The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Had a nostalgic trip to see the Cattle Egret. Had been showing well in front of the visitor centre. By the time we got there (wife wanted to go shopping in Newark ) it had moved to the right but still reasonable views.
Nostalgic - because I took my then young son to see the one in 93 and that was a mega twitch. Today it barely raised an eyebrow - sad really - but at least I enjoyed it.

Also my first Swift of the year en route and Osprey at Manton.

Hugh

I must have just missed you, Hugh, as I spent two hours in the Anglian Water Birdwatching Hide (upstairs) from 1.00 - 3.00pm today.....unless you came up and didn't notice me sitting away to the right.
After a morning of shopping in Lincoln (Lidl's), walking the dog, etc. I thought I was due a bit more adventure so I drove over to see the reported Cattle Egret. (Admittedly, Lidl's itself can be quite an adventure at times especially when one notices an occasional less discerning customer deciding that certain items on sale fit far better in the inside Anorak pocket rather than in the shopping trolley.)
Cattle Egret - The bird showed more or less continuously away to the right in a field of cattle (what else!) including one massive black bull, plus with grazing Canada and Grey-lag Geese and a lone Pink-footed. It was still showing well when I left at 3.00pm. (One may have had better views from Mallard Hide.)

Garganey - drake
Mediterranean Gull - 2nd year bird
both of these birds, which were showing well in front of the Hide, distracted birders' attention on and off from the Cattle Egret.
plus incl :
Yellow Wagtail
Common Tern - 8
Shelduck
Shoveler
Gadwall
GC Grebe
Cormorant
Sand Martin - dozens
Swift

(Over-flying Honey Buzzard reported earlier and a 2nd drake Garganey.)

Regards,

Freddy

Was only there from 11 for 30 minutes in the downstairs(free bit).Didn't get chance to see much else what with a fair few folk about, trying to get my scope valued for an upgrade sometime, and a wife saying ' now you've seen it can we go?'.Got to keep on the right side as my new scope will hopefully be an early birthday present and as the birthday isn't til Jan and I could do with the scope asap I have to be especially nice.

Hugh