Frampton Marsh, Lincs

Little Egret

I had made plans to visit Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire, today, long before reports came in about a White Rumped Sandpiper. However, having seen the bird,throughout the day, controversy evolved, with the species being identified as a Bairds Sandpiper!

Well, is it Bairds or White Rumped. Arriving at 0530 this morning, the original reporter of the White Rumped got me on the bird, but the light was poor with rain threatening. A few hours later with "better" light, the bird was re-found in the same spot to the right of the visitor centre, but needing a scope to see the bird. Both Bairds and White Rumped would be lifers for me so I am no expert.

The bird had a definite but not brilliant supercilium, projecting primaries and was greyish in colour. It did appear to have a greyish breast with an obvious end, rather than streaked flanks. The bird unfortunately only briefly showed its rump which was off white but with a black mark through its centre. I waited 60 minutes hoping I would see the rump but the bird disappeared behind vegetation and was not re-located, before I needed to head home.

In my eyes the bird had characteristics of both species! Debate by assembled birders attempted to rule out possibilities, but it was felt that the characteristics favoured White Rumped. I regret not having better views and await the definitive verdict with interest! It looks like the experts have decided on Bairds Sandpiper!

The day was a mixture of heavy rain, showers and bright intervals with a good tally of birds, a list can be seen at the end of this post..

Little Egret

Little Ringed Plover

Feeling "Ruff"!

Avocet

Sedge Warbler

Brent Goose

Redshank

Reed Bunting

Common Sandpiper

Todays Sightings:

Great Crested Grebe; Cormorant; Little Egret; Grey Heron; Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Brent Goose; Shelduck; Mallard; Teal; Tufted Duck; Gadwall; Buzzard; Kestrel; Pheasant; Coot; Moorhen; Avocet; Oystercatcher; Ringed Plover; Little Ringed Plover; Dunlin; Curlew Sandpiper; Turnstone; Knot; Common Sandpiper; Green Sandpiper; Redshank; Spotted Redshank; Greenshank; Ruff; Black tailed Godwit; Golden Plover; Grey Plover; Lapwing; Whimbrel; Curlew; Snipe; BH Gull; Common Gull; Herring Gull; GBB Gull; LBB Gull; Common Tern; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Swift; Skylark; Swallow; Meadow Pipit; Pied wagtail; Dunnock; Wren; Robin; Blackbird; Sedge Warbler; Reed Warbler; Blue Tit; Starling; Magpie; Jackdaw; Rook; Carrion Crow; House Sparrow; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Linnet; Yellowhammer; Reed Bunting.