On a lovely late afternoon on 20 May 2015, Mick and I walked from home at Lower Sprotborough, up alongside Sprotborough Plantation and took the left hand fork on a circular walk of the Flash nature reserve. A lot of trees edging the woodland were removed a couple of years ago to expose the electric cables which run through it, and the farmer also cut down a lot of old trees on the field side. We were a bit concerned at the time as it all looked rather a mess, but the felling has produced an exuberance of wild flowers unseen for many years and proves that opening up areas to sunlight can have a beneficial effect.
Following the path to the end of the field and arriving at the river bank and back again to the Boat Inn and home, we heard more bird calls than I have heard in recent years. Whether this reflects the time of year or the time of day, I'm not sure, but I have often walked round in the past 13 years since we returned to Lower Sprotborough and never heard a bird, so I was very pleasantly surprised. There were few birds on the Flash, perhaps they are all nesting, but two swans were in evidence and a heron was just spotted in the reeds on the opposite side to the hide.
The following series of photographs gives some idea of the variety of flowers and grasses seen on this late Spring day so I thought I would share them with you. Liz Reeve
Regarding the number of birds noticed during this walk, I undertook a casual survey of Song Thrushes singing along the pathway between the Flash and the river. This is a bird that disappeared from the part of Sprotbrough where I live, although the sound of two birds singing this Spring in fields near my street prompted me to undertake my survey at the Flash. I was pleased to note a singing bird every 20 - 30 metres along the track, and recorded 12 birds on territory in a relatively small area. I have no idea how this compares to previous years, but I was heartened to know that a viable population exists in the local area.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave, thanks for your message. Living in the gorge for 13 years, I don't think I have ever seen a thrush in the garden behind our cottage, though I have seen an odd one at the front so your survey is very interesting. You obviously know much more about birds and their song than I do. I often hear bird calls at the front of the cottage that I don't recognise and wonder what they are. It would be interesting to meet you when you are visiting the Flash sometime. Feel free to email me on lizreeve@dongorgecommunitygroup.com
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