⛅️23C Monday 20th August 2018 ~ Before meeting up with the Brandon Marsh Volunteers, who were on an away-day at RSPB Frampton Marsh I decided to make an earlier start arriving at Gibraltar Point NNR just after 07:00hrs.
My main objective was the long staying
Spotted Crake, which has been showing intermittently from the 'Mere Hide' for the past few weeks. From the parking area, it was just a short walk along to the hide and I was seated, surprisingly alone some fifteen minutes later.
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| A couple of Sedge Warblers at the Mere Hide |
There were several pretty vocal juvenile
Little Grebes around the pool calling constantly to the parent and every so often groups of
Swallows would drop down to drink and rest up a little. Two
Sedge Warblers showed well for a while and a single
Redshank was the only Wader to be found. Constantly scanning the reeds and the small exposed muddy area directly in the front of the hide the odd
Moorhen would pass through and with no wind, the reeds would occasionally flick with activity, raising my expectations. It was just after 8am that I was rewarded with an albeit brief but unmistakable view of the Crake as it passed through a small channel in the reeds and then out of sight! Despite sticking around for another 90 minutes for better views the bird, unfortunately, didn't show again. However, a
Marsh Harrier and
Short-eared Owl passing through made the wait well worthwhile.
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| Fourteen Spoonbills reported at Gibraltar Point today |
Before heading off a quick look across Jacksons Marsh produced eight of a reported fourteen
Spoonbills, plus a near-summer plumage
Grey Plover.
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| Spotted Redshank |
I eventually met up with the Brandon team at RSPB Frampton Marsh around 10:30hrs, enjoying a good days birding, although the reserve today was a lot quieter than of late. A few of the highlights included the long staying
Pink-footed Goose and
Whooper Swan, obviously both carrying injuries,
Peregrine, three
Spotted Redshanks, many
Ruff and a couple of
Stoats along the track from the '360' Hide.
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| Ruff |
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| Good numbers of Yellow Wagtails around the reserve |
A full list of my sightings below.
Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Graylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose (3), Shelduck, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard (1), Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Spotted Crake, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Spotted Redshank (3), Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel (1), Snipe, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl, Swift (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Robin, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler( singing), Chiffchaff, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting
