Hello,
Another quick blast of sightings as I've just run through the office door after getting back from RSPB HQ at the Lodge. Just been on a managing habitats for invertebrates course which was extremely interesting and hugely informative. Need to get myself a spyglass and explore lots :)
But enough ramble and babble, map time!
1. Admittedly the pectoral sandpiper spends 90% of its time on the freshwater reservoir at Freiston, but on the few times it has ventured back to Frampton it has been picked up from East Hide on the Roads Farm Wet Grassland.
2. The glossy ibis has gone missing for a few days but, like the pec sand, has been seen from East Hide when it has reappeared.
3. I personally haven't caught up with whinchat this year but the best place to look for them is along the fence lines marked above. Always worth looking along the post tops as other bits to be found include hobby, merlin and wheatears.
4. Spoonbills peaked at 7 this week and are enjoying the Autumn draw down on the Roads Farm Wet Grassland.
5. Yellow wagtails dropped in abundance this weekend but 10+ groups are still moving around together and flitting among the cows feet. Most are blush juveniles but a few cracking males can still be picked out.
6. The seed rich crop in South Scrape continues to pull birds in and numbers are building. We are nearing three figures in the finch flock and numbers are being swelled by skylarks and meadow Pipits that are arriving from further North.
7. We all know waders should be up at number 1 but there are so many that I thought I would make them 'The Magnificent 7'. Here's what you should be trying to pick up on your visit this week. Little stint, curlew sandpiper, greenshank, spotted redshank, ruff, snipe and golden plover. Some will be easier than others to get but let me know how you do.
8. As with last week if you're searching the Marsh Farm Wet Grassland for waders do spin round 180 and cast a scan over the ungrazed saltmarsh. We're overdue a Montagu's harrier so keep an eye out.
And there we have it. Hope you manage to see all 8 of the above (including 7a to 7g) and if you're feeling really adventurous now is the time to stroll out to Tabb's Head. It'll be a bracing walk but with a scattering of migrants up and down the coast fortune will definitely favour the bold on this occasion.
I'll leave you with a great photo of the pectoral sandpiper taken from the Freiston screen showing all key features, clear pectoral demarcation between streaky chest and clear white belly, yellow legs, pale base to bill and overall sandy tones.
Pectoral sandpiper - Roy Harvey
Last Autumn we had a peak count of 66 juvenile curlew sandpipers on the Freiston reservoir and with young birds now arriving in the country it's definitely worth a look before or after a visit to Frampton.
If I have time I'l try and get some photos on next week's blog but check the always excellent Lincolnshire Bird Club photo pages for recent Frampton and Freiston pics.
For those on Facebook have a search for RSPB Lincolnshire and also check out the Lincolnshire Wildlife Photography.
Finally a roll up roll up call to all those wanting adventure on the high seas. There are a few spaces left on our fantastic Wash cruises on the 16th of September and 16th of October. September is a great time for terns and skuas to be picked up along with good wader numbers and in October you could be in the right place to see our wildfowl returning from the Arctic.
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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
Thanks, Toby.