Took fourteen of the Brandon Marsh Team on another away-day to the Lincolnshire coast in the Wildlife Trusts minibus today, with stops at Gibraltar Point NNR and RSPB Frampton Marsh.
The day didn't start well as when we arrived at Peterborough services for the now traditional McDonalds breakfast, we were horrified to find that the unit was closed for refurbishment! Notwithstanding the breakfast bar close by did serve a very tasty egg, sausage and bacon bap!
 |
| Little Egret - Only a few photo opportunities today! |
To be honest Gibraltar Point was equally as disappointing with little on offer and the highlights here while sea watching at Mill Hill were a small group of
Common Scoter, (2)
Gannets offshore,
Curlew,
Brent Geese and (2) Tern Sp. which were too far out for positive ID. The shoreline was also strangely devoid and here
Little-ringed Plover,
Oystercatcher and lots of Seals on a distant sandbank. The lagoons and freshwater marsh areas were quiet with only a single
Sedge Warbler heard but a
Peregrine over and a
Weasel at the Mere Hide brightened things.
 |
| ♂Wheatear at Frampton Marsh |
Most of the activity was on the Croftmarsh with two groups of
Avocet, at least six distant
Pink-footed Geese,
Little Egret and several
Curlew. Heading back to the centre a stop at the Plantation produced,
Blackcap,
Chiffchaff,
Willow Warbler,
Siskin,
Mistle Thrush and a single
Brambling.
 |
| Spotted Redshank - One of three at Frampton Marsh |
RSPB Frampton Marsh never disappoints and here we spent the remainder of the day in overcast but pleasant conditions. Although the water was extremely high good numbers of waders could be found and some of the highlights were undoubtedly birds heading into breeding plumage, with 3
Spotted Redshank in various colours, one almost entirely black.
Ruff looked resplendent, males almost in their breeding plumage and even many of the 1000s of
Black-headed Gulls looked pristine. Highlights for me other than previously mentioned included ♂
Wheatear, ♂
Marsh Harrier,
Garganey and
Arctic Tern, with several heading through. A full personal list of sighting are below.
Species Seen:
Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Garganey, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Scoter, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Little-ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit Curlew, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied/White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Robin, Wheatear, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (H), Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Reed Bunting
