A Second Visit to Frampton Marsh

16th August 2023

Frampton Marsh reserve, like may other reserves, is a place of constant change. Only three weeks ago the lagoon in front of the visitor centre was a hive of activity with 19 Spoonbills and many waders close in on the islands in front of the centre. Today there were only about 25 Spoonbills and no waders, apart from a few distant Ruff. I never thought I would see the today when I said "only about 25 Spoonbills"!!!

Most of the Spoonbills were on a distant island, either asleep or preening, but four or five were feeding on some of the pools including the one near the centre.

Quite a few juveniles about, presumably some from the large colony at Holkham, the other side of The Wash in Norfolk.

This one was finding plenty of fish to eat.

Next was a walk along to the small car park by the sea wall. Very quiet here with the only passerines being a couple of Meadow Pipits feeding along the margins and a Yellow Wagtail searching for insects on the mud.

On our last visit it was here that we photographed the Black-winged Stilt family, but today they were replaced by a pair of Oystercatchers.

Today the main action was at the 360 and East Hides and here is a selection. There were plenty of Shelducks about with many young birds dabbling in the shallows. I always find them more photogenic than the adults.

And of course there are the Avocets with over 100 breeding pairs at Frampton compared to only 20 pairs at Titchwell. This is a juvenile still showing the brown panels on the plumage instead of the black of the adults.

And a final flight shot.

Probably the commonest wader today was the Ruff. Mainly a collection of fairly drab birds consisting of males that have moulted out of their summer finery, juveniles and the much smaller brown females, the reeves.

Great to see this rather tight trio.

And there was at least one male still showing the remnants of his breeding [plumage.

So last but not least we come to the Black-tailed Godwits which are gradually building up in numbers. Always very photogenic and put on a good display.

This one was particularly confiding and kept swimming closer.

And to finsih off, who could resist a few flight shots?

Frampton Marsh never disappoints!!!