A Stunning Surprise

There are days in birdwatching that whisk you right back to your earliest memories—and this encounter was one of them. On a calm summer evening at Deeping Lakes, I was thrilled to see this Black-necked Grebe in stunning summer plumage. This species used to be an annual visitor to the lakes back in the 2000s (and likely before), but it's scarcely been seen here over the last 15 years. Its appearance, following last autumn’s long-staying individual, was a nice surprise

Back in the day, during early spring, pairs of Black-necked Grebes would sometimes show at the lakes, hinting at possible breeding… only to slip away before they would nest. The only local breeding record I know of dates to spring/summer 1998, when a pair successfully raised young at Baston & Langtoft Pits. I was young then, but I vividly remember the excitement—Dad and I watched at close quarters, marvelling as this rare species felt like part of our local patch. For me, that spring helped cement my passion for birds.

Now, over two decades later, here was another resplendent Black-necked Grebe, feathers sleek, eyes bright, and full summer plumage gleaming on the water. It was a poignant reminder of how special these moments are. Although there’s no doubt a failed breeder from elsewhere, seeing one again at Deeping Lakes felt like a bridge across time—linking childhood memories to today’s joy in birdwatching.

Baby Spoon

Last month, I spent a peaceful evening wandering around Frampton Marsh RSPB — one of my favourite places to unwind and immerse myself in nature. There’s something uniquely calming about this fantastic reserve in the evening. With most of the day visitors gone, it’s often just you and the wildlife — no distractions, just birdsong and the whisper of the breeze across the marsh.

The light was magical — that low golden sun casting long shadows and warming everything with a soft, honeyed glow. After a hot, muggy day, the cooler breeze that swept across the wetlands was a welcome relief, and I settled in to enjoy the sights.

Among the many highlights that evening were the Spoonbills. They’re a species that always catches the eye — with their distinctive spatula-shaped bills and elegant stance. I was especially pleased to spot a juvenile Spoonbill, with it's smaller, pale bill that gives away its youth.

It stayed for a while, calmly feeding and preening in the shallows, allowing for some lovely views and a few quiet moments with the camera. Photographing Spoonbills at Frampton Marsh is always a treat, but this young bird, bathed in golden light, felt extra special.

Summer Curlew Sand!

Curlew Sandpiper is a rare migrant to Deeping Lakes LWT, with just a handful of records. This is the first adult type to be recorded on the reserve and was a great find for Mike Weedon on Monday.

Tiny Dancers

We’ve had some truly exciting news at Deeping Lakes LWT over the last few weeks. A few weeks back, I found a female Little Ringed Plover sitting tight on a scrape on East Pit — a big surprise, as Little Ringed Plovers haven’t nested at Deeping Lakes for around 20 years, and it was late in the season for them to try.

I didn’t expect much to come of it — but nature likes to surprise you. Over the weekend, four impossibly tiny Little Ringed Plover chicks were running around, watched over by their fiercely protective parents.

For anyone who’s not familiar, an adult Little Ringed Plover is only about 15–18 cm long — so these tiny chicks are truly minute, more like little pebbles darting about on their wobbly legs. Watching them scuttle across the shingle was a real highlight of the season for me, and a brilliant sign that Deeping Lakes still holds surprises.

Even better, it looks like they have a bit of backup. The Common Terns, which breed on the site every year, have moved their already fledged young from West Pit over to East Pit — right near the plovers. With the adult terns fiercely defending their patch from potential predators, I’m hopeful their presence will add an extra layer of protection for these tiny new arrivals.

Cranes at sunset

Earlier this spring, you might remember I was lucky enough to spend time with the Common Crane family at Willow Tree Fen LWT. It was such a privilege to watch the two youngsters in their early days, learning how these fantastic birds behave up close.

One of the most fascinating parts was witnessing a behaviour apparently newly recorded for the site: the parents built a fresh nest each night. Amy and I were there the first evening they left the original nest site and moved the chicks to a new, temporary one. We watched this happen again and again over a few evenings — amazing to see such care and adaptability in action.

It’s moments like this that make you realise how much is still to be learned about the wildlife right on our doorstep. We felt very lucky indeed.