Further to web reports and after some writing exercise lately, I decided to have some physical exercise.
I arrived at the Collared Pratincole stakeout opposite the Fire Station just after midday. The Pratincole was performing well in front of just 3 other birders, flying up and down and across the ponds, occasionally settling on a rock a few feet from the near bank but still viewable through a gap in the hedge. Two or three times it gathered height and flew over the road. Once a Swallow flew alongside the Pratincole momentarily and it was great to see the two together. When I left after an hour or so, the birders' number had increased to c 10; the bird had been in view throughout my visit, either on the rock or in the air.
It was nice to meet up again with lincsbirders Terry and Eileen Corlett and have a chat while keeping an eye on the Pratincole.
After parking on Newton Marsh Lane near Tetney Lock, I arrived at the Dotterel stakeout just before 2 o'clock. Fortunately, a Lincs birder (Ray Purkiss) was already scoping the 7 Dotterel and I could get onto them straightaway. They were sitting in some uneven ground but not very far out from the path. By chance, a hyperactive Rook spooked the Dotterel : they all stood up providing excellent views and then flew across the Canal (great views in flight, close to us). They soon returned, however, for as I was walking back to my car ,I bumped Bob Smith, a relatively new LBC member, and he was watching them ( all standing) through his 'scope in the same field.
A pleasant trip out despite the strong breeze, and I was lucky enough to see two 'good' species.
Freddy
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