Attenborough - Not A Murmur
w/e 06 January 2019
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
It was probably the news reports of a murmuration
of starlings at the Attenborough Nature Reserve that drew us
there although we knew that we were too early in the afternoon
to see it as it usually takes place when the birds are going
to roost for the night.
We began our walk which was about one and a half miles in length
at the end of The Strand where it narrows to a single lane to
provide access only to the properties there but continues as
a footpath into the Reserve.
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The path leads to a footbridge, the first of several crossing
various water channels in the site. This one is over the channel
between Main Pond on the right and Works Pond on the left.
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After crossing the bridge we turned right onto a path called
The Bund and near the junction of the paths is a bird table.
Finches in the trees briefly touched down and flew off again
but a robin not only landed but actually gave us a nod in acknowledgement
of our presence.
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We continued along The Bund now with Main Pond still to the right
but another stretch of water, New Lagoon, to the left. Through
the trees we spotted a heron standing statuesque-like on an island
in Main Pond but it was not close enough to get a good shot of
it through the branches.
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At the far end of The Bund is another lagoon on the left that
is the Delta Sanctuary. This was formed as information nearby
informs, as sediment settled on the bottom of the lagoon forming
a mixture of habitat for wildlife including reedbed, open water
and wet woodland. Two people were on the bank watching the swans
and cygnets and you may be able to make out a hide in the reeds
and trees just to the left of centre.
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At another junction in the paths we turned right to walk by the
River Trent and reached another footbridge which links Main Pond
with the river to the left.
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We stopped here to throw some corn to the birds but as we did
so panic set in. The riverside path is popular with joggers and
runners and one such person was running with his dog. The dog
ran down the bank and into the water causing the birds to take
flight. The dog can just be seen approaching at the bottom of
the picture, the birds' reactions were much quicker than mine
but the dog slashed in the water, probably found it too cold,
turned and followed his master who didn't even stop but continued
running along the path. I'm sure that dog owners are required
to keep their animals under control in the Nature Reserve but
danger gone, the birds resumed feeding on the corn.
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We continued along the path by the river and although none are
seen here met a number of people walking in the opposite direction.
It was apparent a little further on where they were going as
a sign pointed to the starlings.
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Completing the circuit of Main Pond we crossed another footbridge
and passed Brookside Path which leads between Tween Pond and
The Brook and eventually to the main Visitor Centre via Church
Path.
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We on the other hand, returned to The Strand and back to the
start of the walk and of the starlings? Not a murmur! But you
may be interested in this RSPB
page.
Route Map
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