I thought I’d write a quick blog because just a little while ago I was driving out of the office and I saw a turtle dove! This elusive pair have been avoiding me, teasing me with their calls then flying off or hiding away.

I was driving out and there they were; turtle doves are our daintiest doves and they were so beautiful. They seemed totally uninterested in my presence so when I got back I thought I’d go get the camera so I could put a picture up. Noisy car- fine, me sneaking up with a camera- totally unforgiveable. Off they went to hide in some nearby trees. I have included the drawing above by Mike Langman (rspb-images.com) and turtle doves are going on my list of wildlife I need to capture on camera.

The turtle dove is so named because of it’s call which is described as a purring ‘turrrrrr turrrrr turrrr’. It is one of many farmland birds which have seen a decline over the past few decades. We’ve been doing lots of work to encourage these birds back to Frampton Marsh. Yellow hammers, tree sparrows, corn buntings and skylarks are the other big four farmland birds which need help. We’ve had great success creating suitable habitats for these species and they’re all seen quite frequently on the reserve. Hang on, I’ll just have a look out of our window at the bird feeders...... our tree sparrows are there! These pretty little sparrows are regular visitors to the feeders here. 

I’m writing this blog in our visitor centre. It’s an absolutely gorgeous day and looking out onto the reedbed there’s lots to see. The water is so still and the light just so that it’s a perfect mirror, the swallows are flitting around catching the bugs and you can see their reflections perfectly. 

We’ve got a wood sandpiper about on the reedbed which is great to see and lots of black-tailed godwits still in their handsome breeding plumage.

We even had a bit of drama earlier when a young swallow came in through the window. Luckily John and Simon our Sites Manager and Visitor and Publicity Officer were here to save the day and get it out.

If you’re interested in up to date sightings why not check us out on Twitter at RSPBNorfolkLinc.

Sitting here I can hear a yellow hammer (lucky that, as it’s one of only a handful I can identify by sound so far) so I’m going to go outside, have a look and soak up the sun :)

 

Jaz