Details of the Padley Gorge and Cutthroat Bridge trip to Derbyshire on 16th May 2027 has been added to the Calendar tab. This should allow us to see a number of species we don't usually see like Wood Warbler, Common Redstart, Red Grouse, Ring Ouzel, and Whinchat.

 A very tough walk round Deeping Lakes this morning, a strengthening, cold Easterly wind made for hard work. 9 members in total. Bittern flying across East Pit as we were getting ready to set off was a real treat. After much searching one Long Eared Owl was located in the Ivy covered tree next to the hide. Alas no sign of either of the Little Owls. The 3 Glossy Ibis dropped into the flood after most members had retreated off the river bank. The female Scaup was still present on the East Pit. The resident female Marsh Harrier flew off to hunt as we were arriving. Finally a very showy Sparrowhawk perched next to one of the East Pit sight screens as Stuart, the last one to leave, drove past.

Complete Trip List from Deeping Lakes

Scaup

Tufted duck

Little Grebe

Great crested grebe

Shovelor

Gadwall

Mallard

Coot

Moorhen

Cettis warbler

Fieldfare

Redwing

Robin

Bittern

Canada goose

Greylag goose

Jackdaw

Rook

Green woodpecker

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Long eared owl

Cormorant

Goldeneye

Marsh harrier

Kestrel

Starling

Pochard

Oystercatcher

Buzzard

Whooper swan

Reed Bunting

Goldfinch

Blackbird

Wigeon

Black headed gull

Common gull

Wren

Long tailed tit

Little egret

Grey wagtail

Blue tit

Pied wagtail

Mute swan

Wood pigeon

Sparrowhawk

Having reviewed all the possible sites Stewart and I have decided to stay with LWT Willow Tree Fen. This holds the best Roost Watch and currantly  holds a wide variety of species, some present in large numbers.

On Sundays roost count species seen included:

35 Cranes

700+ Whooper Swans

Snow Goose (basically roosts wherever the group of Whoopers it has attached itself to decide to roost}

Barn Owl

Red breasted Merganser

30 Marsh Harriers

Golden Plover,

Goosander

Buzzard, 

Raven

Bittern

Wigeon (loads)

Pochard

Teal

Shoveler

So we have a good chance of seeing some good birds.

 

As it is staying light later I would suggest arriving between 1500 and 1530. Depending on the weather the roost watch will finish between 1730 and 1800.

 

Looking forward to seeing you next week.

We propose to start the 2026/7 outdoor season of meetings by joining the RSPB Wash Cruise from Boston on the
19th September at 08:45 and returns about 14:20.

This is a 5 hour cruise on the Boston Belle from Boston down the River Witham past Frampton Marsh and into the Wash. The boat the heads for the mouth of the River Welland and procedes down the Welland to the marina. It then reverses its course to return to Boston. Refreshments are available on board, hot and cold drinks and bacon butties but cash only. 

There are always at least 2 bird spotter/callers from the RSPB South Lincs group on board to ensure everybody gets to see the birds.
Price is £24 for members of the RSPB and £30 for non-members. 

These trips are very popular and sell out quickly. Therefore we need firm expressions of interest from members by 15th March to sshortassoc@gmail.com together with Payment to the Clubs Account. We will then go ahead and purchase the tickets.

Peterborough City Council is holding a public consultation from 23 January to 5 March 2026 regarding an alternative site for development on land west of Wittering, north of the A47 and west of the A1. This site is being considered for approximately 3,000 homes as a potential alternative to previously suggested sites, including an area of land northeast of Castor and Ailsworth. That led to "significant concerns" being raised by "both the public and statutory stakeholders on impact on the natural environment and biodiversity (in particular at the nationally important Castor Hanglands), impacts and pressure on the local infrastructure, including highways and other services and facilities, and impacts on landscape".

Full details of the consultation, including how to view the site information and submit comments online, are available at www.peterborough.gov.uk/local-plan-review.
 

No decision has yet been made about whether this alternative site will be allocated; but we would urge you to support the West Wittering site's inclusion in the final Local Plan. You can make comments:

When we left the Peterborough area it was misty and raining, but after a while at Titchwell it turned into a good day.

The group of 18 were treated to a very showy Firecrest – a bird you don’t often see at Titchwell. We searched the ditch by the footpath for a Water Rail and, thanks to Kevin Gray and his thermal imaging, we located the bird, although I don’t think everyone managed to catch sight of it. We had another Water Rail later by the tidal marsh, where it ran past Keith on the path.

We went along the Fen Trail and everyone had good views of a Tawny Owl sitting in the ivy. We couldn’t find the Woodcock at the time, but Ian Gordon and Trish stayed on and eventually saw the bird.

We continued to Patsy’s Pool where there was a distant Marsh Harrier, and on returning to the main track we saw three more.

On the freshwater pool there was a good variety of birds, including geese, ducks, Lapwings and Golden Plover.

We then went to the beach. With the tide low, we walked out towards the rocks where there were a number of waders. Ian Humphries was the lucky one to spot a Purple Sandpiper. On the sea, close inshore, was a Great Northern Diver, with good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers further along.

We headed back for lunch, with some having brought their own and others visiting the café.

At around 2pm we travelled to Roydon Common, which is on the way home, for the raptor roost. Here we saw a number of Red Kites, followed by a ringtail Hen Harrier flying into view and then settling for all to see. Several Marsh Harriers were also flying around, ready to come into roost. We then found a male Hen Harrier hunkered down in the grass—only its head visible—but for the last two men standing it gave a superb display.

All in all, it had been a very good day, with 68 species seen by the group.

Come and enjoy our Christmas general knowledge quiz with a drink and some nibbles. Members can bring their partners. Last year’s was a very nice entertaining evening and was enjoyed by those who came.

19:30 on 10th December 2025 in St Marks Church Hall (the usual indoor meeting venue)

See you there

After Storm Claudia, the weather forecast was not promising, but we were pleasantly surprised when the day turned out to be fine, albeit a little grey. On the drive in, we spotted numerous Whooper Swans along with a few geese, though unfortunately, there were no Bewick’s in sight.

 

We met in the car park and made our way to the viewing platform. On the feeders, we spotted a handful of Tree Sparrows mingling with the House Sparrows. In the distance, at least six Cattle Egrets were visible, with a Chinese Water Deer quietly observing us.

 

From there, we walked across the bridge to the warmth of the Main Hide, where we were treated to a wide variety of birds. In the foreground, several Pochards were swimming close by, while further out, we had great views of Wigeon, Pintail, and Shoveler. There were also Black-Tailed Godwits and a few Ruffs in the mix.

 

Next, we headed over to the Lyle Hide. While it was a bit chillier there, the views were fantastic—numerous teal were feeding in the shallows until a passing Marsh Harrier flushed them. At that moment, a huge skein of Pink-footed Geese flew by, heading for the fields beyond the reserve.

 

Lunchtime came around, and a pasty from the café hit the spot, though it was not as delightful as Annie’s famous Lemon Drizzle cake. After lunch, we made our way to the Reed Bed Hide, where the birdlife was just as abundant. Flocks of Golden Plovers and Lapwings were wheeling overhead, while a Marsh Harrier was spotted eating prey.

 

We then returned to the Main Hide to catch the Swan feed. While we were waiting, Richard spotted a Merlin fly through, later followed by a Sparrowhawk. As we watched the swans being fed, we were treated to a fascinating talk from one of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust staff.

A great end to a great day: we recorded 57 species, plus Chinese Water Deer and Roe Deer. As we left, we were treated to the calls of Whooper Swans flying overhead, adding finishing touch to an enjoyable day.

Trisha Thompson, one of our Bird Club members and a local expert on these creatures, is giving this talk at Pinchbeck Village Hall (9 Knight Street, Pinchbeck, PE11 3XA) on Tuesday 14th October starting at 7.30 PM. Although Trisha's talk will focus on Lincolnshire, the dragonflies and damselflies found around the Peterborough area will be very much identical.

Bird Club members are welcome to attend the talk.