Diary Update #38

⛅ Tuesday 25th July 2017 ~After an aborted attempt to visit RSPB Frampton Marsh last week (car issues) I finally managed to complete my trip today arriving shortly after 8:30 am.

First birds of the day were five Snipe, which flew over the car park as I was getting organised. A couple of Green Sandpiper, a good sized Linnet flock, Skylarks overhead, Reed Warblers along the reedbeds and a half dozen Ruff in various plumages before I settled into the hide.

One of three Spotted Redshank today..

Some spectacular flocks of Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin, once again in various plumages and just within camera range a moulting Spotted Redshank. At least 30+ Common Terns, which included a good percentage of young birds, two Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint and a selection of other waders: Ringed Plover, Little-ringed Plover, Avocet, Common Sandpiper, Redshank and Lapwing.

Whooper Swan ~ Not a bird you see every day during the summer months.

Over towards the east bank a group of three Spoonbill, fast asleep and indeed remaining so during the rest of my visit. The long staying Whooper Swan was also active, mostly preening.

Many Ruff in various plumages

From the hide, an anti clockwise walk to the sea wall, stopping occasionally to check out the scrapes. A couple of Hare, more Ruff and a single Wood Sandpiper, which was unfortunately flushed due to some ongoing brush cutting. Across the wet grassland to the west the only Marsh Harrier of the day and a group of five Greenshank in the channels!

Record Shot of Pectoral Sandpiper

A large gathering of birders is always a good sign, this one along the sea wall and all enjoying good views of a Pectoral Sandpiper! I enjoyed some decent scoped views myself but only managed some appalling record shots! While enjoying the cat and mouse antics of the Sandpiper, which constantly moved in and out of the long grass a Yellow Wagtail became the latest addition to the daylist and a Whimbrel another, dropping in among a group of Godwits.

After a good look at the Pectoral and a chat with a few other birders, I continued on and had lunch in the East Hide. While here a small movement of Swifts with Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin also noted.

Corn Bunting along the reedbed trail...

After lunch a pleasant stroll around the reedbed trail, which produced the usual Yellowhammers, along with Whitethroat, three Corn Buntings and a Grasshopper Warbler, which despite singing well remained elusive.

Despite the dry conditions, not too many butterflies or dragonflies on the wing, only managing Large White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies, plus a single Migrant Hawker dragonfly.