Another very promising day weather-wise and a vsit to the RSPB reserve at Frampton Marsh a must. It is about six miles from our gravel drive so we managed to arrive at a reasonable time. At high tide migrant birds are swept over the sea wall and onto the saltwater marsh to feed.
This was the sight that greeted us from the first hide we went into. Over a thousand Black-tailed Godwits!
A remarkable sight.
This area is a haven for wildlife and for wildlife watchers:
Teasels and cow parsley provide a crisp silhouette against a blue Autumn sky:
and it’s great to see that symbol of the RSPB, the Avocet, a group of which are resting quietly in the sun, typically with their backs towards us!
The Whooper Swans we saw flying in earlier are relaxing in their own little group
and, in the distance, some cows graze along the top of the sea wall.
Everywhere you look there are flurries of birds as they take to the air en masse – these Lapwings look amazing from underneath!
We decided to go the whole hog and walk around the top of the sea wall but, unfortunately, the sea was nowhere to be seen – just acres of saltmarsh as far as the eye could see. The walk was a somewhat muddy one, mud mixed liberally with cow dung, but our new waterproof boots proved man for the job. I was happier once we had negotiated the cows, most of whom ignored us completely.
Skeins of Brent Geese were constantly flying over
and suddenly a Mute Swan swept across the marsh in front of us.
He had entered the territory of another male, who was gliding along with his wings raised in a beautiful ‘o’ shape and we definitely got the feeling the interloper was not necessarily welcome.
Maybe it was because the ‘resident’ swan had his ‘wife’ with him. Note the low head stance as he catches up with the stranger!
A lone Little Egret stood at the watery crossroads – the light was beginning to go…
but on the opposite field the sun was still shining on this large flock of grazing Brent Geese.
and there was yet another fly-past – this time of Greylags.
Back on the scrape, where once there had been hundreds of Black-tailed Godwits, there was a wide variety of ducks and waders, including Teal, Wigeon, Pintails, Plovers and Lapwings.
A long walk but, as the sun went down behind the monochrome remnants of the wild flowers in the hedgerows, we knew we had had a splendid day. To be recommended.
Adventures with Bessie & Madge 
Looks like a fantastic reserve! Another place to add to my list of places to visit.
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