It is time again for our weekly missive from residential volunteer Lauren.
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Hello!
Once again, we’ve had some super events this week. Our regular activities - raft building, pond dipping and bug hunting – have been very popular, although the drop in temperature and drizzle made the latter a little more challenging…
Whilst giving a demonstration, even after three attempts I hadn’t caught anything in my sweep net! However, the quality of species made up for a lack in quantity compared to the previous sessions when we found a long-winged cone-head. Isn’t that a wonderful name for a cricket?
On Friday we had a brilliant Bat Night, which was a joint event between RSPB and Lincolnshire Bat Group. Firstly, we had the opportunity to meet a delightful little pipistrelle named Bentley. Having an injured wing membrane and therefore being unable to survive in the wild, it has been staying with experts from the group since 2013.
This was followed by a walk around the reserve to find Bentley’s wild cousins! Not only did we hear them through our bat detectors, but we also enjoyed some excellent views of the animals flitting around us – often just straight over our heads!
As well as my favourite, the noctule, at least two species of pipistrelle were recorded (common and soprano, with the possibility of Nathusius' too), and a myotis bat which was thought to be Daubenton's In addition, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Saturn were all visible from the hedgerow. It was a fantastic night, so make sure you come along next year – this is an event not to be missed!
A High Tide Wader Watch took place on Saturday evening at RSPB Freiston Shore (Frampton Marsh’s sister reserve). Here we were treated to oystercatcher, redshank, dunlin and turnstone amongst other waders, which gather here to escape the incoming tide on the mudflats of The Wash.
Despite the spectacle of hundreds of wading birds, the passerines also put in an impressive performance. Yellow wagtails were in abundance, as were swallows and sand martins – in fact, the most I’ve ever seen in one place at one time!
On Sunday I had some great sightings at Frampton Marsh, including barn owl and juvenile water rail from the East and 360 hides respectively. However, I was even more delighted to spot the sea aster mining bee (apparently the first record of an alive individual at the reserve this year).
This is a globally scarce species which is found in fewer than 25 sites in the UK – a very exciting end to the week!
Hope to see you at one of the future events!
Lauren