Fantastic Frampton

 Alan Shorrock and I made a return visit to Frampton Marsh today and enjoyed an excellent session. Weatherwise it was a grey and cloudy affair for the most part with a strong wind gusting across the site though this did not seem to bother the birds much at all.

White-rumped Sandpiper.

Frampton is known for its  waders, Spring and Autumn visits often produce a good range of species and today was no exception. Our main targets were a White-rumped Sandpiper and a Lesser Yellowlegs which had been reported from here over the last couple of days. The White-rumped showed first, I found it feeding with some Dunlin not far from the centre. We had good views through the scopes and the bird got a little closer as it worked its way towards us. Decent back up came in the form of several Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers as well as a few Ruff. Whilst watching the calidrids Alan noticed a tringa type wader arrive and this on closer scrutiny turned out to be the Lesser Yellowlegs. Once again we had decent views of the bird before it flew off again. Both yanks in the bag within half an hour of our arriving, if only all birding trips could be the same!

Lesser Yellowlegs

Continuing on around the reserve we were treated to some interesting if unspectacular birding. Other waders showing today included both Black-tailed Godwits and Avocets and we also caught up with a further half a dozen Curlew Sandpipers. From the packed East Hide we managed additional though pretty distant views of the Yellowlegs. A message from the salt marsh soon had the hide emptying though, reports of the Black Stork putting in an appearance did the trick. We joined the mass exodus and made our way towards the sea wall.

Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper.

On the sea wall a chap gave us some up to date gen on the stork and armed with this new info I managed to find it though it seemed to be miles away. Through the scope I could just about tell what it was but even I decided it was too far away for a dodgy record shot and that should tell you all you need to know about the quality of the view! Eventually the stork was flushed by a Marsh Harrier and we had some fairly good flight views. Shozzer hung around for a bit longer hoping for a repeat showing but I was not enjoying the wind and opted to head back towards the centre. A small flock of eleven Pink-footed Geese were on the grazing marsh and we also got more views of the White-rumped before we set off for home. A welcome stop at the excellent Vine pub in Market Deeping gave us the chance to toast our success - cheers!