Trip reports

Riverside Country Park, Berengrave NR and Funton Creek trip

Sunday, 11 November 2007

It was cloudy and chilly as we arrived and we welcomed a new couple, Chris and Erin for, a walk around the reserve with the seven members. We began by watching the common or garden birds feasting on some food which had been put out on one of the picnic tables. A smart Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over the car park.
The forecast had not been good and as we started along the path to Horrid Hill, sure enough it started to rain and it was hoods up and rain guards on bins.
The tide was starting to come in, and on the exposed mud we saw Grey Plover, Redshank, Turnstone and the common species of gull. A Little Egret flew past a Kestrel which was perched in the bushes. As the rain grew heavier, we walked on the leeward side of the bushes to the next vantage point over the water. From here we could see Shelduck, Great Crested Grebe, Wigeon, Brent Geese and a small number of Avocets. Dunlin and Curlew were feeding on the mud, and cormorant and lapwing were everywhere. We picked out a flyover meadow pipit from its call. From the end of the path looking towards the far bank of the Medway, we were able to pick out 3 distant Red-breasted Mergansers. Turning to walk back with the sky at last brightening up, we found Canada Geese, Mallard and Teal. Jean spotted a Snipe as it dropped into the reeds, but although we took a detour to try and locate it, it had hidden itself too well.
We wandered around the nature trail, adding a few more species to our list including Long-tailed Tit, Jay, Greenfinch and Green Woodpecker. Keith, at the front of the group, had a Redwing but the rest of us weren't quite quick enough.

Back at the visitors centre, a hot chocolate was very welcome, and after some lunch we set off for nearby Berengrave NR.
The reserve was interesting, both to newcomers and those who either had not visited this or not for some years. It is on the site of an old quarry and the changes in water levels are quite dramatic, with long steps and walkways reminiscent of jungle canopy trails.
After a false start down a path that petered out we found the lake which held a single moorhen and a mallard which was very pleased to see us and share Jilly's biscuits.
We had left the leaflet with a map behind, and managed to get lost another twice before we found the main path. At this time of day it was fairly quiet but we added Goldcrest and Grey Wagtail to our list of species for the day.
Ron suggested Funton Creek next, and on the way dozens of Fieldfares were flying back and forth across the road between fields looking for berries, a real sign of winter to come. As we approached the creek we became aware just how high the tide had been, as Ron said we hadn't just come to see Funton Creek, but rather to be in it. We skirted round the edge of the flooded road in the car, but some non-group younger and more inpatient individuals whooshed right through the middle sending up large sheets of cold muddy water, enough to rival the log flume ride at Alton Towers.
When we had finished watching the mad drivers, we turned our attention to the Creek, seeing Brent Geese, Great Crested Grebe and waders including Turnstone, Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin, Lapwing and then eventually a Golden Plover. Ducks included Mallard, Shelduck, Wigeon and a number of smart looking Pintail.