Rutland Water

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Thursday 13 March 2014

Rutland Water

Back from over a month away from the UK on a New Zealand holiday and the first chance I have had since returning last Sunday to actually do a little birding.  What better way that on a bright, sunny morning following the clearing of early morning fog than to drop into my local patch at Rutland Water.

Male Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Fortunately the dry weather of the past week or more had dried out the paths so that, even had I not put on the walking boots, I might have survived in trainers.  On the other hand, there was no shortage of water with all the ponds looking decidedly full.  So much for waders; the only species seen were the wintering Lapwing and a pair of Avocet.  On the other hand, the corvids were out in full cry with numerous local Jackdaws and Rooks along with regular sightings of both Magpie and Carrion Crow.  Of the smaller birds, there seemed to be a great number of both Blackbirds and Robins about the reserve but the feeding station numbers were much lower than on previous visits.  But not to complain as I had a couple of male and a female Reed Bunting in residence.  When did I last see more Reed Buntings than either Goldfinch or Greenfinch?

Male Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Arriving just before 10am I sat in the car doorway putting on my boots when a dark shape shot out of nowhere into the bush in front of me.  Retrieving my bins from the back seat I scoured the bust just the other side of the fence but without success.  Assuming the bird had already disappeared, I stood up to take a closer look when she dashed off from almost under my feet; a very powerful looking female Sparrowhawk and a cracking stat to the visit.  Lots of feeding Blackbirds, Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws as I made my way down to the Visitors Centre and, during a very brief stop at the main feeding station, I picked up both Blue and Great Tits along with a female Reed Bunting.  Payment complete, I spent a little more time at the feeding station trying out the new lens, including shots of both Mallard and female Pheasant.

Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus all set for courtship display

Then it was off to the hides of lagoon 4 and 3.  All comparatively quiet compared with my last visit in January and most of the ducks seemed to have moved on.  Lagoon 4 provided a good number of Mute Swans along with both Canada and Greylag Goose.  A number of mallard but more Shelduck and then a pair of Avocet and a single Little Egret.  Also seen was a lone Pied Wagtail, the first pair of Great Crested Grebes and, of course, a fair number of Lapwing.  Lagoon 3 was no better with mainly Tufted Duck plus a few Goldeneye, Pochard and Gadwall along with more Great Crested Grebes.

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris

Making my way back to the start I then took a walk down to Lagoon 1 and this was even more disappointing, perhaps due to the on-going repair work which seemed to have disturbed the birds.  However, on my way back to the Visitors Centre I did chance to look up and see a lone Starling with a paler bird on the next branch.  Too big for a female Blackbird and closer inspection revealed a single Fieldfare.  Having already recorded a Song Thrush this only left Redwing and Mistle Thrush as the missing birds for the morning.

A trio of the hundreds of happily grazing Wigeon Anas penelope

Time to call it a day and head home via the Burley Fishponds and the Northern Arm.  At last I found the Wigeon flock which seem to have split into two sections with one on either side of the fishpond busy grazing the fields along with a solitary Egyptian Goose.  More Canada and Greylag Geese on the water plus a small number of Cormorant and the odd Heron.  Meanwhile, a quick walk down to the water’s edge overlooking the Northern Arm duly produced the already noted trio of Black-necked Grebes on the far bank in the company of a single Slavonian Grebe; very nice too.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus with Wigeon Anas penelope

So, along with the distant calling Great Spotted Woodpecker heard soon after my arrival at the site, that made a grand total of 47 species for the morning.  Great to be back amongst the birds again!

Male Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

 

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.

Rutland Water

Thursday 30 January 2014

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major

A dull and dismal start to the day with the promise of the weather getting even worse!  But the last chance to visit the local site at Rutland Water so off early and passing Collared Dove, Rook and Little Owl on the way.  Arriving just before 9.30, and greeted by a pair of Egyptian Geese, at least it was dry, if somewhat cold at only 2C, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the far nut supply at the feeding station.  On the opposite holder both a single Greenfinch and Goldfinch were taking on food and, nearer to me, a constant movement of both Blue and Great Tits.  A female Peacock worked the ground below and there were numerous Jackdaws and a few Common Starlings moving around whilst, in the field behind me, a dozen Blackbirds were feeding on the wet grass.

Into the warmth of the Visitors' Centre to check out the water in front and see what was new in the "In Focus" shop; a rather lovely Opticron mini-scope (MM3) with ED glass and a zoom lens just on the market complete with carry-on case and tripod for a £449 introductory offer was very tempting.  Meanwhile, outside when it was possible to see anything through the gloom, scores of Lapwings were resting on all the available islands along with Mallards and a few Pintail.  Closer inspection revealed both Teal and Shoveler along with a single Cormorant, Black-headed Gulls and Moorhens.  Three Mute Swans swam into view and then the first of a pair of Tufted Duck along with a handful of Wigeon, a similar number of Coot and a single Gadwall.

Blue Tit  Parus caerulous

At this point I noticed that it was not just raining heavily but there was a "solid" look to the wet stuff and realised that the light rain had turned to sleet.  No point in the long walk up to the Lagoon 4 and the resulting soaking; why pick up a chill just before flying south to New Zealand, so I headed back to the car with a brief stop at the feeding station which duly produced both Chaffinch and Robin along with another Dunnock.

Dunnock  Prunella modularis

A final, brief stop at the top lane to check out the Northern Arm confirmed that the water was very high and very little bird life about.  That which could be seen through the snow included a couple more Tufted Ducks and Mallards along with a small number of Canada Geese and a pair of Great Crested Grebes.  The same was true at the dam where the only recognisable bird through the now settling wet snow was a single Pochard.  So, back in the car and home a few minutes after 11am having actually recorded 33 species in the short, wet time.

As can be seen, the light was awful so only record shots taken and even these are destined for the rubbish bin!

Birds seen:
Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose,Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing,  Black-headed Gull, Little Owl, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Back to Rutland Water

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Another calm day, the calm before the storm as it turned out, so off early to Rutland Water for the morning arriving at the North Arm just before 9.30.  A little cloud in the sky but very quickly clearing to become bright and sunny even if somewhat cold.  As I said above, come today and it is blowing a gale and I would certainly not have even attempted a visit!  But, duty called and i was determined to see if the Long-tailed Duck I missed last Wednesday might still be present.

A pair of the numerous Wigeon Anas penelope at Rutand Water

Lots of duck on the water as I arrived having already recorded all the "black birds" of Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and lots of male Blackbirds plus numerous Magpies.  Mute Swans were immediately obvious and this is the water which, at present, seems to be home for the numerous Coots along with a good smattering of Moorhens.  The predominate duck was still the Wigeon but also a few Mallard and the odd Shoveler.  Work with the bins and scope duly revealed both Gadwall and Teal along with numerous Cormorants and many Egyptian Geese.  A walk to the far end of the lane to look at the main water eventually produced a distant view of the sought-after Long-tailed Duck and I even picked up the three Black-necked Grebes that had been present for the past few weeks.  Not to forget that there were also plenty of Great Crested Grebes about along with a handful of Grey Herons a solitary Little Egret.  Apart from the ducks there was a flock in excess of 200 Lapwings resting on the far bank plus a small number of Tufted Duck on the water in front.  Immediately in front of me a lone Pied Wagtail was feeding and I decided it was time to make my way round to the main entrance, pay my entrance fee and explore the feeders and inner lagoons, etc.

Time for this Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus to stretch a wing

Just as I set off a little Wren dashed across the road and my first Robin of the day seem to wave me off on my very short journey.  Lots of Jackdaws and Wood Pigeons in the car park area and my first Redwing of the morning along with more Blackbirds.  The feeders were being visited by mainly Blue and Great Tits along with Chaffinches, Greenfinches and a small number of Goldfinches.  Below the feeders, the usual handful of Mallard and a couple of hen Peacocks.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris

Working my way over to Lagoon 2 I came across one of the reserve's ringers and just in time to watch him process a Marsh Tit.  Was this to be my only sighting?  Fortunately no as upon returning to the car park at the end of my visit a final check on the feeding station not only produced a "flying wild" specimen but also more Robins and a single Dunnock.

A call at the Redshank Hide seemed, initially, to be a waste of time and the departing birder informed me that nothing was about.  I was all set to leave a few minutes later when I thought I would have just one more concentrated look at the gullies as this was where my friend Ron recorded his Water Rail the previous Wednesday.  Was that a Moorhen walking out of the reed into the muddy gully?  No, it certainly was not.  The Water Rail was still about and quite content to feed out in the open.  The only down side was that i was looking directly into the sun and the bird was in the shade.  How clear the photos will be will be decided at the end when Lightroom gets to work on the original RAW shots.

That very elusive and shy bird, the Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

Then it was on to Lagoon 4 which was very full and contained relatively few birds.  mainly Mute Swans but a few Teal and, of course, I managed to pick up  pair of Shelduck along with the Black-headed Gulls.  So on to the Buzzard Hide overlooking Lagoon 3.  Again, lots of duck and Great Crested Grebes on the water despite the chaps undertaking some maintenance work on one of the nearby rafts. On the other hand, as soon as the completed their work the ducks seemed to quickly move in.  On the open war the front of a few Goldeneye and the the Smews on the far side were disturbed and flew around and immediately over the heads of those in this hide.  We even found a small party of Common Pochards and a number of Pintails. A Goosander put in a fly-by appearance at close quarters.

Redshank Tringa totanus

On the muddy wastes in front and to the side of the hide a couple of Redshanks were busy feeding as were a small number of Teal.  A pair of Egyptian Geese were also in close proximity.  Meanwhile, the steep bank at the side of Lagoon 4 had produced a dozen feeding Meadow Pipits to go with the handful of Pied Wagtails at the neighbouring water.  There were small flocks of Common Starlings in the area and then it was time to start the return journey to the Centre and neighbouring car park.  Along with a single Fieldfare seen from the Osprey Hide I also recorded more Redwings and a few feeding Long-tailed Tits high in the canopy of the trees to the left.

Scaup Aythya marila and with Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula below

Leaving the car park I returned in an anti-clockwise direction to take a look at both Manton centre and the dam.  The former was closed but I could see large numbers of both Greylag and Canada Geese on the opposite bank.  At the dam I may not have found the promised Red-breasted Merganser but in with the Tufted Ducks I could see a couple of Scaup.  Add on both Little and Great Crested Grebe and I was almost "birded out" but, right at the end, a rather lovely Green Woodpecker left its feeding area on the grass verge and flew across the road immediately in front of the car.  Wonderful birding and a total of 53 species recorded.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus

Pintail  Anus acuta

Teal Anus crecca

 
Birds seen:
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Smew, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

 Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.

Late November at Rutland Water

Wednesday 27 November 2013

The first winter Redwing

A rather pleasant start to the day with a little warm sunshine, calm and some broken cloud; a perfect day for a birding visit to my local patch, nearby Rutland Water.  So all packed up and ready to try out the recently service Canon 400mm f5.6 prime lens, I was at the car park in time to meet up with long-time birding friend, Ron Gregory from Wigston, Leicester. As I put on my walking boots I was conscious of the local Jackdaws all around me a long with a male Blackbird but, best of all, a small number of feeding Redwings, gorging themselves n the masses of berries around the edge of the car park.

I had already seen both Rook and Crow along with a Magpies as I drove alongside the site through Egleton and now it was a question of checking out the main feeding station to see what small birds were currently in residence.  Sad to say, only Chaffinch, Great and Blue Tits along with a hen Pheasant and a pair of Mallards.  However, checking in again on the return journey produced, in addition, Robin, Dunnock, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.

Disatnt Smew at Rutland Water

Off to Lagoon 4 and the Dunlin Hide to check on the numerous wildfowl that were reported to be present.  Small flocks of Common Starlings and the occasional Redwing plus a foraging male Blackcap as we made our way along the track plus numerous Wood Pigeons.  On arrival there were a good number of Mute Swans to be seen plus a variety of ducks in small numbers.  Mallard, Shoveler, Wigeon, Pochard and Shelduck were all recorded along with a sizeable flock of lapwing.  Cormorants were also resting in the area and a Pied Wagtail came to land at the base of the Osprey’s nesting pole.  Overhead and around the water all three local gulls, Black-headed, Lesser Back-backed and Herring Gull, were observed.

Female (above) and male (below) Goldeneye at Rutland Watr

Moving over to lagoon 3 to the Shoveler Hide we duly reached the mass of the ducks.  Here, not only a repeat of those already seen with scores, especially, of Wigeon, but at least three Smew, scores of Teal, a good number of Pintail, a pair of Goosander and a few Goldeneye.  Both Little and Great-crested Grebe were recorded along with many Moorhens and a couple of Grey Herons.  A single female Red-crested Pochard was glimpsed.  From the Buzzard Hide we also saw a Sparrowhawk dash past low against the top of the reeds.  Both Lagoons had produced a few Egyptian Geese but it was this latter water that produced the first Greylag Goose.  From the Buzzard Hide we also got our first good views of Tufted Duck.

A lovey pair of Teal

 

The return journey took in some of the hides overlooking Lagoon 2 and from the Osprey Hide Ron managed to pick out the very brief appearance of a Water Rail that crossed the muddy waste and into the thick reed at the edge.  Also from this hide we managed to pick up our first wader, other than the large flocks of Lapwing, with a lone Redshank.  The final walk back to the car park did produce a couple of Fieldfare and then it was a brief stop at the North Arm to check-out the Fishponds for the reported Long-tailed Ducks.  Unfortunately, no luck but we did find a Black-necked Grebe and a single Greenshank along with hundreds of Coots, scores of Wigeon and a great variety of other ducks and Grey Herons.  Canada Geese as well as Greylags were feeding on the edges on adjacent grasses.  Time to go home, late again, for lunch with the ladies having finally recorded 53 species in the approximate three hours.

One of three Goosander seen on Lagoon 4 at Rutland water

Other sightings at Rutland Water:

 

 

 

From the top:
Redwing
Egyptian Goose
Pintail
Great Crested Grebe with is recntly caught mid-moring snack!
 
Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, Smew, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Heron, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Greenshank, redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Gull, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

An assortment of wildfowl on the Fishpond of the Northern Arm at Rutland Water but no Long-tailed Duck

Eyebrook and Rutland Water

Monday 19 August 2013

My last full day in Stamford, Lincolnshire before returning to Spain so what better way to spend the morning than driving over to the two main reservoirs on the Rutland/Lincolnshire border, Eyebrook and Rutland Water.  Leaving just after 9 am and travelling via Caldecott, where I had the great delight in seeing a gorgeous male Hen Harrier fly across the road in front of me as I approached the village, I was, after a short stop in the above village, at Eyebrook by 10.15.  The weather was warm and sunny with a little cloud and, on arriving, there were many birds on the water albeit not overcrowded with, also, a number of fishing boats out on the deeper water.

A pair of Mute Swans Cygnus olor surrounded by Mallards Anus platyrhnchos and Coots Fulica atra

Having checked out all the mallards with a few Coots alongside and Moorhens nearer the shore, I then scanned down towards the shallow end.  A few Little Egrets about but certainly a good number of Mute Swans and a a dozen or more resting Cormorants.  One Grey Heron on the near bank and another handful on the far side whilst, overhead, a few Black-headed Gulls were to be seen along with fewer Barn Swallows.  As I looked I discovered more and more Great Crested Grebes and then a large flock of Lapwing flew in to settle further up the water.

Incoming Lapwing Vanellus vanellus flock

With a stop further along the road and again opposite the end of the reservoir, I was able to pick out a couple of Common Sandpiper underneath the far bank and, above, the first of a handful of Common Terns appeared in the sky to continue their fishing expedition.  A small flock of Rooks was  seen moving across the far side and then crossed over the water towards me which then revealed a pair of Crows behind me.  At the same time, there was a continuous movement of Wood Pigeons and I even had a small flock of Common Starlings feeding between the, now landed, Lapwings and a good sized flock of Greylag Geese.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone corone

On to the end of the reservoir and a drive along and back the far side confirmed more Little Egrets and a small number of Tufted Duck along with a single Shelduck.  A couple of hen Pheasants made for a pleasant change and on returning to my original parking spot I was greeted by a Kingfisher with what appeared to be something small (fish?) in its beak.

Record shot of Kingfisher Alcedo atthis complete with his lunch

Time to move on and the shortest way back to Stamford was via Rutland Water so point missing out here.  First a stop on the road bridge over the inlet at the end of Manton Bay which, apart from disturbing a small charm of Goldfinches, revealed a pair of Ospreys resting on their nest platform.  Below them the water was very much depleted since my last visit in barely six weeks ago but there were still Cormorants to be seen and, on the exposed muddy flats either side of the inlet, a small number of Pied Wagtails and a single Grey Wagtail.   On the other side of the bridge I saw my first Tortoiseshell butterfly plus a good number of, presumably, Small White butterflies, having been told to stop calling them "Cabbage Whites" by my friend Steve Powell!

Ospreys Pandion haliaetus at nest, Rutland Water.  And is that a youngster peeking out?

Then it was on round to Birdwatching Centre where much activity was on-going as the large band of volunteer helpers assisted with the clear-up from the past three days Bird Fair.  Lots of activity at the feeding station with good numbers of young birds as well as adult Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinches, Greenfinches and Goldfinches.  A pair of Collared Doves was also making the most of the free food available and before long they had been joined by a single Robin.  However, the best sight was the eventual arrival of a single marsh Tit - but not long enough to get a photograph on this occasion.

Move over baby Blue Tit Parus caeruleus, Great Tit Parus major arriving

 The arrival of the finches:

Male Chaffinch Fringillacoelabs

Male Greenfinch Carduellis chloris

Reflecting Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Finally, leaving Egleton I found the resident Jackdaws in the first field whilst, on Burley Fishponds, in addition to the Greylag Geese, were at least a dozen Egyptian Geese and, on the far side, a flock of Canada Geese.  As they say, everything comes to he who waits and as I left the area near Empingham I duly recorded my first Red Kite of the day.  So, back home well before 2pm having recorded 37 species.

Small White Pieris rapae butterfly

 

Birds seen:
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Osprey, Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Barn Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information.

Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire

Thursday 15 August 2013

Back in Stamford for a week so that I can attend the twenty-fifth British Bird Fair at Rutland Water; my local patch being a mere ten miles to the west.  So, with jobs done and time to spare before Friday's visit, I decided to carry on to Frampton Marshes on the outskirts of Boston once was doctor's appointment had bee satisfactorily concluded, arriving  a few minutes before 11 am.  Had it not been for long delays on the A16 due to road repairs I would have been on site thirty minutes earlier.  Clear, warm weather and a slight wind with a little more coming in off the Wash on arrival.  In addition, i was once again able to use my old Panasonic FZ50 camera and experiment with RAW images.

Little Ringed Plover  Charadrius dubius

Driving down the lane I was greeted by Collared Does and an odd Chaffinch and then, with the car parked up, I was able to take in the good numbers of waders and water birds about.  Immediately in front of me good numbers of Little Ringed Plovers and plenty of Lapwings but the predominate waders were Black-tailed Godwits and Ruffs.  Both of these were an absolute delight with many still in their breeding plumage, so lots of red to be sen everywhere.  Indeed, the Ruffs seemed to range on colour from a deep mustard colour to almost pure white such was the range of moult.  The other wader that could be seen n good numbers was the Golden Plover and, again, it was lovely to see the, almost, summer plumage.

One of very many Ruff  Philomachus pugnax

Out on the water in front of the Visitors' Centre I could count a small number of Little Egret along with a few Mallards.  A small number of Moorehen were busy feeding nearby and a Water Rail had been spotted a few minutes before my arrival.  House Sparrows were scavenging around the Centre and a good number of Swallows could be seen feeding over the nearby waters and fields.  Leaving a pair of Common Sandpipers to continue feeding I made my way down to the high bank to look out over the marsh.  Plenty of Mute Swans to be seen along with a large flock of Canada Geese and the odd Greylag Goose.  A small family of Coots was in the ditch as I arrived at the steps.  Over the marsh the occasional Black-headed Gull was observed and as I made my way back I was able to watch a lone Meadow Pipit feeding on the grassy edges and came across a small family of Goldfinches including many juveniles without the recognisable red face.

Avocet  Recurvirostra avosetta

Out on the pools I then had a number of Avocet and small flocks of Common Starlings along with a considerable number of resting Cormorants.  Spending time at the 360 Hide and its near neighbour I took great delight in watching the large numbers of Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwits, Ruffs and Lapwings. At least a dozen Little Egrets were at this site and then the pleasure of both an overflying Curlew and a single Knot.  Nearer the hide a pair of female juvenile Yellow Wagtails (M.f.flavisima) and a flock of approximately twenty Linnets, many still showing much summer colouring.  Also in the water was a small flock of plain Teal and then a trio of Greenshanks.  Whilst at the 360 Hide I had a single Snipe feeding in front of me along with many more Little ringed Plovers and many, many butterflies immediately in front of me, mainly Peacocks but also some Large Whites.  The neighbouring hide also added a pair of Dunlin to the morning's list.  My final bird was a female Tufted Duck along with a quintet of small ducklings.

Lovely to see so many Peacock Butterflies Inachis io

As I left Frampton marsh o take the relatively short drive over to Frieston I had first  a female Marsh Harrier fly low over the field to my left and then across the road immediately in front of me which certainly get the local Rock Doves up into the air from the corn field where they had been feeding.  There were a couple of Wood Pigeons followed by a male Blackbird, Carrion Crows and Rooks before leaving the village itself.

Frieston itself was very disappointing with just a small number of House Sparrows and Starlings plus the occasional Black-headed Gull.  A walk down the track towards the marshes then revealed a pair of Moorhen and a small group of ten Black-tailed Godwits.  From the hide I was also able to find a pair of Oystercatchers and a couple of Shovelers and the return walk produced both female Blackbird and Chaffinch along with a single Magpie.

Part of the flock of Canada Geese Branta canadensis heading towards the hide like a squadron of WWII Wellingtons 

 

So, with a final count of 41 species I made my way home via Spalding.

Birds seen:
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Snipe, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Blackbird, Magpie, Crow, Rook, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet.