Our summer residential volunteer Lauren has now completed her stint with us, and will be heading off home. Not before writing one last blog post though!

--------------------------------

Hello – for the last time!

My seven weeks as a residential volunteer at Frampton Marsh has come to an end, and it’s now time for me to return to Scotland (probably just when everyone was finally getting the hang of my accent)…

Howdy folks! Welcome back to another edition of the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy.

So Saturday was the first day of Autumn. "What, isn't that later on Into September?", I hear you cry. Ah, there are various different flavours of season. The astronomical and calendar season of Autumn begins on 23 September. But the meteorological season starts on 1 September. Confused? It gets worse…

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

------------------------------------------------------------

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…

Howdy folks, and welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy!

Well, it is fair to say that two individual dominated the sightings this week. And lots of people came to see them. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Time to turn the clock back and look at some maps.

Yes, the star of last week, the stilt sandpiper was still with us and still showing off nicely. Generally…

Here is the fifth in the series of letters from Lauren, our summer residential volunteer. This week she looks back at all the excitement happening with rare birds..

------------------------------------------

Hello everyone

I’m sure you will all be aware by now that it’s been an exceptional week at Frampton Marsh, due to some stupendous birds turning up at the reserve.

Funnily enough, on Wednesday morning…

Howdy folks! And welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy.

Well, as you may have heard if you get BBC Look North news, or follow us on twitter (@RSPBNorfolkLinc) we've had an exciting week. All things in good time though, so lets begin at the beginning...

Birdfair weekend meant lots of people were over at Rutland Water. But anyone who did make the trip would have…

A day later than usual, it is time for the weekly letter from Lauren, our summer residential volunteer.

----------------------------------------

Hello again

A fourth enjoyable week here at Frampton Marsh!

As usual, raft building took place on Tuesday, but this time we had some added excitement in the form of a pink furby: a little mascot to sit on the completed rafts. Despite some great creations during both sessions…

Howdy folks, and welcome back to the Frampton Marsh sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy.

No blog last week as I was away for the day, then busy in the evening with a bat event. Lincs Bat Group kindly came over and we put on a great show. Five species of bat (pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius' pipistrelle, Daubenton's and noctule), plus four planets (Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn).

Anyway…

It is time again for our weekly missive from residential volunteer Lauren.

------------------------------------------------

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…

Hello again everyone

Well, I had the most wonderful start to my second week of volunteering! If you read my previous blog you may remember that I mentioned about grass snake being the species I was particularly keen to find during my seven weeks at the reserve. Guess what – I saw one last Monday!

My sighting was all thanks to conservation intern Scabz, who very kindly let me know that he’d found a grass snake…

Howdy folks! Welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings. With me, Chris the Visitor Guy!

Well, the summer holidays are here. But kids aren't the only wild things to be found on the reserve. Yes, good sightings continue. Let's get to it, and cue the maps...

Yes, going slightly old school with the maps on Saturday. Well, it was hammering with rain which made writing on the outside board impossible.…

There is a new face around Frampton Marsh. The team has been joined by Lauren, who will a residential volunteer with us for 7 weeks over the summer. Here is what she has to say...

-------------------------

Hello everyone

I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself – I’m Lauren Currie and I’ll be spending seven weeks at Frampton Marsh as a residential volunteer.

Nature has been my…

Howdy folks! Welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the Visitor Guy!

Remember how I mentioned how some people think July is a rubbish time to go birdwatching, and then proved them wrong? Well, more of the same this week! Roll on the maps...

First merlin of the year, a 2 year old. Very early! Maybe with how dry a lot of moorland it, it has left to search out better times by the coast…

Howdy folks! And welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings. With me, Chris the Visitor Guy.

Now, there is a dreadful rumour that summer is a rubbish time for birdwatching. Nothing to see, all too hot. Some people go on holiday. Others turn their attention to things like dragonflies. Well, hopefully by the end of this blog I can persuade you that summer is a great time to go birdwatching, here at Frampton Marsh…

This summer get your family out into the countryside, with fun events at RSPB Frampton Marsh running throughout the holidays.

Each week at the reserve, your family can take part in a treasure hunt with a difference. You are being challenged to find particular plants and animals. Take a photo of them with your phone, and show the RSPB staff on duty in the visitor centre to win a prize. There will be different things to…

Howdy folks! Welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the Visitor Guy.

As is by now traditional, we will start with the week's sightings maps. Available each day on our Twitter feed.

Still lots of waders about, though numbers of black-tailed godwits are rising and those of bar-tailed were dipping. The red-crested pochard was an unusual spot. Alas it dove into the reedbed and didn…

Howdy folks! Welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy!

As per usual, we will start with a browse through the sightings boards for the week.

A good mixture of birds around the reserve. 

The flock of knot and godwits was several hundred strong, and impressive when disturbed by a raptor.

There have been reports of the Cetti's warbler feeding young, which is very good…

Howdy folks! Welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy!

Rather nice weather out there are the moment. Hot, sunny days. But a bit of a breeze to cool things down. This does mean things can get a little quiet on the sightings front. But hey, autumn migration is just around the corner, and last week's phalaropes show you never know what might happen. So, lets look at the week…

Howdy folks! Welcome back to the weekly Frampton Marsh sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy!

Straight in with the maps, what do we have for you this time?

Great views of the Lancaster, one of only 2 flying in the world, as it came low over the reserve.

First bearded tit sighting in a while, nice to know they are still out there. 

And a lovely wee bird the phalarope is too! Here is a video by Matt…

Howdy folks, and welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy!

So, last blog I put out early on Friday because I was away that night and most of this week. So we will start with last Friday. As I write this it is coming as much as a surprise to me as it will be to you. Let's see what I missed, Bob!

Looks to be some nice stuff there. A wood and curlew sandpiper combo…

Howdy folks, and welcome back to the Frampton Marsh sightings blog. With me, Chris the Visitor Guy.

Yes, a bit early this week. I'm off to Wales shortly for the weekend, and so won't have a chance to do the blog at the usual time. Therefore I'm putting this out on Friday morning, so you have some idea of what is about if you visit this weekend. Remember, the Twitter feed is up-to-date, and you don't need a Twitter account…

We have just won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the fifth year in a row!

The accolade is awarded by the independent review site TripAdvisor.com to those attractions, accommodation and restaurants which consistently receive positive reviews from members of the public.

Frampton Marsh nature reserve attracted over 50,000 visits last year, with visitors travelling from across the country to experience the…

Howdy folks, and welcome back to the Frampton Marsh (and Freiston Shore) sightings blog. With me, Chris the Visitor Guy!

As tradition dictates, we will be starting off with a week's worth of maps.

Not a bad day, anyone remember the glossy ibis of 4 summers ago? That one hung around for 6 months...

Lots of baby birds on the road. i had to gently suggest to a family of swans that they might like to not stand…

There are lots of fun filled events for all your family this half-term week at RSPB Frampton Marsh.

Just in time for Springwatch there is a Birds for Kids course on Tuesday 29 May. This is a fantastic introduction to bird watching with some easy to understand basic from our guide. You’ll then head out on a trip onto the reserve to put those new found skills to the test! This is suitable for ages 8-12.

On Wednesday…

Howdy folks! Welcome back to the Frampton Marsh recent sightings blog. With me, Chris the visitor guy.

Right, how about some maps, though no map for Saturday I'm afraid

Yes, the first of our avocet chicks have hatched. Awwwwww! Some decent other waders too, including the black-winged stilt back again. It seems to be roaming around the area. Sometimes at Rutland Water, sometimes the Nene Washes, sometimes other…