The Boston Belle

Boat day has arrived!

We were up early and in Boston before nine o clock, all ship shape and Bristol fashion.

We had a full quota of shipmates for our bird watching cruise around the Wash, I think there were fifty of us altogether. We had a bit of a delay waiting for the tide to be at the right height so we could open the sluice/ lock gates to go down the River Witham and out of Boston itself.

The weather was nigh on perfect. Warm, dry and a bit of cloud cover so we didn't frazzle when we were out on the front of the boat.

Soon we were leaving Boston and out into the salt marshes. We had sat inside as the outside seats were quickly taken before we got on board. The one advantage of this we were in prime position when the bacon rolls were ready to purchase!

The scenery as we left town and out towards the Wash was amazing. Grey Herons and Little Egrets are constant companions. Both species were feeding on the rich pickings in the mud and water. The species list climbed with all the usual waders you would expect. We had Sandpipers, Redshanks, Turnstones, Black and Bar Tailed Godwits, Whimbrels and Curlews and every so often a Oystercatcher picking its way along the rivers edge. We disturbed a huge flock of Knots which made for a spectacular show.

As we left the river and headed into the wide expanse of the Wash itself it was hard to think that having been on the boat for a good hour and half we were only just outside the sea wall at Freiston Shore. What made this all the more wonderful was there was a small number of seals basking on the shoreline. It's hard to get your head around the fact there are seals just a few miles as the crow flies from Dawn's parents back garden!

We sailed on up the River Welland. We were encountering Terns more frequently now. Both Sandwich and Common were prevalent. We had wonderful views of a Marsh Harrier that flew across our boughs, a few Buzzards and a Kestrel were added to the list.

Eventually we had to turn around and make our way back to Boston. We had a wonderful five hours or so on the boat. The trip was very well run, and the two brothers doing the spotting and the commentary were first class. We really want to do the cruise again next year, but at a different time of year to see what other species are around.

The trip featured sixty two species, and just the one lifer for me in the Sandwich Tern.

I've added some more photos from the day in the extras, and I have put some up from the dSLR on Flickr in this album.