Well I was nearly right with my migrant predictions last week. After last week's Chiffchaff at both reserves and Little Ringed Plover at Freiston I was expecting to let you know about Garganey, Wheatear and Sand Martin arriving. Unfortunately only one of these touched down during the recent sightings timescale (though we did have Wheatear today but that counts as next week). A pair of Garganey were on the South Scrape at Frampton on the 22nd, and possibly Freiston's Little Ringed Plover was on the Roads Farm wet grassland. Also on the Saturday we had a African arrival but not the expected Sand Martin but an early Swallow. This is the first time in three years a Swallow has arrived before a Sand Martin.
After the Black Brant head scratching of a few weeks ago we were back again to more umm-ing and ahh-ing, well I was at least.
Black Brant? - Ian Ellis
Black Brant? - Reg Rice
The first image was taken on the 26th and the bottom 2 pictures were also taken this week. Alas my knowledge of Brant variation needs improving so don't feel I'm in a position to lean one way or the other but with birds on the move please keep your eyes out for brents with big white flanks and full collars and snap away if you can. Be good to build up a photo record of these and hopefully over time we'll have an idea of what's genuine and which ones are not so much.
The 4 White-fronted Geese continue to play hide and seek on Marsh Farm wet grassland while a Barnacle on the scrapes was much easier to pick out. 5 Whooper Swans were on the reedbed on the 24th, could these be the last of the year?
Barnacle Goose - Ian Ellis
A gorgeous Merlin was extremely approachable on the 25th with what was probably the same bird being mobbed by 60 Black-tailed Godwits over the scrapes on the 27th. You may have read Dan's blog about his Sparrowhawk encounter which is something that could happen at anytime as you wander round the reserve so make sure you stretch your legs and get as much out of your visit as you can. Peregrines and Marsh Harriers have been seen daily out on the salt marsh.
Our habitat management on South Scrape means water levels are spot on to draw waders in and great views can be had, and with them, great pictures.
Avocet - Michael Nott
Black-tailed Godwit - Michael Nott
Ruff - Michael Nott
360 Hide provides some wonderful photographic opportunities and when the sun's out the birds can be illuminated wonderfully. This weekend sees some good tides in the afternoon so if you are planning a visit try not to nip off when the visitor centre closes as you may well be rewarded with a fresh influx of birds around tea time and hopefully more views like those above.
It's not all about keeping an eye out for early migrants, many early bloomers are also worth looking for.
Water Crowsfoot - Neil Smith
Common Field Speedwell - Neil Smith
Keep an eye out for Water Crowsfoot while you're looking for toads around the pond dipping area and Common Field Speedwell can be found among the longer grasses in the pollen and nectar strip outside the visitor centre. Thanks to the warm weather there are lots of bumblebees and a few early butterflies around so these flowers, along with the bright yellow Coltsfoot, provide much needed early feeding areas.
'And you said we won't need an umbrella...!' - Neil Smith
A quick look at the weather means the above scenario is unlikely to happen on the first weekend of the easter holidays so come and enjoy the high tides and don't forget to change your clocks on Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Enjoy your weekend.
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Toby - Another excellent report on the wee.
I wonder what that was that just flew past??