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1C Friday 29th December 2017 ~ My final few blog entries of the year come from our usual New Years base in Lincolnshire. With the weather set to clear for the afternoon, Dee and I took the 40-minute drive across to RSPB Frampton Marsh, one of our favourite reserves. Our timing could not have been more perfect, with the heavy rain clearing as we arrived at the car park to produce a beautiful, if not bitterly cold, afternoon.
This, in my opinion, is one of the best-managed sites in the UK and never fails to produce, particularly if you're simply looking for some good winter birding with Wildfowl, Waders and Raptors all on offer. What was even more encouraging to me was the fact that I actually made it all the way around the Wash Trail, this, in fact, my longest walk since damaging my back several weeks ago.
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| Stonechat ~ This colourful male near the Visitor Centre |
Along the sea bank, we paused a number of times to check out the salt marshes and here a
Merlin perched up and some distant views of a male
Hen Harrier were the highlights. Looking back across the reserve a few
Little Egret and several large flocks of
Golden Plover,
Wigeon and
Brent Geese, occasionally thrown up into disarray by a marauding
Peregrine, which we located several times.
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| A small group of Ringed Plover, accompanied by a single Turnstone, second from the left! |
A short spell in the 360-hide to enjoy some turkey and cranberry sandwiches offered an opportunity to check out the waders which included, in addition to the above,
Ruff,
Redshank,
Black-tailed Godwit,
Grey Plover (2),
Curlew and
Lapwing.
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| Only three Black-tailed Godwits noted during our stay! |
Back at the centre after a hot drink, we hung around until dusk in the hope of
Barn Owl, which sadly didn't materialise. Although additions to the day list while here included
Barnacle Goose (2),
Stoat,
Goldeneye pair, plus
House Sparrows, single
Tree Sparrow and
Goldfinch around the feeders.
