Swanton Morley Gravel Pits
Swanton Morley Gravel Pits
1st Oct 06
An eager group of birders met on Sunday morning at the pits. We had all expected the forecast ‘intermittent showers’ and so were well prepared in wet weather gear which was duly peeled of in layers as the walk progressed in late summery sunshine.
Small birds seemed to elude us and though we heard Wren, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Chiffchaff we didn’t get good views of them despite the woodland and ample scrubby cover around the fishing lakes. However there was still a lot of insect life brought out by the sunshine. Migrant Hawkers, Common Darters and Common Blue Damselflies hunted over the long grasses and Common Blues, Small Coppers and Red Admirals were plentiful as the sun seemed to bring them out in a last surge to feed on the wild flowers.
A few people regretted not having brought a camera on the walk as we looked through scopes to see a Kingfisher posing mockingly on the tip of a fisherman’s rod wedged into the bank of the lake. Overhead, but high into the clouds a Marsh Harrier flew ever higher and off into the ether.
Ducks seen included Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted and Teal though not in any great numbers. We witnessed an adult Great Crested Grebe still feeding a teenage offspring with an impossibly big fish which it seemed to consume with great ease. Little Grebes were spotted around the edge of the fishing lakes skirting the banks while over head the less favoured Canada Geese flew in formation.
One lonely Green Sandpiper fed along the sandy beach of a small spit but that was unfortunately the only wader we saw. Herons on the other hand were quite numerous.
One Green Woodpecker was seen flying and the call was heard several times along with the screeching of irate Jays in the woodland.
As we came back to the car park at the end of the walk we could admire the ploughing samples in the field opposite, as a competition was in progress. Some of the tractors appeared to be real antique models.
The walk was very enjoyable and a lot of people were introduced to the extent of land accessible to the public previously unrealised.
Many thanks to Alwyn Jackson and Barry and Brigette Pummel for their local knowledge.
Jacquie Fenn.