I am pleased to announce the next challenge in the Steps Series…'The Redwing' which will launch at the autumn fair on Sunday 9 September.
A lovely picture of a Redwing taken at Rainham by the much missed Chris Lowe
Get outdoors and active – great for your health and a great way to explore and help us reach our steps goal! We are collectively trying to walk the migration of the Redwing from its breeding grounds to its wintering habitat.
Can we reach our goal in time? Redwings are a small thrush that breeds across northern Europe and Siberia with a few pairs even nesting in the far north of Scotland. We associate them with our autumn and winter and they are often the species that makes us feel that the nights are drawing in. Listen outside on any dark night from October onwards to the sound of Redwings calling ‘tseep’ as they stream overhead. Our birds may come from Iceland to the north and as far as western Russia to the east but most will come from Scandinavian and therefore our next challenge in the Steps Series will be to get a flock of these dapper little thrushes from their breeding grounds around Oulu in Finland to the reserve by Monday October 8.
A snowy one from Tony Coombs
The distance is 1650 miles or 3,636,000 steps. Borrow one of our pedometers, use your smart phone,or if you have Fitbit, Garmin, Tomtom, Apple watches, Samsung gear or other trackers, use those to record your steps. Perfect for those trying to reach their activity or step goals! One loop of the main trail is about 5,000 steps! Clock up your steps on your walk or run and then report back to the reception desk to log your steps! Let’s see how quickly we can complete our migration!
Robyn Smith...
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer