24th March 2011

Bird ID in the Blackwater Valley

Bird identification starts with
knowing the individual bird songs. Then once you’ve sorted out the trills from the cheeps you’ll soon be able to tell the difference between
a Robin and a Great Tit or a Chiffchaff from a Reed Warbler, e
ven if you never actually see the birds.

To help you learn the basics of bird ID, the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust (BVCT) is holding
 a special bird identification
workshop in the evening of Thursday 7th April. The workshop will use a combination of pictures and bird
song to help you identify the many different birds found in the Blackwater Valley and is led by
Colin Wilson – Trustee of the BVCT and a member of the Berkshire Ornithological Club.

Over 200 different species of bird have been recorded in the Blackwater Valley, everything from the familiar Robin and Blackbird to the less Common Red Kite and Goosander. You may not learn how to identify all 200 of them, but you should certainly go away with enough knowledge to help you start recognising many of the more common birds that you can hear and see on a spring walk in the Valley.

 Anyone interested in attending the workshop must phone 01252 331353 to book their place (numbers limited to 30). Although the workshop is free to Trust members there is a suggested donation of £3 per person for non-members. Doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. The workshop will be held at the Blackwater & Hawley Leisure Centre, Hawley Green, Hawley GU17 9BW.

Launched in 2006, the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust is a charitable organisation which seeks to raise funds to enhance the Blackwater Valley for the benefit of the people and wildlife in the area. Anyone can join for just £5 per year, full details from  the Trust at Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2PS, telephone 01252 331353 or visit  www.bvct.org.uk

END

EDITOR NOTES

• The Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust works closely with the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership who have been working in the Valley for since 1979.
• The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is funded by the County, District and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community.

For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.