The Allestree Bird Club (ABC) enjoyed it's penultimate walk for 2024, with a morning walk at Willington Gravel Pits. Sadly there were only 2 members present, but they were rewarded with some cracking birds out of the 26 species ticked off.
BOD was without doubt the Marsh Harrier that John was the first to spot as it headed towards us as we stood on the first viewing platform, a life addition to the club records.
A Great White Egret was a good tick, and from the hide we added a pair of Shovellers, a pair of Egyptian Geese and uncountable snipe all gathered in a bush on what used to be called dead bird island. There were just too many to count in the large shrub, a fellow birder saying that at one point he had a count of 12 in the group.
This was the first time I had been to Willington since the opening of the trail that now enables a full circuit of the main Pit, and more. It is a 4.5 mile circuit, and as we only had 2 1/2 hours at the reserve there was insufficient time to walk right round. The extended path now embraces several more pools plus a walk along the canal edge. Good thought for a future trip, but should include an earlier start and later finish.
We have one more walk in 2024, Friday 6th December at Carsington Water. We plan to meet there at 10.00am for 2 1/2 hours and I would like to end with a coffee and chat about plans for 2025. Car sharing is of course possible.
Sadly we only have 5 members plus the leader and a great new years resolution would be for each member to introduce another(different) member!!! Please think on.
David
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