Join us for a walk, guided by an expert local birder, around the lakes, woods and hides of the park. Whatever your level of expertise you’ll be welcome. We suggested a donation of £2 per adult. Car park charges apply.
Meet 08:55 for 09:00 departure from Lavell’s car park opposite the DAC car park on Sandford Lane, the walk lasts approximately 3 hours. There are toilets and a cafe in the Dinton Activity Centre (DAC) over the road from the Lavell’s car park.
March is when our first spring migrants start arriving, a few Chiffchaff may well be in and if conditions have been mild an early group of Sand Martin is not out of the question. If it is sunny, we might hear and see the rather lovely mixed song of Blackcap and by now Skylark will be delighting us on any bright morning. We will be scouring the landfill well as a Wheatear, or erly Yellow Wagtail can occur out there and we are long overdue a Rock Pipit along our shingle shores.
If the SW corner of Lea Farm Lake (LFL) is not flooded then we stand an excellent chance of Little-ringed Plover being new in and if they are around, expect them to be showy and vocal.
Other waders we can expect are lingering Snipe, Oystercatcher – which maybe even on the nest by now, possibly fly over flock of Golden Plover, numerous Lapwing and 1-4 Redshank, looking equally tempted to breed and maybe a passing Dunlin.
All wintering ducks will be around, but in much lower numbers, except Goldeneye which often peak in early March. Water Rail are also known to become more showy in March, just prior to their departure. Brambling more often pass thru than winter and they most often occur under the Bittern hide feeders.
