Wader passage underway

From late May, through June and into July, my attention slowly switches to butterflies. However as July goes on, my focus on birding gradually returns, as autumn bird migration slowly rumbles into life!

Right now, the main bulk of the butterfly season has come to an end and though we'll still be seeing those commoner species with multiple emergences throughout the year, most of the more unusual ones are drawing to a close.

I had a day to myself on Sunday 22/07 and having not spent a day out birding for a while, I decided on taking a trip to Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire. In the previous few days, it had produced a great range of returning waders and quite simply, I fancied a bit of that!

It was forecast to be another scorching hot day and although I arrived under cloud, this would soon turn to hot, humid conditions.

I somehow failed to track down Pec & Wood Sandpipers, both reported on site during the day, although I still enjoyed a very relaxed, leisurely day's birding.

Highlights included 4 Spoonbills, a late in the day Turtle Dove, a summering Whooper Swan, single, distant summer-plumaged Curlew Sandpiper & Little Stint, 4+ Spotted Redshank, a neck-ringed Pink-Footed Goose & a singing Corn Bunting.







It was cool too, to take in the 2,000 or so islandica Black Tailed Godwits spread across the reserve. They're lovely looking things in their breeding finery.





The 360 Hide was great in providing point blank views of several Snipe busily feeding outside. Some of the best views of Snipe I've ever had!





Other waders seen through the day included plenty of Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 2 Knot, a Turnstone, Dunlin, Avocets, both Green & Common Sandpipers, Lapwings, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers and quite a few Little Ringed Plovers, including a mega cute chick close to the 360 Hide!









A Peregrine did it's best to empty the reserve of birds, harrying the Godwit flock for a good 5 minutes! A couple of Marsh Harrier cruised past and a noisy bunch of Egyptian Geese were about too.

Frampton is also an impressive site for the sheer amount of wild areas left, great for butterflies and insects, with swathes of thistles, grassland and flowers for them to enjoy. It was no surprise then, that were healthy numbers of butterflies on the wing, including 4-5 Painted Lady, quite a few Small Heaths and stacks of Common Blue, plus several other commoner species.