Curlew Sandpiper

Chris and I had our first day out monitoring saltmarsh as part of the Wash Grazing Strategy. It was partly a training and calibration exercise, with both of us recording the same section. In future days we will split up and record separate areas. The weather was warm, with hazy sunshine and a moderate breeze - ideal for such work.

We'd finished by early afternoon, so decided to head on to Frampton Marsh RSPB reserve, but by the time we arrived it was heavily overcast with a strong northerly breeze - not that pleasant. We walked towards the sea wall, where we eventually had very good views of a flock of Curlew-sandpiper, but decided against going up onto it. Sadly, the flock of Spoonbills that had been there for over a month had decided to fly off the previous day, probably taking advantage of the the northerly wind to speed them south to warmer climes.