I should have been going this morning to my Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society Open Day at the Road Transport Museum Lincoln, but I couldn't resist driving over first to Syston near Leicester for the reported Red-rumped Swallow. A mini surprise on arrival at the stake-out at Wanlip Road Pit (opposite " The Hope and Anchor " pub ) was that the bird was mixed in with c50 other hirundines - (Barn) Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins. However, the' longer- looking' tail streamers,stiffer flight and pale buff rump made it a relatively easy target except when there were trees as a background. I found binoculars were much easier to track the bird with than the 'scope. I was there from 10.40 - 11.10 with 25-30 other birders and the bird was still over the Pit as I left. On arrival back in Lincoln, I enjoyed the Whisby Road Vintage Vehicle Museum and half a dozen Vintage Bus rides - all with uniformed bus conductors/conductresses.
NB (If the bird stays around) it is an easy journey from the Lincoln area - A46 all the way..... C50 miles there, just over the hour and with no parking problems at the stake-out.
Regards,
Freddy
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