Monday 17 August 2020

Baston Gravel Pits, Lincolnshire

 Monday 17 August

Appointment in Market Deeping at 11.30 so time to make a quick call to Baston Gravel Pits on my way back to Stamford, a rather unexpected last minute birding visit especially as it was an almost clear sky, sunny and warm and no breeze.  But just twenty minutes to check out the western and eastern pools long with the entrance to the neighbouring, working, gravel pit.

Checking the eastern pool first lots of resting Greylag Geese, well over a 100 present.  Almost as many resting Lapwing and Coot, albeit some of the latter were out on the actual water itself.  Just the one juvenile Moorhen and a single Heron but over a score of feeding Mute Swans.  Lots of foraging Starlings to be found, mainly amongst the resting flocks.  On the water itself a small number of Tufted Duck and even fewer Mallards.  In amongst the resting flocks I also found a quartet of Little Egret and a couple of Common Tern.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

fewer birds on the western pool but five Little Grebes noted along with a few Mallard, Tufted Duck and Coot.  Another four Little Egret on the far bank and as many as a half-dozen Mute Swans.  Having noted the Black-headed Gulls, it was a joy to find a pair of both Common and Great Black-backed plus a trio of Herring Gulls.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Moving to the end of the road to turn towards Baston, apart from the occasional passing Wood Pigeon I also recorded a pair of Carrion Crows and the a charm of 15 Goldfinch on the wires.  Finally, circling above the working quarry, no sand martins but a lone Buzzard.  last birds of the day were the dozen Jackdaws feeding on the roadside grass a little further on.  


Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch.

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