Apologies for the delay in getting this weeks sightings out. A returning tractor, an outgoing pump and an intermittent generator/electrical system all put paid to any sense of normality on Friday. Hence an early start for me which isn't all bad as I've just got redshank on the house list! :)
We say hello to some familiar faces in this weeks sightings and bid adieu to a Frampton regular, tissues at the ready.... our glossy ibis has decided to move on. Last sen on the 7th, only a week short of a 6 month stay, the ibis has finally decided that a Lincolnshire frost is not what it signed up for and has moved on to pastures new. For many it was the first ibis they had ever seen, for others it was an acquaintance to say hello to during a regular visit for all it was an absolute stunner of a bird and one we hope to see on the reserve again soon.
Fortunately we are more than able to cope with the loss of something as resplendent as the ibis and the sheer magnitude of birds on the wet grassland is worth a visit itself. The field next to the car park is pushed to capacity on a daily basis and this week has seen many more dunlin and ringed plovers than usual feeding on the flashes.
A panorama of the wet grassland - Toby Collett
While there has been no stand out candidate for a highlight this week our more expected regulars have put on quite a show. A male hen harrier quartering over the reedbed for the last two days of the week, up to three barn owls hunting together along the perimeter, pink-footed geese grazing the grassland, whooper swans coming in to roost on an evening and thousands of birds swirling all around you as you walk down to the sea bank.
Whooper swan - Neil Smith
Often with wildlife watching, it isn't about the scarce and unusual that can excite, but an up close and personal moment. The chance to see something that is usually spied at distance up close and in detail. Two of the best examples at Frampton are wigeon and redshank. The former is a cautious and flighty bird that spooks in flocks, whistling and wheeling away if you get too close. The latter has another moniker, 'the sentinel of the marsh' due to its piercing alarm cry which warns others that you have been seen, usually from a good distance away, and they should be on their guard. This warning call can often mean the end of close views as other birds scarper and retreat in your presence. At Frampton both wigeon and redshank seem much more leisurely in their attitudes to people. The fences and ditches provide an obvious barrier between their spot and ours, allowing them to feed in comfort knowing their will be no incursions and hence no need to seek safety in distance, meaning binoculars are often optional.
Redshank - Neil Smith
During the peak passage wader months in the Spring and Autumn, Frampton is without doubt, the best reserve to be for variety of species, and although species diversity drops off in the winter we more than make up for it in volume. Golden plover make up the bulk of the throng, with over 6,000 now regular between roads and marsh farm. The spangled carpet of gold and black disguises their true number and they really have to be witnessed on the wing to appreciate their numbers. As mentioned above we have seen a big increase in dunlin (250+) and ringed plover (100+) in among the plovers and wildfowl. Curlew too (60+) have also become much more prominent while the regular ruff (80+) are still a surprise for many that come to see us.
Golden plover - Neil Smith
And where you have lots of small birds, there will inevitably be larger birds, hoping to get an easy meal or two. The tricky part now though is actually trying to pick them out. Looking for one bird travelling very quickly in a swirling mass of 10,000 birds isn't as easy as it sounds. Often the best time to see both peregrine and merlin is when they are resting up, either before or after they've gone on a rampage. The peregrine likes to sit out on the grassland whereas the merlin is more likely to be found atop a fence post. The Visitor Centre and Mount Hirons are the best places to look from. Our vole population must still be going strong as a hovering kestrel is a daily sight and several barn owls now join us in the crepuscular hours.
Kestrel - Neil Smith
And so to out 'Where to look for what' weekly sightings map.
1. I can't really describe how amazing the birding bonanza, you'll just have to come and experience it for yourself.
2. We usually have to tell visitors to look for pinkies off the reserve so to have a regular cohort of 150 or so on the grassland is a real treat.
3. Our berry laden hedgerow is under serious attack by 500+ fieldfare and redwing. You will more than likely see them lining the roads on your approach and also around the car park as you pull up.
4. Whooper swans reward the late stayers and early risers as they move between roosting and feeding sites. We're still someway off the 120 or so we had lat year but we'll take what we can get.
5. As amazing as they are to see in the air, the sound of thousands of golden plover is something special in itself.
6. The male hen harrier has patrolled the reedbed during the last few days so you may not need to walk out to the raptor watchpoint to enjoy a grey ghost.
7. Barn owls can be seen at anytime during the day but the later you stay the better your chances.
8. A sea watch on the morning of the 9th resulted in a slavonian grebe, 2 red-throated divers, 2 common scoters and a single snow bunting so the rewards are there if you are.
9. With many of the wildfowl now coming out of eclipse plumage the males all look pristine and few are as elegant as the pintail. We may well hit three figures before the year's out.
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. Alternatively if you like taking pictures and have a Flickr account then please join our group and share your images with everyone.
The more you're out the more you see - https://twitter.com/BoyWonderBirder