RSPB Frampton Marsh

by | May 28, 2021 | Bird Watching, Birds, Days Out, Nature Reserves, RSPB | 0 comments

27 May 2021

A day of Warblers and chicks.

For the first time in a long time, some reasonable weather was forecast. Time for a day out. Frampton Marsh is only 2 hours away and not a problematic journey.

Set off at about 7.25 and arrive at 9.15 after a gentle unhurried drive partly forced by the early morning lorries trundling towards their destinations. The sunshine is good and I have to wear my new! sunglasses as advised by the opticians.

The car park at Frampton is almost empty. I organise the rucksack put on a light top, check the settings on my camera and set off.

Within seconds a Reed Bunting in the reeds! Shortly after that a Sedge Warbler. The lagoon is not busy, I can see Gulls on the islands. Closer to me a Little Grebe with a chick on the nest. As I make my way along the path Sedge Warbles keep showing. At the junction turn left towards the hides. More Sedge Warblers and glimpses of Reed Warblers. Gull and Terns are wheeling overhead some carrying nesting materials.

I have the first hide to myself but not much to observe so move on. It is now becoming a contest between the Sedge and Reed Warblers concerning who can show the most. I eventually reach the gate to take you up onto the wall path. The birds present are out in the middle of the lagoons and not close enough for good photos.

Out on the marsh I spot a Meadow Pipit and manage to get a record shot of it. Further along  Avocet and Red Shank are feeding. The traffic to and from the Wash is not heavy with Redshank predominate amongst the Gulls, with the odd Avocet.

Now on the path to return towards the centre more Sedge Warblers are moving through the reeds. Young Red Shanks and Lapwing are foraging and off to the left, an Avocet with 5 or more young can be clearly seen. I manage to get some good shots of the young feeding, already can sift the silt, as they do. They are odd-looking with huge legs relative to their little underdeveloped bodies.

A flash of colour produces a Linnet in a tree, it flies down to the track and quickly flies off again. I get one photo. In the field are a pair of Shelduck.

I return to the car for a bit of lunch before heading off for another short walk. Now the car park is filling. It always pays to get to Reserves early or late when fewer people are about.  I take the reed bed route. Not much to see in this section and sadly I have not seen one raptor today. Even the ‘Sedgies’ are quiet here, one Great Tit makes an appearance.

I have over 150 images mostly of Sedge Warblers!

Overall a very pleasant day, and I remembered to put on sunscreen so no burn. Things are looking up.

below a few of the images

 

Sedge Warbler

Reed Warbler

Little Grebe with chick

Above Avocet with young,  5 I think.

below Young Avocet 

Coots and young

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