With the return of the avocets, its time to make sure that the reserve is in tip top shape for the breeding season. Therefore, I got the boat out with Pete (Volunteer), and off we set with Graham (Warden) for a bit of boating on the reedbed. This was to enable us to access the two islands covered with cockle shells, which we hope will attract breeding common terns to the site. We weeded them during the summer but there has been some regrowth, and we wanted to ensure they were clear for the birds’ arrival this spring. So, we did a bit more hand weeding, and dug up some patches of grass.
From the islands, you get a totally different perspective of the reedbed. We disturbed a snipe with our activities, but then noticed we were not the only ones scaring the birds. As Graham looked up and spotted a peregrine in the sky, we watched to see what meal it would find but it left after a while still empty handed. It disturbed a lovely group of about a dozen avocets that were on the reedbed.
As we rowed back to shore, Liz (Volunteer) came running down from the Visitor centre, with exciting news! A barn owl in the box, which is positioned along the end hedgerow opposite the Visitor centre. But as those of you who’ve been to visit recently will know we had a camera installed which broadcasts pictures to a television screen in the Visitor centre, and this is the first time that we have seen a barn owl using the box since. So of course, we couldn’t miss the excitement and had to stop on our way back to the office, to see the owl hiding in the corner of the screen.
After refuelling with lunch, our trio set off for some more fun! We picked up some willow plants, which we have been storing in ditches and headed for the far side of the site, and the ditch alongside the path at the furthest side of the Scrapes. I strimmed the area, whilst the others followed me planting the willow trees. I was soon down to a t-shirt in the summery weather! – Ok maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, spring weather! But it is great to have the sun out, and it does just light up the reserve. With the willows planted, we will be watching them as they grow.
So if you want to enjoy the lovely weather, please do pop down to Frampton Marsh this weekend. And why not pop into the Visitor centre for a peak at the barn owl (if its still about), and a chat with myself or one of our volunteers.