The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Whilst the chimes of school children's easter song rang round the ancient walls of St Mary's Church in Barton my phone buzzed with the mysteries of migration. A wheatear was wandering the banks of the Humber, near Target Pit; my feet began to itch. More texts informed me of important reedbed species turning up for the register and I had to hold my legs down.

The register grew text by text, willow warbler, blackcap. Spring was arriving on the outside of this monumental chamber, how many springs had passd this building by over it's lifespan?

At last I was on Site and after a slow walk around the Chowder banks, and 2 avocet, I came across Graham Catley moments before he gestured the presence of our wheatear (on the River side of the bank opposite the Scrapes).

A passer by too many flushed the pastel traveller westward and away. Parental pressure meant I had no more time for the chase and I bid farewel to the camera clad GPC.

As I wandered lonely as a parent through the Far Ings N Meadow, a song half registered in my head. It wasn't until it's 2nd or third rendition that I stopped in my tracks. Luckily the firecrest responsible was very visible in a stand alone bush near the 5 bar gate (at the western end). Fantastic. It showed well and it was my turn to fire out texts. GPC was there promptly and hopefully got a shot.

Also on Site - 150 sand martin and a treecreeper.

Thanks very much to Steve Routledge and Howard Booty for the texts today.

A 2nd bird was reported to me today by GPC. I managed to have a look at it as it moved along the hedge between Ness Hide and the Ford. It's song is slightly different to yesterday's bird and has a curious electronic 'phwee' at the beginning sometimes. It was still there singing at 1830 this evening.

I believe yesterday's bird was not found today.