17 January 2005 Pochard Chris Kay

Winter Wildfowl Walk

If you are interested in wildfowl, now is the best time to get out into the Blackwater Valley and see them. Every winter large numbers, including gadwall, wigeon, goosander and shoveler,
visit the Valley’s many lakes and open stretches of water providing the perfect opportunity for birdwatchers.

Wednesday 2nd February is World Wetlands Day and to mark
the occasion the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership
have organised a guided Winter Wildfowl Walk at Moor Green
Lakes Nature Reserve, probably the most important wetland Gadwall Kevin Briggs
site in the Valley. The walk is led by Colin Wilson and participants can expect to see lapwing, cormorant, possibly buzzard, kestrel and kingfisher, plus likely winter visitors including wigeon, teal, gadwall and goosander and, if you’re lucky, the elusive Mandarin duck.

The walk will cover around 1½ miles and last about two hours.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, but no Shoveler Kevin Briggs
dogs please. Wet weather clothing and suitable footwear are recommended. Meet for a 9.30am start at Moor Green Lakes car park, off Lower Sandhurst Road. Grid ref: SU 805 628.

This walk is part of the ‘Discover the Blackwater Valley 2005 Programme’ organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and designed to encourage residents within the Blackwater Valley area to learn more about the countryside on their doorstep.

Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve covers 36 hectares (90 acres) and is a popular beauty spot comprising three lakes with gravel islands, beaches and scrapes, fringed by scrub and grassland with mature trees and hedgerows. It opened in 1993, following the careful restoration of gravel workings and now over 200 bird species have been recorded here.

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

Notes

World Wetlands Day is designed to draw attention to the need for wise management of the world’s wetlands. This year’s theme is cultural and biological diversity of wetlands with the slogan “There’s wealth in wetland diversity – don’t lose it.” For more information visit www.ramsar.org/wwd-index.htm
Anyone interested in birdwatching can join the Moor Green Lakes Group which offers unlimited access to the two hides on the Reserve, two newsletters a year and an informative annual report. Members are encouraged to help with conservation work during the winter. For more details contact the Chairman, Peter Scott, on 01252 878205.
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.