I have not visited Frampton Marsh for several months - and it was one of my frequent haunts - but a friend and I decided to give it a try - his first trip out for several weeks due to an injury. Weather was light cloud but it was much heavier that expected and did not begin to clear until late morning.

We were totally surprised to find that the only area of water was in the reedbed lagoon - everywhere else was virtually dry - not a good start. So we headed for the Reedbed Hide and waited - and waited - very slow for anything within camera range. Not an auspicious start to the day.

Everntually, pair of Little Grebe began feeding

and a female Shoveler

A snipe made a very fast low fly-past - surprised that I even managed a shot although not the sharpest I have ever taken!!!

and a few female Pintails began flying around.

A pair of White Wagtails began feeding on the water line in front of the hide providing the opportunity for some unusual shots.

As we were having lunch, another photographer came in and said that he had just left the Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the far side of the bank - distant but not impossible. So we made our way there and immediately found it - too distant from the top of the bank so some careful negotiating of the muddy bridge was called for. Still distant. These shots were hand held at 800mm +1.4 converter but acceptable, thanks to Lightroom and Photoshop and also that it was my first photographic opportunity for the species.

And that was it for the rest of the day.