The Lincolnshire Bird Club

At 1110 I found a stunning male Blue-winged Teal in the company of a pair of Mallard on a small pool in the dunes just south of the southernmost RAF look-out post known as Quad 3. They flew across to the nearby flashes and after I put the news out the bird was ultimately seen by several other observers into the afternoon. Range of grid references TF 441977-440975. Best point of access at Howden's Pullover, north of Saltfleet, and a long walk northwards along the sea-bank. There are quite a few bodies of water in the general area.
Other birds of note in the wild conditions included a female Hen Harrier, 3 Common Buzzards, a Merlin, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Corn Bunting, Twite, 180 Linnets and 4 Tree Sparrows. A Red-throated Diver flew north at sea.

As well as Steve's great find, a rather brisk walk from Stonebridge to the flashes S of Quad 3 also produced:

3 LRP's got up from the flashes together
3 Green Sandpipers together between Quad 2 & Quad 3
1 Yellow Wagtail over at Stonebridge

+ a thanks to all those who let me know about the Blue-winged Teal - cracking bird!

Regards

Chris

Still present today around TF440975, but elusive. Also a short-eared owl hunting just north of Howden's car park around 11.00

Geoff

Additional species at the south end this morning included 3 Green Sandpipers, Lapwing, 2 Redwings, Wheatear, 8 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Swallows, 4 Twite, 3 Common Buzzards and a Hen Harrier.

No sign of Blue-winged Teal this evening, 1730 till 1900. On the walk back to Howden's Pullover two Short-eared Owls hunting the marsh and a Barn Owl inland.
Three Ring Ouzels flew from a lone hawthorn inland towards Lakeside at 1945.

Regards,

Mark

The Blue-winged Teal is still present, but at times, elusive. This morning I found it with a small party of Teal on pools on the outmarsh, so like its congeners, it was wild and flighty. They resorted to the flashes and remain in the same general area as before.
Fewer migrants were seen in the strengthening wind, hence 4 Chiffchaffs and singles of Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Ring Ouzel and Wheatear. Different to the bird of recent days, a 3rd cy male Hen Harrier flew NW.

Could this be one of the "Lincoln Three" returning ?

Phil

Had very good views of the BWT yesterday evening - but only thanks to good local knowledge from Mark & Sally Johnson.
Much appreciated - thank you - and nice to meet you both.

Also present:-

Short Eared Owl
Swallow
Male Ring Ouzel
Green Sandpiper

I was unable to locate the Blue-winged Teal today (with Roger Labbett and Mark Quigley). It may be around though, knowing just how elusive it can be. Highlights were 19 Swallows, 3 Wheatears, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Common Whitethroats, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard and Peregrine.

Incredibly, after a gap of five days, I flushed the drake Blue-winged Teal just after midday. It is in the same general area as before, but despite reasonable numbers of other duck species, it was keeping to itself. It flew across to the flashes by the sea-bank, then returned to thick vegetation on the original pool. I tried to creep round behind some bushes for better views, but when I looked again, it had departed unseen, probably back to the flash.

Blue-winged Teal (photo in album) was again on pools on the outmarsh this evening. Other birds of note two Greenshank, four Snipe, Common Buzzard, Short-eared Owl and our first Cuckoo.

Regards

Mark and Sally

I did the long three and a half hour round trip (for me) from Howdens Pullover to Quad Three this morning, worth it though as had good views of the Blue-winged Teal thanks to Steve Lorand, it was on a small pond on the MOD land generally hiding behind a bush. Also had a Cuckoo calling, a Rough- legged Buzzard or a look alike (SL says a very pale Buzzard has been around), 2 normal Buzzards, 1 Short-eared Owl, 6 Greenshank and 2 Wheatear which were my first of the year for Lincs!
Geoff

With reference to the Rough-legged Buzzard I reported earlier I see that RBA are also reporting a juvenile which flew over Crook Bank Saltfleetby at 11:15, presumably the same bird.
Geoff

The Blue-winged Teal is still present in the same general area. I heard it call for the first time, a single very soft "kweep" as it flew out of some reeds. Otherwise, things were rather quiet.

The blue-winged Teal was still present yesterday evening

Other Highlights

1 Short Eared Owl
2 Cuckoo
2 Greenshank
1 Grasshopper Warbler

Last night was first time I've walked from Howden's pullover to Quad 3 and I'll be doing it more often fantastic habitat!

_________________
http://anthonybentleywildlifephotography.blogspot.com/

UK life list 310 (Harlequin Duck)
Lincolnshire List 246 (Puffin)
Village (Brigsley) list 99 (Shelduck)

Thanks Anthony