RSPB wash boat cruise 18th May

Hi there everyone, Anthony here, assistant warden and RSPB Frampton Marsh and RSPB Freiston Shore.

It's that time of year and the wash boat cruises are up and sailing again, the first cruise of the year ventured out into the wash and between the wet and miserable days of Wednesday and Friday the sun shined beautifully for our cruise on Thursday. Before we'd even set off the group we're treated to some lovely views of Grey Wagtail, a pair of adults we're feeding a juvenile on the green buoys catching various insects, it was lovely to watch as we waiting for the Boston Belle to arrive. We set off at 9:00am and started on our species list for the day.

As we plodded along the river Witham passing the stump and various other historical buildings we were treated to great views of peregrine around the docks. We slowly headed up the Witham out to the mouth seeing species like; Avocet, Little Egret, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin and a single Bar-tailed Godwit. We passed RSPB Frampton Marsh and it felt rather strange seeing the saltmarsh and sea banks from a different angle. I heard a familiar "jaffle jaffle jaffle" and thought to myself "that's a Green Woodpecker but what's it doing all the way out at Tabbs head?" Low and behold someone spotted the woodpecker in flight and upon scanning where it had landed we noticed that there were three birds; One adult and two juveniles. A lovely sight to see especially whilst on a boat. 

With it being mid May I wasn't expecting to see many seabirds out in the wash especially with it being such a nice calm day. As we just left the mouth of the Witham somebody pointed out a flock of around 30 birds and asked what they were to my surprise sat on the water were 30 Kittiwakes! An excellent sighting and my first real surprise of the day.  As we headed out there were still some Great Crested Grebes still out there and some Turnstone sat on some green buoys. I was looking around and noticed two dark birds flying straight for us I lifted my binoculars to find two Puffins! They flew right beside the boat and everyone got excellent views of this iconic species. Puffins are quite rare in the Wash and this was the first time they'd been seen on one the cruises in over ten years! We headed out for about a mile and returned this time going down the river Welland.

Just as we started to head down the Welland a passenger spotted a bird they were unsure about, they directed me to it and it was the Long-tailed Duck that has been lingering around for some time, another great bird for the cruise. A further 100m down we passed a Shag as it rested on one of the green markers, another unusual sighting for the cruise especially in May. As we passed some exposed mudflats we spotted a variety of waders species; Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Dunlin. It was now time for a rather delicious bacon sandwich (with brown sauce of course). If you are ever on one of the future cruises defiantly indulge in one and a cup of tea.

Heading down towards Fosdyke bridge Meadow Pipits and Skylarks singing away it really did feel like summer, with the sun shining surely it was only a matter of time before we spotted a Marsh Harrier. We were happy to pause on the inevitable and enjoy the treat of an amazing Hobby, these elegant bird of prey are summer visitors to our shores and put on amazing aerial displays whilst trying to catch and eat dragonflies whilst airborne. Shortly afterwards a Marsh Harrier gave us a fly by throughout the rest of the day we had four more sightings of this majestic bird.

We turned around and headed back top the Wash, during our outing so far we'd seen many Common Terns often flying along side the boat and hunting offering incredible views throughout the day. By now the species list was quite impressive with 80 already. Heading back towards Boston more species we're added to the list a superb Kingfisher perched on a post giving nice views, a single Jay flew over the boat and landed in an adjacent woodland where a Willow Warbler was singing.  As we approached Boston a Peregrine was again spotted, no other species we're added to the long list but 83 was the 2nd highest total ever from the boat the previous record being 84 in September.

Returning at 1:30 pm the boat docked and everyone departed all having had an excellent experience, some for the first time on the boat and some regulars too. This was my first ever trip on the boat cruises and I must say it was everything I thought it would be and more! Something I would recommend to absolutely everyone whether your a keen birder or someone looking for a day out, it's an amazing day. Thanks must go to the RSPB local group for organizing and running these boats, they do an amazing job all on a voluntary basis. Special thanks goes to Norman who does a large chunk of this work himself. If you are interested in taking part in one of these cruises there's more information available here - www.southhollandcentre.co.uk/whats-on/view/rspb-boat-cruises