Red-backed Shrike

Went to see the Red-backed Shrike at Biggleswade meeting up with Robert N on the way. The bird showed well and we were able to get a few good shots. Managed to avoid the ensuing downpour!

Boston Boat Trip

On Saturday Gen, John, Pete and ourselves met up at Frampton Marsh before going into Boston for the afternoon Wash Boat Trip organised by South Lincs RSPB. Frampton was quiet , the best birds being a juvenile Hobby making a catch (seen at distance), Ruff, Sand Martins feeding young and Tree Sparrows on the feeders. There had been recent sightings of Montagu's Harrier and Osprey and were assured that there was every possibility of seeing them from the boat.

After lunch we went into Boston and joined another 45 passengers on the boat. The journey down the Witham and the Haven produced Swifts, Yellow and Pied Wagtails, Common Sandpipers, Common and Black-headed Gulls, Common Terns and views of a hunting MONTAGU'S HARRIER which was over the north-easterly corner of Frampton Marsh. At the mouth of the Haven there were Sandwich Terns, Ringed Plovers, Oystercatchers on the shingle bar and a large number of Little Egret on the northerly shore of the Wash. We travelled along the shore towards Frieston Shore and were lucky enough to find the Osprey perched on the rigging of a sunken boat. After getting as close as we dare, without putting the bird up, the boat turned about to travel along the mouth of the Welland viewing the large groups of waders on the Wash mudflats on our left which included, Curlew, Whimbrel, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover in summer plumage and Little Terns fishing in the river around the boat. We also had fantastic views of a Peregrine chasing a wader - a heart-stopping chase that ended with the wader escaping! When the boat turned around again the north banks of the Welland had Common Seals, Greater Black-backed Gulls, Little Egrets and hundreds of Oystercatchers.

The boat travelled along the Wash once more, the Osprey was still on it's perch! The return journey along the Haven and Witham revealed nothing new with the exception of a Turtle Dove sat on the mud bank and a Peregrine perched on the Boston Stump. Altogether a very enjoyable trip. 

Hooded Crow Norfolk

We went on trip to Cley in  Norfolk yesterday, we being Gen,John,Carolyn and myself. After an enjoyable few hours looking at all the waders for a Curlew Sandpiper (which we didn't find) a message came through of a Hooded crow not far away so we went for a look. After viewing it and getting this record shot it flew up and away .We left the area and went along the coast to Holme. On arrival we saw a Barn Owl which we viewed for a good 20 mins or so again I got a record shot.

After seeing the owl we walked along the boardwalk to take a look at the sea. There we found numerous Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwits, Sanderling, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Turnstones and Ringed Plover on the foreshore. Looking out to sea we saw a large group of gulls and terns which were being harassed by a couple of Arctic Skua and a Great Skua. Fantastic aerial displays were seen.