Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper at Toft Reservoir, Lincs. So nice to see one so close and not bothered by us at all.

Olympic Torch

Simon was very proud today to hold a genuine Olympic Torch. It made his day! It belonged to a good friend of ours who was lucky to be chosen as one of the torch bearers in our town.

Ferruginous Duck

Finally managed to catch up with this duck after visiting Far Ings 3 times - 3rd time lucky! Another new year tick for Karen bringing her 2012 tally to 217. This 'Big Year' hasn't been easy thats for sure.

There seemed to be a working party on the reserve. Pity they didn't cut the path back leading to Pursuit Hide which is just about unwalkable, or even cut the vegetation that totally blocks all views from the hide, the same as it does in the Miles Hopper hide. I suppose being able to view any birds from the birdhides is just not what the Lincs Trust is about.........now if it involved sheep that would be a different matter.

A text from the Donny Birders with 2 Pec Sands saw us dashing off into Yorkshire and then Notts to see these. Very distant but still another 2012 bird for Karen, making it 218.

Spoonbill

We had just said 'lets go home for tea' when this single spoonbill flew in. General feeling was this one was a different one to yesterdays bird, so these are simply passing through. Fabulous birds.

Little Egret

Approx 20 little egrets remain at Alkborough Flats still

Messingham sunset

With the harvest in full swing, the air is thick with dust and debris from the combines. Not very good for the hay fever but the polution makes a stunning sunset at Messingham Nature Reserve.

Alkborough Flats

15 Greenshank kept flying round, but didn't land anywhere near

Avocet numbers are still well over 500

The local peregrine usually flies through, hoping to catch a meal. No matter how ready you are with the camera, the fly by is so fast that it's over and done with before you realise.

Curlew at Alkborough Flats

The evening sun came out just as this curlew strolled infront of the hide.