Seymour Birdies Diary: A Spring Day at Frampton Marsh

18th March 2022

A beautiful spring day and what better place to go for a stroll than Frampton Marsh and we had only gone a few yards when we came across that harbinger of spring, the Coltsfoot. Coltsfoot is not only one of the earliest plants to flower but is fairly unique in growing its flowers without leaves, which grow when the flowers have finished.

Starting at the 360 deg hide, a superb Lapwing was feeding right outside the window. Just look at those colours!!

On one of the islands a pair of Ringed Plovers were preparing a scrape for their nest, and a winter plumage Little Stint was on the back edge of the same island with a Dunlin in the background.

Again right outside the hide a Sky Lark flew in and started to sing from the ground. A beautiful bird in lovely light.

Along the sea wall were still several flocks of Brent Geese as they don't start flying north until mid-April to early June. There were also plenty of Redshanks on the salt-marsh.

On the scrap the Avocets were pairing up with plenty of flight action.

What was unexpected was the appearance of a pair of Goldeneye, not because of the time of year but because the water here is very shallow.

Back on the salt-marsh a Meadow Pipit was singing away in the sky and then parachuting to the ground.

Back along the road a few remaining Wigeon were on the pools by the sea wall car park and a Ruff was feeding just 10 yards away by one of the five-bar gates, giving some wonderful views.

Well, what a wonderful way to end the day so now back to the car for the journey back. I have often said that the best photos are taken in car parks and today was no exception. I was just closing the boot when six Goldfinches flew into into a small Alder next to the car and stated to feed on the seeds in the cones, so out came the camera again.