Well, who’d have thought it?
With our regular trip organiser away on holiday, two ‘volunteers’ stepped up to the plate to lead our merry gang of birders around the ever delightful Frampton Marsh Reserve. There was little pressure on our deputy leaders as, traditionally, we NEVER normally get our target species!
OK, a little harsh. We seldom get our target species. Better?
Egyption Goose
So the 9 of us met up at Frampton about 9 ish and within 20 minutes we had ticked off Curlew Sandpiper, Egyptian Goose, Dunlin, Yellow Wagtail, Blackwit, Shoveler, Snipe, Ruff, Ringed Plover and Garganey. Onto the sea wall and we quickly picked up Long Billed Dowitcher, Spotshank, Little Stint and then the Buff Breasted Sandpiper.
By this time, the temperature was in the mid twenties so after a bit of lunch (and welcome shade) we went on to get Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Pintail and many more.
At the end of the afternoon, we decided to try for a Turtle Dove which thanks to an obliging berry picker along the hedgerow, we all managed to tick.
Turtle Dove
Finally, the reservoir didn’t let us down by showing up at least 3 Black-Necked Grebe.
64 species we mustered in total. So, we all had a good day.
Some say the deputy leaders were just lucky. All target species ticked, glorious sunshine and no wind. Others say ’twas the fact our regular leader is jinxed. You decide.
Bye for now.
Photos courtesy of Doug Aston
The full list –
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