A lifer is birding speak for a species that you have not seen or photographed before. Having been taking wildlife photos for over 10 years, the chances of that happening are near zero. Well, it could have happened for me last Monday, 14th March on a visit to the RSPB reserve at Frampton Marsh Lincolnshire.

The main attraction was a White-tailed Lapwing, reportedly only 6 ever seen in the UK, that breeds in South/central Asia and winters in India/ North/East Africa, a true vagrant in the UK. It was first seen on the Humber estuary in August last year where it stayed until a couple of weeks ago, turning up at Frampton Marsh. Not overkeen on long distant birding these days, it's latest move brought it into my normal range.

There were a few other birders around and one had located it on an overgrown island on North Scrape but all that was occasionally visible was it's head. Such a rarlty was worth waiting for - three and a half hours of patiently standing around - such is birding - sometimes.

However, during that time we were treated to a female Merlin chasing a Skylark unsuucessfully but there was time fot a couple of quick flight shots.

Lifer number 1.

Eventually the reason for the visit came out, although still distant but there were photo opportunities.

and then a wing flap

before flying off in the wrong direction.

Lifer number 2.

So after all that, it was time to relax and have lunch in the 360 hide.

Wildfowl in evidence with a drake Pintail

and a drake Teal showing well in the sun.

A small flock of Dunlin

and even a flight shot.

A Black-headed Gull showed well.

and a small flock of Brent Geese flew in to bathe.

One stood alone so I could not resist a quick shot so imaging my surprise to get home and in the editing process, it was very reminiscent of an American Brent Goose variety called a Black Brant.

I am not really certain of this but the wide neck band is an indicator.

Could be lifer number 3 for the day.

Then on the way back to the car, a small flock of Wigeon were close enough for some more shots.

What a day - very successful.