Frampton on Severn, 28 March,2026

Above: Mandarin ducks © David Hall

Leader: Tom Rogers

Nine members joined the leader on a dry sunny morning in the car park at the end of Frampton on Severn’s village green which is about half a mile long. As the car park was almost full when I arrived time was spent sorting out other parking areas for members when they arrived.

Firstly we made our way to Townfield lake which is used by the local sailing club. Flying over the lake were a good number of Sand Martins. As we moved around the lake a pair of Mandarin ducks were spotted on another small lake close by as was a Kingfisher.

Returning the sailing lake field we made our way to Splatt Bridge via a footpath that led to Frampton on Severn Church.

 Here we enjoyed the flypast of 3 Cranes probably from the nearby Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Slimbridge.

A pair of Marsh Harriers were then observed flying in and out of a nearby reedbed, from which we concluded that they were setting up a nest site. Then a member found a Holly Blue butterfly attached to a single blade of grass. Lunch was then taken back at the car park.

After lunch two members decided to visit Slimbridge so the rest of us moved cars to Lake Lane to walk to Saul Wharf. This is an area alongside the River Severn which is best visited prior to high tide. The River Severn has the second highest tidal range in the world with the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada being higher. With high tide due at about 4.20pm we were a bit early to see all the birds that the rising tide pushes towards the viewing area, though we did see some Cuirlews plus flying Shelduck. The total number of birds was 35.

Tom Rogers

Full list oif birds below: