Please note. The reserve remains closed under lockdown guidance. Unlike at other sites, much of the reserve here at Blacktoft can only be viewed from the hides, so closed hides means a closed reserve. We will of course continue to monitor the circumstances and re-open at the earliest opportunity. Please stay local.
Firstly let me apologise for the lack of a blog recently. Lockdown means that for much of the time office use is restricted, meaning I’m consigned to work from home most of the time. And I know Pete has been very, very busy not least of which with the annual reed cut. Winter is an essential time at the reserve. The team have chance to create the food rich habitats that brings life to the marsh. Clearing areas of reed brings new growth, fresh shoots, attracts insects and moths, mammals and birds to the Humber landscape.
It’s hard work. The team are up to their welly tops in mud, squelching as they walk and it’s been pretty cold too. I have somehow managed to body swerve it again so far this year. But then I have missed being able to explore parts of the reserve that barely see human footfall, and I’m slightly jealous of the wildlife that surrounds them.
Don’t get me wrong, working from home has it’s advantages. I’m very close to the kettle. I’m warm! And I’ve managed to clear some of those admin jobs that sometimes get put on a back burner. So, I made time to explore my local area a bit.
For those that don’t know I live in Scunthorpe, about a mile away - as the proverbial corvid flies – from the steel works. Following government guidelines I decided to stay very local to me. It’s a short walk to Ashbyville for me. I’ve been going there for years, around 35! I have to say the area has changed for the better in recent times. Yesterday I planned to walk an area that’s not so familiar to me, Bottesford Beck Linear Park. It leads from Messingham Road to Ashby Ville. I wasn’t expecting to find much, my expectations weren’t high, but I was pleasantly wrong!
Signage at the entrance.
The first thing I encounter, as I start the path, is a café. It was open and looked covid secure – people were enjoying a coffee as they walked. The well maintained path stretched off into the distance with the beck on my right and coppice to my left. It’s much like this for most of the route. My first encounter was with the almost continuous company of bluetits. They seemed to be everywhere flitting back and forth across the path and perching in trees watching me!
Blue tit
There was lots of our smaller “garden birds” around. Great tits, robins, blackbirds and long tailed tits. They didn’t seem to be too bothered by human presence either. But it is a popular spot. Especially now when people have more chances than ever to connect with nature. I usually seek solace in my own company when I’m out, but it was great to see so many people. And to be amongst humans for a little while. Walking with a large lens and a pair of binoculars brings up socially distanced conversations or nods and smiles along the way. In those gaps between walkers of all ages, cyclists and dogs sniffing at me I notice the fields beyond the beck to my right.
Wood pigeon.
The fields were bejewelled with dots of avian colour. These wood pigeons were among a few species of pigeons foraging in the fields.
Common Gulls, Black headed gulls, starlings
Common gulls and black headed gulls shared ground with a small flock of starlings that was ranging through. Their skittish behaviour was a joy to watch as they moved in unison.
Starlings take flight.
It definitely worth spending a little time looking across the fields. On a previous visit I’ve spotted buzzards and kestrels in the early evening light cresting the gently rolling slopes across the beck.
Water levels in the beck itself were very high. It’s hardly surprising really with the amount of rain that we have had. As the water drains off the hills it fills watercourses including this one. A few decades ago pollution was rife, the water orange tinged, and there was very little life here. Now its clean (filtered through the steel works) and life has thankfully returned.
I was really surprised to find a little grebe happily feeding in the swollen waters. Little grebes love water courses with plenty of vegetation. They primary food sources are insects, larvae and small fish. These must all be present – he was diving regularly as he traversed up stream.
Little Grebe hunting.
Glancing to the wooded areas to my left as I made my way past St. Peters Church set back through the houses which border the path, I noticed a long tailed tit – a rare shot from me since I usually spot them through a barrage a foliage and almost always out of focus.
Long tailed tit.
Further along the path this female blackbird seemed very friendly, even as a very well behaved pooch with its owner trotted past.
Blackbird taking an interest in us!
The pathway meanders through wooded areas, past bridges and across roads and places where homes and nature collide. It was great to see so many bird feeders in private gardens. It just goes to show the appreciation we have for nature just now. Long may it continue. It’s important that we expand areas where nature can thrive – including our own gardens!
Grey Squirrel
This little fellow sprang from a garden wall (where I suspect he’d been stealing nuts) and came to rest to eat his spoils.
Wood pigeon helping himself to berries.
Close views of pigeons too – this one was helping himself to the last few berries around.
The weather seemed to be holding out for me – dark clouds were rolling over but thankfully the rain stayed away. A few moments later the sun danced back over the landscape and forded me this view.
Sun dappled slope
As the fields continue I note in the near distance a large flock of gulls rising and falling obscured slightly by a line of compost heaps and I wonder what lies just out of sight. I must admit I wasn’t expecting to find this!
Pigs rooting around in mud.
The gulls beyond were taking advantage of the in vertebrae unearthed by the pigs. The surrounding land to the beck has many uses – a little further downstream there’s industry too as well as farming and leisure.
Rounding the next corner and back to open fields – this time a flock of linnet were moving across the landscape.
Linnet (around 200) ranging across open fields.
Pheasant in the field margins.
As the fields disappear a golf course appears across the stream. Deserted at the moment but for a lone roe deer taking advantage of the rich grass (who said the grass isn’t greener on the other side).
Roe deer on golf course.
My intention was always to continue my walk around Ashby Ville itself. But I’d spent so long taking in the sights sounds and smells of Bottesford Beck Linear Park that I lost track of time and light was fading so I headed home.
For me the highlight of my walk were a couple of human encounters I had. A lady and gentleman of more mature years stopped me and asked me if I was interested in birds. Of course I said yes. Excitedly she explained she’d just seen a parrot, her husband affirmed!. Bonkers right? (maybe a Norwegian blue! Hehe) They told me the exact tree they had seen it in – a large willow over hanging the beck. And right on cue a loud squawk rang out.
There it was – my limited view of my first ever UK ring necked parakeet.
Ring necked parakeet!
A couple with their small daughter came around a bend in the track. The little girl was very excited to have seen a big green ‘parrot’. The girl’s father tried to explain it was probably someone’s escaped pet. The little girl was really pleased to hear that they are now living wild in the UK – I definitely didn’t expect one to ‘rock up in Scunny’ less than a mile away from the steel works!
Just time for a gratuitous plug. Don’t forget Big Garden Birdwatch, the largest bird survey in the world, is just a week away. Why not get involved from the safety of your own garden – it’s a great way to youngsters involved in nature too!
Register here! https://bit.ly/BGBWReserve
Stay safe Daz