Kirkby Pits 20 Feb 11 (Smew (m))

John Harry · **Posted:** Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:22 pm

Highlights were - Pit South of reserve:
1 ad male Smew (I have blogged a very poor record shot as I found it at late dusk with light disappearing quickly) with 30 Goldeneye, 2 Redshank and 1 Oystercatcher as well as 22 Tufted Duck,
9 Teal
1 Little Grebe
9 Pochard
40 mallard
13 Greylags

Riverslea Pit : 3 Pink-footed Geese with 155 Greylags, 4 Goldeneye as well as 24 Common Gull,
2 Canada Geese
69 Black-headed Gull
2 Great Crested Grebe

Reserve Pit: 1 Little Egret
6 Redwing
55 Tufted Duck
41 Gadwall
12 Pochard
2 Egyptian goose
2 Mute Swan
52 Coot

Chris Grimshaw · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:05 pm

Looked for the Smew this afternoon as we returned from Frampton Marsh and was surprised to see that it wasn't just a male. The female was also there but flew off towards the reserve pit.

My companion Andrew Vaughan (brand new to the hobby) thought was going to see a white duck but was stunned when he saw the bird

Well worth the detour

Hugh Middleton · **Posted:** Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:55 pm

Male and female on pit south of the hide - opposite entrance to site office. Seen at 1pm.
Also Bewick found by Russell yesterday still upstream of Tattershall Bridge plus 2 pairs Goosander.

Hugh

John Harry · **Posted:** Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:21 pm

I checked all over this morning, but about 9am on South pits and they were not present then. There were 18 Goldeneye.

Andy Sims · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:16 pm

1 male and 2 redheads on southern pits at 12:00 today.

With Rick Bennett and Rob Carr.

John Harry · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:15 pm

I saw the male and one redhead at 1500 hrs with 16 Goldeneye.

Also present 2 Oystercatchers,
1 Redshank
4 Lapwing
17 Pochard
15 Tufted Duck

Cheers

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:29 pm

John Harry wrote:

I saw the male and one redhead at 1500 hrs with 16 Goldeneye.

Which pit are the Smews on, precisely? Can anyone provide a map and directions? It's possible my Dad can drive me there tomorrow.

Chris Grimshaw · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:28 pm

When I saw them on Tuesday they were on the pits on the right which is just before (300yards) you get to the office and the workings

Coming from Boston through New York and past the air base - turn left onto the B1192 towards Conningsby then first turn right towards Kirkby on Bain just before you get into Conningsby village proper. its about a mile down the road on the right with another pit on the opposite side of the road. If you reach the reserve pit with the hide then you have gone about half a mile to far. Hope this helps and good luck

John Harry · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:49 pm

Teah sure can:

B road all the way to Coningsby, left at Total Garage (Gibbet Nook) on to A153. Next junction right to Woodhall Spa as 40 mph speed limit turns to 30mph. Stay on road for nearly a mile and the pits start appearing left and right. Look for a layby on the right hand side of the road, straight opposite WSSG Quarry main entrance - layby grid is TF233606. The pit over the fence to the East is South pit. Could be anywhere on there, but look for the Goldeneyes and the Smew will be about.

Keep an eye out for Great White Egret. It has been seen on the next pit left, and the next pit right which (heading towards Kirkby on Bain) is LWT Kirkby Gravel Pit Reserve. It has also favoured the old River Bain at the back of the reserve pit but it could be anywhere in the area.

Thanks

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:22 pm

Would the exact spot be on Google Street View?

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:49 pm

Got it now - is there public access to this pit from the layby? I can see on Google Street View a yellow sign saying 'Danger: Deep Pit' on it, and two other danger signs on gates, but no sign saying 'keep out'....

Russell Hayes · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 11:12 pm

Quote:

a yellow sign saying 'Danger: Deep Pit' on it, and two other danger signs on gates, but no sign saying 'keep out'....

A bit of a clue there? View from the Road or Layby only

Katherine Birkett · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2011 5:37 pm

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!! :mrgreen:

Still there this afternoon with two redhead females!

Also lots of Goldeneye, Pochard, Tufted, Greylag and Mallard.

Waders present were many Oystercatcher and a few Redshank.

Aaaaand....................... RELAX! But not for too long. Still 4 more species to find to break through the 200 barrier!!!!

Thanks, Dad!

Ian Misselbrook · **Joined:** Fri Dec 31, 2004 10:07 am **Posts:** 487

1 Drake with 2 Redheads at 5.00pm today, south end of the deep pit opposite works entrance. Also 20+ Goldeneye, 50+ Pochard and 30= Tufties on same pit. Next pit south a pair of G.C.Grebes displaying to each other.

At home Blackbirds have joined in dusk chorus.

Ian

Chris Grimshaw · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:10 pm

Along with the smew we noted buzzard, barn owl and woodcock

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Kirkby Pits 20 Feb 11 (Smew (m))

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