Attenborough Nature Reserve - Nottingham

Attenborough Nature Reserve - 29th August 2016

On a surprisingly sunny bank holiday, we headed to Attenborough Nature Reserve for a little birding. Turns out we weren't the only ones with that idea as we entered a packed out car park. Attenborough Nature Reserve is a highly popular spot ran by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. 

First we headed to the Sand Martin Hide, a few of the Sand Martins were still about, flittering in and out of their man made holes. This hide offers stunning views across one of Attenborough's flooded gravel pits, towards a sadly vacant Osprey platform. As the hide doesn't offer opening windows, birds get very close up along the shore. Among the Canada and Greylag Geese were a few Lapwings and a Common Sandpiper. 

After watching the Sandpiper bob up and down in its attempt to find insects, we headed back to the visitor centre and acquired the code for the Delta Hide. I've visited Attenborough many times, and even through they have a trail and a hide named after the Kingfisher I'd had yet to witness one at the reserve myself. However, once we'd sat down in the Delta Hide opposite a purposefully made Kingfisher perch, a Kingfisher appeared that seemed to have its eye in for being a model. 

I came away with close to 100 photos of this bird. It was sat right in front of us for 20 minutes. Allowing me to get a good look at a Kingfisher, a bird I'd only observed in the past as a blue flash. They're fascinating birds to watch as they look around for their next prey item, so beautiful and striking. 

A few other species of interest that we saw walking around: flocks of Starlings, Gadwall, Long-Tailed Tit, Little Egret and Jay. I'll be visiting again later in the month as hopefully more waders come in! 

Birdfair and Motivations

Rutland Water Nature Reserve - 20th-21st August 2016

Last weekend I travelled to Rutland Water for a weekend of birding fun at the annual Birdfair. This was my first Birdfair, after only starting to take an interest in birds during my Biology degree a couple of years ago. Overall, I found the whole experience completely overwhelming and highly motivating. Seeing and hearing about the work of selfless individuals and the impact their work is having on wildlife worldwide moved me. Alongside this inspiration, Birdfair had a huge impact on me as I met and heard from other people with the same ideologies and beliefs as me. It's very easy to go about the world thinking you're the only person with concerns for wildlife, concerns for the environment and biodiversity. I'm more than often the only person in my age range sat in a bird hide, add to that being female and I'm certainly an under-represented group in the area. It's easy to feel alone. 

The one talk that really touched me the most was Simon King's 'Enough'. Highlighting the impact everyone of us has on the environment, and the species with which we share our planet, everyday. To sit in a packed marquee with people in the hundreds who really do care about these issues showed me that I'm not alone. 

Hence, in true 21st century fashion, I'm taking to the internet to share my experiences. I'm by no means an expert, but hope to provide a little entertainment, and if nothing else, add to the voice of nature conservation.