New for 2020 is a Wildlife hide located a short walk to the west of the Boathouse. See green arrow on the map on the left. The Hide was funded by donations and constructed by the hard work of locals. Also see the Natural Environment section of the site
After its construction it was temporarily closed due to Covid-19 and has now reopened.
Ronnie Hek has kindly provided some text giving an insight into the hide along with some fantastic photos of wildlife.
Jim Blythe starting the construction earlier this year.
Ronnie's blog.
"Back last year when I found out where the bird hide was going to be, I put up bird feeders and started to encourage birds and wild life to the area. I was not able to get into the hide until late June, 2 weeks ago. I then put up a bird table, my first visitor was a Jay. Also the Grey squirrel which has destroyed 5 feeders has started to use the table.
The following is a list of what I have seen from the hide and nearby.
Coal tit
Nut Hatch
Magpie
Great tit
Blue tit
Chaffinch
Blackcap
Wren
Chiffchaff
Great Spotted Woodpecker. The nest was 20 yards from the hide.
3 Families of Mallard Ducks
Grey Heron
A Moorhen had a nest with 9 chicks just below the hide.
Little Grebe
Greylag geese reared 8 goslings successfully
Canada Goose
Goosanders
Swans with 4 Cygnets
Roe Deer
Grey Squirrels
I try and visit every day. What a great spot for a hide."
Some of the wildlife that you can potentially see. All photos kindly submitted by Ronnie Hek (c) 2020.
Additional blogs from the hide coming soon.....
If you want to share any photos taken from the hide please submit them using the link on the get in touch page.
Hi Sue all the images from above were take from or near the hide. I go there almost every morning and put out some food. I have been feeding the area since last year and it is really working.
Hi Sue,
Ronnie is replenishing the feeders.
What an achievement! The bird hide is a fantastic addition to the village. It is in a lovely spot, well away from any traffic noise, and is a real oasis of calm. Thank you to Jim and everyone involved.
I wondered who was ensuring the bird feeders were kept topped up, Ronnie! I am looking forward to seeing at least some of the birds and other wild life that you have already spotted (and photographed) there.