The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Time - 14:05 - 16:45

Weather - Apocalyptic most of the time. VERY dark skies for most of the time there. 1 torrential downpour.

First visit in about three weeks bought one hyperactive reaction and a lifer which brings my life list up to 131. During the downpour I met two Lincoln-based fans of mine in the hide! Hello Fans!

What was the hyperactive reaction for, I hear you ask? Yes, it's the predictable sharp intake of breath, the usual 'oh my God' and crazed grin on seeing a BARN OWL!

The lifer added was FIELDFARE. 2 of them sitting on the handrail up to the flood bank, and another one flew past the hide during the rain. The poor light didn't hinder my positive I.D... I must be getting better!!!!

Other sightings:

9 Little Grebes together, in winter plumage. The largest accumulation of them that I'd seen.
Mixed flock of Canada and Greylag Geese.
1 Barnacle Goose
15 Shelduck
20 Wigeon
5 Teal
1 Oystercatcher
Usual Mallards

2 Dunlin
1 Grey Plover
50 Lapwings
4 Redshank
2 Black-tailed Godwits

Usual Black-headed Gulls
5 Herring gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

5 Magpies

1 Pied Wagtail
Flock of Goldfinches over hide
Many Starlings
5 House Sparrows
2 Tree Sparrows
5 Blackbirds

Usual Woodpigeons and Collared Dives on way there
5 Pheasants in fields.

May be doing a morning's birdwatching (Yes, you heard right, a MORNING'S birdwatching - what's come over me?) at Frampton Marsh sometime this week - anyone want to come with me or meet me there?

Looks like you had a good day Katherine - an enjoyable read - I finally made it down to Frieston on Friday to green tick the Barnacle Goose and perhaps to see a Twite but no joy. Anyway the Barnacle puts me on Lincs BOU 228 species non BOU 232 for 2007 - only 7 more weeks to go for me this year so I hope for a few more green ticks yet.

Ed, the Twite are back at Frampton now. The best bet is to watch the track from the car park to the sea bank as they often come in to perch on the fence there and drink from the puddles.

Cheers,

Paul