Nature features

A new visitor centre and three new bird watching hides have been officially opened by the Mayor of Boston. BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Melvyn Prior went on a tour of the reserve with John Badley (Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore).

When established, the reserve will become one of the most diverse and accessible in the region, popular with birds, birdwatchers, families and day-trippers alike.

Frampton Marsh

For the past two years, the RSPB has embarked on an ambitious development on its Frampton Marsh nature reserve. During this period, the team at the reserve have created a variety of new freshwater habitats for wildlife and these will provide a much needed refuelling stop for many of nature's greatest migrants.

Simon Wilson, the Visitor and Publicity Officer for the reserve said, 'The developing reed bed, wet grassland and saltmarsh have already become a major local spectacle.'

'Once the habitats have had more time to establish, we envisage Frampton Marsh becoming one of Eastern England's major bird watching attractions. It's really exciting, we would love to see as many people visiting the site as possible - we've got so much to show them.'

Frampton Marsh Visitor Centre

Three new bird watching hides, which have been named by local school children, have been erected and will provide a wonderful opportunity to see all manor of wildlife attracted by the freshwater scrapes and reed beds. Linking the hides and visitor centre are over 3 km of new footpaths, all professionally installed and accessible by wheelchair.

Simon went on to say, 'You don't need to be bird expert to visit the reserve. With so much going on here, there is something for everyone.'