It was nice to again see a good turnout for the third walk (and second at Northward Hill RSPB reserve. In all including me, there were 24 of us in Bromhey Farm car-park for a prompt start at 7 o'clock. I must admit I am always a little nervous that the object of our walk would not perform. Earlier on in the day, I'd heard two males singing well in the scrub just after the pond on the way up to Ernie Hemsley Viewpoint, as I was talking to the visitors I could hear them limbering up, even though they were a few hundred yards away!
Setting off I decided to go round that way past the pond to listen to the lovely song of the male Reed Warbler, pretty much keeping well hidden at the base of the swaying reeds. In the distance, a male Cuckoo called giving me the opportunity to explain the miracle of these birds breeding habits. Most people are aware of course of its sneaky and downright deceptive parental skills or lack of, to be more precise, but there is so much more to it than merely the female flying to a nest, laying an egg and flying off. Professor Nick Davies has written a most excellent book called simply Cuckoo and subtitled Cheating by Nature. I thoroughly recommend it for those who have a wish to find out more about the life cycle of this fascinating bird.
We continued on up to Sweeney Viewpoint hearing a Nightingale singing in the scrub just before.
As ever this was my cue to talk about Owen and Linda Sweeney and Lodge Hills Nightingales and the threat to them from Medway Council and Homes Englands' plan to build 500 houses on this derelict army camp.
We then made our way up the hill to Northward Hill itself and into the woods, hearing Nightingales pretty much all the way.
Leaving the glade the setting sun lit up the emerging foliage and in the open casting a magical light on the group.
On the way back a male gave us the most spectacular rendition incorporating the full repertoire of its' spellbinding song. Looking at the faces of some of the listeners, I just whispered, "Well your faces just say it all" And they did indeed!
My thanks to Trevor Hatton and Dave and Sally Hale for their assistance and here's looking forward to the next one on Thursday.
The North Kent Marshes are a very special area and worth preserving at all cost.