Messingham 16th March - Query ??

I disagree slightly with the comments that you can never say never if you were not there. The examples you have given are far removed from MSQ. It is baffling to me and all the other regulars of which 5 of us were there on that day from early morning until late afternoon that none of these birds were seen or heard. I do accept the record of the Cranes as this came from a very reliable and experienced birder. 

MSQ is not a large reserve and it would be difficult for 5 of us to have missed a Glossy Ibis. I also cannot begin to understand the 13 Red Kite. Was it a flock flying together which would be most unusual in that area which is not known for gatherings of Kites. We get the odd single bird every so often but 13 defies belief.

If somone does not put their hands up to claim these sightings and they end up in the yearly report then I think it makes a mockery of any other recordings made.

Looking forward to someone putting on a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker seen in the wooded area or a Goliath Heron in the water !!!

I just reported what I found on the internet. Not my decision to say whether it is genuine or not - although we all have our doubts?

As for Red Kites, well drive south of Grantham and down in to Northamptonshire and there are many if you look. Fineshade Woods was a good area a few years ago. Don't know what it is like nowadays. May look again if it ever gets any drier

A fair old drive from Scunthorpe is Willow Tree Fen (south of Bourne). There, if you go towards dusk you may see well into double figures of Common Cranes, over twenty Marsh Harriers and a couple of Hen Harriers. Around Christmas the Goosanders flying in to roost had to be seen to believed. And all to be seen without getting out of your car if you wish. Eldernell In Cambridgeshire can also be extremely good for Cranes if you are lucky

I also remember arriving at Gibraltar Point a few years ago where by the old visitor I found Kev Wilson watching seven (if i remember correctly) common crane flying  high out over the Wash towards Norfolk

Like you Max, I have no idea who posted this report. But you can never say never when you were not there 

GUARANTEED!!!

I bet no-one owns up to this. 

Agree with you Alan, as MSQ is part of our patch you more than I will know what's going on these days as I rarely get there (but may today) 13 Red Kite anywhere on our patch is unbelievable the most have seen in twenty-five years is two. Most have seen in one go in UK is 100+ in Scotland.  I saw the news page of Chris's last week and didn't say owt as I assumed one of the twitching brigade had seen them and as they always do never put them on the forum which up to them. Is the five Cranes over MSQ a first?  The Pipit is unusual but possible I suppose. 

THE PLOT THICKENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Does anyone know who reported the Glossy Ibis and the 13 !!!!! Red Kite at Messingham on the above date. None of the regulars saw any of this and there were 5 of us there all day between us. The only place I have seen 13 Red Kites together were at various established feeding stations throughout the country. Seems a very strange record. A Meadow Pipit is also unsual there much less a Water Pipit.