American Black Tern - Covenham Reservoir

Nick Clayton · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:31 pm

Birdguides: 15:12 17/09/11 probable juvenile on the west bank this afternoon @ 15:02

Nick Clayton · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:13 pm

Birdguides: 17:00 17/09/11 juvenile still on the bank and over adjacent fields late afternoon @ 16:47

Anthony Bentley · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:37 pm

What are the main differences from a normal Black tern? Weather to go see this bird or not tommorow? Or watch the football. Pretty sure it will be the American Black tern.

Derick Evans · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:04 pm

"to go see this bird or not tommorow? Or watch the football"

Errrr Simples! It's for sure not the football Anthony. See you their maybe.

Stephen Routledge · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:27 pm

Another superb find by Mr C!,the bird showed superbly while feeding over the res,interspersed with visits to nearby fields to rest.It was still showing when we left at 7.00 pm,so fingers crossed for everyone for tomorrow

.Also on the res were an adult and juvenile Red-necked Grebe which also showed nicely.

Regards,

Steve

Derick Evans · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:44 am

Still present this morning at 8am (Birdguides)

Anthony Bentley · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2011 2:41 pm

First sighting this morining was at 6:45 and it was still present adn 2:15 when I left. The bird performed well. Also Marsh harrier, 2 Red-necked grebe and a very tame Dunlin

Michael Surr · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:36 pm

In all the years I have been going to Covenham, it is the only time that the lower car park has been locked, leaving 60 odd cars parked on the road verge.
Just makes you wonder why ?
Mike

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:51 pm

I arrived at Covenham at 12.45 and was fortunate enough to see the American Black Tern on its return 'from the fields' from 1.00pm from the bank. It passed back and forth not far out from the Reservoir water's edge a couple of times, giving excellent views. A tame, longish-billed Dunlin made its way past, feeding at the very edge of the water.

So as to see the 2 Red-necked Grebes, it was necessary to walk all the way round towards the far end of the Reservoir, but well worth the walk as they performed only 20 yards or so offshore. A Common Sandpiper flitted past, landing at the water's edge.

On my way back to the Car Park, the Tern again re-appeared 'from the fields' and was dipping and feeding on the Reservoir not far from the Yacht Club just after 2.00.

A most enjoyable visit, and a great chance to chat with more than a dozen LBC members (and other birding friends)......Oh ! and to see some 'good' birds as well.

Freddy

Stephen Andrew · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2011 8:53 pm

I would love to see this bird but can only make the 200mile round trip at the week-end. Would people please keep us informed as to the situation. I am hoping that it will be around for a few more days yet, as it must take a while to recover from being blown across the Atlantic!
Cheers Steve

Robert Hardy · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2011 7:01 pm

Stephen Andrew wrote:

I would love to see this bird but can only make the 200mile round trip at the week-end. Would people please keep us informed as to the situation. I am hoping that it will be around for a few more days yet, as it must take a while to recover from being blown across the Atlantic!
Cheers Steve

can confirm it was there at 5pm today.
Rob.

Stephen Andrew · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2011 8:42 am

Thanks Rob, only 3 days to go! Any raptors about? Or probably more pertinent, is there very much disturbance from fellow birders?

Neil Kurz · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2011 3:47 pm

Hi Steve. The tern is there again today, showing well along the east side along the water's edge. Between feeding forays, it rested several times for lengthy periods on the concrete bank at the edge of the reservoir, giving excellent photo opportunites. It was not particularly spooky and allowed several of us to get as close as 20m. A peregrine bombed through mid-morning, quite low over the res from S to N down the middle. For a moment, it looked like it was going to have A B Tern for lunch, which was on the north bank edge near to the tower, but the peg went over the top in hot pursuit of another bird. Close! Good luck at the weekend. Neil

Andrew Chick · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:08 pm

In repsonse to Michael Surr post on the American Black Tern - Covenham Reservoir I have had an email from the chairman of the Covenham Res Water Ski Club - Paul Rickett. He writes:

The Car park was closed as the height bar to stop large vehicles was damaged and removed. The Covenham Ski club asked Anglia Water for the car pack to be locked to prevent large vehicles taking up residence. This was before we had any idea of the rare bird sighting. Could you please forward this on.

[I am assuming that when the top bar is repaired, the car park will be reopend? Andrew]

Stephen Andrew · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:01 pm

Thanks for that report Neil. It does seem to be recuperating well after its long flight. From what little I do know about migrants, their survival rate is pretty low. At least with this one a lot of people have had excellent views of it. The last rare bird I went to see was the Western Bonelli's Warbler. After six hours wait the assembled masses got a ten second fly pass!

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

American Black Tern - Covenham Reservoir

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