Avocets galore

Ben and Sarah have recently become interested in bird-watching, so, as a Mother's Day treat we all headed off for a walk round Frampton Marsh. It's only just over a month since I last visited, but it felt very different.

At the end of February the first group of Avocets had just arrived, but today there were hundreds of them, though they were outnumbered by  raucous Black-headed Gulls some of whom had clearly already established nesting sites. Lapwings were also displaying noisily, and we watched a Skylark ascending, singing its heart out before parachuting down gracefully, as well as a distant Spoonbill feeding (see extra). 

There were still quite a few winter visitors - plenty of grazing Wigeon and Brent geese, and a good group of Whooper Swans - it can't be long before they all head north. But there was no sign of the thousands of Golden Plover that were such a spectacle in February. After several hours of walking we headed to the cafe for a late lunch before driving back to Peterborough. 

In the evening I was treated to a Mother's Day feast of a perfect Beef Rendang (cooked by Alex), Sticky Rice, Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables and assorted snacks, followed by a delicious Orange and Cardamom cake cooked by Ben and Sarah. I am very, very lucky....

PS And Chris sent me a  Mother's Day message at 5.30 the next morning, having just returned to Quito from the Amazon. He was with us in spirit...