The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Last couple of days been pottering about in back garden and birdwatching of course. I'd sent a text to my mate saying this year must be my lucky year having got a fourth Lotto prize this year, only tenners but I'm well chuffed . Mid-morning spotted a Comma and thats the first fly-by for ages.

Early afternoon 15 - Crow flew west.

Mid-afternoon stopped for a mug of tea and a sit down, also brought bins out just in case. I'd noticed quite a few flying ants emerging, so looked up and sure enough spotted my first of year in garden Swifts plus House Martins and Swallow. Not long after that spotted a Sprawk up over Enderby Road. A male came low over next doors garden at 1620 but it wasn't the one over the road cos it was still soaring. At 1732 spotted a pair of Sprawk over towards Sunningdale Road.

Towards early evening the activity had got intense both over the garden and as far as I could see southerly, in total I counted 16 - Swift, 1 - Swallow very low over garden and at least 12 House Martin with the Starlings and Black-head/Common Gulls joining in. Spotted by chance a duck, think it was a Mallard only had me glasses on.

Nearly forgot At 1622 while looking skyward hoping to see an Hobby I spotted a large bird flying very high with large wings and a white head! For a second I thought it was the adult WTSE I'd filmed on Mull last two years come to see me for a fish dinner . Started getting very excited because I realised it was an Osprey, it was going in an easterly direction, so I text my mates in the hope it came their way. This is another garden tick and I must say one of the best in all the time I've been watching. Who needs to visit reserves etc when we can see most things in or from our own garden! I'll be keeping watch again today...

Kind regards

John

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GETTING OLD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE lol

John,

You've certainly got a lot of bird activity in and around the garden. It's great having a garden tick such as an Osprey...no trip hassle, no journey problems; just sit back and enjoy a super bird overhead.

Freddy

Thinking about it, nowadays there seems to be more birds in gardens than in the countryside, and more species. My walk round cov res yesterday was pretty disappointing for this time of the year.

Freddy,

Thanks very much for your words of wisdom.

It did cross my mind when I was writing my report that some members would be thinking along the lines that I'd done a "Monty" again, those with long memories will know what I'm on about BUT on this occasion I was 110% spot-on. And to be told by text yesterday early morning that an Osprey was seen at Susworth, made my day So to all the doubters


Colin,

I read your Cov' report and from your words you sounded fed up. You can always come to my "reserve" otherwise known as my garden with tea/coffee and biccys provided free of charge Yesterday you would have got the male Sprawk cos it came low over the house.

It's surprising the wildlife I get considering I live on the edge of an housing estate, may let it continue. Whereas most of the gardens near me have a lawn and flowers. Mine has lots of trees, shrubs, hedges, flowers, grass and loads of feeders etc which the birds, insects and other wildlife are attracted to. Not to blow my trumpet too much but my garden or "nature reserve" as I like to call it has more going for it than some reserves I've visited .

Report on G Birding "My Garden" section.

Flying ants were up and so was 100s of gulls including pair of Sprawk and a Buzz and hirudines and Swifts etc.

Kind regards

John aka Max

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GETTING OLD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE lol

July 25th:

Nowt much aloft, only the garden gang today, but I was only in garden two hours.

I have just edited some words in my reply to Colin in regard to why I get good sightings both in, over and above my garden [nature reserve ] and highlighted them in bold ink, it may just help others who want to emulate my sightings.

Thank you and goodnight

John aka Max

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GETTING OLD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE lol

John

I think in a way your Garden Sightings posts highlight the beauty of bird watching. There can be as much pleasure in observing even the common or garden in your own "nature reserve", as trekking miles and miles to wander around a public reserve. It then ranges from the important factual data that Ringing stations provide, to the "gut" instincts evidence from watching wherever you are.

For me an early alarm call of a Green woodpecker wandering around our close this morning was a brilliant highlight of Garden birding.

Andrew

Andrew,

Not had Green Woody but had GSW which I caught on film and pics a couple of year back.

Yes I agree with your comments.

Although it's nice to read about the rarites, it's also enjoyable reading and seeing the more common birds that visit or fly over our gardens. This forum is for everyone not just the twitchers.

As I was shopping yesterday I didn't see owt. But I'll be in garden Friday if dry.

Regards

John

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GETTING OLD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE lol