Having spent 4 hours on my patch this morning, highlight 1st Pintail of the winter, I had to return home to meet someone.
I walked back again afterwards and on entering the hide at the mere I met two photographers, Des & Barry, who were on their 1st visit to the mere.
One of them casually mentioned that they had had a flock of Spoonbills flying ESE over the mere and he showed me a distant photo at least 14 birds flying away, taken at 13:10.
In my shock I didn't think to ask hm for a copy of the photo.
If either of them read this or if anyone knows them I would very much appreciate a copy of this photo for my records as it is the first patch record.
They told me that they visit Alkborough, Far Ings & Blacktoft a lot.
My email is
a.c.sims@ntlworld.com