Eight members had good weather for this morning excursion which as in previous years delivered Black-necked Grebes – we counted six adults. We also witnessed some interesting behaviour, presumed to be courtship similar to their larger cousins the Great Crested Grebe (see photo). Other birds of note were Little Ringed Plover, Reed Warbler

Black-necked Grebes courting?

and Whitethroat. Unusually, the only bird of prey we spotted was a Kestrel – it was a warm sunny day so it was surprising that no Buzzards were soaring on the thermals.
39 species recorded – photos thanks to David Griffin.

Thirteen members had a really enjoyable time with some superb birding. Early morning, surprise rain had cleared by the time we arrived but the day remained overcast but clear and not roasting hot as per recent days. After a short briefing session at the visitors centre by the duty person, we headed straight for Singleton Hide and received instant gratification with the sighting of four Common Cranes.

Common Cranes

For many of the party this was a first but their concentration was regularly disrupted with calls of “Spotted Redshank left of the island. Greenshank left of the channel. Have you seen the Spoonbill? What’s that bird with the short bill and red legs?” In addition to the

waders, we also had frequent, excellent views of Bearded Tits, many of them juveniles displaying their diagnostic patch of black on their back and Marsh harriers drifting past.

Juvenile Bearded Tit

As a consequence of these rich pickings, we remained in this hide for ages and were only encouraged to vacate when a group from York with similar numbers appeared at the door.
Next stop was Marshland Hide which provided another rich experience with a flock of Black-tailed Godwits resplendent in their summer plumage and more Spotted Redshank (or they’d followed us from Singleton), a couple of Green Sandpipers and a single Dunlin. However, these were probably outdone by another performance from the Bearded Tits and a Barn Owl that appeared on the platform outside its nesting box.

Female Marsh Harrier

Lunch was taken in the Ousefleet Hide which was the best part about this period as there were no birds on the dried up area in from of the hide so we moved on to First Hide which at first sight appeared to have little to view but then the birds started to appear including yet more ‘Beardies’ and both adult and juvenile Water Rail. Finally we returned to

Juvenile Water Rail

Singleton where we saw what appeared to be a male Hen Harrier fly through. Smokey grey body with black wing tips but it did seem to be more like a male Marsh Harrier in size and it would be very unusual for a Hen Harrier to be in this area so early as this although one had been reported a month previously. Jury out on that one!
All told, 53 species identified. Photos thanks to Robin Potts, Rob Simmons & Martin Kaye

Ten members arrived on time at 08:30 at Budby Pumping Station car park in spite of the heavy traffic. The weather was fine, although with strong winds forecast, the leader wasn’t optimistic that we’d see any Woodlarks. However, as we walked towards the Common, Skylarks were singing in the fields and we also got good views of Red-legged Partridge, a stunning male Yellow Hammer and a flock of Fieldfare. At the tree line, a Siskin delighted those that caught a glimpse of it. Upon entering the Common, we were greeted by a Mistle Thrush singing and then, just faintly, but unmistakably, the descending notes of a Woodlark. After a further few hundred metres, it was as if they had woken up because we were surrounded by the calls and song of Woodlarks although they remained stubbornly hidden until one broke cover and flew hesitantly over us, singing and giving perfect views. As it turned out, that was the only one we saw.

Woodlark – short tail, broad wings and prominent supercilium clearly visible

The group then decided that they fancied walking to the Major Oak on the off chance of seeing a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and possibly a Marsh Tit at one of the feeding stations. Sadly, it was not to be, just a few common woodland birds being seen.
Emerging back on the Common, we were met with only the sound of the wind – the larks must have retired for their lunch!We then headed off to the Welbeck Raptor Watch Point, where we met up with another Ogston member who had intended to come on the trip but had mistakenly thought it was on the following day. Realising his mistake, Rob came straight to Welbeck and had quite a list by the time we got there. For us, sadly no Goshawks, a single Sparrowhawk, a few Buzzards but as some compensation, there was a Whooper Swan feeding in the adjacent field along with a flock of Mute Swans.
Some of us then finished the day by following Rob to Pebley Reservoir (near Clowne), where earlier in the day he’d seen a White-fronted Goose. Luckily it was still there when we arrived, accompanied by a couple of Pink-footed Geese and a female Goosander. An excellent end to a very good trip with 51 species identified.

Pink-footed Goose on left and White-fronted Goose showing white patch at bill base and belly markings

Photo of Woodlark thanks to Mark Weston, the group by Bill Padley and the Geese by Martin Kaye

12 folk turned out for this tip, 10 of whom made the 07:30 start braving the cold. However, this was richly rewarded when after only 10 minutes, 7 Hawfinches flew in and stayed for about 20 minutes giving good views. To increase the level of

Hawfinch

Great Spotted Woodpecker

entertainment, they were joined by a Redwing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Walking down to the lake, Rob Hewison spotted a Kingfisher (he must have some special relationship with these birds because it was he who picked up a duo of

Female Kingfisher

Kingfishers on the last trip to Rutland Water. On the water there were a few Goosander and a Pochard plus more common species. One of the other target species, the Marsh Tit, seemed to be particularly elusive but after a bit of a wait, some of the group had a two second glimpse of one.

Some of us then moved on to Budby Common, had a fair walk but other than a single male Stonechat, it was very quiet.
Finally, we moved on to the Welbeck Raptor Watch Point where we eventually got good but very distant views of Goshawks, a first for some. On one occasion, there were 2 pairs in the air.

Photos by J Sawford and M Kaye