Frampton Marsh nature resesrve is the next stop in out latest Step Series: black-tailed godwit.
To get from Rainham Marshes to Frampton it's 530,200 steps or 241 miles.
RSPB Frampton Marsh nature reserve is in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Blessed with a variety of freshwater habitats, Frampton Marsh provides close views of the abundant birdlife of The Wash, one of Europe's most special places for wildlife. Avocets, redshanks, skylarks and whimbrels can all be seen in summer, with thousands of ducks gathering on the freshwater scrapes in winter.
Frampton Marsh is a coastal reserve set up to bring The Wash closer to you. It is primarily made up of wetlands, reedbeds, large freshwater scrapes and wet grassland.
Frampton Marsh Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)Frampton Marsh is on the Lincolnshire shore of The Wash, the UK’s most important estuary for wildlife. Varied and dynamically managed habitats such as reedbed, scrapes and wet grassland are designed to be good for both nature and visitors alike. The reserve is an internationally important place for wintering wildfowl and a crucial place for both migrating and breeding waders. It's one of the best places for wildlife in the UK. It is at the leading edge of visitor and habitat nature conservation planning. Facilities include a visitor centre, more than 3km of accessible footpaths to explore and three hides - two with 360-degree views.
Frampton Marsh visitor centre (back in 2010) by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
They have a blog so you can find out more about the reserve and the latest news here.
They run wildlife waslk too, so if you would like to find out even more about the reserve why not join them!
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The next section of the journey of our black-tailed godwit is from Frampton Marshon to RSPB Leighton Moss in Lancashire - 166 miles/365200 steps.
Black-tailed Godwits are a long legged wading bird with a body a bit bigger than a Lapwing with a long bill and black and white wings and tail. At RSPB Rainham Marshes we have a good number wintering with sometimes up to 300 out on the reserve and along the River Thames. Our birds are from the Icelandic breeding population and head south into Europe to escape the freeze. Colour ringing has tracked birds all the way down the UK at various estuary locations and into Europe where some birds even stay for a few weeks in Spain and Portugal before the long journey back to the peatbogs of Iceland for the summer months.
Wintering black-tailed godwit by Jerry HoareRainham Marshes is a fantastic place for black-tailed godwits – you can often see them out on the muddy edges of the pools where they hunt for insects. In winter we manage the pools and waterways on site to make them good places for wildlife; the muddy edges are good for birds looking for insects in the mud, and the open water is good for a variety of ducks and geese.
Black-tailed godwits are on the red list.Red is the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action.Red list criteria includes: