karen's country calendar

With the opportunity of two days for birdwatching, my sister and I thought we would attempt to increase our year's tally of waders so our first trip was to Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire. The weather was fine and dry with warm sunshine so we decided we would walk to the far end of the reserve and along the sea wall which it had always been too cold and windy to do on our previous visits. This gave great views of the saltmarsh and lagoons.  However we did have to share the bank with a herd of rather intimidating black bullocks although they were obviously used to people and didn't cause any problems as we walked rather trepidly past. Plenty of birds to be seen including many black tailed godwits, black headed gulls now in winter plumage and ruffs of various colours. We also saw ringed plovers, little egrets, curlew sandpipers (kindly pointed out by another birder),  dunlins, a couple of avocets and what we later confirmed were spotted redshanks and a group of stationary spoo

I've been wanting to visit Fermyn Woods for a while so was pleased to join my grandchildren for a walk with their mum there this afternoon.  It is a Country park with walks which continue into the main woodland.  The boy enjoyed the play equipment then found it fun to see who could spot and identify the different butterflies.  No new ones found ( although this area is a hotspot for Purple Emperors  and known for purple hairstreak and white admiral)  but saw lots of Red Admirals in pristine condition, perching (?) on  a large tree trunk and along a fallen log.  Silver washed fritillaries, brimstone,  whites, tortoisehell, ringlet, speckled wood, large or small skipper and gatekeepers all seen though.  Will have to come another time earlier in the season and approach from the far end of the wood which is where the  main butterfly spotters do.  Gatekeeper  Speckled wood  Skpper  Red Admiral How many can you count?   

A business trip to just south of the Yorkshire moors provided an opportunity for me to have a day out. We left early and I was dropped off at just after 9am even before the visitor centre opened.   I made my way down to the cliffs with 2 or 3 hours to spend there but knowing there was a nice café and shop too!   As expected it was too late in the season for any auks to be still on the ledges but I did spot three guillemots on the sea so could at least tick those off.   However there were thousands of gannets and kittiwakes with a few gulls and other cliff nesting birds interspersed.  The established colony of tree sparrows were also in evidence. The weather was fine and sunny although very breezy but still warm in the sheltered areas. I had hoped to see more butterflies amongst the large areas of uncut grass but probably too windy for most.  I did see some butterflies though - painted ladies - hoards of them plus a few whites and a couple of meadow browns. After a pleasant few hou