They're Back....

And not only did one Stilt return, he/she also bought along a few friends, so there were a suspected three on the reserve on Monday evening. And not only this, but they were showing down to 10 metres. What a spectacle!

Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus

The rest of the week also saw some cracking birds turn up; Pectoral Sandpiper, Little Stint, Temmincks' Stint, two Little Gulls and then to round it all off, three Black Terns arrived and this individual put on a stunning display for me from East Hide.

Black Tern, Chlidonias niger

Aside from the wonderful influx of unusual birds, the usual fair are also providing lots of nice sightings. The Turtle Doves are showing well every day, although often in unpredictable locations, and there are Avocet and Gull chicks literally everywhere (with some particularly keen to get into the hides). Little Ringed Plovers and Terns are still nesting although the latter remain very well hidden, apart from when they venture off to feed and provide cracking views.

Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius

As far as Passerines are concerned, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler can still be heard singing around the reserve, and I caught this Tree Sparrow still busy gathering nest material. Then again, they do like to line their nests with a lot of feathers!

Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus

On a final note, I was lucky enough to be shown a good spot for one of my favourite migrants, and one that is becoming increasingly more difficult to find; the Spotted Flycatcher. The site they have chosen is idyllic, set in some lovely Weeping Willows over a small river, and this individual perched out in clear view for a good few minutes.... Wonderful!

Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata

A Touch of the Med!

I wanted to avoid using the phrase "spring is here," as firstly I suspect that it has become somewhat overused recently and secondly because the weather has been so unpredictable of late! When we met in the car park at Frampton at 7am today, the car thermometer was reading -3.5°C and there was frost on the ground, but without the biting easterlies it felt very pleasant indeed. By mid morning, it was (I hate to say it) positively spring-like! With the weather being somewhat improved, there was hope that the first migrants of the year might have arrived. There was a lovely Mediterranean Gull in full summer plumage on the islands in the reedbed, being hassled by a few of the hundreds of Black-headed Gulls that have decided to make Frampton their home this year.

Mediterranean Gull, Larus melanocephalus and Black-Head Gull, Croicocephlus ridibundus

Mediterranean Gull, Larus melanocephalus and Black-Head Gull, Croicocephlus ridibundus

Migrants were solely represented by this lovely pair of Little Ringed Plovers. In the last few weeks these tiny birds will have crossed the Sahara Desert, travelling from tropical Africa to their breeding grounds somewhere in Europe. Hopefully there are a pair or two aiming for Frampton as their final destination this year! This photo shows nicely the two key ID features to look for when separating these birds from the Closely related Ringed Plover; the bright yellow eye ring and all-black beak!

Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius

Also around the reserve were a good selection of raptors; Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Marsh Harrier were all causing havoc among the waders and wildfowl. The Little Owl was in the dead stump by his usual hang-out, there was a record count of 120 Avocet, at least a dozen Ruff and a very smart Black Brant associating with the Brent Geese.