A Girl's Night-Out

Last night I had the great pleasure of guiding a group of guides, or should I say ex-guides, around the reserve. The West Bromwich Trefoil group had requested a personal evening guided walk and what a night it was.

Greeted by 16 enthusiastic ladies, we set off despite the threatening clouds above. My brief was to provide an insight to the wildlife found on the reserve and show off all the improvements we've made over recent months. The reserve is becoming more and more 'visitor friendly' as the work carried out by contractors and volunteers over the winter months slowly bears fruit. This and the new hard path put in place by Sandwell Council on the south bank makes this reserve particulary easy to negotiate.

Anyway, back to my group, we wandered slowly up the main entrance path and reached the Lake View Terrace (old school room) after strolling through the wildlife garden where we paused to look at the sensory garden area. I was corrected a number of times over my incorrect recognition of plants (I should have known they know). From the top we had wonderful views of bullfinch and coal tit using the feeding station for a supper time stock up on energy.

We walked down towards the Marsh screen, past the storytelling glade, RBS corner and the Marsh screen steps. I told them about reedbed management and explained there was now an enormous pool in the middle - I have been assured the reeds will grow back. Moving on to the Marsh screen itself we noted a pair of gadwall, a heron, numerous tufted ducks and the usual coots.

Continuing around the lake we heard sedge warblers, wrens, reed warblers and possibly a Cetti's warbler - so far so good. It wasn't until we stood on top of the south bank  we noticed the fantastic display of swifts, swallows and house martins, dashing about above our heads. Never have I witnessed such a multitude of hirondelles, the sky was thick with them, all eating flying insects for all they're worth.

A short walk around the lake led us to look for possible young birds which I knew had hatched on the island - we were greeted by a fly past of the oystercatchers and lapwings, all without prompting, but alas the oystercatchers chicks were obviously tucked up in bed by then.

My girls were suitably impressed but as the clouds started to roll in again, the call of a cup of tea proved too much and we made our way back to the SPA for a quick cuppa before setting off home. All in all a most enjoyable evening out.