A grebe, a marathon and a gull

Thursday began with news that there was no news of the Thayer's gull from Elsham, Lincs. However that mattered little as I had already decided to head back to Ten Acre Lake near Hatfield Woodhouse so that Barry could meet the red-necked grebe. We would then react if the gull came up on the pager. Strangely the grebe took some finding as we probably overlooked it in the north end of the lake. The bird was quiet this time and allowed itself to blow about the lake in the breeze whilst asleep. It looked like a curling stone on ice!

Red-necked Grebe Great Crested Grebe Great Crested Grebe

We then headed for Boston Park Lake to see the pair of black-necked grebes. We parked in my usual spot about 100m from the grebes. My first four swallows of the year flew over. However we failed to find the grebes. Never speak to strangers, my mum used to say. Well... We met a man who said they were on Dragon Back's Pit about ten minutes away. Another man said he'd seen some tall stork-like birds. [Sacred ibis now spring to mind as there are some about!] Then we met two friendly birders who said they knew the way. They led us a merry dance for about an hour and a half. When we got to what they said was Dragon Pits Lake there was nothing there. Untrue. First willow warbler of the year. We left these idiots behind and worked our way back to the car.

Green-veined White

Wren

Green-veined White                                                                                                            Wren

Within minutes we had the black-necked grebes in view! How to waste time in one easy lesson! But it was a lovely day and we were able to laugh about it. Especially as the gull came up and we sped east to Elsham... More of which later.

Black-necked Grebes                                                                                                   Black-necked Grebe

I found this website which, interestingly, records someone hearing lesser spotted woodpecker at Ten Acre Lake on April 5th and there is a record on April 1st of a sacred ibis. Before twelve o'clock, I presume.

Hatfield Moors Birding Blog      hmbb1.wordpress.com

Thayer's gull

We got to Elsham but there was no activity at the field I had mapped on Memory Map the night before. One car. I told Barry I expected a few more vehicles. However the pager gave us a new location only half a mile away: Elsham Hall Country Park. It mentioned a field on the access road. We turned into a wooded entrance way. The road opened out on to sheep fields, a large number of cars, traffic chaos and many thousands of pounds worth of three-legged optics. 'I think this may be it,' Mr Bishop commented drily.

We viewed the bird when it was behind a post, when it was almost behind a sheep but the best  views were as we tracked it overhead: it was possible to differentiate it quite easily at times with its missing feathers. Lifer 375. Another brilliant day rounded off with a cheap trip over the Humber Bridge [now £1.50] and a stop-over at North Cave.

Good Friday

A trip to Old Moor on Friday. First we called in at Broomhill Flash for a drake ***** duck. Very nice smart bird also prone to hiding behind the upright of the window frame of the hide. Then on to Wombwell Ings. I spotted a wheatear and a yellow-legged gull. Barry had 3 little ringed plovers and a grey partridge.  Old Moor was quiet [too much water due to the drought!].

I wonder what will be next?

You never know! Perhaps one of these! [Photo from Kirkholme Point, Hornsea Mere last year]

Yellow Wagtail