South Lincolnshire Patching (1 Viewer)

[J Jones]

Sunday 29th April
Weather: overcast and cold at first, but clearing to leave sunshine later, moderate NE breeze

Rather inevitably, today's talking point were Bar-tailed Godwits - 5 were seen by Mike Weedon early on but moved on, and then two more were located late afternoon. All were on the New Workings.

Greenshanks also featured, with one present from recent days in the morning, and then two on the New Works late afternoon. A third bird also flew through mid-evening.

Other odds and sods included the two female Wheatears still, the two Pink-footed Geese, and a Barnacle Goose.

 

[J Jones]

Monday 30th April
Weather: sunny, mild, cool E wind

Certainly not the heatwave predicted last week, but there is no doubt that large quantities of birds are on the move.

There were no waders at all early morning, as Mike Weedon did the pits some time before 08:00 and saw nothing. I arrived at around 08:10 in a brief visit before school, and by that time there were 3 male Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Greenshanks, a Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper all on the New Workings.

This evening, four Arctic Terns dropped in at 20:29. They flew in in a tightly-packed group from the SW, and joined large numbers of Black-headed Gulls over the old wader scrape. The Barwits and Greenshanks were still present on the New Workings, and had been joined by a moulting adult Dunlin.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring!

 

[J Jones]

Tuesday 1st May
Weather: sunny, cool E wind

Despite the sunshine, birds were again good, with the highlight being 2 Little Gulls - an adult and a 2CY. A female Wheatear also remained from last week's arrival. Lesser Whitethroats have increased to an excellent 5 singing males, and at least two Turtle Doves and a Cuckoo were also noted this evening.

Waders on the the New Works today:

Bar-tailed Godwit: 2 still from yesterday but flew NE at 19:20
Greenshank: 2 still from yesterday but flew NE at 19:20
Redshank: 3 new-in today but flew NE at 19:20
Dunlin: 1 moulting bird from yesterday still
Common Sandpiper: 1 yesterday's bird still
Snipe: 1 new-in
Little Ringed Plover: 2

May 1st generally produces some good birds, so today's stuff was not entierly unexpected - still, another good evening down the pits. A few record shots attached.

 

[J Jones]

Wednesday 2nd May
Weather: overcast at first but sunny later, moderate E wind

Reports today included the adult Little Gull still around, today on the New Workings, and 2 new Greenshanks also on the New Workings.

 

[J Jones]

Thursday 3rd May
Weather: overcast early morning, sunshine afternoon then overcast again by evening. Moderate E wind

A new (and seemingly oiled) Dunlin on the New Works this evening, also yesterday's two Greenshanks still, a Common Sandpiper still and at least 4 Little Ringed Plovers.

A drake Shoveler was a notable May record, new in on the New Works.

 

[J Jones]

Friday 4th May
Weather: overcast, moderate NE wind

The two Greenshanks were still present on the New Works this morning - not alot else.

 

[J Jones]

Monday 7th May
Weather: showers and sunny spells, mild at times, moderate W wind

Little Gull 1 adult still on New Works
Pink-footed Goose 2 still
Common Buzzard 4
Hobby 3+
Shelduck 1
LRP 2
Ringed Plover 2
Lesser Whitethroat 7
Garden Warbler 11

 

[J Jones]

Tuesday 8th May
Weather: overcast, some bright spells, blustery showers, W wind

The adult Little Gull remains on the New Works, where a Dunlin was new-in. The two Pink-footed Geese remain in the adjacent field, along with a Barnacle Goose.

Late news for yesterday: a pair of adult Long-tailed Tits feeding at least four fledged juveniles already, by ARC Pit.

 

[SueBryan]

Hi Josh
I thought you would be on your way to see Albert Ross !
They have obviously had a good cetacean watch too!
Sue

 

[J Jones]

Hi Josh
I thought you would be on your way to see Albert Ross !
They have obviously had a good cetacean watch too!
Sue

To be honest I didn't quite fancy the idea of year-old gen, and the RBA trip was a little pricey with a nasty deposit on top... we will see what happens regarding the 'ross....

 

[J Jones]

Wednesday 9th May
Weather: overcast with drizzle, light SW wind

Very quiet today. A drake Shoveler was new-in on the New Works and later flew over Grummit's Scrape. 3 Barnacle and 1 Pink-footed Goose by the New Works. Several Gadwall remain around the site.

 

[Brian Stone]

Tuesday 8th May
Late news for yesterday: a pair of adult Long-tailed Tits feeding at least four fledged juveniles already, by ARC Pit.

Interestingly a ringer at Bainton caught a well-fledged juvenile on 6th May. This is 3 weeks earlier than any previous juv for him.

 

[J Jones]

Thursday 10th May
Weather: overcast, brisk SW wind, showers by evening

The only report today consisted of 4 Dunlin were on the New Works this morning. A promising count given tallies in recent times (usually only see ones and twos).

 

[J Jones]

Friday 11th May
Weather: sunny spells, moderate W wind, rain by nightfall

A brief scan of the New Works late afternoon produced the adult Little Gull (not seen since 8th), but little else.

 

[J Jones]

Saturday 12th May
Weather: sunny spells, some showers, moderate W wind

The adult Little Gull remains on the New Workings, also 2 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper there, and a Pink-footed Goose in the adjacent field.

A Spotted Flycatcher was calling and showing in the shelter belt by the crossroads. c200 Swifts were around the complex.

 

[J Jones]

Sunday 13th May
Weather: bright early on, heaving rain midday - mid evening, overcast and cool after, moderate SE wind

Days like today are either superb or absolutely rubbish for birds. Sadly today was the latter, despite the promising conditions. I could muster little more than 2 Gadwall, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Redshank....

 

[J Jones]

14th May
Strong N wind with rain a.m, slowly clearly to leave a bright evening with a light SE

1 Garganey (drk)
1 Med Gull (2CY)
1 Little Gull still
2 Dunlins
3 Common Sandpipers
1 Wheatear (male)
1 kite sp N at c15:50
1 Buzzard
3 Shelducks
1 Teal (drk)

 

[J Jones]

15th May
Rain a.m, clearing to leave a sunny and bright afternoon

Much quieter today. Adult Little Gull still. 1 Snipe dropped in on the New Works at 09:10.

 

[J Jones]

16th May
Overcast with light showers

Apologies for brief updates of late - currently revising for the looming AS exams. Little Gull and Common Sand still present on New Works.

Baston & Langtoft site almost up and running:

www.geocities.com/baston_langtoft

Let me know what you think...

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

16th May
Overcast with light showers

Apologies for brief updates of late - currently revising for the looming AS exams. Little Gull and Common Sand still present on New Works.

Baston & Langtoft site almost up and running:

www.geocities.com/baston_langtoft

Let me know what you think...

Best of luck with the exams. Site looks nice - beautiful Garganey - is it still there and where is it generally hanging out? Still needed for the year list (as is Common Sand - somewhat embarrasingly).