8 members made the journey to Frampton Marsh and experienced superb birding. Only the leader was late having not read his own instructions. The birding this year was unusual in that there was little to see from the sea wall and little to the north of the 360 hide. However, the rest of the reserve made up for this. In all 54 species were seen the best of which were 23+ Spoonbills, 3 Curlew Sandpipers still with vestiges of
Curlew Sandpiper
summer plumage, 6 Great Egrets, a Spotted Redshank, Common, Wood and Green
Spotted Redshank
Wood Sandpiper
Sandpipers and a lifer for all in the form of the vagrant Bar-headed Goose which, almost hidden at a distance in long grass, was spotted by Mike – an impressive effort.
Bar-headed Goose taken at great distance
What was pleasing to see was the numbers of juvenile Avocets, Little Ringed Plovers and Yellow Wagtails – seemingly a successful breeding season. Also of interest was seeing 2 Hobbies pursuing Sand martins, although with no obvious success and Sand Martin chicks at the exit from their nesting tunnel, waiting to be fed.
Thanks to Hilary Hodkinson for the photos.