Highlights this week were few and far between with poor weather and low tides contributing to less pairs of keen eyes being out and about. The one day Quail from last week may well still be around as one was flushed from the Cross Bank on the 4th and another was then heard in the same field they were heard in last week. Some late nights might be in order to see if they're still present. The other highlight this week was much more of a surprise. A stroll down to Tabbs Head on the morning of the 30th resulted in a very unseasonal winter plumaged Black-throated Diver! Judging by the state of the flight feathers, there's a good chance it won't be flying off anytime soon so worth a look out for it on the (BIG) high tides next week.
Black-throated Diver
Garganey lead the way for interesting wildfowl (with the Australian Wood Duck still in the mix for oddity value, or should that be ozity value?) Up to four (3 males and a female) have been seen though the boys haven't been as elusive and are often seen together on Marsh Farm from the sea bank car park. Note the brown feathers on the flank of the bird in the middle below. He is starting to go into eclipse and will no doubt be with us for the rest of the summer.
Garganey - Ian Ellis
A couple of Barnacle Geese have been on on and off at Frampton with a sing;e bird being equally erratic in it's appearance at Freiston. We're not sure what their history is (wild or feral) but they are still a gem to see when picked out amongs the much larger Canadas and Greylags.
Barnacle Geese - Ian Ellis
The breeding season is now well and truly upon us with chicks everywhere! Mallard and Gadwall make up the majority of wildfowl and they do like to go on adventures so please take care when driving to the sea bank car park and if you do come across any ducklings let them pass by without interference, even if they seem lost as mum will no doubt be close by.
Mallard - Paul McCaffery
Mallard - Jill Hall
Mute Swan - Neil Smith
The Spoonbill once again put a few appearances in this week but only on the last two days of May. Who's going to be first to see it this month?
Spoonbill - Ian Ellis
Very quiet on the raptor front with a few Marsh Harrier records from the Saltmarsh. A boat trip on the Boston Belle on the 5th was fantastic though with close views of Peregrine at the stump (which are now looking after 4 chicks), Kestrel, 2 Buzzard and up to 7 Marsh Harriers around the Welland. All in all we had 63 species in the 3 hours we were on the boat and a fantastic time was had by all. The cruises are run by the South Lincs Local Group and there are a few places left so if you want to book yourself on one or find out more about them then have a click here.
Avocet chicks continue to emerge and pepper the wet grassland and south scrape. We often have visitors asking us about the Avocets scaring everything else off but this isn't always the case.... Looks like there's a new Sheriff in town!
Avocet under attack - Neil Smith
Little Ringed Plovers continue to display over the scrapes and reed bed but no ping pong balls with legs have been seen just yet. Passage wise things have really calmed down. The time of year combined with some very low tides is not conducive to pushing birds off the wash and onto the reserve. The only scarcities of note were Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, both seen on the 30th but not since. A nice surprise however has been the ever increasing group of Bar-tailed Godwits. Starting with 60 we now have over 300 on the Wet Grassland.
Little Gull numbers peaked at 6 this week with all of them now starting to show black on their heads, eliminating the need to check and double check them for Ross's Gull.
Little Gull - Ian Ellis
Mediterranean Gulls have been ever present at both Frampton and Freiston this week, with both sites also hosting several Sandwich Terns.
Sandwich Tern - Ian Ellis
The fish filled ditches have proved very popular with Common Terns and equally so with photographers. Paul got this fantastic set of shots earlier this week.
Common Tern - Paul McCaffery
Reed and Sedge Warblers continue to sing from cover, though patience can lead to some great images when they pop into the open.
Reed Warbler - Paul McCaffery
Sedge Warbler - Paul McCaffery
And finally if little brown jobs don't cut the mustard for you then head over towards the 360 hide for Butterfly Alley. The banks are bursting with flowers and we've had Small Heath, Common Blue, Painted Lady and Small Tortoiseshell all flitting about.
If you'd like to see something equally as eye catching but a little less mobile then head to the sea bank steps near East Hide where we had our first Bee Orchid of the year. There are several spikes showing so no doubt there'll be a few more to see, and pictures of them, in the coming weeks.
Bee Orchid
There'll be some high tides this time next week so if you are planning to come during the week do check to make sure your visit coincides.
Until then, enjoy your weekend and good birding.
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