Sorry to pinch Johns' phrase but it's too late in the day to start thinking for myself. The visitor centre at Frampton will remain shut tomorrow (tuesday 22nd) when we will review the situation for the rest of the week, but with temperatures due to increase ever so slightly towards the weekend we might begin to see a thaw, good news all round. As we enter a second week of snow and ice, conditions are really tough out there for the wildlife. Our bird feeders are increasingly busy and this is just about the only place to spot anything at the moment with up to five yellowhammers the highlight this morning.
The Visitor Centre will be open as usual today (Thursday 24th). The habitats are still mostly frozen, but there are a couple of open water patches starting to appear and the ducks are returning with about 500 wigeon and seven whooper swans being the highlight this morning. A male hen harrier on the marsh was also quite a sight.
John
Hi folks! The Visitor Centre will remain closed on Wednesday 23rd Jan for the reasons outlined above. The minor roads leading to the reserve aren't gritted and are covered with a layer of snow/ice, but it is possible to get to the reserve with caution. However as the water bodies and habitats are frozen and covered with a layer of snow there isn't much wildlife around. Much of it has relocated out onto The Wash. You can get to see it by walking toward the Witham Mouth (8 km/5 mile round trip from the car park), but dress up warm. The reserve and hides remain open, but the toilets (which are in the Visitor Centre) will not be. Hopefully we'll be open again by the weekend as the weather is due to improve.