Frampton Marsh and Baston Gravel Pits

Distant Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Saturday 30 March 

Away to the East Midlands for Easter week-end, spending the first night near Long Buckby, Northamptonshire to join friends at their Diamond Wedding Anniversary and then on to Langtoft, Lincolnshire, a little north of Market Deeping on the A15.  With the ladies off shopping on Saturday afternoon it gave me chance to pay a short visit to very nearby Baston Gravel Pits before continuing on to RSPB Frampton Marsh on the outskirts of Boston.  And even the weather was glorious; Friday's rain having passed away to give glorious warm, sunny weather and no breeze at all.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

Arriving at the gravel pits mainly ducks on both pools either side of the road but all almost outdone by the number of wintering Greylag Geese.  Ducks were mainly Wigeon and Tufted Duck but also a few Mallard, Gadwall and Shoveler.  A small number of Coot but then I noticed a lone Oystercatcher off to my right on the eastern pool.  A total of six Mute Swans were recorded and then, around me, a number of Woodpigeon and Rooks along with a solitary Carrion Crow on the wires but surprisingly few Back-headed Gulls.

The newly replaced RSPB Frampton Marsh Visitors Centre

So on to Frampton Marsh arriving just before 3pm and, as I changed into boots following the recent rains, was informed about the various visiting species, including a Lesser Yellowlegs that was moving about in the flooded field immediately in front of me!  Searching amongst the many Greylag Geese, Wigeon and Mallard I eventually found the individual but quite distant an not showing well enough to get a half-decent photograph.  Also in the immediate vicinity many Curlew and Lapwings along with Teal and distant Great White Egret, Heron and Little Egret.

Very distant Lesser Yellowlegs Chico Tringa  flavipes

A look at the pool behind the Visitors Centre produced not only many more Greylag Geese but also a pair of Little Ringed Plovers and, out on the water, a handful of Pochard and a lone Great Crested Grebe. 

Greylag Goose with Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius

Walking down to the 360 Hide I encountered many more Greylag geese and Moorhen.  From the hide views of a few Dunlin plus Shelduck, a large resting flock of Black-headed Gulls and numerous Avocet.  In the distance a pair of wintering Whooper Swans.

Distant Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus with the Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

From the far car park I picked up a few Gadwall and closer Lapwing but also a distant, feeding Ruff that was showing well. The only Canada Geese were seen from her plus the small flock of Brent Geese.  Having noted the Redshanks and a few Moorhen plus a trio of Black-tailed Godwit I made my way back to the car to prepare for my return to Langtoft. 

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

However, a quick visit behind the nearby farm to the back of the reserve gave me a closer look at the Great White Egret and also produced a pair of Pintail before finding a further ten Ruff in a far corner of the water. Finally, as I left the reserve to head home both a number of Pheasants, Starling and a Magpie before once again encountering the many Rooks in the area.

More distant Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Avocet Recurvisrostra avosetta

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Redshank Tringa totanus

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