The big news of the week was the absolutely unbelievably gorgeous white-winged black tern that was found on the 5th. A few managed to get down to see it the evening it was first seen and this seemed the wisest move as our two previous records (3rd of September last year and July 25th in 2012) had hung around for less than half an hour. Fortunately/luckily it was still around Monday morning and in bright sunshine delighted all who came to see it. Better still it was still present on Tuesday but this was to be its final day with us and there were a few sad faces on Wednesday morning.
White-winged black tern - Find more photos and details of the tern here
So with the big name of the week gone, what else can we tempt you down to the reserve with? The sightings map has the answers....
1. Our turtle doves are keeping visitors on their toes. While we know where to see them, actually seeing them isn't as straightforward. There are several juveniles around which is great news as it means you are statistically more likely to see one as there are more around. If only it was that easy... Still if you don't manage a glimpse of one on your visit then you get to come and try again.
2. We are hosting about 50 ruff currently with 80% of them in the southern corner of Roads Farm. Most of these are males and boy are they looking tatty. The smaller reeves are much tidier but both are showing such range and variation that you have to make time to enjoy them.
3. Like the ruff, some of the spotted redshank are starting to lose their summer plumage and look a little more dappled as their paler winter colours comes through the sooty black. Study their shape and behaviour now and you can pick the juveniles out next month.
4. If you're not keen on seeing scruffy waders then worry not, we can offer you some absolutely splendid black-tailed godwit. Many of these will be fresh in from Iceland and are looking pristine. The biggest congregation is on south scrape with over 200 on the islands.
5. The few greenshank we have on the reserve are well spaced out with singles on the reedbed, Marsh Farm reservoir and Roads Farm grassland.
6. Our garganey was picked out again this week but only by a handful of our sharpest eyed visitors. Will you be one of them next week?
7. Green sandpipers are there to be found and enjoyed but usually only by those that venture along the cross bank. If you don't fancy the walk and are feeling lucky then you may have a chance of seeing one in the north end of the reedbed.
8. If you think the garganey is hard to see then the wood sandpiper is a another notch up on the elusive scale. Patience needed.
9. While we were hoping the reports of curlew sandpiper were going to continue the theme of summer plumaged waders, they were in fact two crisp grey non-breeding birds. The red breeding birds won't be too far behind I'm sure.
And here are some trip reports to the reserve from Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th of July
That's all from me this week. Enjoy your weekend everyone, and if you can't wait 7 days to know what's going on here, keep your finger on the Lincolnshire Wash Reserves pulse by following us on Twitter and giving us a ‘like’ on Facebook. Alternatively if you enjoy taking pictures and have a Flickr account then please join our group and share your images with everyone. If you are thinking of paying a visit from near or far please do check out the tide times which can make a big difference to both numbers and variety of birds seen on the day.
The more you're out the more you see - https://twitter.com/BoyWonderBirder