Ladywalk Nature Reserve
Tufted Duck
Shelduck
Pochard
Little Egret
Green Fich
Look out over the reserve
Greenfinch flock
After meeting Jim Winsper from the West Midlands Bird Club regarding our negotiations about Salford Priors I was really impressed with his genuine passion and drive for the club and to deliver the best reserves possible for the members. With membership being just £30 (which includes access to four reserves and a brilliant annual report) I decided to join up. The club also has a fantastic new website that was launched last year. After multiple patch visits to the pits recently I opted to make use of my membership by visiting Ladywalk Nature Reserve. The reserve sits in the Tame Valley and shows how wildlife can succeed in flooded gravel extraction workings.
The reed bed is well known for wintering Bittern however despite my best efforts they were playing hard to get on my visit. Whilst on Bittern stakeout duty, the feeders to the side of the B hide were visited by Willow, Marsh Tits and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Out in front of me there were a selection of nice birds including Water Rail, Little Egret, Goosander, Pochard, Teal, Shelduck whilst a Sparrowhawk flew through the reserve hoping for an early lunch.
The feeders around the reserve were very busy with a cracking range of the more common birds including Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue & Great Tits. A Siberian Chiffchaff had been reporting near the reserve entrance however the bitter cold day put pay to any thoughts of a longer session.
Will have to be next time for the Bittern…………..
No comments:
Post a Comment