The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Very pleased to have seen the White Billed Diver. It doesn't half move though! Parked at Stixwould and then had the 30 minute walk to catch up with it at Kirkstead Bridge, Thanks to all the birders who kept pointing me in the right direction with the "nearly there" encouragement.

Gripped back improbable loon today also 2 Whooper Swan, Green Sandpiper, 18 Goosander there - full list and images here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33990611



The record does defy probability, I agree that it seems most likely that the individual moved up the Witham from the Wash in search of 'deeper water' but inland WBDs are not exceptional in the states http://ebird.org/ebird/map/yebloo?neg=t ... 0&eyr=2017 There is a tendency to assume inland divers are 'lost' but I assume that many GNDs are simply returning to good inland water bodies year-on-year and unlike WBDs GNGs they are more associated with shallow water. GNDs in the states have to make huge overland migrations, typically migrating (sometimes in their thousands http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S4203770) very high up so I don't think 'turning' is a problem per se.

_________________
Dr Alexander C. Lees
Lecturer in tropical ecology
Manchester Metropolitan University

Lab Associate
Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
Cornell University

http://www.freewebs.com/alexlees/index.htm
@Alexander_Lees

Another thought - I never saw it obviously catch anything whilst I was there, nor have I seen pics of it with a fish in its beak - has it had much success?

_________________
Dr Alexander C. Lees
Lecturer in tropical ecology
Manchester Metropolitan University

Lab Associate
Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
Cornell University

http://www.freewebs.com/alexlees/index.htm
@Alexander_Lees

With reference to your query, Alex. I note that BWP states that Great Northern swallows small fish whilst still underwater. I don't know how small those fish would be, but I see no reason why White-billed should be any different in behaviour.

On the day I saw the diver it caught at least two fish which it ate on the surface, both appeared to be Ruffe.

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http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.com/

I suspect most fish are swallowed underwater. The 1996 individual at Tattershall clearly swallowed a fisherman's deadbait underwater. The angler hooked it whilst it was underwater and the treble hooks were swallowed right down past the throat.

Alan

Thanks all!

_________________
Dr Alexander C. Lees
Lecturer in tropical ecology
Manchester Metropolitan University

Lab Associate
Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
Cornell University

http://www.freewebs.com/alexlees/index.htm
@Alexander_Lees

Today, 1st Feb, at Tattershall Bridge, moving south at 13:50. Also Little Egret and Goosander present.

Regards,

C&S

Is there an assumption that the loon has departed or has no one covered the Witham from Boston north?