Grand Tour Day 1

Three days away taking in RSPB Frampton Marsh (That Long billed Dowitcher), RSPB Titchwell (because i like Titchwell),  RSPB Lakenheath (Common Crane) and Rutland Water (Ospreys).

I was staying at a new Bed and Breakfast, Westgate House and Barn at Spalding, a good choice, set in a nice quiet location, great food and the room was a good size and clean.

First site was Frampton and it was blowing a gale, hat and gloves were in order, the field near the car park held a few Oystercatchers and Ruff, Brent Geese seemed to be everywhere in the fields in the air and constantly calling, quite a sceptical to see so many.

On then to the last location of the Dowitcher, a bit of a walk as it was at the furthest field of the reserve (why does it always seem to be!!), not here but it was nice to pick up my first Little Ringed Plovers of the year. The walk back passed the saltmarsh showed no raptors but only Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Back at the Dowitchers favourite field,supposedly, there was a couple of Spotted Redshanks, Ringed Plovers and a single Dunlin to brighten up the day thou, across the pathway/road there were a few Golden Plovers, Pied Wagtails and Great Crested Grebes.

My next stop was around at the East Hide from here the Black tailed Godwits could be seen and I don’t think I’ve seen so many in one place, amongst them were more Redshanks, Curlews, Lapwing, Ruff and a couple of pair of Pintails were a nice surprise.

Back out into the wind and a walk back around to the Dowitchers favourite field, still not seen, but more Little Ringed Plovers and Spotted Redshanks. The visitor centre was my next stop back to the car and here I managed to see the immature Little Gull and a few Swallows and Sand Martins and a pair of Goldeneye, around at the feeders House Sparrows, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Reed Buntings.

Always a great visit at Frampton….dispite missing the Dowitcher always plenty to see

Birds seen at Frampton :- Avocet, Black headed Gull, Black tailed Godwit, Brent Goose, Canada Goose, Coot, Curlew, Dunlin, Gadwall, Golden Plover, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Greylag Goose, House Sparrow. Jack Snipe, Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pintail, Pochard, Red legged Partridge, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Shoveler, Skylark, Swallow, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon (43 species)

Spotted Redshank