The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Good views were obtained of an immature female Pallid Harrier hanging in the stiff winds at 1035 this morning, 11th May, at the south end of Donna Nook. It was near the southern limits of the sheep field. Eventually, it drifted low and without any urgency to the south along the dunes before I lost it behind bushes and trees. I don't know whether this is the bird seen in the county earlier in the week or a new individual.

Regards SL.

Steve

I judged the Gib bird to be a juv female on size - guessing a male would be extremely small.

I did not think to check the eye colour at the time, but I think that I would have noticed if it had a pale eye as it flew close by.

It was a pristine bird - just like an autumn juv with no obvious evidence of moult in the flight feathers.

Maybe its on its way back here?

Kev

presumed same female pallid harrier seen at seaview by Peter and Janet Roworth moving se,and Cliff Morrison at Churchill lane where it then turned and went back nw Cliff also had good views of a low flying alpine swift at c 0700 hrs flying se along dunes.
I was surveying along sea banks Grainthorpe outfall to Northcotes several swifts ( no alpine)7 wheatears all females,
60 dark bellied brent. regards John

Kev

The bird which I saw well down to a minimum of about 40 yards was 2nd CY. I was concentrating on plumage and jizz and didn't get anything on eye colour either and didn't realize the relevance of this feature until later. I judged the bird as female on size and also I would have thought that by this date it would be showing at least some traces of grey about the head and back. I may be wrong on this last point though.



Steve.

I have just heard from DS who also had incredibly close views along the sea bank south of Gib- he confirms that the bird had a dark eye.

Kev