Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore recent sightings: 14 - 21 February 2014

Hi all,

Toby is off entertaining his family as it is half term, so it has fallen to me to do the recent sightings. 

Well, we will start with some returning friends. Four European white fronted geese are back on the wet grasslands. Though with a distressing tendency to hide in some of the channels there.. Probably best viewed from the wet grassland trail, to the south side of the reserve.

The little stint has continued to hang around as well. It was seen at Frampton on 14 and 15 February, and at Freiston on 16 and 18 February. Or maybe it is an different bird? Always tricky to tell. The two scaup continue to frequent the reserve, though with water levels initially dropped to do some work on the reedbed, they are now most often to be found on the scrapes. The plover flock (golden plover and lapwing) also seem to have switched their allegiance to this area. Maybe in appreciation of all the hard work that has gone into making it better?

The winter swans continue to feed outside the reserve during the day, coming back in the evening to roost and leaving again in the morning. There are approximately 40 whoopers, and just a couple of Bewicks. They are normally just beyond the south boundary of the reserve, but sometimes you can see them in the fields alongside the approach roads in towards the reserve. There are a lot of mute swans that also use these areas though.

Our favourite dodgy duck, the Australian wood duck, has been showing well all week. Look out for it especially on the wet grassland or at the back of the scrapes.

 Australian wood duck (Neil Smith)

Looking amongst the waders, ringed plover numbers are doing well. They often show well on the muddy islands in the reedbed, right in front of the visitor centre. Ruff, dunlin and blacktailed godwits are also present. But the true spectacle are the golden plovers and lapwings, still many thousands of birds to be seen.

Talking of long legs, the water rail was seen on 18 Feb, though we think it is still around, near to the area we call 'The Paddock'. It really is very difficult to spot though, so be prepared to put in some effort.

From long legs to hooked beaks, all the usual birds of prey have been about (and scaring the plovers witless). Highlight of last weekend was the female kestrel that swooped down and took out a starling right at the visitor centre feeders. Then proceeded to eat it mere feet away from all the enthralled onlookers. 

 Kestrel plotting... (Anthony Walton)

Moving away from the birds, brown hares are becoming more obvious out on the wet grassland. As we get properly into spring, they will start to 'box'. Which is not males fighting for the attention of a female. Rather it is a female being fed up with the attentions of her suitors, and teaching them some manners!

Want to keep up with all the latest happenings at Frampton and Freiston? Then follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.