The Lincolnshire Bird Club

For those that might not yet have made the effort to get to the coast to see these birds I would urge that you do so with the minimum of delay! The views today were better than ever with both birds extremely tolerant of the human presence, indeed the Steppe Grey Shrike seems to seek out the people and is often at their feet as well as under and around the parked cars.
This is a first record for Lincolnshire and it may be a long time before we see another in the county.
The Desert Wheatear has found a little 'house' in the form of a half buried sheet of corrugated iron.
If there is a shower, or if the wind gets a bit strong, it tucks itself in under an arch in the metal and seems perfectly content. It now sits in one position for quite long periods so is very photogenic. When it first arrived it was dashing around frenetically searching for food, but it is now much more settled.

Roy.

Roy,
Thanks for the wake-up call! I went to see the two birding 'stars' today (Wednesday 12 Nov).

Steppe Grey Shrike
I accessed the stake-out via Alastair Carr's suggested Keyholme Lane route. I parked and walked towards the group of birders c150-200yds away. I had only gone some few yards when I almost collided with the Shrike exiting a ditch. (That saved a 100yd+= walk).
What a cracking bird and so indifferent to the presence of nearby birders - perching just a few yards away. That makes it a duo of 'Grey' Shrikes for me this Autumn :
Great Grey Shrike - Spurn September
Steppe Grey Shrike - Lincs November.

Desert Wheatear
I drove on to Saltfleet Haven for the Wheatear - again, remarkable for its total indifference to birders nearby.
An afternoon to remember!

Regards,

Freddy

Glad you had an enjoyable time Freddy!

Yes thanks Roy.Had planned to take a few hours off today to go and look especially as the weather was set fair.

Went for the Wheatear first having missed one years ago. Really good close up views.
Next to the Shrike and again good views.
Then down to Donna and saw the Glaucous Gull close in in flight and on the ground.Again good views.
Then along to Pyes and saw two Ring Ouzels.

What a cracking day!Saw some smashing birds and met some good folk.

Hugh

Thanks Roy, it was really worth it! Video of the Desert Wheatear here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8dPWQClIPg

Andrew

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Andrew Chick
Website: http://www.forktail.co.uk/

Hello Roy,

I, too, went in direct response to your prompt, the very next day to Saltfleet - and what a bird!
As you stated, it is well worth seeing. I also met some interesting people, including
some old faces from further afield. All in all, a good day and well worth the trip, which
I probably wouldn't have made without the prod from you. I had already been to see the
Shrike a couple of times - it was my car it went under and whose wing mirror it perched on
briefly whilst you were there last Sunday. Managed to get some reasonable shots of both
birds, which as stated, were more than obliging.

Many thanks,

Neil

It is good to know that you were all stimulated into action and that, after making the effort, you were not disappointed!
Let us hope that both birds stay around over the weekend so that they can bring pleasure to even more people.

Roy.

Even BirdGuides have taken my suggested route into account!

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Alastair Carr

Where there is a will, there is a way....

Alastair,

A belated thanks for your route suggestion. I met someone on 12 November who had taken the Horseshoe Point route (as suggested by eg 'Birdguides') and they reckoned it took them about an hour on foot for the return trip. Via Keyholme Lane and The Fitties , having parked, it took me less than 3 minutes to connect and my car was parked 1 minute's walk away!.
Thanks.

Regards,

Freddy

Glad to be of service. It's not many times I get to help people out. Normally, I have to do the opposite.

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Alastair Carr

Where there is a will, there is a way....