Frampton Marsh
Parish: Frampton and Wyberton
OS: 131 • GR: TF 365393 (entrance TF 365393) • Map ref: 19
Habitat type: Coastland
Freehold: 139.5 hectares (344.7 acres) 1976
Leasehold: 32.4 hectares (80 acres)
Location and Access
Frampton Marsh lies between the outfalls of the River Witham (The Haven) and the River Welland. The major part of the reserve lies in the area known as The Scalp. It is reached via the marsh roads from either Frampton or Wyberton.
Cars may be parked at the roadside at about grid reference TF 353396, from where the reserve is reached on foot by way of a track known as Commissioners' Drove. Alternatively, cars may be parked at about grid reference TF 363386; from this point proceed on foot to the sea bank and turn left.
Care should be taken to check tides before venturing out onto the marshes as the creeks fill very quickly. Good views of the marsh and the river may be had by walking out along the Haven Bank.
A visitor centre with toilets and light refreshments is located at the adjacent RSPB reserve. The centre is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
Description and Management
The reserve is part of the most mature saltmarsh in the Wash and is exceptionally rich in plants, birds and invertebrates. The upper levels, which have extensive zones of sea-lavender, sea aster and sea-purslane, are intersected by large creeks, one of which was the old course of the River Witham before the new cut was made in 1880.
The area supports regular breeders such as redshank, oystercatcher, reed bunting, meadow pipit and skylark. In winter the saltings attract wigeon, mallard, shelduck, teal and brent geese, with large flocks of finches and buntings, notably linnet and twite and birds of prey such as hen harrier and merlin. The tidal mudflats form part of the wader feeding grounds, which give the Wash its international status. Large flocks of dunlin occur, as well as considerable numbers of grey plover, whimbrel, curlew, bar-tailed godwit and greenshank.
Wildfowling rights are let to the South Lincolnshire Wildfowlers' Club who participate in the care and wardening of the reserve. Grazing by cattle is an important part of management. The Trust's reserve is grazed together with the RSPB's reserve to the south. Parts of the Kirton Marsh to the south are also subject to agreements between landowners and Natural England, so that all the saltmarshes between the Witham and Welland outfalls are under protective management. The whole of the Wash has been designated by the Government as a Ramsar Site and a Special Protection Area.
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