Rutland Water

 Sunday 16 August

Up early and over at Rutland Water by 6.30 for my final birding trip before starting the long journey back to Spain on Tuesday, with a week's break in the south of England.  Chance for some local birding there, weather permitting.  Damp, overcast and calm but not cold albeit a little misty at the start so not ideal light for either bins or camera.  As I approached the usual mass of Wood Pigeons and a small flock of Rooks were departing the site heading north for new feeding pastures.  Two shivering Magpies on a gate then another couple once arrived.  No shortage of Jackdaws this morning.  Fortunately, a couple of Starling on the farm roofs as I entered the car park but I had to wait until I was driving out to see my only Collared Dove of the morning.

First stop the Feeding Station where I recorded a fair number of both Blue and Great Tits along with a handful of Chaffinch and a single Greenfinch.  A couple of Dunnock were mopping up the dropped seed and then the third of a dozen Blackbirds seen on site.  So onto the northern hides and reaching the gated corner just north of the Badger Hide a Wren and two Robins on the fence. All quiet at the Redshank Hide although I was in time to see, what looked like, the awakening departure of birds from the Sand Martin colony.

Arriving at the Sandpiper Hide overlooking Lagoon 4 I was somewhat surprised by the lack of birds to be seen.  An Egyptian Goose was standing on top of the Osprey's nest and a Mute Swan was feeding on the water immediately in front of the hide.  Once settled, I then added Black-headed Gulls, Moorhen, Little Egret and Little Grebe plus a small number of Herons and Mallards.  The scope revealed the Greylag Geese and more Mute Swans at the back of the lagoon and even a pair of Great Back-backed Gulls on the distant island.  Just as I was about to depart a pair of Goldfinches landed on the thistles immediately outside the hide.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Walking to the Shoveler Hide overlooking Lagoon 3 a tailless cock Pheasant flew up in front of me and then I settle into another damp hide.  (The only problem with a policy of keeping doors and windows permanently open is that when it rains, at best, you have damp seats and very wet shelves for supporting elbows and placing equipment, etc.)  On the water in front of the hide a number of Teal, Gadwall and Mallard. The number of Lapwing present was low, perhaps because of my early arrival, as also were Little Egret numbers.  A couple of Great White Egrets and and more Moorhens along with huge rafts of Tufted Duck on the open water accompanied a few Great Crested Grebes and more Gadwall.  Not long before I was able to add a few Wigeon and then, in addition to many more Black-headed Gulls, I was able to count the 18 Common Tern present on the little island in front of the hide.  Two Green Sandpipers were feeding at the western end of this island whilst nearer to me a handful of Black-tailed Godwits had arrived to feed.

One of ten Great White Egrets Egretta alba

Nothing else to report from any of the hides stretching out towards the South Arm so I made my way back to the Visitors Centre.  Stopping at the area created to encourage Whitethroats, the gated corner referred to above, lots of small bird activity.  A number of "Chiffwillows" (unable to distinguish between Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler) were very active before identifying a definite Chiffchaff.  A couple of Reed Bunting were more accommodating with their foraging and then my attention was drawn to the Long-tailed Tit feeding in the tree opposite.  (A passing birder also reported that standing around the corner he had seen a couple of Lesser Whitethroat.)

Once back to the entry road I continued on southwards to visit the Mallard Hide overlooking Lagoon 1.  In addition the birds already recorded, especially Heron, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Teal, I now as able to add a few waders including another Green Sandpiper, more Black-tailed Godwits plus a couple of Dunlin and five Ringed Plover.  No sign of the recently reported White-rumped Sandpiper but, there again, the visibility was not good and I might not have recognised the bird even if seen.  Not having seen as yet the local Cormorants, they finally arrived but no Coots.

Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

The homeward journey took me via Manton Bay where I stopped to view the Osprey nest, holding a wing-flapping youngster and adult above whilst below there were still many occupied Great Crested Grebe nests and, at last, some of the local Coots.  I even had a wandering House Sparrow to complete the morning's birding.

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Osprey, Moorhen, Coot, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

RSPB Frampton Marsh, Boston

 Friday 14 August

Twelve of the twenty-eight Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia at Frampton Marsh

Arriving back in Stamford from Frampton Marsh near Boston in Lincolnshire I came across a handful of Jackdaw so taking my species total for the day up to a round 60.  The day had started cold, cloudy and quite windy as I set off, recording a pair of Magpie and Rooks on the way.  Upon arrival I immediately recorded Wood Pigeon and House Sparrow along with a number of Barn Swallows as I made my way to the far car park near the high bank.  There was a handful of Dunlin working the stream to my right and the first charm of Goldfinches was working the thistles adjacent to the hedgerow.  A single Mute Swan rested on the bank of the stream and the first Little Egret of the day was noted.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa and Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Juvenile Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Checking out the grassland with its many muddy pools to the north I soon added Greylag Goose and both Mallard and Teal, noticing many of he latter so these ducks are obviously making their way home. A lone Moorhen then an adult Shelduck before the first of many Avocet, including lots of fledged youngsters.  A lone Little Ringed Plover to my right and as I made my way up the slope to the high bank the first of the Canada Geese came into view.  From the top, just inside the gate, I was soon picking up numerous Black-headed Gulls and Black-tailed Godwits along with Lapwing and Coot.  A couple of Cormorant took their leave before I added both Pied Wagtail and a Common Redshank.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Moving further along the bank to the first seat I next recorded a quintet of Ringed Plover alongside a pair of Little Stint.  Three Little Grebe were feeding in a deep pool and then a close view pf my first of many Ruff.  On the salt marshes below the bank a half-dozen Yellow Wagtails were following a small section of the grazing cattle whilst, in the background, a hovering Kestrel.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Returning along the bank then following the path back to my car a Reed Warbler exchanged reeds to the other side of the path and a couple of Meadow Pipits were seen on the path with another Pied Wagtail.  Working my way back to the main car park I noticed the single Mute Swan on my left and from the parked car picked up a Carrion Crow resting on the grass.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Then it was across to the picnic area next to the Visitors Centre to check out the main water.  It was immediately obvious that the mass of white belonged to Little Egrets (a total of 116 was counted) rather than the 27 Spoonbills.  I have never seen so many Little Egrets gathered together, all packed together like a raft of godwits.  In amongst the serried ranks were at least a dozen Heron along more ducks including a number of Gadwall.  Nearer to hand on the small island in front of me a Green Sandpiper and an even closer Snipe.

So many Little Egret Egretta garzetta with over 100 on site

A clockwise walk round the water revealed numerous Goldfinches including a charm of over 100 individuals and a couple of Great Tits before I duly arrived at the Reedbed Hide.  Opposite the hide a mixed flock of Greylag and Canada Geese also contained a single Egyptian Goose.  Once inside the hide, a small number of Starling were seen on the dead tree in the centre island and a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls and then I noticed a good number of Tufted Duck along with a handful of Wigeon, the latter all resting on the nearest island.  In addition to the many Spoonbill and Little Egret I could now see the increasing rafts of Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin.  Also present was a single Pochard and a single Great Crested Grebe with five Little Grebe feeding immediately in front of the hide.  A number of Swifts flew past in front of the hide alongside the mainly Barn Swallows and as we followed them back to the trees we were also able to identify a few House Martins.  At this point we were joined by a male Blackbird on the nearby island which revealed a couple of Common Gulls as I followed the bird and even managed a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls.  Checking the resting ducks and Avocets on a far island to the left I noticed not only a Ruff but a Common Sandpiper working its way along the water's edge.

Maybe only two Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia  but over a thousand Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

So back to the main car park with a stop to take a closer look at the long-staying Whooper Swan which conveniently woke up, stood and presented its beak to confirm identification.

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus with Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Time to take a drive back down to the bottom car park in order to recheck the pools from the high banks and pleased to say that I found a quintet of Spotted Redshank.  Not only that but also a handful of Curlew Sandpiper and in the wet grassland to the south of the track I finally found the Golden Plover but only five on this occasion. And so I made my departure towards home noting the lone Collared Dove before reaching Frampton village.

Three distant Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus (centre left)

Dunlin Calidris alpina

However, rather than straight home I made a slight deviation to call in at Baston Gravel Pits for fifteen minutes, especially as the weather was no much warmer.  Lots of Greylag and a few Canada Geese along with Mute Swans.  Ducks included Mallard and Tufted and of course the usual Coot plus a single Moorhen.

On the western pool  both Great Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls whilst the eastern pool haled a couple of resting Common Terns.  Naturally, there was a small number of Lapwing to be seen and always a Wood Pigeon or two passing overhead.  The final birds recorded were a number of Sand Martins flying around the adjacent sane quarry.

More Little Egret Egretta garzetta with Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus to front

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Little Stint, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Snipe, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Back-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch.

Distant record shot of the Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Wigeon Anas penelope

Spoonbill, Little Egret, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Black-headed Gulls, etc

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Rutland Water

Manton Bay Ospreys Pandion haliaetus

 Sunday 9 August

Missed the start of the GP from Silverstone so went for a late afternoon visit to Rutland Water so I could be back in time for the edited highlights and, in the meantime, not be aware of the race outcome.  Still warm and sunny with only a few light clouds in the blue sky and almost free of any breeze.  Should be perfect birding weather and arriving around 5pm just about all the day visitors had now departed.  Approaching the site the usual flurry of Wood Pigeons and Carrion Crows along with a couple of Magpie so decided to start at Manton Bay.  Parking on the wide path on the upstream side of the bridge over the ingress I hoped that the Osprey might in in full view from my advantage point.

Ospreys at nest with Mute Swans Cygnus olor in background

And indeed they were though the mass of ducks seen last week had now dispersed further into the main waters.  Three Ospreys resting on the pole next to the nest site and the enlarged photo revealed that a further youngsters was in the nest.  (This nest has, once again, produced a total of four young and all are about to fledge and tour the water before their eventual departure to African shores.)  However, in addition to five nearby Little Egret and a family of Carrion Crows, at least ten occupied Great Crested Grebe nests were seen along with more individuals further out along with Mallard, the odd Lapwing and a Heron.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Almost as far away as the Shallow Water Hide the large bare tree in the water held a large colony of resting Cormorants and, naturally, there were also Coots to be seen.  Similarly, not long before I recorded both Canada and Greylag Geese whilst most of the Mute Swans were to be seen in the far distance.

The main Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo flock

Back to the reserve proper, passing both Collared Dove and Jackdaw as I entered, and a visit to the Feeding Station which was now becoming quite active as smaller birds came to fill up ready for the coming evening.  Still lots of both Blue and Great Tits, mainly youngsters, but also a couple of Robin, a pair of Blackbirds, three Chaffinches and a quartet of Dunnock.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

A short stop at the Redshank Hide produced both Common Tern and Sand Martin and the next stop, Osprey Hide, had a departing Rock Dove along with a Great White Egret.  So on to Lagoon 4 and the Sandpiper Hide.  Upon entering lots of Greylag Geese to be seen and they seemed to be settled in for the evening.  The middle island held a pair of immature Great Black-backed Gulls and the here also Black-headed Gulls in front of me.  Away to the eft a large mixed flock of gulls, mainly Lesser Black-backed but also a number of Great Black-backed Gulls.  However, immediately opposite the hide was a single Wigeon confirming that these birds are gradually making their way back for their winter holidays.  In addition a good number of Lapwing and more Little Egrets were to be seen.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Next to my final hide on the north side of the reserve where I entered Redshank Hide to find another local birder in attendance.  Not too many Common Terns to be seen along with both Mallard and Lapwing on the island in front of the hide.  Just beyond the island a good-sized flock of Tufted Duck. To my left two Great White Egrets and a trio of Little Egrets and then a first Teal of the winter and way out to the far side a large flock of Pochard.  Informed by my fellow birder, I was then also to find the visiting Black Tern as it patrolled the waters just beyond the narrow island.  A Moorhen paddled its way across to the island and on the far left a sleeping Greenshank.  Finally, a small number of Gadwall and my companion informed me that there was a good variety of waders in Lagoon 1 that could be seen from the Mallard Hide.  Banking on the motor racing programme starting with all sorts of chat and review before the race itself, I thought I had just about enough time for a short visit before heading home.  Lots more of the same to be seen, including another three Great White Egrets, but nothing new apart form the large Starling flock.

Great White Egrets Egretta alba along with a Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Pochard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Osprey, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Black Tern, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Sand Martin, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch.

Common Terns Sterna hirundo at nest boxes

Greylag Geese Anser anser preparing for evening roost

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Frampton Marsh, Boston

Saturday 8 August

Another warm, sunny start to the day with almost clear blue skies and a gentle breeze but liable to some stiff gusts.  At RSPB Frampton Marsh by 8.30 to see the latest arrivals as autumn migration starts to get underway but with the added pleasure of being accompanied by Jenny, albeit this somewhat restricts last minute changes to set plans and rules out deviations on the way home!

Both Kestrel and Collared Doves as I approached the site and then welcomed by the usual Wood Pigeons, House Sparrows and a couple of Carrion Crows.  On this occasion straight to the bottom car park near the high bank and looking south over the large area of wet grassland immediately made contact with the Lapwing.  But not just Lapwing.  It would appear that the first of the wintering Golden Plover have arrived with about a score in sight.  As I scoped and made use of the camera a small charm of Goldfinch made their way along the thistles and away to my right.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Checking the grassland and pools to the north inside the boundary fence, a handful of Little Egrets and a large resting flock of Black-headed Gulls.  Close by a single Greenshank and then a Black-tailed Godwit.  As a lone Moorhen made its way towards the water I also picked up Mallard and a single Dunlin along with a good number of Avocet.  Meanwhile, a steady passage of Barn Swallows overhead and to the far north of the reserve a murmuration of hundreds of Starlings creating a massive cloud in the sky.  Only a handful of Greylag Geese as we made our way to the end of the path and up onto the high bank.

Black-headed Gulls Larius rudibundus with Little Egret Egretta garzetta (front left)

Looking down on the small pools from above we could now see more of both the local Avocets and Greylag Geese.  The nearest pool held a quartet of Curlew Sandpipers and a single Ruff.  With the Avocets a juvenile Shelduck and the adult found further away with another couple of youngsters.  A Reed Warbler dashed across the pool from one set of reeds to another and Jenny noticed a Reed Bunting on the fence below.  Returning to the path below, the stream alongside the high bank held a quartet of Ruff plus Avocet and single Oystercatcher.

Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea

So back to the main car park and chance to check out the main water from the picnic area, the Visitors Centre still being closed.  Over twenty Spoonbill (highest count was 27) in sight along with hundreds, maybe thousands, of both Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin.  Immediately in front of me on the beach of a grassy island a wandering Pied Wagtail and foraging at the edges both Greenshank and Redshank.  A Snipe was observed and then the Coot before returning the larger scope to the car and making my way to the Reedbed Hide with the smaller portable scope.  Once settled in the hide a good view of the long-staying Whooper Swan along with many more Black-tailed Godwits and the next island holding a handful of Cormorant.  

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus with Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

In the distance the only Heron of the morning as both Greylag and Canada Geese paddled by in front of me.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

No sooner had a handful of Wigeon moved across the water nearby than a couple of Common Tern flew over behind me as I made my way back to the car park.  Re-joining Jenny she noted the high raptor and I was able to identify a passing Marsh Harrier.  We finally found our first Mute Swan of the morning and at the entrance to the reserve the Barn Swallows were beginning to start collecting together on the overhead wires but, most strangely, also a single Yellow Wagtail (suffering from an identity crisis!!!) and even a few Sand Martins had joined the band of Barn Swallows.

Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica starting to flock-up 

Our last port of call was to take the narrow farm track down to the back of the southern end of the reserve in search of the summering Turtle Doves.  No luck on this occasion but the meadow in front of their favoured site held a Meadow Pipit  and on the other side of the path, on the field in front of the large irrigation pool, a couple of Sky Larks and a trio of Tufted Duck on the water itself.  So began the journey back to Stamford with a Blackbird in Frampton village and near Market Deeping both a hunting Red Kite and a trio of Jackdaws.

One of very many Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Spoonbill, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Sky Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Reed Warbler, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

The main Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia flock

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Fenland Washes

Wednesday 5 August

If Monday is "Washing Day" the Wednesday, today, was "Washes Day!"  Lovely blue sky with some broken cloud and very warming sunshine as I set out for Eldernell near Whittlesey for a visit to the Nene Washes.  Still a very strong breeze when I arrived at 9.30 but standing on the bridge near the car park I had a lovely view of a distant quartering Marsh Harrier.  Lots of Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons about and then the first of the Barn Swallows feeding over the stream as they made their way westwards.  On the stream itself a pair of Mute Swans with a single cygnet and lower down the stream I was to find another two pairs, the first with three well-grown cygnets.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor with family

Searching the fields it was not so much the second, closer Marsh Harrier but the pale "bump" above the tall grasses that drew my attention.  With the scope trained on the spot the bump finally revealed itself as the neck and head of a Common Crane.  Nothing before and now two individuals within days of each other.  Unfortunately, the wind was too strong to take the distant photograph with my camera.

Common Crane Grus grus

The walk on down the stream revealed both a Mallard and a Coot on the pond on the other side of the high bank and as I turned for the return walk a quintet of Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over towards the south and passed a single Cormorant flying in the opposite direction.  Reaching the car park for a final looked over the fen with its lush green grasses and feeding cattle, another handsome male Marsh Harrier followed by a flock of almost fifty Jackdaws.

With so little to see I decided to move across to the RSPB Ouse Washes near Manea, March, also in Cambridgeshire, and recorded both Pheasant and Kestrel on the way. Only 45 minutes away and really looking forward to visiting the hides and seeing some good birds, so you can imagine my great disappointment to arrive and not only find toilets and Reception closed but also all hides and the paths leading to same.    Maintenance work on the high banks so no chance of even getting a view of the area.  Therefore, left with the sighting of the usual Wood Pigeons and Carrion Crows along with a small number of House Sparrows and a calling Tree Sparrow.  However, the Barn Swallows were starting to flock up with a maximum of eighteen on the wires above the entrance.  And as I was to see depart a male Blackbird fly across the shaded car park.

What to da as still not 2 o'clock?  The Welney Wetland Centre seemed a good option being only about thirty minutes away so back on the road and the temperature now up into the high twenties and very humid.  Upon arrival, yet more disappointment.  Well into the afternoon and the reserve due to close about 4 but still an entrance fee of £6.90!   Whilst I contemplated the idea looking out at the almost dry scrapes below I thought I might be better off making my way back to Stamford and get this report completed today rather than tomorrow.  However, looking through the window I did note the eight Redshank below and both Mallard and Moorhen feeding on the droppings below the feeders which hosted three House and two Tree Sparrows.  Also nearby both Wood Pigeon and Collared Dove and a large flock of Starlings gorging themselves on the ripening blackberries.  A pair of juvenile Pied Wagtails were also present near the scrape.  Add on another Marsh Harrier and a couple of Carrion Crows and my fifteen minutes on site had produced 11 species!

So, very few birds seen but, on the other hand, a delightful tour of rural Cambridgeshire with some lovely villages and all looking very healthy.  Considering I was in "proper" fenland, readers will not be surprised to hear that nearly every road ended with the name "Drove" and I was forever driving along narrow, perfectly straight lanes for miles at a time and often more undulating than a sheet of corrugated cardboard!  So, so different from winter visits when the fields are flooded and masses of wildfowl to be seen.

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Pheasant, Cormorant, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Crane, Redshank, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Willow Tree Fen and Baston Gravel Pits

Sunday 2 August

Up at the (almost) crack of dawn and over to Willow Tree Fen  for a "third time lucky" chance of seeing the Cranes which have bred in Lincolnshire for the first time in over 400 years.  A lovely clear and approaching sunny start but I must admit I had not expected it to be so cold following the recent heat wave!  Looking quiet when I arrived at 6.45 but soon noting both the local Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves.  On the recently harvested meadow a number of Carrion Crows were already  feeding and a couple of Magpies soon put in an appearance.

Brown Hare Lepus europaeus

Looking right I saw the approaching adult female Marsh Harrier only a few minutes after a juvenile had landed at the back of the reserve in front of me viewing from the footbridge entrance to the site.  Suddenly, almost immediately in front of me, a  Grey Partridge moved to give itself away behind a clump of dry grass and seemed to be content to remain there for almost ten minutes.  No sooner had I seen a Brown Hare Lepus europaeus  cross the adjacent track than I found three more on the field away to my right.  And a fifth individual also turned up a little later very close to the resting place of the above partridge.  Also on the field lovely to see the arrival and feeding of two small flocks of Stock Dove making a total of 39 individuals.  A Herring Gull flew over at the back following the course of the River Glen, then a Cormorant whilst nearer to me a pair of cock Pheasants made their way along the back of the harvested meadow.  A couple of House Sparrows were active in the nearby vegetation.  Meanwhile, in the Counter Drain flowing under the bridge, an adult Moorhen to my right and a juvenile to my left.

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix ( Note surviving chick of 8 to the right)

No sign of the Cranes so decided I would wait a further ten minutes till 8 o'clock then wander back to the Baston Gravel Pits.  With less than five minutes to go the duty ranger pointed out one of the  Cranes as it it flew along the back of the reserve giving that very familiar silhouette that we see during winter months in Spain.  At last, and third time lucky, I had seen my first British Crane.

Willow Tree Fen seen from the entrance.  The Crane Grus grus flew along the back from left to right

So, with a contented smile on my face, I made my way back to the nearby Baston Gravel Pit passing a dozen resting Little Egrets and a pair of Mute Swans plus a Kestrel on the roadside wires.  Lots to see and the bulk of the birds were on the eastern lake including many Greylag Geese and Mute Swans.  Closing scrutiny also produced Tufted Duck, Coots and Moorhen along with Black-headed Gulls.  The odd Carrion Crow was seen near both waters with the western lake producing Mallards, Little Egret and a Little Grebe.  Also present were both Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls.

The nearby fields and wires also produced Rooks and Lapwing along with Starlings and Barn Swallows whilst in a sand pit  a short distance up the road, in addition to more gulls, I also found a pair of Green Sandpipers.

A few of the 39 Stock Doves Columba oenas feeding at Willw Tree Fen

Birds seen:
Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Crane, Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information

Rutland Water

Willow Tit Poecile montanus 

Saturday 1 August

Another lovely sunny day promised so, by popular request, took Jenny and her visiting guest, Welsh Debbie from Leeds, over to Rutland Water for the morning.  Only broken cloud with much blue sky and warm sunshine but still a good breeze when exposed in the open.  Today was something of a record.  My first visit to Rutland Water in twenty-five years when I did NOT see a single Jackdaw!

A short stop at the Feeding Station before buying our entry tickets produced  number of Blue and Great Tits along with both Dunnock and Robin.  A Collared Dove rested on the far feeder tree and a couple of Wood Pigeon dropped in. But then, possibly, the bird of the day with the arrival of a Willow Tit.  One hungry tit as the bid made frequent visits to the feeders.  Indeed, it was still visiting when we made a return visit at the end of the visit before taking the car for the extended journey home.  On this latter occasion we also managed to add both Chaffinch and House Sparrow.

Willow Tit Poecile montanus 

Then off to the north with a first stop at the Redshank Hide.  Crow, Mallard, Cormorant, Coot, Tufted Duck, Barn Swallow and Sand Martin added to the list followed by Great White and Little Egrets before taking the woodland track via Grebe, Canada Goose and Heron noted, and Osprey Hides to Lagoon 4 and the Sandpiper Hide.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus with Lapwing Vanellus vanellus in front

Once safely ensconced in the hide a good selection of birds both in front of the hide and across the various islands.  Lots of Coots and Black-headed Gulls along with Mallard and a few Gadwall.  a good number of Mute Swans and this water held the main Greylag Geese flock.  In addition to the Black-headed Gulls in front of us, away to the left a number of Great Black-backed Gulls and even some Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  More Little Egrets and at last a selection of waders.  In addition to the many Lapwings we also noted a couple of Oystercatcher and both Little and Greater Ringed Plovers.  At the far end of island 4 was a single Greenshank.  A juvenile Pied Wagtail was also working the same area as the plovers.  Just the one Moorhen but we did have some fishing Common Terns to prepare us for the next hide.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

So onto the Shoveler Hide overlooking lagoon 3.  Here we found very many Tufted Ducks plus a couple of Pochard and nearer to the hide on the island immediately in front also the remnants of the Common Tern colony, Coot, Mallard and Lapwing.  To our left a pair of Green Sandpipers were foraging and slightly further away a handful of Little Egrets along with a second Great White Egret.

Great White Egret Egretta alba with Little Egret Egretta garzetta in front and Common Tern and Black-headed Gull 

A few Great Crested Grebes were seen from the Buzzard Hide along with a rapidly disappearing, low Osprey; just the briefest of views.  At the far end of this track at the Lapwing Hide, overlooking the main expanse of the South Arm, there must have been hundreds of Tufted Duck along with more Great Crested Grebes, Canada Geese and Mute Swans.

A pair of Mute Swans Cygnus olor with their cygnet below

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And so back to the Feeding Station and car park but not before taking advantage of a visit to the observation room at the Visitors Centre overlooking lagoon 1.  Lots more of the same recorded, including more Cormorants, Moorhen, Coots, Tufted Ducks, Heron and Great White Egret plus a couple of Barn Swallows.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus guarding two of its four chicks

A stop at the the roadside near the water ingress point at Manton Bay was very productive.  Not so much the number of Great Crested Grebes and Little Egrets but the view of the Osprey nesting platform which held four chicks and an adult keeping watch from the camera mounting above the nest.

Not just Ospreys but a whole bunch of  Pochards Aythya ferina, Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula and Great Crested Grebes

Finally, a very quick stop at the Lyndon Visitors Centre and a walk through the busy picnic field at Normanton before continuing on our way back to Stamford.  And looking over the fields to Belton house the sight of a pair of soaring Red Kites and a single Buzzard.  Great way to spend the morning and with a total of 40 species.

Bird seen:
Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Great White Egret, Osprey, Red Kite, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Willow Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information