SS15 wildlife watching: Trip away from SS15 - Global BirdFair and RSPB Frampton Marsh

On 14^th, 15^th and 16^th July 2023, I attended the Global BirdFair at the Rutland Showground.

After attending since 2011, my last BirdFair was in the summer of 2019 following which the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted the annual event. Global BirdFair was resurrected under new organisation and management and at a new venue last summer although I did not attend.

The “new” Global BirdFair basically follows the same format as in its very long history with a 3-day programme of talks and lectures on a wide range of topics plus a large number of stands featuring exhibitors including local, national and international conservation organisations, optics companies, travel companies, book sellers and much more.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable time although the heavy rain, a huge hailstorm and strong winds were somewhat challenging. Fortunately, the various marquees provided shelter when necessary. The large grass field of the Rutland Showground quickly became a muddy swamp and my clean black trousers and clean black boots were very brown even after the conclusion of the first day!

After the last day at the Global BirdFair, I drove across to Kings Lynn in Norfolk for an overnight stay at Premier Inn Kings Lynn. This provided a good location to then drive the 32 miles the next morning to RSPB Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire.

RSPB Frampton Marsh is one of my favourite nature reserves in the UK. It is set against the western shore of The Wash, the UK’s most important estuary for wildlife and habitats include freshwater wetlands, reedbeds, wet grasslands and large shallow scrapes. The reserve is internationally important for vast flocks of wintering wildfowl as well as migrating and breeding waders. The reserve includes over 2 miles of trails plus 3 hides, 2 of which have 360-degree views. The visitor centre has recently been expanded and now includes an excellent café with amazing views across part of the reserve.

The main target species for my visit was Black-winged Stilt. This species is a common bird in the wetlands, marshes and coastal lagoons of southern Europe where I have previously seen it many times in Spain. It used to be a very rare passage visitor to the UK but it is now considered to be a colonising breeder. I saw my first Black-winged Stilts in the UK at NWT Holme Dunes in 1987. This was followed by regular sightings of a long-staying bird ("Sammy" .... Gone but never forgotten) at RSPB Titchwell between 1993 and 2004 and then further records at Neumanns Flash in Cheshire in May 2008 and at RSPB Vange Marsh (very close to home!) in April 2017.

Black-winged Stilts have previously been recorded at RSPB Frampton Marsh but this year is especially significant since 2 pairs have bred successfully .... BBC News - Black-winged Stilts breed for first time in Lincolnshire.

When I arrived at RSPB Frampton Marsh, I walked to the area of the reserve where the Black-winged Stilts were being reported regularly. Despite much repeated scanning, I failed to see them and disappointment was beginning to set in. However, I then had several sightings of both a male and a female Black-winged Stilt as they flew in to and out of an area of water immediately adjacent to the path on several occasions. This enabled me to get some very easy photos of this very distinctive species ....

Photo: Black-winged Stilt

The main highlights from my visit to RSPB Frampton Marsh were as follows: Black-winged Stilt (male and female), Spoonbill (at least 15), Black-tailed Godwit (at least 500), Avocet (c.100), Lapwing (c.100), Ringed Plover (10), Little Ringed Plover (1), Common Sandpiper (1), Curlew (1), Dunlin (1), Ruff (10), Oystercatcher (10), Little Egret (1), Grey Heron (1), Common Tern (4), Cormorant (2), Mallard (c.50), Tufted Duck (c.10), Common Pochard (1), Shelduck (2), Mute Swan (4), Greylag Goose (c.20), Canada Goose (2), Coot (4), Moorhen (2), Swift (c.20), Sand Martin (c.10), Swallow (c.5), Yellow Wagtail (1), Sedge Warbler (at least 5 plus other singing males heard), Reed Warbler (at least 5 plus other singing males heard), Reed Bunting (3), Skylark (at least 1 singing male heard), Meadow Pipit (1 singing male), Marsh Harrier (male and female), Brown Hare (5)

The new cafe was also a definite highlight. Excellent coffee, cake, views of the reserve from panoramic windows, birds including Spoonbill .... what's not to like?

The Spoonbills were especially nice to photograph, albeit they were somewhat distant and I had to wait for them to actually do anything .... Spoonbills are notorious for being asleep most of the time!