Group Coach Trip to Paxton Pits (Cambs) - 29th April 2006
Saturday 29 April
It is a rare occasion that the group travels inland for its annual coach trip, but this years selection was another well attended and judging by the members comments, a much enjoyed day,
The forecast for the day had been good, but as we left Ipswich the rain was falling steadily suggesting the traditionally poor May Day holiday weather had come early. We arrived 1 hour and 40 minutes later to be welcomed by sunshine (which we enjoyed all day) and Trevor Gunton, our guest speaker at the group's last indoor meeting. Trevor, ex RSPB Head of Development and Publicity and a leading light at Paxton gave our members a thoroughly entertaining tour of the reserve covering the history and development of the pits, its flora and avifauna, before returning to the visitors centre for lunch.
In the afternoon members walked the meadow trail around Hayling and Rudd Lakes, on the south side of the reserve, close to the village of Little Paxton.
Reports suggest 62 species were seen during the day, including good views of nightingale with several males calling on the reserve this year. Warblers seen included several blackcaps, whitethroat, chiffchaff, some willow, and many garden. Raptors included sparrowhawk, kestrel, three hobbies and the bird of the day seen by six members, an Osprey over the Great Ouse bordering the reserve. The cuckooflower was out on the meadows and as tradition tells us, should correspond with hearing the first cuckoo - we were not disappointed with most hearing and or seeing them on the reserve.
This really is a beautiful reserve, which The Friends of Paxton must be congratulated on. If you would like to learn more about Paxton please visit their website www.paxton-pits.org.uk
A good journey home concluded an excellent day out for the group.
Barry Cooper
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