Birdwatching for Beginners Walks The 2017 Review

David Bennett, a Volunteer Ranger at the Severn Trent reservoir at Carsington Water, introduced a regular monthly Bird Watching for Beginners walk in 2006.
A similar walk was introduced by David at Markeaton Park, Derby in January 2017. In the first year, there were 11 walks, 43 bookings, enjoyed by 25 different people.
Each 90 minute walk was led either by Dawn or David, with Dawn covering the 2 months when David was not available. The walk tended to follow much the same route, although in May to September, a route taking in woods was preferred for seeing Summer migrants.
49 different species were logged as follows:-
            Seen on and in the water                                14
            Woodland and land birds                                29
            Flying over birds                                                4
            Summer Visitors                                                2
The choice of “Bird of the Walk” produced different results, with popular votes going to Kingfisher, Goosander, Green Woodpecker, Tree Creeper, Little Grebe, Goldcrest and Little Egret.
The walks will continue in 2018, still at 10.30am on the third Sunday of every month, and starting from the Walled Garden, with the first walk on Sunday 21st January 2018.