After a morning in the office, I was in need of some fresh air this afternoon. Initially, I only got as far as the workshop but after a few jobs there I headed over to Frampton Marsh. I drove down to the bottom car park, and headed up onto the seawall for a quick scan of the saltmarsh. On reaching the top of the steps, I was met by one of our regular birders who pointed out a peregrine on one of the bridges out on the saltmarsh. It was sat tight, probably digesting its latest meal.
Next, I headed back to the main car park and off round the reedbed with my clipboard. By the time I reached the far side of the reedbed it almost felt like summer – the sun was out and I actually felt a bit warm in my layers! The reedbed is looking great, there is so much water in it, which we hope, will enable us to keep the reserve wet into the spring for the breeding waders. Therefore, Graham had a switch around this morning – we have been pumping into the reedbed over the last three months but with the high levels and only a winter abstraction licence, it was time to switch to pumping into the reservoir at the back of Marsh Farm to ensure this side of the site will have water into the spring too.
On my way, back to the Visitor centre I went to check on the water levels of the Scrapes. We have been letting water out of the reedbed onto this area so the water levels have risen, in addition the recent rain has helped! On arriving back in the Visitor centre, I was interested to hear from Mel (Volunteer) that there was a spotted redshank out on the reedbed in front of the Centre, and pleased when I picked it out in the Scope.
Other highlights today have included:
Sparrowhawk – 1
Barn owl – 2
Pochard – 10
Scaup – 2
Goldeneye – 3
Pintail - 21
Black-tailed godwit – 20
Ruff – 30
Dunlin – 50
Barnacle geese – 14
Little egret - 6
So please come and enjoy a walk round at Frampton Marsh this weekend, and see what birds are about for yourself.