It seems last weeks photo spectacular sightings blog went down pretty well (thank you for all your feedback and please keep it coming) so we'll stick with it and showcase more of the fantastic pictures that have been taken of our fantastic wildlife. 

We thought we'd seen the last of this winter's big groups of Whooper Swans with over 120 departing last week so it was a nice surprise to see 53 on the reedbed on the morning of the 20th. We've had a regular 8 that still commute between the reserve and their feeding fields to the south and these probably attracted the larger group of 45 in. 

   
Whooper Swans - Neil Smith

   
Whooper Swans - Neil Smith

Our 4 European White-fronted Geese are probably the most asked about species on the reserve and can be amazingly elusive. Fortunately a bit of sun brought them out into the open and they've been readily visible all week, much to the delight of many.

  
European White-fronted Geese - Toby Collett

   
European White-fronted Geese - Toby Collett

What I thought may have been a Black Brant hybrid last week may well be the real deal. I was probably being a bit too cautious regarding the ID and a few people have given it the nod so happy to agree. Unfortunately it hasn't been seen again since but there's a good chance it's still around as we had a re-sighting of the Dark-bellied Brent - BPB= (which was first seen last month) on the 15th so birds aren't leaving us just yet.  

While the Brent Geese are thinking of returning to their breeding grounds, our resident Canada Geese are already on theirs. The scuffle below took place on the reedbed, lasting for about 5 minutes before the bird on the left wearily moved on. Keep an eye out for more of these, along with Coot, battling it out for partners and nest sites across the reserve in the coming weeks.

  
Canada Geese - Toby Collett

Like the White-fronted Geese our drake Scaup is also one many visitors wish list of birds to see when they're out and about. This chap has relocated back to the reedbed where, like the geese, he can be elusive. The best place to see him is from the northern section of the reedbed trail. If you're not sure what. to look for, Ian's picture below will give you some pointers.

  
Scaup - Ian Ellis

Great Crested Grebes are now starting to pair bond and weed dancing with the best place to see them being from the Reedbed Trail. Don't forget to take your camera with you and let us know if you get some good snaps. 

Harrier activity continues to be strong with both male and female Hen Harriers still being seen on a daily basis from the sea bank. Marsh Harriers are also out over the saltmarsh in good number but we have had two visits (14th and 18th) from a female that has been quartering over the reedbed so if you are scanning into the distance for them, don't forget to look behind you every now and again. 

Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine have been ever present, though it's often the pile of feathers that have been left is what gives the birds visits away. If you do visit and don't manage to see any Peregrines then it's worth heading in to Boston and checking out the Stump as they are regular seen on and around the famous landmark

Our new water level management looks to be doing the trick with waders all over the place. Avocet numbers are getting harder to estimate due to them being everywhere and very flighty, but we must be getting close to three figures now. With Avocets not exactly being classed as proper migrants as they winter on the south coast of the UK, it was great to hear of the Little Ringed Plover at Freiston Lagoon on the 20th. This is pretty early (the earliest one of our regulars has ever seen one there) and looking back at Frampton records the earliest we've had one was the 27th of March 2011. While severely reduced in number, Golden Plover still make regular appearances and and now is the time to see the black belly of birds in breeding plumage.  

  
Golden Plover - Neil Smith

The Little Stint was last reported on the 15th and last weeks Spotted Redshank found a friend on the 18th. Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff numbers continue to build across the reserve with both starting to come into summer plumage, with many godwits already showing full summer redness.  

  
Black-tailed Godwit - Neil Smith

  
Black-tailed Godwit - Neil Smith

  
Ruff - Neil Smith

The Black-headed Gull colony is thriving and it's great to hear and see them in good number showing such vigour and character. It's always fun to sift through them looking for a true black-headed gull and on the 18th I did just that. A super stunning Mediterranean Gull was displaying on the largest island. Hopefully we'll have a few more picked up and who knows if this is the year they breed with us for the first time? 

  
Mediterranean Gull - Neil Smith

They've been missing for a few weeks but the Marsh Farm Little Owls were well watched over the weekend and a Barn Owl was hunting the cross bank on the 19th. 

With not many trees on the reserve Great Spotted Woodpeckers are usually fly overs so it was great to watch one in sun as it fed in the trees/hedgerow to the west of the reedbed trail. 

  
Great Spotted Woodpecker - Toby Collett

Following on from last weeks comment about the Skylark, it seems that it wasn't a one off. There is a very confiding bird near to the gate that leads towards the Reedbed and 360 hides which doesn't appear bothered as people walk past and will even sing to you as you do! What a gent.

  
Skylark - Neil Smith 

The only other real migrant we've had this week was Chiffchaff. The first Frampton record for the year was in the top car park on the morning of the 20th which coincidentally was the same time 2 birds were seen at Frieston. With many migrants in the country I hope to be able to report the trio of Wheatear, Sand Martin and Garganey, and their arrival dates, next week.

It's been a very poor year for Twite so a small party of 25 flying over Middle Scrape on the 19th were not only a nice surprise but the highest count of the winter.

Several of the warden staff were upset to see several flattened Common Toads on the road on Monday morning but fortunately the handful that had croaked (sorry) represented a very small percentage of how many were on the reserve. Our ditches were heaving! The best place to see them is in the pond dipping area, with several jostling in the water and a few sunning themselves on the path.

  
Common Toad - Neil Smith

  
Common Toad - Neil Smith

There are a few sticklebacks about too, obviously enjoying the sun warming the water over the last few days. 

  
Stickleback (not sure how many spines) - Neil Smith

And that's a wrap for this week. Enjoy your weekend and see you soon.

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