A Black-winged Pratincole at Frampton Marsh

20th June 2019

A Black-winged Pratincole was found at Frampton Marsh on the 18th June and still there on the 19th so time for a visit to try our luck. We were welcomed at the visitor centre by a very vocal Goldfinch.

The lagoons were full of the usual suspects including Avocets and Shelduck, including a number of their offspring.

At the 360-degree hide there were large flocks of waders which to me at least were unexpected as it is the middle of June. The vast majority were Bar-tailed Godwits, some in the summer plumage, but also a fair number of Knot.

Here are a couple of Knot also in their summer plumage.

However the stars of the waderfest were a couple of male Ruff just moulting out of their summer finery, one with an orangey-brown ruff and the other with a black ruff.

As we were on the return leg along the sea wall looking out for the pratincole we were nearly caught out as flying quite close behind us was a female Marsh Harrier. Luckily we picked it up in time for a few shots.

So how did we get on with the pratincole? Well, it is very elusive and when we arrived hadn't been seen since 9.00am. It did eventually put on a display about 12.00pm when we were in the 360-degree hide, but always distant and at a range estimated from Google Earth of 350 yards. Therefore, although we did get some shots, they were all in the record category. Still mustn't grumble.