All Aboard the "Skylark" (Boston Belle)

15th June 2012

Boston Stump

Heather and I had planned to travel out to Boston for a cruise on the Boston Belle in April but it was cancelled and today was the rescheduled date. Unfortunately, Heather had to cancel at the last minute, so I decided to go it alone! The weather was worrying with a forecast of heavy rain, thunderstorms and very strong winds. However, as luck would have it, the sun shone for most of the trip, bt the wind was rather strong! The only rain was light and came ten minutes before the end of the five hour cruise. Excellent crew and guides.

The trip was envigorating and the first time I had tried to get images from a moving "platform"! We navigated the River Witham from Boston, out onto the Wash and into the River Welland before returning to Boston. Bird wise, very little to excite, so I concentrated on the more common species that came close enough. A splendid summer plumaged Grey Plover was a year tick for me, but of course, failed to come close for an image!  A full list of species can be seen at the end of this post.

Shelduck

Lesser Black Backed Gull

Turnstone

Redshank

Oystercatcher

Bar Tailed Godwits

Marsh Harrier

Common Seal

Great Crested Grebe

Common Tern

Todays Sightings:

Great Drested Grebe; Cormorant; Little Egret; Grey Heron; Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Shelduck; Mallard; Marsh Harrier; Buzzard; Pheasant; Avocet; Oystercatcher; Turnstone; Knot; Redshank; Bar Tailed Godwit; Grey Plover; Lapwing; Curlew; Black Headed Gull; Common Gull; Herring Gull; GBB Gull; LBB Gull; Common Tern; Stock Dove; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Collared Dove; Swift; Skylark; Sand Martin; Swallow; House Martin; Pied Wagtail; Robin; Blackbird; Blue Tit; Starling; Magpie; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Rook; House Sparrow; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Linnet; Yellowhammer; Reed Bunting.

Red Kite near Oundle.

Grey Seal; Common Seal.