RSPB North Bucks Group has various events planned this month and you don't need to be a group member - everyone is welcome.
On Wednesday (October 3) the group heads out on a trip to Summer Leys Nature Reserve in Northamptonshire.
Deservedly, this is one of the group’s favourite sites and where there is always something of interest.
Great egrets are regular. There are five hides and another attraction is the feeder station where bullfinches are almost certain to be seen.
The paths are level but some are rough and the full circuit will cover two miles.
Meet for a 10am start in the car park signed off Wollaston-Great Doddington road at SP 885 634 nearest postcode is NN29 7PT. The walk should be finished around 1pm.
The next indoor meeting will take place on Thursday, October 11 and, making a return visit to the group, Ann Scott will tell the true story of living and working close to RSPB's Northwood Hill Reserve in Kent and the joy and surprises that brings including how birds and nature can get into the home!
On a ridge overlooking the Thames Marshes, Northward Hill includes scrubland rich in nightingales and whitethroats, a lovely bluebell wood, a large rookery and a cherry orchard. It is also a working farm with cows and sheep.
The reserve also includes great swathes of flat marshes, where lapwings, avocets breed, wigeons and teals flock in large numbers over winter.
The marshes lost their value for wildlife when the land was drained in the 1940s. In the early 1990s, 278 ha of arable farmland and grazing marsh were purchased with the aim of restoring wetland habitats and extending the area of woodland. What were once arable fields are now grassland, and can attract up to 120 pairs of breeding waders, including avocets, lapwings and redshanks.
The marsh is managed for the benefit of the breeding wader population, wintering and migrating waterfowl, water voles and scarce invertebrates.
In spring, a carpet of bluebells and the song of blackcaps and nightingales fill the wood, creating a haven that is perfect for enjoying the outdoors.
Ann has led a number of holidays abroad alone or together with her husband Bob. She is an experienced instructor of residential and non-residential birdwatching and training courses at many venues in the UK. Whilst working and during retirement she has also been involved in training field staff abroad, e.g. Ghana, Argentina, Italy, Bulgaria, Rwanda, Burundi etc.
She set up the BOB SCOTT MEMORIAL APPEAL in memory of her husband which has successfully saved some of the Kenyan Coastal Forest. Until her retirement in April 1997 Ann was employed by the RSPB as Senior Wildlife Advisor.
The indoor meeting will take place at The Cruck Barn, City Discovery Centre at Bradwell Abbey.
Doors open at 7.15 pm for a prompt start at 7.45 pm. Free coffee and tea are provided during the interval.
RSPB North Bucks Group members £3, all visitors welcome £4 and children £1.
On Saturday, October 20, there will be a trip to Wilstone Reservoir near Tring. There will be plenty of waterfowl and the herons and little egrets should be visible.
Wilstone is the biggest and best of the four Tring reservoirs with one hide. There are no toilets but there is a farm shop and cafe nearby. Sadly the site is not accessible for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Meet for a 10am start at the car park (free but limited space) below the dam by the B489 Marsworth-Aston Clinton road SP 904 135. The walk should be finished by around 1pm.
Image: CW Photography
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