Trip reports

Friends & Family Birdwalk - RSPB Middleton Lakes October 2011

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Our first Friends & Family Bird Walk took us to the newly-opened Middleton Lakes RSPB Reserve. We had the benefit of a bright autumn day, and about 20 people joined us to spend a couple of hours exploring the woodland and wetland trails. Group members were on hand to help identify the species that are making this place their home.
Evidence of the changing season was evident with views of winter Thrushes (Fieldfare and Redwing) and a flock of Linnets charmed us as they enjoyed the ripened seed-head banquet.
We even made some friends on the way, as we were joined by Mick & John, visitors to the reserve who are fairly new to birdwatching. Their comment at the end of the walk was 'we never thought walking with a group was for us, but we've learned a lot and really enjoyed it!' If, like them, you've never done a group walk before, why not join us for our next walk? Details will be published on the events section of this website.
The group list, totaling 38 species was:
Starling; Crow; Wood pigeon; Greenfinch ;Chaffinch; Great tit; Coal tit; Heron; Fieldfare; Redwing; Blue tit; Blackbird; Wren; Cormorant; Robin; Pheasant; Magpie; Canada Goose; Coot; Mute Swan; Shoveller; Teal; Widgeon; Lapwing; Gadwall; Tufted Duck; Greylag Goose; Little Egret; Mallard; Lesser black-backed gull; Kestrel; Black-headed gull; Goldfinch; Linnet; Reed Bunting; Great Crested Grebe; Moorhen; Long tailed tit