Another great spot for birdwatchers as bluethroat takes to Tongue End

South Lincolnshire has scored another rare bird sighting – and possibly set a record.

A bluethroat has been attracting birdwatchers to Willow Tree Fen Nature Reserve.

A mass of twitchers have been drawn to the reserve

Twitcher Steve Black says the species likes wet pasture and scrub as its habitat so the Tongue End venue is ideal.

Just a fortnight ago Steve and fellow enthusiasts were capturing images of the rare great grey shrike and great white egret at nearby Deeping High Bank.

 He said: “No sooner had we calmed down from the Deeping High Bank birdfest than another cracker turned up at Willow Tree Fen.

“This time the bird in question does not breed here, it only passes by a few at a time in spring/autumn, along the coast mainly, and should be in Africa wintering.
“They breed all over Europe and none seemed to have arrived back in France or Holland as of yet. So why it has arrived here we know not, but the twitchers certainly have come in droves to see such a confiding bird.

“February is very early to see one and probably the earliest UK record.”

Meanwhile, Steve said that the time is right for South Holland residents to check their ponds for other wildlife.
“Keep an eye out for frogs awakening and spawning,” he said.