Last Wednesday (13th August), a friend and I decided to try Frampton Marsh RSPB, a site that I have only visited once before in 2010 for the Oriental Pratincole. The site blog promised high tides with plenty of mud to attract waders with the extra promise of a Glossy Ibis and a couple of Spoonbills.

We arrived in the 360 hide about 9.30. plenty of people and loads of birds, all distant because the water level was about a foot or so too low. We sat there for most of the morning, trying to amuse ourselves with long-distance flight shots, so successfully that none were worth keeping!!! The weather was now dull and windy, far from ideal for flight shots.

We returned to the car for an early lunch and then drove towards the sea wall car park, walking back a little to see loads of waders rather close to the road.

A Black-tailed Godwit struggled in the wind

and the Glossy Ibis made an appearance for a time, even preening and wing-flapping.

Pity the sun was not out to really emphasise the iridescent plumage. It then flew off so we returned to a virtually empty 360 hide. By this time the sun was out in patches but still a strongish wind, normally good for flight shots but nothing came near to the hide. The two Spoonbills typically slept in the distance.

Then the Glossy Ibis made another appearance and proceeded to provide the typical Ibis pose

fed right in front of the hide

and, after moving further away, went for a bathe.

Hundreds of shots later.........

After that, a small family of Yellow Wagtails gave a display

and finally, a female Shoveler fed, preened and stretched in front of the hide.

Overall, a satisfying day with more images in the Recent Additions section.