RUTLAND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

FRAMPTON MARSH RSPB RESERVE 

Sunday 25^th September 2011 

In very pleasant weather conditions Rutland Natural History Society met at one of the RSPB’s up and coming reserves at Frampton Marsh on the Wash near Boston. 

Simon Wilson the Visitor and Publicity Officer for the Reserve welcomed the party with an introductory talk explaining how the reserve has been developed and expanded by the RSPB over the years and is now becoming an important site along this part of the Lincolnshire coast matching other areas such as Gibraltar Point and Frieston Shore. 

The reserve has areas of Freshwater Scrapes, Wet Grassland and a large area of Saltmarsh. Areas of Reedbeds are developing but this habitat is still a little sparse. However, once this takes hold and expands it will undoubtedly add immensely to the bird numbers and species seen. 

From the centre car park we decided to view the scrapes in front of the visitors centre and the bushes and grassy areas that border the North West corner of the reserve and then wander around to Reedbed and 360 Hide. 

The birdfeeders at the centre always attract a few species and here we identified several Tree Sparrows. 

The stroll around the excellent path into the North West corner produced numerous Small White Butterfly all staying fairly low in the vegetation to avoid the strong wind. Common Darter accompanied us along the path in good numbers whilst a solitary Emperor Dragonfly was still on the wing late into its flight period. Other butterflies seen were Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral. 

At the side of the path a single specimen of Lawyers Wig Fungi was spotted having been lucky to escape the tread of many feet. 

This part of the reserve was well stocked with Teasel and these in turn had attracted a large flock of Goldfinch which gave those with cameras the opportunity to try for some classic poses. 

With heads down identifying plants we also came across many Devils Coachman beetles scurrying across the path and showing their displeasure if we interrupted their progress by adopting the classic curled pose almost reminiscent of a scorpion. 

By the time we reached Reedbed Hide we had increased our list of birds with the addition of Linnet, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Canada and Greylag Geese, Shoveler, Black Headed Gull and overhead a continuous but small passage of Swallow and House Martins probably on their way out of the country to warmer climates. 

The hides and access at Frampton are very good and as expected at a weekend very busy, however, a brief stop produced Ruff, Snipe, Grey Heron, Black Tailed Godwit and Little Grebe. 

Moving onto 360 Hide, Ruff were again extremely numerous and there were large parties of Starling, possibly some of continental origin, Brent Geese, Shelduck, Pintail and Redshank were also added to the list.

It was now time for lunch so we returned to the visitors centre to re-group for the afternoon. At this stage we also added to the sightings board Long and Short Winged Coneheads, Roesel’s Bush Cricket, Field Grasshopper and Meadow Grasshopper which had been identified at various locations around the reserve. 

There had been some good bird sightings at the East Hide earlier in the day so those who chose to stay on for the afternoon took the gentle stroll down the old road to the sea bank and the view out across the saltmarsh. This area was relatively quiet bird wise although distant Marsh Harrier and Curlew were picked out along with Skylark and Meadow Pipit. 

On one of the sandy areas of the sea bank a small colony of Mining Bees was located still very busy taking nectar into the small holes they had excavated in the bank. 

The only addition to our bird list at East Hide was a brief view of a Sparrowhawk. 

It was now time to begin the return journey to the cars and to start our drive home. 

This reserve is within easy reach of Rutland and can be recommended at any time of year.

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Attached below is a brief summary of other plants etc identified during our walk and kindly provided by Gill & Hendrina.

Common Knapweed

Common Birdsfoot Trefoil
Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil
Field Bindweed
Dutch Clover
Woody Nightshade
Teasel
Common Reed

Bulrush
Pink Clover
Black Medick
Ragwort
Meadow Buttercup
Oxeye Daisy
Yarrow
Common Dandelion
Common Vetch
Creeping Thistle
Bristly Ox-tongue
Autumn Hawkbit

Rough Hawksbeard
Bramble
Wild Chicory
Hogweed
Rosebay Willowherb
Sea Aster
Sea Lavender
Sea Spurrey
Yellow Mellilot

Small Copper
Large White
Small White
Daddy Longlegs
Common Carder Bee – worn fur
Red-tailed Bumblebee
Common Darter
Garden Spider
Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax)
Devils’ Coach Horse

Green Lacewing

Crab (dead)

Gall on Creeping Thistle
Robin’s Pincushion

Lawyer’s Wig


‘On top of the bank we were 41 feet above sea level.’ according to Dave’s GPS system.

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