30th January 2006

Birds of the Blackwater Valley

If you know when and where to look in the Blackwater Valley you’ll find everything from Kingfishers and Goldcrests to Great Crested Grebes and Little Egrets. In fact it is home to all kinds of birds and with its wealth of open lakes is particularly attractive to overwintering water fowl, such as Teal, Wigeon, Goldeneye and Pintail.

To find out more about the birds in the Blackwater Valley come along to the Canal Centre at Mytchett on Thursday 16th February when Colin Wilson will be giving an illustrated talk on the subject.

• Discover where you can see flocks of up to 3,000 Golden Plover.
• Find out the places in the Valley you are most likely to see Kingfishers.
• Learn when you should start listening out for Chiffchaffs  =and lots more.

Organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, the talk starts at 7.30pm. It is part of the ‘Discover the Blackwater Valley 2006 Programme’ designed to encourage residents within the Blackwater Valley area to learn more about the wildlife and countryside on their doorstep. Anyone interested in the complete programme can visit the website www.blackwater-valley.org.uk or ring 01252 331353.

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

Notes

• 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.
• Colin Wilson writes the ‘Bird of the Month’ feature found on the Blackwater Valley website  www.blackwater-valley.org.uk He is Chairman of the Reading Ornithological Club which provides beginners and experts alike with birdwatching experiences in and around Berkshire and southern England throughout the year. For further details please see www.theroc.org.uk