Seymour Birdies Diary: An Autumn Visit to Frampton Marsh

5th September 2020

Time for an early autumn visit to Frampton and planned to coincide with the high tide where hopefully lots of waders will be displaced from The Wash and come to Frampton for a high tide roost. The fields to the south of the car park were still dry and therefore no waders or thousands of Golden Plovers, but elsewhere the usual suspects were still present including the ever-mobile Greylag Geese.

Wildfowl numbers were starting to build up with many Teal, Shelduck and even a few pairs of Pintail.

A Marsh Harrier was wafting around over the marsh, putting everything up as it went. No dinner today though.

On the sea wall there were large large number of hirundines stocking up on food before setting off on their long journeys. The wind was so strong that these Sand Martins were struggling to hold on to the predator fence.

On the saltmarsh side of the sea wall about 20 Yellow Wagtails were also feeding frantically and coming close enough at times for a few shots.

The high tide had displaced large numbers of waders from The Wash and huge flocks of Black-tailed Godwits were flying in and roosting out on the scrape.

Just one or two carried on feeding.

There were a dozen or so Curlew Sandpipers around unfortunately keeping their distance, but always great to see.

At least this Ruff was more obliging and seemed totally unperturbed by my presence.

There were quite a few Ruff spread around the reserve.

Also a few Spotted Redshanks.

By far the best wader today was this rather confiding Wood Sandpiper which was feeding alongside the Ruff. I wish they were also this cooperative.

But the highlight today was the flock of 24 Spoonbills which were doing what Spoonbills do best.......sleeping. Once or twice something spooked them, but once the danger had passed they would soon go back to sleep.