Below a selection of other recent images

Small in frame image - part of a marked passage of Stonechats through Barton in the last two weeks. The first singing Chiffchaffs now present at least two weeks earlier than they used to appear in the 1970’s.

A dull day brightened by this former rare bird that has now become an expected annual scarce migrant in Lincolnshire. This was the first February bird for Alkborough Flats but only December now lacks a record on the site.

Smew were formerly fairly regular in winter on my local pits but in recent years they have become a rare bird so it was nice to find this bird in late January and although it seemingly disappeared for a few days it then reappeared and was latterly joined by a second female / redhead type. This bird appears to be a clear second calendar year drake that is starting to show tell tale signs of its black and white adult plumage. It has been a very flighty bird throughout but fortunately I was stood in a concealed location as it moved between two of its favoured feeding areas and managed a few flight shots.

Just as the hard weather abated many of the ponds around Barton were still frozen solid; I found the local Redshank flock roosting on Waters’ Edge early one morning before the first visitors flushed them and took a few shots. Obviously would have been better at a lower angle but it’s a boardwalk and straying off it flushes the birds. The reflection in the ice is the key factor. A single bird below formed an alternative shot.