Dodgy duck dip and Red-rumped stunner.......

Well today started with me making the wrong decision to twitch the previous days reported female/1st winter Buffelhead at Covenham Res with it doing an overnight bunk!.This bird could well have been a genuine candidate and no doubt its credentials will be made even better now with its short stay,the only people connecting with it being locals and the retireed lincolnshire birding community,oh well,i have seen one before thankfully.Compensation on the Res included a few year ticks in the form of a very nice 2nd calendar year Little Gull watched hawking insects,my first 6 Swift of the year and 5 very dapper White Wagtail.The White Wag's were a nice surprise and i always like to see them and all in one flock too.So after this i had a brief look at Donna Nook,were the gale force wind and sand blast was too much to take and went to look at West Ashby for the reported male Ring-necked Duck,which also wasn't there,today was turning out to be a bit of a disaster.Thankfully there was light on the horizon and on my old patch at Barton,when Richard Dawkins found a stunning Red-rumped Swallow and thanks to Neil with the phone call,it was a hurried trip over to say the least.Myself along with several other locals enjoyed this Mediterranean beauty as it hawked St.Marks Fly's overhead,at times 10 feet away!.Over the next couple of hours i spent watching this cracking bird,it gave superb views and was watched feeding over the Blow wells and adjacent pit along with several Swallow,House and Sand Martins.After watching this beauty,nearby,a male Ring Ouzel had taken up temporary residence in the field across to Ness hide.Sometimes skulking as they invariably do,but showing nicely on occasion,feeding on the edge of the grass field and also heard calling as well as we walked past roadside.Other birds here included a further 3 Swift and a nice male Marsh Harrier.So in the end a great day,but more crap weather,hopefully there will be a change soon with this our worst April on record.

Potteric Carr.......

A full day to ourselves today for Chris and myself saw us heading firstly for a flying visit(No pun intended)to Boston Park at the excellent Hatfield Moor NNR and then onto the YWTR at Potteric Carr.Highlights at Boston Park included a nice selection of migrant and resident birds and in the hour we were there included 2 Black-necked Grebe,2 Little-ringed Plover,3 Yellow Wagtail,1 male Wheatear and 2 singing male Corn Bunting.The Black-necked Grebe is such a smashing species,as are all the grebes,but these are a definite favourite of mine and they showed nicely as they continually dived for food,superb and supremely beautiful!.The 'Whitearse' also showed very nicely on the short cropped turf near to were we had parked the car,my first male this year.So after our little foray at Hatfield we then made the short journey over to Potteric,paid our 3 quid day permit and off we went to explore this large and ever expanding reserve managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.It soon became apparent on our journey around the reserve that it was going to be another wet day,as several rain showers passed over,but it didn't put us off and we persevered.The best bird of the day was a cracking male Cetti's Warbler which showed superbly out in the open near to the Old Haa marsh hide,perching on some nettle stems before moving into a nearby Hawthorn,a little cracker!.I really like this species and have enjoyed some cracking views of them in recent years a welcome recent coloniser and long may it continue,with that superb explosive song.The next highlight was my first Whitethroat of the year and he gave brief views as he sang from a Hawthorn before another shower passed over and that was the last we saw of him.In fact,it was the Warblers which really made up the day,with us recording 6 species,but still no Lesser Whitethroat or Sedge Warbler for my yearlist.A few Hirundines were also observed,with a handfull of Sand and House Martin and a few Swallows.Breeding activity was apparent all around the reserve,with us enjoying great views of a couple of Avocet mobbing a Carrion Crow and a Coot with 4 very small young,which were still sporting their egg tooths.Non bird highlight included a tree climbing Short-tailed field Vole and 3 species of Butterfly which appeared after a brief 30 minute spell of sunshine and included singles of Speckled Wood,Green-veined White and my first Orange Tip of the year,a male,seen dashing away from us.So all in all a mixed bag on the weather side again,with some good birds seen today and a big thanks to Chris for driving.

Another rainy day.......

Hoverfly Sp.-Syrphus vitripennis.

Male Pheasant.

After dropping Trace at work i decided to spend the morning at Messingham Sand Quarries,by second home at this time of year and today,despite the weather the visit proved fruit full.Because of the showery conditions today,very few insects were observed,but several decent birds were seen.The first highlight  of which was my first Reed Warbler of the year,singing in the reedbed near the first dipping platform.He put on a nice show despite the cool conditions and later i recorded another 2 males on my walk around the remainder of the reserve.Also seen nearby,was another first of the year for myself,a pair of Common Tern watched mobbing 2 Oystercatcher on the tern raft on Grebe lake,with another pair later seen on the main lake.These are always great to see and particularly when taking part in this sort of behaviour.My third goodie of the morning,was my first Cuckoo heard singing,but unfortunately i didn't manage to find him.On my walk around the reserve,it was certainly apparent that there were a good number of Willow Warblers present,with me counting at least 18 singing males and i also recorded 5 singing male Blackcap and 8 singing male Chiffchaff.Other niceties around the reserve today included at least 3 pairs of Willow Tit,4 Common Buzzard and a female Mallard with a whopping brood of 14 ducklings.So an enjoyable morning was had today,despite the showers again.

A Freezing Moorland day........

Crowle Moor NNR.

Crowle Moor NNR.

Hare's-tail Cotton Grass.

The reserve sign at the entrance to the Thorne side of the Moors.

Thorne Moors NNR.

A trip over to Crowle and Thorne Moors today,saw a mammal taking pride of place in our sightings for the day and they showed pretty good considering their skittish nature at this site.I am of course talking about the resident Red Deer,with us seeing an incredible 30 animals in 3 groups of 10 and 9 on the Crowle side and 11 on the Thorne side of the Moors.They were all hinds apart from 2 young stags with the group of 10 at Crowle.What a great sight to see and not a common one at all in this part of the world,they were very wary,no doubt due to the continued hunting of deer in the area.Also seen were a good total of 10 Roe Deer,with 2 being seen alongside the group of 10 Red at Crowle,the Roe's looking positively tiny compared to the 'Big' Red's.We managed some nice views of the Roe's and like i have mentioned before in my posts,they are one of my favourite british animals.Bird wise,the highlight went to my first Wheatear of the year,a female which showed nicely along one of the tracks on the Thorne side and a flyover Yellow Wagtail also being my first of the year.Migrant totals included at least 30 Willow Warbler and 10 Chiffchaff,20 Swallow and a single Sand Martin along with a handfull of Blackcap.A few Common Buzzard were also observed through the day and a tardy flock of 40 Fieldfare at Crowle should be on their way back north soon.The only other notable mammal sighting comprised of 3 Brown Hare.A decent day despite the breakdown in the weather in the afternoon.

Lutra lutra and Spring Migrants......

Scarlet elf-Cup.

With nights finished i was dying to get out again,even at the prospect of getting soaked with showers again forecast,so i headed for my second home at this time of year,MSQ.After eventually deciding on what clothing to wear,i made my way down to Grebe Lake and within being there for twenty minutes i had seen 6 Willow Warbler,1 Swallow,2 Peregrine,1 Common Sandpiper and yes,you guessed it,the BIG mustelid watched fishing at the far end of the lake.I couldn't believe,it my second Otter in a week!,i watched him for about 15 minutes before he disappeared into bankside vegetation,but thankfully reappeared about 10 minutes later and showed fantastically through the scope,thankfully Dave had arrived by now and enjoyed his first Otter.Obviously the views were not as close as the Tickton male,but it was a pleasure to watch another,what a superb animal and long may we have the privilege of watching them locally.The Common Sand was seen flying over the lake,calling frequently,my first of the year and the Peregrines did the same heading in the direction of Twigmoor.Other notable bird sightings around the reserve included a single Eurasian White-fronted Goose loosely associating with a couple of Greylag,5 House Martin,3 Swallow and 15 Sand Martin hawking insects over the lake and in the end 14 Willow Warbler.In the plantation we managed to find another Scarlet elf-Cup and this one was a very fresh individual.So today's weather was crap to say the least,but we managed some great sightings to make up for it.

Otter Surprise.....

With the prospect of a walk with Trace,Kirst,Kev and the dogs down to High Eske NR at Tickton,albeit in light rain,it certainly paid dividends with us all seeing a cracking Dog Otter crossing Weel road on the way to Tickton.What a beauty! and my first animal to be seen well out of the water and at close range too.He was watched crossing the road before disappearing into a nearby land drain adjacent to the river,a total surprise,hopefully now he will keep away from the local roads.Everything else was a bit of an anti-climax,but sightings at High Eske included at least 5 Willow Warbler,2 Chiffchaff,1 male Blackcap,17 Sand Martin and 12 Swallows.The Hirundines were all watched feeding low over the water due to the continuous rain and was my largest flock up to now this year.What a great end to my days off,with another superb Otter sighting!.

Tophill Low Goodies......

The River Hull at Hempholme Lock.

An all day visit to this superb Yorkshire Water reserve today with Chris saw us rack up an impressive 74 species and a nice mix of good birds along with commoner species.We started by walking around the perimeter of D-Res.,taking in D-Res.Woods and North Marsh and then walking down to Hempholme Lock.Highlights were provided by 2 Short-eared Owl watched hunting a rough grass pasture at the lock,showing very nicely in flight and perched and a single 1st winter Whooper Swan and Egyptian Goose in with the resident Mute Swan herd grazing on a nearby cereal field.The Whooper was a bit of a surprise and must have some how got left behind by others migrating north,perhaps it is the weather holding it up and may summer,as others i have encountered in the past.Commoner species which provided some nice views included several Blackcap,Willow Warbler,Chiffchaff and a single House Martin,Blackcap being a personal favourite with that superb,rich fluty song.The next highlights were a most welcome one and came in the form of a lovely pair of Garganey watched feeding along the edge of North Lagoon,these are our only summer visiting duck species from their wintering grounds in Africa and it is also interesting to note that they pair up in their wintering grounds and then migrate north as a pair,what a pair of beauties,particularly the stunning male.After watching the Garganey we continued our walk around making our way up to Watton Nature Reserve.Highlights here consisted of a real surprise in the form of a single Dark-bellied Brent Goose,loosely associating with a group of Greylag,this bird should be well on its way to Spitzbergen by now,perhaps the weather is holding up its migration as with the Whooper Swan.Also here was a pair of Little-ringed Plover,with the male putting on a fine display as he tried to impress his mate,these being my first of the year and a flyover Red Kite which headed west with a couple of Jackdaw for company,this bird was un-tagged and could possibly be a migrant bird.Other species observed around the area included a couple of Common Buzzard,1 Swallow and at least 180 north bound Fieldfare.Warbler totals for the day were as follows:7 Blackcap,11 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warbler and we also recorded a single,singing male Willow Tit in D-Res.woods.Mammal sightings comprised of a couple of Brown Hare and 6 Roe Deer(5 at Hempholme Lock and 1 in D-Res.Woods).2 of the Bucks at Hempholme were taking part in a bit of sparring which was quite comical to watch,as they don't have the impressive tree-like antlers like Red and Fallow Deer.Insect sightings were few and far between today because of the overcast conditions,but included quite a lot of Bee-Flies,1 Peacock and 9 Common Footman Caterpillars found feeding on several fence posts on the way down to Hempholme Lock.A great day out and a big thanks to Chris for driving.

Mega Gull And MSQ Migrants.......

Scarlet Elfcup.

1st winter Thayer's Gull,courtesy of C.Atkin esq.

1st winter Thayer's Gull,courtesy of C.Atkin esq.

After a total runaround yesterday trying to connect with the Thayer's Gull at Elsham,an early morning start with Chris today paid dividends with us gaining superb views of this Canadian Arctic Mega.We arrived at first light with a few gulls beginning to trickle in but not settling and numbers eventually building up,but then the same pattern as yesterday,with the gulls being difficult to view in an inaccessible area of the field they were feeding in.But thankfully,today they flew across the road into the field across from were we had parked the car and we managed to get cracking views of the gull on the ground and in flight.On first views it looked like a diminutive juv. Bonxie and was an amazing looking gull,what a fantastic find by Tom Lowe and only a mile and a half from my house!!.The gulls stayed put for about 20 minutes before taking flight again and this carried on with us getting more great views in flight and later on the ground near Melton Ross.This is the first sighting of this extreme rarity for both Chris and Myself and a totally unexpected addition to the Lincolnshire list.While watching the gull we saw our first Swallow of the year flying high over the fields to the south and a couple of Common Buzzard.After enjoying the Thayer's,we headed over to Messingham in,now,more overcast conditions,but managed some  nice sightings.This included our first Willow Warbler's with 2,Sand Martins with 8 and House Martins with 5.The Willow Warbler was watched singing on the edge of the heathy area,giving nice views,with another being heard later on near the car park and the House and Sand Martins were watched feeding together over the main lake.Other sightings here included a single Avocet,Willow Tit and 42 Fieldfare.Non bird highlights were provided today,by some superb views of Scarlet Elfcup growing in the plantation.A cracking days birding and wildlife watching again.

The Lincolnshire Lime Woods.......

Big Sky.

Common Dog-Violet

Grass Snake.

Grass Snake.

Wood Anemone.

Another full day to myself again today,so i headed in the direction of the superb Bardney Limewoods at Chambers Wood Farm and thankfully today's weather was in complete contrast to yesterday.I had planned to come for a few weeks now in the hope of getting some Grass Snake images with the new SLR and today i was not to be disappointed.I started off walking around the outer perimeter of the woods,seeing a pair of Common Buzzard,1 with prey,several Chiffchaff and a singing male Blackcap which gave nice views,but i didn't see my first butterfly or Grass Snake until lunch time.It was by pure chance i decided to walk down towards the Brick pit pond for the second time,when i managed to find a single juvenile Grass Snake and allowed a very close approach and i thankfully managed to get some great images,at last i had accomplished what i had wanted to do after seeing my first several years ago.These are stunning reptiles and i managed to find a further 3 later in the day which were less so confiding,but i didn't care now!.The other common reptile here is Common Lizard and i recorded a very impressive 25 animals on my walk round,but saw no Common Toads or Common Frogs,which was unusual for this site.Mammals were represented by only 1 Muntjac today,7 Brown Hare and an unwanted profusion of Grey Squirrels,with about 30 being seen.It would be fantastic if we could get our native Red's back,now that would be special.As i mentioned before,butterflies were quite late getting onto the wing,but i still managed to record 4 species,with Peacock being the most abundant and i recorded my first Small White's of the year as well.I also managed to find 2 Orange Underwing,but still managed to get zero photo's,they are lightning fast and must be able to see the mirror inside the camera,as every image was a blur of wings!.It was also great to visit a site with so many wildflowers,with masses of Dog Violet,Wood Anemone,Lesser Celandine and Primroses,there were also a few Bluebells coming into bud.So all in all a fantastic day was had in this special corner of Lincolnshire.