Confirmation that migration was underway was confirmed with a lone Swallow and a pair of Wheatears were seen at close quarters on the edge of the salt marsh, the days total ended on a respectable 52 species.
Finally, it was great to get out in the field with guests, I had previously met Mr and Mrs Jordan when giving a talk to the RSPB group at Oxford where they had indicated an interest to see what Lincolnshire had to offer. Mr Jordan had indicated his desire to get some wildlife photography completed on this trip, so we went in search of our subjects on this tailor made tour.
Having organised and booked their accommodation at the delightful Redhouse Farm it was just a short journey to pick them up. The weather had not been favourable for migration to be in full swing, with persistant winds holding birds up over the near continent. For our first day it was to the RSPB flagship reserve at Frampton which should supply a good mix of species. It certainly didn’t disappoint with a pair of Garganey on the flooded fields, in close attendance were over 40 Golden Plover which for me were my personal favourites of the day. With 13 species of wader being seen it was the male Ruff now coming into their various individual plumages that gave the Plovers a run for their money. A later viewed Spotted Redshank also vied for the pin up wader of the day award.
Confirmation that migration was underway was confirmed with a lone Swallow and a pair of Wheatears were seen at close quarters on the edge of the salt marsh, the days total ended on a respectable 52 species.
Our next day out would take us to central Lincolnshire hoping to connect with reptiles and birds. Moor Farm would be our venue where the Oak woodland was alive with early season birdsong, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Willow warblers, Great and Blue Tits with Tree Creeper also being seen. Probably a little too cold for our reptiles, however a slow worm was seen crossing one of the paths. A further visit to Kirkby Pits brought sightings of a mix of ducks with a distant view of a Red Kite which is always a good tick in central Lincolnshire.
Our third day out was technically just over the border into Nottinghamshire at RSPB Langford Lowfields, a gravel pit complex which is rapidly converting back to Nature with careful management. Certainly, the star of the show could be heard if not seen, yes you have guessed the booming call of the Bittern. Some of the spring warblers were back with Reed and Sedge being seen and heard in between bouts of the explosive, staccato calls of the many Cettis. After a mix of ducks all in their courtship livery we headed off to the carpark where a seed mix had been put on the ground this in turn attracted a mix of finches and buntings, with Linnets, Green, Chaff and Gold representing the former whilst Reed, Yellowhammer and some late staying Brambling put on a good show for the cameras before we headed off home.
"With a little luck, careful observation and patience a grand total of 94 species were seen over three days"
Although migration was yet to accelerate some species were already in their breeding attire and were just waiting for their journey to commence.
With a little luck, careful observation and patience a grand total of 94 species were seen over three days if the weather had been better maybe the magic century might have been surpassed
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