The 'Lake District' Tour

The Deepings, 5 September 2004
With a gap in the club’s outdoor programme in prime return migration month of September, a tour round the “Lake District” was organised. As the event drew ever closer to the two leaders were just slightly worried about the complete lack of birds at the star of the piece; Welland Bank Pits (or to give it, its official Lincs Trust name: Deeping Lakes). Thankfully the event wasn't particularly well advertised so even if we didn’t see many birds there wouldn’t be many people to see the leaders’ failure.

On the day our prediction was wrong on both accounts with 12 “hardcore” club members turning up in the soon to be blistering heat of the September sun. As we gathered at the entrance of Welland Bank Pits a Marsh Harrier was picked up circling over the maze fields.

The first pit seemed pretty dead on first appearances, but as usual they were deceptive and on closer inspection we found two Snipe as well as several Teal. The usual collection of odds and strays were present in among the Greylag flock including Bar-headed, Barnacle and Blue winged Goose. A flock of 5 Ruddy Shelduck flew round and landed on the first pit as well provoking all kinds of theories about their origin including the idea that 3 were escapes but the new two are wild (August/September being a traditional time for wild ones of course). Sounds good to us!

The hedges were alive with Chiffchaffs and the occasional Willow Warbler and a single Garden Warbler was seen, unfortunately we failed to connect to any decent tit flock which at this time of year can usually produce a few interesting birds. From the hide over looking Dandridges, the younger of the two leaders, Josh Jones picked up three Pintail roosting just in front of us and later another two were picked up further back by Trev. These birds can be easily overlooked when searching the masses of wildfowl at this time of year, but their long necks, pointy tail and shiny black beaks are always a dead giveaway. This was a much needed WBP year tick for the leader who’s patch this is.

Winter has truly arrived as the single female Goldeneye was still present along with a Red crested Pochard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard and all the winter ducks you would usually expect! A slightly mad Green Sandpiper flew low over the Lake apparently appearing from the trees with a Common Sand in the more usual spot of phase 1.

Soaring high over the group as we stood on the high bank, a pair of Buzzards headed off towards Deeping a sure sign things were on the move despite the wintry feel (in everything but the weather!). Will Bowell has to thank Trev for these beauts as this was a big WBP bogey bird of his before the trip and a useful addition to his WBP list which is nearing the 150 mark.

A few hardcore members clung on for the part of the trip at Baston/Langtoft GP where we picked up no Red crested Pochards, 1 Yellow legged Gull, several Marsh Harriers and a Hobby. The trip list ended on 60 odd species- a creditable list considering how quiet things have been of late.

Josh and Will ventured back out to BLGP later on as the hefty gull flock looked promising to us, but despite over an hours coverage from the back of the New Workings no new interest gulls were picked up but we did get 3 Snipe and a Common Sand as well as spanking Clouded Yellow near Pocket Park.

Peterborough Bird Club's September 2005 Lincolnshire Trip Report
by Josh Jones & Will Bowell