Welcome to this weeks weekly sightings blog. If you want a quick take on what to see over the next few days then have a week look at our weekly sightings vlog.
We've had some great images and comments posted on Twitter this week. You can get all the updates, news, photos, vlogs and sightings maps in one place, and that place is here. Very quickly, this week's highlights are the roosting whooper swan, drake scaup, a couple of spotted redshank, wintering little stint, the years first 2 avocet and single great crested grebe and generally lots and lots and LOTS of birds all over the place.
Neil posted this lovely photo on our Flickr group which is a very apt way to start this weeks blog as it is the dawn of a new era on the reserve.... For the first time we are now offering sandwiches to complement our current snack and drinks offer. Lots of visitors have been commenting and giving feedback and, as we have with the viewpoints around the reedbed, we have listened and and have acted. We know we have a full day offer at Frampton and want to make sure that a rumbling tummy doesn't ruin a day out for you. The important point to note is that this is a trial. We have 6 months to prove a business case to get something more permanent in place. If you are one of the many that have asked for a lunchtime option then please support us and dig in. Heads up to any groups out there who are thinking of visiting.... you can order your sandwiches so they can be waiting for you on arrival! If you are thinking of coming with a group then please give us a call on 01205 724678 and we can have a chat about options.
Saltmarsh sunrise - Neil Smith
It's been a bit chilly and overcast over the last few days so not the best for photography. Even so the Visitor Centre is one of the best places to get up close to some of our avian friends. teal and wigeon regularly graze the grass on the banks and occasionally venture underneath the feeders. From a distance the sides of the male ducks look grey but as you can see in both of Mark's pictures, there isn't a grey feather on them. The illusion of grey is made up of very fine black and white lines packed closely together. This patterning is known as vermiculation and can be found regularly among wildfowl. Next time you're in the visitor centre enjoying a sandwich, have a look through one of our telescopes and see for yourself.
teal - Mark Sargeant
wigeon - Mark Sargeant
There has been quite a lot of activity among the grey heron fraternity on the reedbed. We've had up to 4 in the air together this week. Herons are one of the earliest nesters and we're hoping that the tree island in the middle of the reedbed may entice them in the future. We have had one sitting on top of the dead tree this week so we may see them sooner rather than later....
grey heron - Steve Whiteley
As well as grey heron, we have lots of little egret in the reedbed too. The reason for this is the work done by the black and white beauty below and his friends. They have been creating and improving something we call the 'blue-zone'. Rather than go into reedbed detail here, more information about their creation and management can be found in the RSPB's brilliant reedbed handbook. Further details on the blue-zone can be found on page 16. So the next time you see the Belted Galloway's out and about on the reserve, you'll know what an important job they're doing.
Belted Galloway - Rod Smith
As well as keeping the fringes open and available, our cows, along with the wigeon, also keep the grass short for our smaller birds. skylark are feeding close to 360 Hide and if the sun pokes through the clouds you can also expect to hear a bit of song. Now is a great time to learn bird song as all our resident and garden birds are starting to clear their throats as they gear up for the breeding season. By learning the common birds now, you'll be ready to take on the warblers when they start to arrive in April.
skylark - Jeremy Eyeons
And we'll finish this week where we started, at the visitor centre. We have had a noticeable lack of yellowhammer there but this has been more than made up by the number of House Sparrow, tree sparrow, goldfinch and greenfinch. While these are common birds for some, the fact you can get within a few metres of them and see the feather detail is what makes them special. No matter what the weather, the 'VC' will always be a great place to be and now we have food you can always just pop in for lunch.
greenfinch - Mark Sargeant
reed bunting - Mark Sargeant
Marsh Farm sunset - Mark Sargeant
That's all from us 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 enjoy taking pictures and have a Flickr account then please join our group and share your images with everyone. If you are thinking of paying a visit from near or far, firstly have a look at the weather and please do check out the tide times which can make a big difference to both numbers and variety of birds seen on the day.
The more you're out the more you see - https://twitter.com/BoyWonderBirder