We had the first of our regular fortnightly guided walks last Saturday and what a great way to spend a couple of hours. The weather played it's part in that it was warm and sunny whilst we were on the reserve.
Starting from the SPA building at 11.00 am we set off accompanied by a couple of eagle eyed volunteers who offered help with our bird identification. It wasn't long before we were deep inside the reserve and clocking up bird after bird! The walk went along the proposed new Wild & Wet Walk which winds itself along the lower bank of the Tame before joining the main pathway again by the steps to the Marsh screen.
The paths in this area had been weeded by the latest Prince's Trust team and look very smart! The group spent some time at the Marsh screen observing Snipe and Shoveler ducks before continuing along the South Bank towards our western edge. We turned around at this point to make our way back up to the old visitor centre to watch a large number of Bullfinches squabbling with Greenfinches and Great Tits on the feeder.
Returning to the SPA we enjoyed refreshments whilst totaling up our bird count - 34 species in all - success!
The guided walks will continue every other Saturday and will start at 11.00 am at the SPA building on Tanhouse Avenue. See you there!!
See you on the reserves,
Best regards,
Chris Edwards