Trip reports

Family walk at Fishers Green

Saturday, 14 June 2008

At the start of todays family walk with the Rye Meads WEX group, from the road bridge we watched several large carp swimming in the channel. A pair of great crested grebes were diving and feeding nearby and we saw a mallard duck with a brood of 5 ducklings.

Nightingales were singing and most of the group saw one fly across the path! Chiff Chaffs, willow warblers and garden warblers were heard and a hobby was seen flying overhead.

We walked over to the 'Taste of the Wild' nature corner, and soon spotted several Bee Orchids and then lots of Southern & Early Marsh Orchids around Norman's Pond. Many different Damselflies and Beetles were admired, and plants such as Yellow Rattle, Ragged Robin, Meadow Sweet, Red Barsia and Waterlilies were found. We were delighted to find a pair of Emperor dragonflies on the smaller, open pond, the female was laying eggs and we were able to watch her through the telescope and have excellent views. Broad bodied chasers and Black Tailed Skimmers were also found there.

We finished our walk at the viewing platform, overlooking 70 Acres lake, where the Rye Meads Ringing group had just ringed the common tern chicks. Pochard with young, Tufted Ducks, Little Grebe and Egyptian Geese were all seen from here.

Thanks to Terry and Ann Smith, Ed Hughes and Louise Moss and the WEX team from RSPB Rye Meads, for making the walk so interesting for everyone