Lesser fella

 

Here are just a few photos of the Lesser Yellowlegs found earlier this week by my friend Hugh Wright. This elegant North American wader made a brief but memorable appearance at Etton Pits, flying off shortly after Hugh first spotted it on Tuesday morning.

Thankfully, after a nerve-wracking day of uncertainty, Hugh managed to relocate the bird yesterday evening, much to everyone's huge relief. It was a joy to see — not only for the rarity of the sighting, but for the superb views it eventually gave.

This may well be just the second local record of a Lesser Yellowlegs, making it an incredibly exciting moment for local birders and a brilliant reward for all the hours Hugh has put into his patch this year. 

More photos to follow.

From Denmark to Frampton and beyond

 

Earlier this summer, while watching Spoonbills at Frampton Marsh RSPB, I noticed one with a distinctive green leg ring. A closer look through the scope revealed a unique code — and thanks to the magic of bird ringing schemes and some online research, I was able to trace this bird’s fascinating journey.

This Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) was ringed in Denmark as a chick unable to fly, on June 10, 2023, in the Ringkøbing Fjord area, along Denmark’s west coast. It was part of a monitoring scheme run by Nordvestjysk Ringmærkergruppe, with ringing data managed by Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Fast forward to June 2025, and I recorded this bird at Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire — 747 days and over 630 km away from its birthplace.

From the ringing report and subsequent records, here’s what we now know about this individual:

• 2023: Ringed in Høje Sande, Denmark, as a chick

• 2023/2024: Wintered in Cornwall, a known wintering site for Spoonbills in the UK

• 2024: Spotted at Cowbit Washes, a location that was flooded following unprecedented rainfall — providing temporary, ideal habitat for wetland birds

• 2024 Summer: Seen at Frampton Marsh RSPB

• 2025 Summer: Back at Frampton, still in good health

Summer Long-eared Owl

 A female Long-eared Owl, taken back in June. One of two pairs I found this summer, with young. 

Golden Grey Phalarope

 

Earlier this week, I teased a photo of a mystery bird — all feet, splash, and a swirl of water. The big reveal? It was, of course, a Grey Phalarope!

These pelagic Arctic-breeding waders are always a joy to see, and this one was no exception. This typically fearless individual spent a few days on the shallow margins of Rutland Water, and I couldn’t resist heading over for a closer look.

Over a couple of evenings, I found myself flat on my belly, in the cold mud, doing what wildlife photographers do best — getting uncomfortable for the sake of the shot! But it was so worth it. The phalarope was completely unbothered by my presence, spinning and pecking in the shallows just a few metres away, feeding happily on bloodworms and zebra mussels.

Mystery bird photo

 The 'coot's feet' are the big clue...

Smart Spotshank

Another look at a summer Spotted Redshank, taken at Frampton Marsh RSPB in June. 
 

Fox encounter

 

This Fox was hunting for snails and swan mussels in the depths of the mud of this mature gravel pit, which has a very low water levels at the moment. It's primed for waders and crakes in the next month.

Summer Spotted Redshank

Earlier in the summer, I was lucky enough to photograph this stunning Spotted Redshank at Frampton Marsh RSPB. I love evenings at this reserve and must make an effort to visit more next summer. 
 

More Migrant Hawker action

 

A few more photos from earlier in the week.

Showy Black Stork

This young Black Stork showed down to 10 metres, when we visited earlier in the month. A great way to add the species to Dad's British list. 

 

Migrant Hawkers on the wing

This summer has been brilliant for dragonflies—not just in numbers, but in variety too. Several species have been expanding their range around the Peterborough area, and Migrant Hawkers have been particularly abundant at Deeping Lakes LWT.

I spent some time earlier this week trying to get better flight shots of these striking insects. Historically, dragonflies in flight have always been tricky for me—fast, erratic, and often just out of reach of a good frame. But this time, I had a bit more luck and managed to come away with images I'm genuinely pleased with.

Migrant Hawkers are smaller than some of the other hawkers, but their blue and yellow markings, paired with their delicate wing structure, make them truly eye-catching. Watching them patrol sunlit patches of reedbed and water margins is a summer highlight—and now I finally have a few sharp shots to remember it by!

Local Wasp Spider

Took Dad to see the local Wasp Spiders yesterday evening and we found three individuals. This was the most 'photogenic'. Great creatures!

Juvenile Wood Sandpiper

 

Deeping Lakes continues to surprise this summer. I’ve honestly never seen East Pit look so dry — the water level has dropped significantly, exposing wide stretches of mud and lifting the crassula well above the waterline. While unusual for this time of year, the conditions have created ideal habitat for passage waders.

On Thursday morning, I managed to connect with the juvenile Wood Sandpiper found the day before. It gave fantastic views in the early morning sun. This is the second I've seen here this year, after a spring adult. It's turning into quite a good year for waders at Deeping Lakes.