Lincolnshire Wolds And Clee BTD.

Juvenile Black-throated Diver,Cleethorpes.

Juvenile Black-throated Diver,Cleethorpes.

Juvenile Black-throated Diver,Cleethorpes.

Juvenile Black-throated Diver,Cleethorpes.

Ruckland,in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Jew's Ear Fungi,Swaby Valley.

A change of scenery today saw Chris and myself visiting a new area for us both,South Thoresby in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds and as we arrived we were greeted by the lovely song of a Song Thrush,a sound normally heard in March.We did a circular walk taking in Belleau,Swaby and the super compact Swaby Valley.The first  areas of riverine habitat,ponds and woodland looked excellent and we managed to see 4 Great-spotted Woodpecker,which included 2 drumming males,a small flock of 10 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Siskin feeding in the waterside Alders.There was also a selection of woodland birds which included several Treecreeper,Long-tailed,Blue and Great Tit and a few raptors included Kestrel,Sparrowhawk and Buzzard.Part of the walk took in several muddy areas and after all the recent rain we managed to find some fresh prints of both Muntjac and Badger and several areas where the local Fox's had scent marked with that distinct musty aroma.Swaby valley looks really promising for a future visit in the warmer months,but today we had to make do with a flock of berry munching Redwing and several clumps of Jew's Ear Fungi on the many Elder bushes in the area.After enjoying this great area,we travelled over to nearby Ruckland to have a look for raptors.We spent a good hour or so scanning the valley and area of fish ponds and managed to see an impressive 15 Common Buzzard,including a flock of 7 birds soaring around together which was great to see,but little else apart from a Sparrowhawk was seen here.Unfortunately the weather began to cloud up and we headed back towards home visiting the cracking Juv. Black-throated Diver at Cleethorpes Country Park.Today the bird showed brilliantly again at close range and it was pleasing to see the bird is still healthy and catching plenty of food.Usually when they stay for such lengthy periods,birds are usually oiled or in poor health but thankfully this bird looks ok.Also seen here was the resident Kingfisher and sadly after about an hour the sky began to turn black as an approaching storm blew in from the west.We just made it back to the car as the heavens began to open,with torrential rain,hail and thunder and lightning.That certainly put an end to proceedings after another good day out and about.

Church of St John Baptist,Belleau.