News reports of a Bobolink being found at Theddlethorpe in Lincolnshire yesterday afternoon had us checking maps, directions and times involved. Unfortunately with the distance involved, we would have arrived on-site sometime after 6pm and therefore in darkness.
The forecast for yesterday evening was for clear skies so we knew before setting off this morning that there was a good chance the bird would have moved on, but we decided to make the trip anyway. We arrived shortly after first light and walked to the dunes to join a hundred or so other hopeful birders already searching for the bird. A Short-eared Owl flew up from within an enclosed area as we walked the dunes and Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings were flitting about in the long grass. We walked up and down the dunes, but there was no sign of the Bobolink. By late morning we conceded defeat and headed back to the car and heard a Yellow-browed Warbler calling in Willows close by.
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| Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes |
We headed South towards home but made a detour to Rutland Water on route hoping to connect with a Lesser Scaup. The bird had been present since the 10th but had been quite mobile, visiting several of the water bodies on the reserve during its stay. During the morning we had news that it was on Lagoon 1, which is the Lagoon viewable from upstairs in the visitor centre. After several scans, Brian picked the bird out drifting along behind the long island at the back of the Lagoon, unfortunately before I could view it, it tucked itself under the bank and was not visible. I kept scanning hoping it would re-appear from behind the island and eventually after quite a wait it did! Relieved we headed for the car, stopping to view a Yellow-browed Warbler flitting about in trees right ouside the visitor centre.
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