Trip reports

Foxglove Covert

Sunday, 20 April 2008

What a splendid turnout! 23 of us reported for duty at 10a.m. on Sunday, 20th April, after a tight security check at the entrance to Cambrai Barracks. We all met up at the visitors' centre (parking hither and thither)and began the visit with a 'guided tour'. In retrospect this was perhaps unnecessary and next time we will omit it as it took up valuable bird-watching time.
Following the tour, we took an early lunch in the visitors' centre and enjoyed views of the feeding station whilst we ate. A flock of 15 or so lesser redpolls caused some excitement and we also saw great spotted woodpecker, and an assortment of tits, finches etc.
After lunch we broke into small groups and explored the reserve at will, noting a good variety of habitats and well-marked trails. Despite the chilly, overcast day, there were good sightings and when we left at 3.00 p.m. we were satisfied to have had a good days spotting.
Varieties seen included: common buzzard, grey wagtail, great spotted woodpecker, bullfinch, coal tit, great tit, pheasant, blue tit, long-tailed tit, siskin, chaffinch, robin, coot, moorhen, blackbird, magpie, willow warbler, chiff-chaff, wren, dunnock, black-headed gull, jay, songthrush and no doubt others that I have missed!
Our thanks to Marianne,the warden, for this visit and to the volunteer who lead the guided tour.