Frampton Marsh 24th October 2009

I keep saying I'm going to visit Frampton Marsh now that it's been re-vamped, so today I took the plunge.  After all, it's the nearest reserve to where I live!  Before the RSPB developed the site, I used to cycle to the mouth of the Haven, which is alongside the reserve, and that really was a good site.  I sort of expected today's trip to be similar, but really the weather was against me.  There was a stiff breeze with a low drizzley cloud and I just wasn't dressed for it.  Also, I didn't want to take the camera out of it's bag in the rain. My glasses kept misting over - I think I needed spectacle windscreen wipers.  On the plus side, it was near high tide and there was a lot going on.  Just couldn't see it!

So what did I see?  I didn't go into the hides, mainly because I wanted a view of the marsh rather than the lagoons - which seemed pretty empty.  I went onto the sea wall.  There were six little egrets, three of which flew over the sea wall accompanied by two curlew.  About 20 goldfinches, feeding on a teazle patch.  Redshank and blackheaded gulls all over.  I could hear masses of curlew and other waders, but saw about 5 curlew, about 20 redshank and several skylarks, meadow pipits and reed buntings.  A flock of about 20 linnets.

There were about 50 brent geese grazing, see photo, but the mist was so bad they were just on the edge of visibility.  One hen harrier, and a lagoon with about 50 teal, but also hiding 5 redshank, 6 dunlin, one black tailed godwit. 

Apparently I missed some lapland buntings.  Oh well!  But I'll definitley go back again.