Walk with a warden sightings (April)
Last Friday our visitors enjoyed our first in a series of “walk with a warden” sessions in our Millennium Wetlands reserve, looking to gain an insight into the reserve’s diverse wetland wildlife.
Senior Reserve Warden Brian Briggs, and Reserve interns Rob Werran and Ryan Paddock pointed out numerous bird songs and calls, including little grebe, chiff chaff, great tit, willow warbler, black-headed gull, robin and wren, which visitors tuned into with the help of a parabolic reflector. As well as the sound of bird song in the air, we encountered more signs of spring, including the nests of a long-tailed tit, blackbird, moorhen and mute swan. Brian also identified the first spring flowers to appear on the reserve, including the delicate cuckooflower or “Lady’s smock”.
Investigation of our reptile survey sites revealed a slow worm and common lizard, and a weasel was also spotted during the walk, as a sparrowhawk circled above. Brian, Rob and Ryan helped the group to identify hidden wildlife from their tracks, teaching visitors to recognise the prints in the mud made by otters, mink, grey squirrel, rabbit and fox. They also pointed out otter runs and their characteristic spraint, which he compared with some nearby fox poo! The group also found and identified a water vole latrine and feeding stash, but the elusive animal remained concealed!
Your next chance to walk with a warden will be at 10.30am on Saturday 14th May. We also have walks planned for 10.30am on Thursday 9th June and Saturday 9th July. All of these “walk with a warden” sessions are included in the admission price (free for members).
