A visit to RSPB Frampton Marsh is a 'wonderful way to clear away the cobwebs' says Rippingale volunteer and Mercury columnist
If there was one benefit of lockdown, it was that it guided many of us to make the most of the great outdoors.
And with the cost of living crisis putting pressure on people’s wallets, a bracing walk this winter will not just clear the cobwebs but offer a value-for-money day out.
If you’re bored with the same old routes though, perhaps consider the RSPB nature reserve Frampton Marsh, just south of Boston.
With about five miles of paths, it is among a handful of RSPB sites in the area and one of only two in Lincolnshire. Freiston Shore, near the coast, is a short drive away.
Ian Misselbrook, who writes the monthly Nature Notes column in the Mercury, has been visiting Frampton Marsh for more than 30 years.
He remembers his first visit - on new year’s day 1987 - when the reserve comprised only the saltmarsh area. As a keen birder, he had heard of a raptor roost where birds of prey could be spotted.
At the time, red kites were still a rare sight in England, but he spotted one on his first visit to Frampton Marsh.
“It was fantastic and a wonderful way to start the new year,” he recalled.
Since retiring from his role at the agricultural co-operative Limagrain about two years ago, Ian has volunteered at Frampton Marsh, sharing his knowledge with the reserve’s visitors.
He also returns as a visitor several times a month, sometimes to carry out bird surveys, and other times to simply enjoy the delights of the area.
He and nature reserve warden Toby Collett agree that they can expect to see more than 50 species of birds on each visit.
In winter, thousands of ducks gather, and it is possible to see hundreds of widgeon, as well as teal, shovellers, gadwall, shelduck and the more familiar mallard.
Marsh harriers soar above the marshland and can be seen plunging down to pick off their prey.
Peregrine falcons are also present - spied perched on a frosty fence and huddled against the cold air.
Meanwhile, Canada, brent and greylag geese are easier to spot thanks to their loud honking as they fly overhead.
Also in the air is the piercing song of a Cetti’s warbler - although it is difficult to see in the undergrowth.
Lapwings - sometimes known as peewits for the sound they make - meanwhile positively sashay over the marshland.
Like red kites, little egrets have grown in number over recent years. With Ian’s binoculars we spot two cattle egret overhead, the colours of their beaks and feet distinguishing them.
As a boy, Ian found nature interesting. At 66 his delight at spotting the different species of birds is very clear to see.
“It enlivens everything and it is still a learning curve,” he explained.
“No matter what you’re doing, you can see the birds. You can bird-spot without impinging on other things.”
While chatting, he pauses regularly to identify birds he can hear or see.
The magic of reserves such Frampton Marsh is that a visit provides something different each season.
In spring and summer, avocets - one features on the RSPB logo - can be seen along with skylarks and whimbrels and spoonbills.
As well as carefully managed freshwater habitats, Frampton Marsh attracts the abundant birdlife of The Wash, with redshank feeding in the small ponds.
Despite his love of Lincolnshire’s marshland habitat, Ian’s favourite bird is one spotters would be very lucky to see at Frampton, but much more likely to see in Rutland - the osprey.
He has fond memories of seeing ospreys at RSPB Loch Garten in Scotland in the 1970s, at a time when it was difficult to imagine them in central England.
“Looking back, it’s unbelievable to think that we would see ospreys, red kites and peregrines in the skies over Lincolnshire and Rutland,” said Ian, who moved from the Colchester area of Essex to Rippingale in 1986.
“It brings back happy memories to see them - they have a special place for me.”
For Toby, naming a favourite bird is simple.
“It’s whichever I happen to be looking at, at the time,” he said, adding that those in search of a particular species of bird can develop a tunnel vision that means they miss seeing others around them.
When Ian started volunteering at Frampton Marsh, he was advised to never prefix a bird species with the word “just” in case that bird holds a particularly fond memory for the visitor he’s talking to.
As well as plentiful birdlife, Frampton Marsh is soon to offer something new to visitors.
At the end of last year, the visitors’ centre was receiving an £800,000 extension housing a new cafe overlooking one of the areas of wetland.
New toilets, including one with 24-hour access, are also part of the project. The additional facilities are due to open early this year.
There is continued investment by the RSPB in the site, which costs £46,000 a year to maintain.
Even during lockdown, some higher areas were built so while bird hides were closed, people would still have a good view over the vast site.
The development of the visitors’ centre has also provided opportunities to improve the paths and a new predator gate, paid for by grant funding, has helped avocet chick numbers by keeping out foxes, badgers, otter and mink.
“We try to do little things over the year to make sure it is continually improving for our regular visitors, and for our birds,” said Toby.
“We can’t guarantee people will see a particular species but we can change the experience to make seeing those species more likely.
“Even if people have gone away not seeing what they came for, we hope they will still have seen something and enjoyed their visit.
“People love Frampton - there is a lot of fondness for the reserve - and we just want to keep spreading that affection.”
Winter visitors are advised to dress in warm clothing because it can become very cold on the saltmarshes.
There is a small charge for entry to the reserve.
RSPB members can visit for free - to find out more about joining, visit www.rspb.org.uk
Other sites within reach of Stamford are Langford Lowfields, near Newark, and the Nene and Ouse Washes, near Peterborough.
To find RSPB Frampton Marsh, the postcode is PE20 1AY, the grid reference is TF356392 and the What3Words location is: left.linguists.these
