Letters from Lauren - week 6

Time once again for the weekly missive from our summer residential volunteer, Lauren. 

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Hello again everyone

It’s been another busy week for the reserve, with many visitors still arriving to see Frampton Marsh’s two rarities: the long-billed dowitcher (remaining here since re-appearing last Tuesday), and, of course, the stilt sandpiper which has been present for almost a fortnight.

Last week also saw our final raft building, pond dipping and bug hunting events of the summer now that the schools are back after the holidays. I’ve enjoyed leading them and I hope the kids and their parents have had fun during the sessions as well.

One of the groups of children had brought along two plastic dog figures (Marshall and Chase from the TV show Paw Patrol, I was told) which sat on their rafts! This was great, as I’d stupidly forgotten to bring the furby which was used previously for this purpose. It was still on the whirligig drying off from last time after it had fallen off one of the boats and ended up in the bucket of water. I think it deserved a bit of a break anyway - after all, the poor soul had been drowned and then hanged!

My favourite element of closing down the visitor centre at the end of the day is checking for any little friends in the mouse trap. This is located in the plant cupboard where they have been known to chew through the cables, which, as you can imagine, does no good for neither the animals nor the wires. So far during my time here three house mice, and two wood mice (like the one pictured below), have been caught. They are then released back into the wild in the grounds of the office.

Another highlight were these swallow chicks. The nest, which is home to at least four wee cuties, is situated up on the right side of the centre.

Yesterday I was aboard the Boston Belle on a birdwatching cruise around The Wash, organised by RSPB South Lincs local group. The weather was perfect and 51 species of birds were recorded, and we also saw lots of lovely common seals. I even won a bird feeder, seeds and fat balls - the best raffle prize ever (with the exception of a signed Jill Jackson album at one of her gigs a few years ago)! I’d definitely recommend the boat trip - but only three more are running this year and they are, understandably, very popular, so book your ticket soon - it’s well worth it!

I can’t believe I only have one week left of volunteering here. Let’s hope it’s the best one yet, with some more amazing wildlife!

Lauren