Wader Fest at Frampton Marsh

11th August 2019

Time for another visit to the superb Frampton Marsh Reserve situated just behind the sea wall at the south-west corner of The Wash. The first port of call was the visitor centre to get an update on what was around before setting off for the sea wall.

Here huge flocks of Starlings were wheeling around, mostly young birds in their post-juvenile moult. I just love this plumage.

Further along the wall were two Wheatears, the first of the Autumn migrants. The Wheatear will always be one of my favourite birds as it was one of the first "rare" birds that I identified from my Observers book.

On the reserve side of the wall was a roosting flock of Spoonbills with just one or two birds still feeding. Just like Titchwell these once rare birds are now a familiar sight at Frampton.

So, what about the waders? Well, at the 360-degree hide the water levels were quite high so the only birds close enough for some photos were Black-tailed Godwits. Lovely to see them still in their summer plumage.

Even with all that water to feed in there were still territorial disputes, like this one climbing over another's head.

But today most of the action was on the pools either side of the small car park near the sea wall. Avocets are compulsory at all reserves these days and Frampton is no exception with a few birds strutting their stuff. The last pair seemed to be practising synchronised sifting.

Both Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers were present. The first three photos are adult Ringed Plovers and the remainder are juvenile Little Ringed Plovers with their golden eye-rings.

Green Sandpipers were present but mostly fly-overs and this Common Sandpiper was the only bird to pose for some photos.

Dunlin were numerous with flocks of over 100 birds, and see if you can spot the juvenile Knot in amongst them

Ruff were also present in good numbers and lovely to see so many white birds moulting out of their flamboyant summer attire.

Snipe are often skulking at the edge of reed beds and frequently partially obscured by vegetation. However, luckily this one hadn't read the rule book and was feeding out in the open at quite close range.

It even went for a little fly round.

I don't see too many Wood Sandpipers these days and so I was quite chuffed with myself for picking one up in flight on call and locating it on the ground. Like the Snipe this bird was incredibly accommodating, and at times was just 15 yards away. Why can't they all be like that?

But the star of the show today was the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which flew low (probably a bit too low) over the reserve. All I can say is that I was grateful that it came across just as we were walking back to the car as it scared all the waders away.

Another great day at the fabulous Frampton Marsh reserve.