Three easy and accessible bird walks at three fantastic sites – all suitable for those with restricted mobility
A fantastic and popular birding destination in the Trent valley. This Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust reserve consists of a series of flooded gravel pits and extensive reedbeds. Expect good numbers and a big variety of wintering wildfowl including Goldeneye, Pochard and Goosander (with the chance of scarcer species such as Smew and Ring Necked Duck) as well as waders like Snipe and a good variety of Heron/Egret species with Bittern, Great Egret and Cattle Egret regularly recorded. This extensive site always offers the chance of something rarer too (a Pallas’s warbler turned up last winter). There’s a fantastic visitor centre and cafe on site as well!
Back in Derbyshire for a trip to this fantastic year round site. Expect a good variety of wildfowl on the lake with Mandarin, Goosander and Teal regular in winter, plenty of visiting thrushes (including exceptional numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare) and wintering finches including Linnet, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and possibly Brambling too. Typical parkland species such as Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Jay should all be available and raptors can be easily seen at this time of year with Peregrine, Red Kite, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel all possible.
Possibly the best winter birding spot in the county! This extensive reservoir has it all with loads of wildfowl including a good chance of scarcer stuff like Whooper Swan, Great Northern Diver and Red Necked Grebe, wintering waders such as Dunlin, Redshank, Snipe and Lapwing (and maybe even Jack Snipe) and raptors such as Peregrine and Red Kite. Local specialities like the nationally scarce Willow Tit and Tree Sparrow will be visiting the feeders at Millfields and the wildlife centre along with more common species and there is always the chance of something rarer on the dam wall with Snow Bunting recorded there previously. Plenty of facilities on site with the chance to grab a hot drink on route!
All the walks are on reasonably level (there is a gentle hill to negotiate at the start and end of the Locko walk), paved or well surfaced tracks that are suitable for wheelchairs or walkers.
All of the walks have a maximum group size of six people (bookings are on a first come, first served basis), cost £20 per person and will normally last around 3-4 hours . Exact meeting times and places will be confirmed on booking.
If you would like to do one of the walks but the date doesn’t suit you please get in touch as I will normally have availability on other dates to run a private guided walk at the same location.