FRAMPTON MARSH BLACK WINGED STILTS

During a much needed break at my sister's home in Cambridgeshire we deliberated on which reserve to visit on our birding 'day out'.  This time of year is quite quiet on the bird front, but I'd read of a pair of  black winged stilts that had been resident at RSPB Frampton marsh for quite a while,  so we decided we'd head there for the morning. 

We  spent some time looking out at the pools in front of the Reception foyer where the most unusual species were a little ringed plover and a yellow wagtail, before heading on to the  reserve. We'd been told that that the black winged stilts could be anywhere but they particularly favoured the scrape in front of the Reedbed hide so that's where we headed first. On the way we noted half a dozen or so painted lady butterflies, all in pristine condition, they have certainly been abundant this year. 

In front of the Reedbed Hide we were treated to excellent views of one of the black winged stilts, which spent al long time preening before walking on its elegant long red legs off to the right and out of view.   In the past, some stilts have bred at the reserve but they were unsuccessful this year. We also had views of spoonbills, ruff, avocets and black tailed godwits. Some of the scrapes were bone dry but were attracting a few pied wagtails.  

On the mammal front, we were excited to see a family of stoats run across the grass in front of the Visitor Centre during our lunch but they were too quick to get  a photo!  .