Howdy folks! And welcome to a triple length bumper edition of the sightings blog. Yes, yes, I know. You've been wondering where it went. Well, with a combination of annual leave and being ill, I've not been about much for the past last three weeks and so couldn't produce one. I hope you'll forgive me.
So, what do we have for you? Other than a lot of maps. Though if it is ok with everyone, I will only do the last week's worth and just mention other things in passing. So let's get to it!
You want golden plovers? We got golden plovers! Possibly up to 10,000 of them. Plus at least a couple of thousand lapwings too. Really quite a sight!
Aside from all the plovers, it was a tad quiet for sightings on Tuesday and Wednesday. So no maps for then.
The whooper swan flock had been bolstered since 14 January by another dozen or so, plus a couple of Bewick's swans. This appears to have been the last day they were seen. The swans come in at dusk (currently about 5 pm) and are well worth waiting for.
Whooper swans by Neil Smith
The brambling was a nice spot, first ones this year. We know they are still in the area, just off the reserve so any year-listers may wish to put some time in at that spot.
The stonechats are still being very showy, and affording some great views, and photographic opportunities. Sometimes they are even perching right outside the visitor centre.
Stonechat by Macca
So what else has been about? Well, lets see...
7 January: Lapland bunting at Frampton
9-10 January: waxwing at Frampton
Photo by Amy Robjohns
13 and 15 January: jack snipe at Frampton
14 January: water pipit and black-throated diver at Freiston
17 and 19 January: weasels at Frampton
18 - 20 January: white-fronted geese at Freiston
Photo by Paul Sullivan
22 - 27 January: scaup at Frampton
Bearded tits have been around in the reedbed for most of the month, but have not been reported for a week. Still they may still be in there. A still morning is the best to try to find them.
The other big thing for the month has been the wonderful starling flock that had been giving daily displays over the reedbed at sunset. Alas, they now seem to have moved on, although you can see them in the distance. At its peak it had been up to 7000 birds. Quite the spectacle, as you can see here in this video on our Facebook page.
Right, so that is just about us caught back up. Remember, you can catch the daily sightings map on our Twitter account to keep abreast of what is happening here at the reserves. If you take photos or the birds, other wildlife or even just some lovely scenery (we do like a sunset/sunrise photo!) then you can share it with us on Flickr or on Facebook. Not just photos either. If you have videos, they'd be great too. Such as this one by Steve Black. Or even if you are an artist and do paintings or sketches.
So that is about it. I hope everyone has a lovely week birdwatching. Take care, stay safe, and I'll catch you all next week!
Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.