Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Wood Sandpiper at RSPB Titchwell Marsh

More from Bempton Cliffs

Kittiwakes
'Rock Doves'
Puffins
Wall Brown
Juvenile Tree Sparrow
Adult Tree Sparrow

Monday, August 11, 2014

Bempton Cliffs: Gannets

Red-backed Shrike, Baston Fen

Andrew Gardener found this immaculate male Red-backed Shrike at Baston Fen on August 2, while working this unlikely South Lincs patch. What a reward for patch working! I was up there within an hour and helped relocate it on some distant bushes. The views were long range, but really excellent with a scope (which may not come across in these digiscoped shots). This was only my second RbS in the PBC area, the last being a juvenile/first-winter in September 2004, at Prior's Fen, Cambs. It was also the first adult male I have ever seen in the UK.

Black-necked Grebe, Baston & Langtoft

I found this little fellow at the "passing place' pit on the crossroads road to the Cross Drain (Baston & Langtoft pits, South Lincs) a couple of days ago. This small pit has punched above its weight in the last couple of years, turning up Great White Egret, Water Pipit, Little Tern, Turnstone, Avocet & Knot (so I'm told). ANd now this grebe, which I think is a juvenile. I wonder where it hatched, especially as the pit complex has apparently had breeding attempts previously and summer pairs have been seen in the not too distant past... It takes my PBC year list up to 177.