With the recent rain, and background high water levels, Fen Drayton is highly likely to be underwater this coming weekend, so I am TENTATIVELY scheduling our next social stroll for Godmanchester Nature Reserve: https://www.wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/godmanchester-nature-reserve
Obviously there's a risk of flooding there too, so PLEASE CHECK THIS MEETUP SATURDAY MORNING, I will check out the location Thursday or Friday, and update if we need to relocate.
See website linked above for travel advice - we'll meet at the entrance to the nature reserve. There's a small amount of parking at the reserve, but it's a short walk from Godmanchester and Houghton, and can be cycled from St Ives via the Thicket, through Hemmingford Abbots, and across Eastside Common - a lovely ride!
Weather on Sunday is currently forecast to be good - patches of sunshine - but cold.
I'm keen to lead a walk around a wetland nature reserve at this time of year, as we have all the over-winter waterfowl in their breeding plumage: most colourful and delightful! There should also be Redwing and Fieldfare around.
I am not as familiar with Godmanchester nature reserve as with Fen Drayton, but will try to check out the site beforehand and guide us to the most interesting sites - and most accessible paths! However, at this time of year it's impossible to avoid the mud, and rain is always possible, so please come well-prepared.
I will be aiming for a 2-hour circular stroll at a gentle pace, with plenty of chances to stop and see whatever is there to be seen, getting back to the reserve entrance around dusk. We will never be very far from the entrance to the reserve, and you are welcome to leave earlier.
I can ID some of the things we stand a chance of seeing, but I'm a long way from an expert. I'd really love everyone to be pitching in what they know: the world is full of things to understand and explore, and the more you look, the more you see!
Binoculars strongly recommended, if you have any: I don't have spares to share, but it will still be a nice nature stroll without.
This event is appropriate for children. Dogs are permitted on the site.
During the event I will take a voluntary subscription (£1 / attendee suggested): this will go towards the running cost for the Meetup group, and if anything is left over I'll put it into a pot - and when we have enough I'll put it towards a special even with a real (paid) expert to talk us through something interesting.
