Ah, words to strike terror into the heart of any parent during a car journey. In this case though, 'there' is referring to spring. And you know, for a moment I thought we were there. Snowdrops are coming up lovely in the gardens surrounding the office here at Frampton Marsh. But no, we are back instead to snowflakes. Currently it is snowing outside and a bitter wind from the east is blowing.
But hey, no whinging. Frampton is a good place to visit (or work at) in any weather. The staff and volunteers in the heated visitor centre always provide a warm welcome. And if you get chilled on the reserve, you can have a nice hot cup of soup, tea, coffee or hot chocolate!
So, if you do come out to us, what might you expect to be seeing? The following is a list of what we have seen so far this week:
Whooper swan – parties are generally seen early on in the day, as they roost here overnight then forage on local fields during the day. High count has been 48 Golden plover – flocks of up to 5000 roosting on the wet grassland. Impressive if they take to the skies, put up by a raptor such as... Peregrine – seen daily, we believe they are visiting us from Boston Lapwing – have started their breeding display flights and calls Spotted redshank – Mostly seeen on the saltmarsh or wet grassland. Listen out for their "purr-chee" calls Ringed plover – a couple of birds have been reported on and off since last Friday. Breeders returning, or migrants on the way through? Stoat – One has taken to hunting around the visitor centre. Keep your eyes peeled!
Weekend tides
Weekend weather Friday - Could and cloudy throughout, with light cloud and the chance of a snow shower. Temperatures are right down in the basement, somewhere between 2 and -1. Windchill could be an added factor, with a moderate north easterly.
Saturday – Pretty much a repeat of Friday.
Sunday – The temperature might creep up a little, but the wind will freshen. Still overcast with light cloud
Monday – Temperature still trying to creep up, reaching the giddy heights of 4! Still a fresh north easterly wind and overcast though.
Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.