RSPB Fen Drayton regular (March): social stroll / share identification skills

It's Spring!

This will be our March social stroll around RSPB Fen Drayton. Our winter visitors - ducks and geese - have mostly left, and it's still too early for butterflies and dragonflies, but the blackthorn is in glorious bloom, and it's so good to go out, take a deep breath, and rejoice at all the colour and life coming back into the world.

Normally in these walks we focus on trying to put a name to some of the things we see: as the more you question, the more you observe, and the more you observe, the more you connect. But this walk, instead, I want to try appreciating the signs of spring: so we'll be looking for buds, catkins and blossoms, birdsong, green shoots and early spring flowers. Everything that tells of the season changing. Lots of stopping for artistic photos, please!

This is also a great time of year for looking for bird nests, before the foliage comes back and hides them: I can't tell a sparrow's nest from a rook's! But we can observe, and see what we can see: and if you do know a little about nests, and don't mind sharing what you know, we'd really love to have you along!

I aim to be out for about 2 hours, which should bring us to early dusk, but you're welcome to leave earlier: the paths all loop back to the busway, so it's never too hard to find the way back to the car park. There'll be some mud, but I'll be trying to stick to the firmer routes.

I know the reserve very well, and 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. I will try to stick to the firmer paths, but it's winter, so some of the paths will be a quite muddy, so please wear suitable footwear, and - as always! - come prepared for British Weather. I will keep an eye on the forecast, and cancel or move the event it looks like it will be very heavy rain.

This event is appropriate for children. Rules for dogs can be found on the RSPB site below: please do follow them, to help preserve the nature we are here to enjoy!

Directions here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/fen-drayton-lakes/location
NOTE THAT the lane to the car park is quite rough, and if coming from Fen Drayton has quite deep potholes, so if you are coming by car please do take care.

The reserve is easily reached from the guided busway. If you are coming on the bus, you will find us at the car park about 100m North from the busway stop.

Suggested voluntary donation at the event £5, cash only, as the costs to host the Meetup group continue to increase: any excess over the running costs (we haven't had one yet!) will be set aside for a special event with a paid expert.