The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Drop into my local lakes this evening and was surprised to come across a pair Male & Female Red Crested Pochards, the male has stunning markings together with the obvious Red bill which which what draw my attention. These are the first Red Crested Pochards that I have seen. The location is a bit iffy but is near the Thurlby Gravel Pits, Witham St Hughs ish, Lincoln.

As I said the location is iffy because I'm not sure if i'm supposed to be there but you don't go over any fences to get to the lake so assuming I'm ok, please message me if you want a more exact location and I will try to direct you to them as I am sure they will be there tommorrow.

Also on the lake was the following:-
20 plus Pochard
8 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebe
1 Little Egret
3 Grey Heron

There is also a huge Gull roost (1000 - 2000 birds) but I need help and love to spend a hour with a gull expert in the last hour of daylight because I would be surprised if there isn't the odd rarity mixed in.

Thanks
Mark

Hi Mark,
Not wanting to be a kill joy on your find, there have been a few RC Pochards around recently, namely up to 8 on Thurlby Pits its self on the 18th Sept, with still 2 there last weekend. Also I notice there is a pair in the Hartsholme / Swanholme Pits area. I think basically from a growing feral population.

And yes, the Thurlby winter gull roost is amazing, with some good birds to be found, last winters best bird was a wintering Little Gull, and the usual, Med Gulls. My best count in one evening, I think was 5. ( not last year )

Regards David