The discontent being at how long the winter is lasting. No sooner do we think things are starting to warm up, then we are back to a cold spell. Just check out the weather forecast below... But despite this, as you may have seen in John's post the other day, we are starting to get "first for year" sightings.
The big one of these this past week has been our first avocets. A couple came in on 3 March and have been wandering around the scrapes and reedbed areas. Nice to see these elegant birds which are, of course, the emblem of the RSPB. A proper sign that spring must be on the way when they return from their wintering grounds to breed at Frampton. And on Thursday that couple were joined by another 20-odd of their friends! The really nice thing was the first birds came back on my birthday, what a present! Not that I was here to see them, the boss had given me the day off. Still, it was the thought that counts
So, what else have we seen so far this week:
Spoonbill – two birds seen on the saltmarsh, before they flew off northwards. Maybe towards Frieston Shore? They are quite regular visitors, so worth checking for. Lapwing – a leucisitic bird (one that has lost almost all its colour) has been seen out on the saltmarsh Goosander – a female was in the reedbeds on Monday, before being ejected by territorial great-crested grebes Ruff – plenty on the wet grassland and scrapes Dark-bellied brent goose – Mostly seen on the wet grassland together with other brent geese Ringed plover – still a couple of birds about, so I guess my question of last time has been answered! Yellowhammer – Lots of lovely bright colourful males in the hedgerow and coming down to the feeders
Into your waders? The following tide times should give you an idea of when best to visit (either Frampton Marsh or Freiston Shore)
Weekend tides
And if you do visit, what will the weather be like? (Hint: wrap up warm!)
Weekend weather Friday - Foggy through the day, visibility might be a bit of an issue. Temperature isn't too bad, with a high of 7 Celsius. the wind is a moderate north-easterly.
Saturday – Looking rather wet, with rain forecast for all day. Drying up slightly towards the evening. Temperatures are dipping down to 4 and the wind will increase in force.
Sunday – Drier than Saturday, with no rain forecast. Overcast with heavy cloud though. Cold, with the peak temperature only reaching 2 Celsius. Wind will be quite a strong north-easterly by now
Monday – The wind will start to die away and the cloud will lessen. Temperatures still really low, not getting much over freezing
Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.