Sunny Frampton

 Alan Shorrock and I popped over to Frampton today for a spot of birding. With an easterly breeze and some warm and sunny conditions we were hopeful of seeing some decent waders. A Pectoral Sandpiper which had been present here for the last couple of days eluded us but we still managed to catch up with some interesting stuff.

Wheatear and Little Stint

Initially things were somewhat slow and it took some time before we began to catch up with some good stuff. An unseasonal Whooper Swan on the main lake aside we had to wait until we reached the sea wall before things began to pick up. A distant Peregrine provided a first glimmer of hope and then a sighting of some Yellow Wagtails added a bit more interest. Next up were a couple of Little Stints which showed distantly, a cracking Whinchat was a little closer but my attempts to photograph it were feeble. Not that far away from the chat there were two Wheatears which proved to be a little more approachable.

Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlins

From the East Hide we were treated to further views of Little Stints and also at least half a dozen Curlew Sandpipers. The sandpipers were difficult to see as they often fed behind cover but during a half an hour vigil we did get some good views. Other waders on the reserve included plenty of Dunlins, a few Knot and lots of Black-tailed Godwits and there was a smattering of Ruff and Ringed Plovers too. Of the other birds at least 29 Spoonbills were perhaps the most interesting even though they're regular at Frampton now. Other wildlife seemed few and far between with nothing beyond the norm to report.

Spoonbills and Whooper Swan