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RSPB Frampton Marsh (1 Viewer)

BirderChris

Well-known member
The RSPB reserve of Frampton Marsh is situated on The Wash coast, just off the A16 to the south of Boston. Map reference for the site is TF356392 and the closest postcode is PE20 1AY.

The reserve first opened in 1984, as the premier site for breeding redshank in Britain. Extra land was acquired in 2005 and now the reserve covers 566 hectares (or, if you prefer, 4258 Olympic swimming pools). A visitor centre was opened in 2009.

The reserve has a range of different habitats. Freshwater scrapes, a deeper lagoon surrounded by a burgeoning reedbed, wet grassland and saltmarsh. Access across the site is good, with either reserve paths or pblic footpaths allowing every part to be seen. Three hides provide closer views and there are also designed watchpoints in certain areas, plus hideclamp posts along the footpaths. The visitor centre itself has a great view over the reedbed lagoon and also a feeding station.

The reserve bird list (shared with the neighbouring reserve of Freiston Shore) is currently at 249. Over the years it has pulled in quite a few rarities, including an Oriental Pratincole in 2010, Collared Pratincole the year before, Buff-bellied Pipit in the winter of 2005/06, Long-billed Dowitcher in 2011 and Black-eared Wheatear in 2012. The site proves regularly turns up decent numbers of Temminck's Stint and Curlew Sandpiper during migration, and has had both Montagu's Harrier and Garganey breeding there.

A small but dedicated team of RSPB staff work at the site, abley assisted by a team of volunteers. Important work has been carried out improving the site for breeding waders and also in improving facilities for visitors.


Location: On the A16 four miles south of Boston

Access: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The visitor centre is open 10-4 daily (10-5 at weekends/bank holidays April - September).

Facilities: Heated visitor centre with toilets and light refreshments. Three hides

Accessibility: All the hides and visitor centre are serviced by a hard surface path. Three Blue Badge bays in the car park

Cost: There are currently no entry or car parking charges. If not already, please consider supporting us through RSPB membership

Contact: You can contact the RSPB Lincolnshire Wash office by
Telephone - 01205 724678
Email - [email protected]

Online:
RSPB Frampton Marsh home page
Twitter account (shared with Titchwell)
 
We'll do our best!

Early sightings from today...

Sanderling - reedbed lagoon
Curlew Sandpiper (nice summer colours) - scrapes
Hobby - over the wet grassland opposite the visitor centre
 
Turtle dove giving good views in the hedgerow today. Young tree sparrows at the visitor centre feeders. And a reported transitory spotted redshank reported by some reputable folk
 
Thank you Keith. First day today and I love it here already!! :)
Wader highlights include - Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, 50 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Dunlin. Several Marsh Harriers on and from the reserve too and a Sandwich Tern over the reedbed.
 
Beautiful summer plumage spotted redshank this morning on the reedbed.

There've been a couple around over the past few days but elusive so glad you were able to catch up with one. Other waders of note today were 3 Green and a single Wood Sandpiper around Marsh Farm and 2 Whimbrel overhead.
 
Wader numbers building with 9 Green Sandpipers at Frampton and the first Ruff of the month outside 360 Hide. Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier and Turtle Dove also seen this morning.
 
I should be stopping by today as I'm catching up with some old school friends this weekend so an ideal opportunity to see what's about on the reserve.
 
Depending on what time you're there Di, it might be worth a trip to Freiston around 6 for the high tide. Might see some of the birds that feed further out in the wash in close when they roost on the lagoon.
 
All a bit blustery out there today, with most birds keeping a low profile! Didn't get to move much from the visitor centre, but saw three green sandpipers from there, plus cracking close views of a lovely male marsh harrier, hunting just by the car park.

Told there were three spotted redshanks out on the reserve too, plus turtle dove and little owl. Am on the walk at Freiston tomorrow night, hoping the wind dies down a bit for then.
 
Ruddy Shelduck was today's highlight at Frampton while the best is yet to come at Freiston. We've got some big tides coming up tomorrow and Wednesday so if you're an early bird or night owl, be at the lagoon before 7am/7pm Tuesday or 8am/8pm on Wednesday. There's a good chance of some returning waders still in their summer finery and who knows what else might make an appearance?
 
Hope everything is going ok Toby, next time i am in Lincolnshire i will visit frampton, i see that they have some excellent waders down there at the moment, take care mate.....Damian
 
Three spotted redshanks were on the scrapes at about 8-ish tonight, and a green sandpiper was on the reedbed. A turtle dove has been purring away all day too. Oh, and more young tree sparrows on the feeders next to the visitor centre than you can shake a stick at
 
Last nights high tide at Freiston Shore pretty much covered the realignment but not quite high enough to push bits onto the lagoon. Highlights were 4 Whimbrel, handfuls of Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Grey Plover looking splendid in summer plumage along with many more non-breeding birds, 4 Sandwich Terns on the lagoon and a Little Tern off shore.

This morning at Frampton there were 2 Turtle Doves along the Marsh Farm footpath, 4 Green Sandpipers, 3 Ruff, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 74 Black-tailed Godwit, Knot and Golden Plover. The Knot and Golden Plover take the wader total for the month to 27!!
 
Two or three spotted redshank are still on reserve. Similar number of green sandpipers too. One of the regulars this morning turned up 3 marsh harriers, 217 black-tailed godwits, a couple of ruff, little owl and turtle dove. Sandwich tern and peregrine were reported from over the weekend too.
 
Popping In!

Two or three spotted redshank are still on reserve. Similar number of green sandpipers too. One of the regulars this morning turned up 3 marsh harriers, 217 black-tailed godwits, a couple of ruff, little owl and turtle dove. Sandwich tern and peregrine were reported from over the weekend too.

We will be popping in on Saturday afternoon, as we are making a weekend of it and going to the Airshow at Waddington on Sunday. Just wondered where is a likely spot for the Turtle Dove? (we have visited a couple of times before, so no the rough layout) This would be a lifer for us, so fingers crossed it's still about!

Thanks
Tom
 
Good afternoon Tom,

The most regular spot for Turtle Dove, that is to hear them at least, is along the public footpath that runs along the west and south of the reserve. Park in the car park then walk back along the road you came in on for about 100m. On your left you'll see a gate and public footpath sign. Head this way and if you can keep going and do the full circuit. I have seen and heard them right down in the south west corner of the track before you turn and head to the sea wall so worth going the distance. Reception will direct you and help you get your bearings on the day.
 
Good afternoon Tom,

The most regular spot for Turtle Dove, that is to hear them at least, is along the public footpath that runs along the west and south of the reserve. Park in the car park then walk back along the road you came in on for about 100m. On your left you'll see a gate and public footpath sign. Head this way and if you can keep going and do the full circuit. I have seen and heard them right down in the south west corner of the track before you turn and head to the sea wall so worth going the distance. Reception will direct you and help you get your bearings on the day.

Thanks for the info, really looking forward to our visit on Saturday, would be nice to add 1 to the life count. Fingers crossed!

Cheers
Tom
 
Thanks for the info, really looking forward to our visit on Saturday, would be nice to add 1 to the life count. Fingers crossed!

Cheers
Tom

Several good views of Turtle Doves today. I personally saw two in different locations and they were also seen from the Visitor Centre perching out in the open. Other birds around today were a pair of hunting Peregrines, 8 Green Sandpiper, 4 Ruff and 250+ Black-tailed Godwit.
 
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