Sunshine, glorious sunshine!
Well till 3pm (a time perfectly predicted by one volunteer this morning!) But what a lovely morning, and it brought lots of you out to Frampton Marsh. It was great to be in the Visitor centre, with it buzzing with people.
And a range, including a several families who went off to fill in their ‘what’s the bird?’ cards whilst enjoying the fresh air, to bird watchers, including a minibus full!, to those after a general stroll. I spent the morning talking to a whole variety of them. – Its interesting to hear what people have seen, and great to identify birds to those unfamiliar with what they were looking at, by which I hope at Frampton Marsh we can involve everyone in appreciating nature.
With the sightings up on the board, one question from visitor’s was what’s a ‘flag sparrow’? The answer is out on the reserve, or someone in the Visitor centre might be able you with it! Other highlights included the species we look forward to as spring approaches – avocets (41), little ringed plover (10). Birds were singing in the hedgerow, including blackcap (2), and sedge warbler (1).
Outside 360 hide this morning on the edge of the scrapes were twite (20), yellow wagtail (20), and white wagtail (1). And on the scrapes a drake garganey caused excitement, looking splendid in the sunshine. A whooper swan was also to be found.
For those who enjoy scanning the saltmarsh, and particularly the flocks of brent geese, a pale bellied was to be found among the usual dark-bellied.
But my highlights from the Visitor centre, were a pair of coots, busy nest building. They didn’t stop all morning but were busy at there work, and there is now a sizeable nest to the right as you look out on the reedbed. A goldfinch with its bright colours, enjoying a breakfast of sunflower seeds. Lovely birds whose colourful plumage makes them stand out, especially on a sunny day, like today. And Kestrel cam, with a male preening away in the triangular box on the edge of the hedgerow if you look across from the Visitor centre decking. Simple joys on a glorious day.
So come and enjoy Frampton Marsh for yourself.