen (it's a Purple Gallinule to me as well Ian!!!) On the journey we picked up that it hadn't been reported this morning. Plan B was to head to Hatfield Moors just off the M180 where we had extremely good views of the Baird's Sandpiper that was first seen yesterday.The reserve car park is a little way past HMP Moorland on the A614, and to get to the boggy area where the bird was is quite a hike !!!

PS checked maps this morning, Thursday and noticed that Hatfield Moors is just in South Yorkshire.

-- Edited by sid ashton on Thursday 1st of September 2016 11:55:14 AM