Since I arrived at Frampton Marsh people have been telling me about the great birdwatching cruise run by the South Lincolnshire RSPB local group aboard the Boston Belle. So after one of our volunteers Norman kindly got us tickets, Luke and I headed out to go and see what all the talk was about. Firstly though, we headed to The Haven cafe with Chris for breakfast. It’s located right next to the boat and I can personally vouch for the pancakes there! The boat itself is lovely, holding up to fifty people and there are both areas inside and outside. The comfortable inside area also provides bacon sandwiches, snacks and drinks.
Often sold out months in advance this cruise brings people back year after year to see what they can find. Many of the people I spoke to on the boat said they’d been on it numerous times before, and just keep coming back for more.
So we set off under dubious looking grey skies that had threatened storms and pelting rain. So imagine our surprise when it brightened up and the sun even tried it’s best to join us. Chris Andrews, Frampton Marsh’s visitor experience manager joined us as commentator. Roy Maddison, one of our volunteers, acted as spotter.
The route takes you through historic Boston on the river Haven before going to the estuary and into the Wash; you then go up the River Welland before heading home. In all we saw 54 birds, though the record is 86. This included redshank, marsh harriers, a peregrine, avocets, red kites, turnstone and an abundance of oystercatchers. Not a bird but still exciting were the seals, having a good sunbathe on the sand. One in particular stood out as they were bright red, and they hadn’t been out in the sun that long! As you go along the commentator gives you some background information about the area and the buildings of interest on the way. Some of these you’d never notice and then some, like the Stump, you can’t miss.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day on the boat and would definitely do it again. Run by people who have a real passion for what they do, I can really see why people keep coming back for more.