After last week's double header of sightings, it's business as usual with a round up of what you can expect to see if you get chance to pop down this weekend.
Following on from the big Glossy Ibis surprise last week (a first for the reserve if you remember) we were delighted to hear that a second bird was present on the 26th! This was notably larger and darker (a bit of internet research reveals this to be a male trait) and they soon got together, interacting by calling and bill clattering. These are both in non-breeding plumage so while there may be some chemistry between them we are only at the early hand holding stage of a pair bond.
Glossy Ibis (female left, male right)
Glossy Ibis - Ian Ellis
Glossy Ibis and Avocet - Keith
Joining the ibis on many visitors wish list of species was another leggy beauty, but with a more distinct shaped bill. The Spoonbill was sporadic as always but some were lucky enough to not only see one but see it feeding alongside the ibis. A scene more familiar in coastal Spain rather than coastal Lincolnshire. Unlike the ibis this chap is most definitely in breeding nick, the distinct yellow throat, diffuse peach on the upper breast and shaggy mane are all pointers to this guy being in peak condition.
Spoonbill - Neil Smith
The other main highlight this week was the notable increase in number and variety of several small to medium sized birds with relatively long legs that like to spend their time on or around water....... WADERS!! :D
(Most of you know what's going to happen next, but for those who may be visiting the blog for the first time I am now going to talk about waders for quite a while so please feel free to scroll down or pop and make a cuppa while I waffle on....)
As the onomatopoeic Cuckoo (which was heard on and off all week) heralds the start of summer for many, the distinct chu-wit of a Spotted Redshank or the more shrill and piercing call of a Green Sandpiper is the audio cue that summer is winding down, wader passage is under way and autumn has begun. Due to it being quite early in the year many of these (and other returning waders) can be assumed to have failed at the breeding stage and so therefore no need to remain on their breeding grounds.
Nowhere is this easier to see and get a handle on than in the large mixed godwit flock (350+) that is ever expanding on the wet grassland. The unseasonal Bar-tailed Godwit (99% of which are in non-breeding plumage) flock (around 300) has started to attract Black-tailed Godwits (100+), and many of these are non-breeders too. Every day the ratio of breeding to non-breeding plumage birds goes up as birds from the continent and Iceland arrive back to the UK from their breeding grounds.
Godwit panorama (some birds in summer plumage can be seen on this side ^^^ just there)
If you've ever wondered how to count birds in flight, have a play and guess with this lot and I'll let you know the answer and how to do it next week.
How many godwits?
These are just the most splendid and stunning looking birds with deep rich brick red hues when on the ground, transforming into a pied squadron of beaks and legs when in the air. With a peak count of 6,000+ last year, there will no doubt be plenty of photographs of them to come so hopefully you'll still find them as ace as I do after banging on about them for 2 months.
We don't have any pictures of this weeks 8 Green Sandpipers that have been touring the grassland, scrapes and reedbed but as this peak count increases, photo opportunities will too so we'll share them when we get them. Fortunately the Spotted Redshank were more confiding, well 3 of the 6 were at least.
Spotted Redshank - Ian Ellis
Other wader highlights this week were 4 Greenshank (3 on the Saltmarsh and a single on the wet grassland), 4 Ruff on the wet grassland, excellent Lapwing, Redshank and Avocet chick numbers and new Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher nests. While the breeding season is over for some, for others it is only just starting.
Avocet - Paul McCaffery
Avocet - Neil Smith
Raptor interest has picked up again with more reports of Marsh Harrier and several Hobby observations throughout the week. The wader numbers, coupled with over 800 Starlings and several hundred Swifts will be attracting the latter and also the keen eyes of the recently fledged Peregrines from the Boston Stump. Will be amazing to see the worlds fastest animal hone their hunting skills above the reserve in the months to come.
Swift - Paul McCaffery
Little Gulls are still enjoying their surroundings to the south of the sea bank car park, our peak count this week was 6 and the resident Mediterranean Gulls were once again more often seen, and heard, flying over the reserve.
Common Tern chicks are starting to be seen on North Scrape with adults fishing around the ditches and pool edges providing some excellent up close and personal viewing.
Common Tern - Paul McCaffery
Like the ibis, Turtle Doves have been a big draw with several birds singing/'purring' in well established territories as well as being regularly seen on spilled grain in the yard near as you approach/leave the reserve. If there is enough interest from anyone reading this I'll be happy to make a quick map of all the best places to see hear Turtle Dove from and post it in next weeks sightings. Just let me know.
Turtle Dove
The Little Owls continue to be seen from the veranda of the Visitor Centre and Kingfisher was also picked out by those on the decking as it flashed across the reedbed.
As the days get warmer, the Frampton invertebrate interest starts to flourish and we'll finish this week with a selection of winged beasties for you to look out for this weekend.
Broad-bodied Chaser - Neil Smith
Ruddy Darter (immature) - Neil Smith
Small Heath - Neil Smith
The Snout - Neil Smith
And to finish this week a quick nod towards our splendid Bee Orchids, some of which are now looking a little worse for wear. If you haven't managed to see them yet then do take a wander over to the colony or you may well have to wait till next year.
Bee Orchids - Neil Smith
Well that's all from me this week. Enjoy your weekend everyone, and if you can't wait 7 days to know what's going on here, keep your finger on the Lincolnshire Wash Reserves pulse by following us on Twitter and giving us a ‘like’ on Facebook.
The more you're out the more you see - https://twitter.com/BoyWonderBirder