Frampton comes alive

My thanks to Bird Watching for organising a guided day’s birdwatching around RSPB Frampton Marsh.

Myself and my partner joined a small but friendly bunch of subscribers and were gratefully led around the reserve by BW’s Matt Merritt and Mike Weedon, and Frampton’s warden, Toby Collett.

If memory serves me correctly, the group racked up nearly 40 species looking over the car park and adjacent field before the walk even began!

A large flock of Black-tailed Godwits were impressive to see, and a spattering of Bar-tailed Godwits and seven Spotted Redshanks whizzing around in the water were a delight.

We spent time in the bracing morning air from the ‘sea wall’ scanning the salt-water marsh in the hope that the Short-eared Owls currently residing would show. We enjoyed plenty of redshanks, gulls and curlews and were just about to move on when finally, a juvenile Short-eared Owl showed itself; trying desperately to shake off an aggressive Crow.

Other noticeable birds included a brief sight of a Spoonbill and a Pectoral Sandpiper on the North scrape but no sign of the Spotted Crake that was seen the day before.

Year ticks for my partner and I included Grey and Golden Plover, Pintail, the aforementioned Short-eared Owl, Water Rail and the birds of the day for us, Little Stints.

We had several views of two Little Stints but none as good or close as the time we spent in the East Hide. Tiny and adorable, we enjoyed watching these longdistance migrants for an extended time before tearing ourselves away in search of other birds. Thanks to Bird Watching magazine and specifically to the three mentioned above for their time, experience and patience. All in all, a great day’s birding with excellent birds and lovely people. Josh & Louise, Bedfordshire