Trip reports

Bins and Boots Walk - Westport Lake

Photograph courtesy of Eddie Wainscott

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

The November Bins and Boots walk at Westport Lake was well attended with 26 of us led by Jenny Wright. We were all hoping to see the ring-necked duck but I am reliably informed that it was last seen on 7th November. We saw 33 species which including three female goldeneye, willow tit, little grebe and a few great crested grebe besides the usual ducks, tufted, pochard and mallard. There seemed to be a healthy population of long-tailed tits which are always very pleasant to see. I am told that the star bird of the walk has to be the common gull which, despite its name, is far from common in Staffordshire. It was very accommodating since it sat, in clear view, on top of a post quite near the side of the lake. Mixed flocks of tits were much in evidence telling us that winter can only be just around the corner.
We are looking forward to the January walk at Ford Green Nature Reserve led by Janet and Eddie Wainscott.