I had the pleasure of hosting a walk for retired teachers around the reserve today. This was the longest time I've ever been in the presence of teachers without being told to either stand in the corner or write of 2 sheets of lines!
The weather held fair for us as we made our way around the Wetlands trail. I think the wind made bird watching difficult but that didn't stop our enjoyment. Part way round the trail I stopped to look at what I thought was one of the dragonflies we make when entertaining children - how wrong was I. As I bent down to pick it up (litter picking), it took off at a fast pace and certainly made me jump. It was recognised as a broad bodied chaser.
Walking on to the 'living screen' we spotted a couple of lapwing chicks taking their first wade in to Fisher's Mill Pool - their parent trying to distract us. Overhead flew a little egret which also made the lapwing wary.
Back through the woodland we saw young treecreepers learning to find food whilst spriralling upwards around a tree.
All in all a delightful stroll around our Wetlands trail and not a detention in sight!
See you on the reserves,
Best regards,
Chris Edwards