Name our favourite Reserves, and why?

Hmmm - properly local it would have to be Wicken Fen (NT) - especially the Dawn Chorus walks they hold on IDCD, and also Lakenheath Fen, which has come on leaps and bounds since we first visited - although we have yet to time a visit to coincide with the orioles - its been winter when we go there.

Easy striking distance holds the many joys of my native Norfolk, plus Minsmere in that other county we never mention.

However, favourite (after honourable mentions for Gibraltar Point & South Stacks) has to be the Farne Islands (also NT) - the spectacle, noise & smell have to be experienced - and there are so many great birds in touching distance.  A return visit is inevitable I fear,  timed for peak tern bombing season!! 

& thanks to you lot the "to do" list gets ever longer and more expensive looking ;-)    

fittmonk said:

Easy striking distance holds the many joys of my native Norfolk, plus Minsmere in that other county we never mention.

We do occasionally head south of the border...................only for the beer you know, still can't beat sitting on the green in Southwold drinking a pint of Adnams, and Minsmere..........O.K. and Dunwich Heath.............Oh musn't forget the red deer........better stop now, if I carry on I will turn into a Tractor Boy !?

Also, have to agree with you about Farne Islands, made our first visit there last summer, and despite reading about and watching TV programmes such as Springwatch, it is impossible to describe what a fantastic experience it is, really should be on everybodies 'things to do before you die' list.

One last point "On the ball City!!!!!" (That will only make sense to the true Norfolk folk)

Hi ND

I know what you mean about being spoilt for choice. Though having said that you have some great Reserves like Sneddisham (sp), Cley, and Titchwell Marsh - a bonus to have on your doorstep.  These reserves are treasures for the large flocks of all species of birds any day - including your 70 different species.

Coastal reserves are so different to inland reserves and waterways.  and they offer a wider variety of species

Nice to have on your doorstep, along with the 'special' sprinter bus service

Not been to the Farne Islands either - too many on my to do list now.  Springwatch gives a great taster each and every time the programme is situated there.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

 

hi Fittmonk

Where about is Wicken Fen?  Lakenheath Fen?  The Dawn chorus sounds fantastic though I would imagine you would have to get up at the crack of dawn ie 4am?

Farne Island with the Terns thinking their sweet thoughts of you.  Remember Simon King getting a bit of the old smelly stuff on his hat LOL

Nothing like a to do list to keep us occupied.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Blackbird

Wicken Fen is between Cambridge & Ely - the NT make a great deal of it being one of the last remaining bits of original Fen, and are now actively seeking to expand the Reserve - they aim eventually to join it to their property at Anglesey Abbey in Lode (the village I live in) to have a mega-reserve along the River Cam. Its a 100 year plan so there's no rush! 

The first time we did the dawn chorus was just after some massive thunderstorms - made for a madly impressive drive up in the dark, and some very claggy conditions underfoot once we were allowed out on to the Fen. You are right - very early start.

Lakenheath Fen is an RSPB reserve so a quick search on the main site will give you good info.  Its just in Suffik, the R.Little Ouse on its N boundary is where civilisation (Norfolk) starts. Much of it was carrot fields not so many years ago - the "recreated" fen habitats are coming on a treat, but it is sad that the poplar stands which have  supported a golden oriole colony for many years are doomed to a slow decline as a result of the changes, and I am not sure how successful attempts to provide new habitat for the orioles will be.  Good for marsh harriers, pingers (bearded tits) and hopefully cranes & bitterns (not seen yet!)  Distinct shortage of hides so pick your days carefully (hardy lot us in the East!)

They're not all RSPB ones and some of them are childhood ones, others more recent and some both.

Loch Garten,

Loch of the Lowes

Lochwinnoch

Vane Farm

Stodmarsh(sp?)

The one on the Isle of Shepy

Sumburgh Head

hi Fittmonk

Thank you for your very informative answer.

Sounds that you live quite close to where I do (I have been to Cambridge once so far and that is all for a boat ride).  I need to study the areas that you have mentioned. Once more it is visiting the area and seeing what is there.  Lots to see and do

Wicken Fen sound s a great place to be, and I love to hear stories of Reserves being extended and improved to accommodiate all mean of wildlife.  Paxton Pits is a good example at St Neots.  It has a huge expansion program fro the Reserve coming up in the next few years. Have you been there at all?

To see a Dawn chorus during a Thunderstorm must have been a unique experience.  Not very usual at all.

Great to hear of the Golden Orioles so close. It is sad that their 'home' is going to rack and ruin.  I hope that there is a way to rectify it.  I have seen lots of Golden Oriole while on holiday in Menorca last May and they are stunning birds.  Bright yellow against coal black

Never heard of Bearded Tits being called 'Pingers' - wonder why and what an odd nickname.

Will remember the lack of hides.  Dave and I have good quality thermals to wear now when bird watching (after freezing experience at Titchwell Marsh)

Regards

Kathy and Dave

fittmonk said:

Blackbird

Wicken Fen is between Cambridge & Ely - the NT make a great deal of it being one of the last remaining bits of original Fen, and are now actively seeking to expand the Reserve - they aim eventually to join it to their property at Anglesey Abbey in Lode (the village I live in) to have a mega-reserve along the River Cam. Its a 100 year plan so there's no rush! 

The first time we did the dawn chorus was just after some massive thunderstorms - made for a madly impressive drive up in the dark, and some very claggy conditions underfoot once we were allowed out on to the Fen. You are right - very early start.

Lakenheath Fen is an RSPB reserve so a quick search on the main site will give you good info.  Its just in Suffik, the R.Little Ouse on its N boundary is where civilisation (Norfolk) starts. Much of it was carrot fields not so many years ago - the "recreated" fen habitats are coming on a treat, but it is sad that the poplar stands which have  supported a golden oriole colony for many years are doomed to a slow decline as a result of the changes, and I am not sure how successful attempts to provide new habitat for the orioles will be.  Good for marsh harriers, pingers (bearded tits) and hopefully cranes & bitterns (not seen yet!)  Distinct shortage of hides so pick your days carefully (hardy lot us in the East!)

LB - the poplars are not being removed but they will degrade over time as the habitat changes - its a long term concern I have.  I know the reserve management are not complacent but with such a fragile population there's always a risk

Blackbird - "pingers" is (I think) just a family nickname based on their funny little calls.  Sandra has been  to Paxton Pits in the dim and distant, but I haven't yet - its also "on the list".

Laurence

Actually, I'd have to say my favourite reserves are, Loch Garten, Loch of Strathbeg,  Troup Head, Fowlsheugh, Montrose Basin and Loch of Lowes. 

Have discovered LG in the last 5 years or and am now a 'Friend' of Loch Garten. I also saw my 1st caper there.  The wee bank vole this year was great too. The whole area is very very special.  It's also special to my wife's family and her Grandad's ashes were scattered there as well as there being a plaque to the Grandad and Granny, William and, I think, Winnie Taylor.  I never met her and only briefly him. I saw my 1st Osprey, my favourite bird in case you haven't guessed, at Spey Bay and I remember the whole display and presentation, then in the Icehouse, being very inspiring but although it's lovely and I love visiting there it's really only the Osprey that would propel it into my favourites and that's not quite enough.  I've never seen dolphins etc there sadly.

Loch of Strathbeg I discovered after LG but it's much nearer to me.  A great all year round place and now the added attraction of Ralf the sea eagle.  Keep meaning to go to a goosewatch there one year!  The RSPB organised a very good one a Loch of Skene this year though! 

Discovered Troup Head last year and is the 1st time I've seen immature Gannets and Gannet chicks!  Fowlsheugh is more local to me and in some ways is more impressive but minus the Gannets.

Montrose Basin is amazing.  It's got a mixture of all sorts of birds.  Sparrowhawks, the geese, waders, even Ospreys in the summer which I was once suprised by as well as all the finches, tits and phesants.

 

Loch of Lowes is a place we visited lots when I was a kid looking for Ospreys but managing to in years when they weren't breeding.  My best friend at Middlesburgh's grandparents had a campsite at Inver, just over the river from Dunkeld so it was a logical place for us to visit when we moved up to Scotland. Have visited since on several occasions and love the Squirrels, Grebes, Yellowhammers etc.  Vane Farm was a regular place when we lived near Edinburgh but haven't visited it often enough as an adult to really know much I like it. It is certainly a lovely place.