The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Hi

Found this on the rising tide this evening about 18:10hrs. Its associating with the Eider flock, and the good news is its in heavy wing moult, so will most likely be staying around a while. Cocked up the ageing of this at the time, and checking the literature, i think its a 2nd cal yr drake. Its got a good white breast, combined with fairly prominent swelling to the base of the orange bill.

It drifted up the coast a little way towards Freiston Shore, but the Eiders are always moving slowly between Witham Mouth and Freiston Shore. High tide in the morning is at 07:46, and its a 7.6m tide (the highest of this series).

See you there!

PF.

Nice one Paul -- if you carry on at this rate you will be overtaking us old timers on the first for Lincs score card

Oh wow - wonder if it's a bit of a cheek to ask dad to drive me to Cut End or somewhere to see it given he's done a few hundred miles today? He drove me and Mother back home from our Welsh holiday (base Saundersfoot near Tenby) today, via Winchester to see my cousin's 6 week-old new baby son Fraser!

** runs off to grovel and beg **

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Still present and showing well but from the sea-wall at Freiston Shore RSPB from 06.50 onwards with a small Common Eider flock. High tide was about 07.46, and by the time I left at 08.00, it had drifted off-shore on its own and was more distant. As Paul says, its virtually lacking primaries so it ought to be around for a few weeks (famous last words).

Phil

From what i gather, this has been very distant all day, and was certainly distant from The Cut End hide this evening until i left at c18:30. At least its still present though, and high tide in the morning is 08:17, and is another big one at 7.6m. Might be worth trying from Freiston Shore in the morning, as it was close inshore there this morning first thing.

Hi

King Eider still present this morning over the high tide. It was always quite distant again, but the head and bill shape make it identifiable at distance.

Also this morning, a juvenile Dotterel flew over the reserve going south west (towards Frampton?).


Cheers,

PF.

Still present on this very warm evening 8/09/09 as the tide began to rise. Somewhat distant view but thanks to Steve Keightly who was already in the hide and had his scope trained on it.

ARGS!!!

Went there for an hour or so this morning but I couldn't find any sign of it. It's still present as others confirmed but waaaaay too distant to be observed!!

** headbutts wall in frustration **

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The King Eider was in the Welland mouth this morning before high tide, if anyone had been Tabs head on the bank opposite cut end hide they would have have had excellent views of it in the river, oh well, anyways it drifted North East past the hide and out as the tide was rising. Also there this morning a shag on the rocks in front of the hide, an osprey fishing and two razorbills bobbing about, cheers
Paul

Boat trip to see the King Eider:

There are limited places available on the Boston Belle for 4 hour river trip tomorrow (Sat 12th) leaving the sluice bridge, Boston at 0900. Contact Steve Keightley to confirm a place on 07887 656761

Cost is £17.50 per person.

If demand warrants, there may be an opportunity to charter another boat

Hi

Eclipse drake King Eider still present this morning at Freiston Shore, in the main channel viewable distantly from Cut End Hide. Only a handful of Common Eiders present this morning.

PF.

Eclipse drake still present circa 16:00!

That's another one for the list, with 16 more to go before I get 200....

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I received an email earlier today from Roger Labbett, referring to his visit to Cut End, for the King Eider on Thurs 17th (pm)
At first it gave distant views, but as the tide came in the Eider eventually approached to about 100m from the hide.
Roger described as giving great views.
I didn't organise a boat trip for the Eider this weekend. But can confirm a trip onboard Mystere Sat 3rd Oct, contact me for further details.

Steve

This bird was reported on the news services late last night, again distantly from the Cut End Hide at 4.50 yesterday. Anyone know who reported it? I was there for the high tide yesterday morning and then back again in the afternoon. We left at about 4.30 and there was only one bloke left. We didn't pass anyone on the road back to Fishtoft either There was absolutely no sign of anything remotely Eiderish even in the hideous heat haze that made any attempts futile unless it was right in the Witham Mouth... which it wasn't.

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John

http://thedrunkbirder.wordpress.com/

http://www.johnhague.co.uk

The King Eider was no where to beseen this morning at high tide despite several people looking

Other birds of interest were

little egret 74 at least
eider 7
shag 1
scoter 7
bonxie 1
sandwich tern 4
common tern 2
red brested merganser 1 (Witham Mouth)
gannet 5
marsh harrier
wigeon