Howdy folks! It is me, Chris the visitor guy. Back by popular demand with the Frampton Marsh recent sightings, after being elsewhere on Fridays for the last couple of weeks.
Wait, what is that? There was no popular demand? Well tough, you've still got me!
Anyway, a big thanks for Toby for coming back and doing the sightings over the last couple of weeks. I'm afraid my return is going to be a bit of an anticlimax after his wonderful photo-filled posts. It is only a simple sightings blog. Let's start with some maps...
Sorry, no map for Wednesday
Sorry, no map for Monday
So that is the round-up. What are the key things to take away from it?
Well, the sightings of hen harriers are becoming ever more common and regular. One of your best chances is to stake out the reedbed at dusk. There is a 'ringtail' (ie: either a young bird or a female, they are very difficult to tell apart). that has taken to hunting the starlings as they settle down to roost. of course, this is also a great time to look for our resident barn owls, who are very regular. So much so, we've even named one the 4 o'clock owl!
Two sightings of bittern over the week mean that this elusive bird might be wintering in our reedbed. No recent sightings of the bearded tits, alas.
Parties of pink-footed geese are usually to be found on the fields opposite the visitor centre, next to the barn. The sighting today of some white-fronted geese is also promising. Last year a similar sized group stayed with us all winter. If you are going round the grassland trail to look for them, remember to check the hedgerow for fieldfares and redwings. And who knows, maybe a waxwing or 20 may turn up...
On a furry note, both weasels and stoats are being regularly seen around the reserve. The main road is a good spot, as they run along its edge before darting back into cover. But also the visitor centre can give some really close views are they are not shy of coming up to the windows. A challenge for you though.... try to get a photo or even some video footage!
If you are out and about the reserve and see something good, do remember to pop into the centre to tell the person on duty. You can also use twitter, please include @RSPBNorfolkLinc #RSPBframpton in your tweet. Or send us an email to lincolnshirewashreserves@rspb.org.uk. The latter is also a good place to send photos and videos. Photos can also be put onto our Flickr account
So, this is it from me. I hope you have a good week, stay safe, good birding, and I will catch you next time...
Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.