Family Meet Up at Frampton RSPB Reserve

 A meet up with Malcolm and Maureen today as Frampton is about half way between us. The usual ritual of coffee was indulged in and then we went for a wander around the reserve, walking as far as the sea wall and then back to the 360 Hide and the Reedbed Hide. Although we didn't see quite as many species as normal, it was a good day with 31. Flocks of golden plover and lapwings numbering into 4 figures cointinually took to the air, whirling in graceful and complicated patterns. Similar flocks of brent geese came and went like V bomber squadrons, grumbling gruffly amongst themselves. Later a flight of whooper swans flew across towards the Witham. The usual stonechats did their normal thing of sitiing up on fence posts and then flitting just ahead of us. It was good to see marsh harrier hunting at the beginning and end of the day. I was also pleased to see both red kite and buzzard at West Ashby, near Horncastle, on the way.

Dunlin

Golden plover

Snipe

Stonechat

Whooper Swan

Wigeon

Wigeon

A Family Day at RSPB Frampton.

 We had arranged to meet up with Heather's brother and his wife at Frampton today. The forecast was somewhat mixed as it proved. While we waited for them to arrive, I popped down to the 360 hide and was surprised to find it dry and seemingly planted with sunflowers. It would appear that this is a management strategy. At the end of the summer the plant growth is cut down and the lagoon reflooded. The rotting vegetation creates the right conditions for all manner of micro life which in turn encourages the birds. Each of the lagoons is given this treatment in rotation. On my return to the cafe, Malcolm and Maureen had arrived. Before they had finished their coffee and cake the heavens opened and so we used this as an opportunity to have lunch. By the time we had finished the weather had dried up and we were able to walk a circuit of the reserve. All told we recorded 44 species the highlights being several snipe, curlew sandpiper, little stint and half a dozen greenshank. A good day.

Black-tailed Godwit, RSPB Frampton.

A Bitter Day at Frampton but the Lesser Yellowlegs Remains.

 The weather had not improved any when Peter and I drew up into the car park at Frampton RSPB Reserve, just south of Boston. Retreating to the cafe with binoculars for hot chocolate we managed to tick off 30 or so species in the warm. Returning to the car, we put all of our winter gear on before setting out. The long staying Lesser Yellowlegs was still on the wet field adjacent to the car park, today being bullied by a solitary ruff. Again there were large numbers of whistling wigeon on the wet grassland as well as displaying flocks of lapwing. Teal and other wildfowl were also present and there was a constant background base note of thousands of brent geese. Periodically hosts of golden plover flew up into the sky to give wonderful displays with flocks of dunlin mixed in. There were whooper swans present along with good numbers of little egret and a couple of great white egret. Great crested grebes were back here as well. We visited all three hides before girding up our loins and climbing up onto the sea wall overlooking the Wash and distant Norfolk. Here we received a thorough blasting from the wind and it was pleasant to drop down into the relative shelter of the bank to return to the visitor centre for tea and bacon bun. Another good day with 42 species.

Avocet

A small section of a huge flock of brent geese

Dunlin

Dunlin

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Wigeon

Wigeon

Frampton RSPB Reserve.

 We met up with Malcolm and Maureen today. Frampton is an ideal spot; about half way between us. We were fortunate with the weather; warm at 23C and often sunny. As always there were large numbers of birds and the highlights for us were the black-winged stilts. We saw two adults and at least two juveniles. Sadly the adults were quite a distance away - too far for photography - but one of the juveniles came very close to East hide. We also were pleased to see a curlew sandpiper, whooper swan and a late willow warbler. Large numbers of black-tailed godwit and ruff were also present, some of the godwits still in summer plumage.

Avocet juvenile.

Avocet

Black-tailed godwit

Black-tailed godwit

Black-tailed godwit

Black-tailed godwit

Black-winged stilt juvenile

Black-winged stilt juvenile

Black-winged stilt juvenile

Black-winged stilt juvenile

Little egret

Little egret

Ruff

Ruff

Spoonbill

Spoonbill

Sunflower

Sunflower

Sunflower

Sunflower and peacock

Whooper Swan

Very strong Easterlies Make For Difficult Conditions at Frampton RSPB Reserve.

 At first the hoped for clear skies were not to be; it was grey and gloomy as Brian and I drew into the car park at Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve set on the Wash south of Boston. As soon as we stepped out of the car we were blasted by the very strong easterly wind howling straight off the sea.  Fortunately as the day progressed the clouds moved away to give clear skies which at least provided some semblance of warmth. We began our visit with coffee and scone in the excellent new cafe at the visitor centre - this is to be hichly recommended as is the warm welcom from staff and volunteers.

Suitably nourished we set off on out tour of the reserve, heading first fo the 360 degree hide. Here most of our expected birds could be seen including good numbers of avocet and some superb ruff, now coming into breeding plumage. We were pleased to spot a lone ringed plover here as well as well as a flock of dunlin, most still in winter plumage.

Moving on, our next port of call was the Reedbed Hide where our only sightings were great crested grebe, pochard and gadwall. We continued from here round to East Hide which often produces some good birds and today was no exception with a group of 5 spoonbills, although, unfortunately, both asleep and distant. A good tick nonetheless.

We opted not to brave the gale up on the sea wall and headed back; a cup of tea and food a big draw!! All the same birds were present at the first two hides but we were delighted to see two mediterranean gulls from 360 degree hide. Back at the visitor centre a pot of tea and sausage roll went down well.  Before leaving we had a wander down the hedgerow footpath hoping for some small birds but everything seemed to be keeping hunkered down out of the wind.

Yet another excellent day at this superb reserve.

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Gadwall

Greylag goose

Lapwing

Pochard

Ruff

Ruff

Ruff

Ruff

Shelduck

Shoveler

Shoveler

Four of the five distant, sleepy spoonbills