Bird walk

With the overnight rain clearing the air and the temperature gently rising, the Friends of Danson Park were pleased to welcome 20 members and visitors to an early morning stroll to listen to and observe the many bird species that inhabit the Park.     

 

The walk was led by Ralph and Brenda Todd; members of the local RSPB group,  who through their knowledge and humour managed to both  inform and entertain experienced bird watchers and novices alike!  

 

Starting in the formal Old English Garden (a credit to the Friends of the River Shuttle who maintain it),  the colourful beds, full of Spring bulbs were the perfect backdrop to watch blackbirds and a thrush busily feeding in the early sun – whilst the air was filled with song of black caps, chaffinches and robins.  

 

 Moving on to what will be the Woodland walk, to the east of the Mansion House,  we found the woods full of birds, many of whom were busily collecting nesting materials.  Such was the variety of species present, that the group, agreed to remain in the woods and focus on that area.  Birds spotted or heard included: black-headed gull (flying over), woodpigeon, ring-necked parakeet, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, wren, robin, blackbird, song thrush, blackcap, chiffchaff, gold crest, long-tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, chaffinch and as the walk was coming to an end, a sparrow hawk was sighted circling above our heads – making 20 species in just under an hour and a half!

 

As in all good walks, we finished at the Fleur de Tea, restaurant in the Mansion House, where we were able to enjoy coffee and breakfast whilst sitting on the terrace overlooking the beautiful scenery of Danson Park – just wonderful!

 

With many thanks to Ralph and Brenda for their input and to everyone else in the group for making it such an enjoyable event.