Outdoor Meeting : Frampton Marsh

On a very mild morning with temperatures around 10 centigrade 17 members of the society gathered in the car park of the RSPB reserve at Frampton Marsh. We were all pleased to find that the new visitors centre was open and that the much-improved catering facilities were fully open.

Whilst we were all putting on our boots and coats, we scanned the wet marsh in front of us and soon put together a good list of birds, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall, Shelduck, Mallard were in the company of Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit and numerous Lapwings, whilst out in the distance we could also see Curlew. While looking at the distant Curlew we spotted not one but two Peregrine Falcon out on the fence posts. Also flitting about quite near was a lovely Pied Wagtail. A brief fly past by a Common Buzzard was also noted.

After a good time examining the marsh, we set off down the road and headed for 360 hide passing the main mere in front of the visitors centre we added to our growing list with Pochard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Greylag and Canada Goose together with Black-headed Gull. The islands were also occupied by large numbers of Starlings.

On our way down the path to 360 hide was a small group of Greenfinch perched in one of the few leafless bushes.

From the hide we found many more Wigeon and Lapwing among which was a small party of Avocet. From the hide we also saw Sky Lark, Linnet, Goldeneye, Pintail and a Common Redshank was added to the wader list. Also close in to the hide was a Little Egret. A solitary Fieldfare was seen perhaps an omen that we were to continue having a good trip.

On leaving the hide we had Common Kestrel hovering on one side of the path and a Sparrowhawk circling on the other side.

As time was catching up on us we decided to return to the road and head down towards the bank that separates the reserve from the saltmarsh. On our way down we found Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Dunlin and saw numerous Golden Plover which were occasionally disturbed and flew up en-mass.

Having reached the top of the bank and looking out over the saltmarsh it took a few moments to focus on what was out there but close examination revealed large flocks of Brent Geese, Meadow Pipits, and eventually sightings of Marsh Harrier. As it was noticeably colder on top of the bank we did not linger for too long before heading back down the road towards the visitor’s centre and lunch.

Back at the car park we managed to locate some additional geese at the far side of the wet marsh almost hidden behind a small fence, Pink-footed Goose, White-fronted Goose and Barnacle Goose giving us 6 goose species for the day a nice ending.

Thank you to everyone who turned up and for all your contributions.

Peter Scott