Wildlife Walks - Page 2

Great , please keep me in the loop.

Monday , Tuesday or Fridays are good for me.

Hi Tony

I would be interested in coming on a walk.  Time to get out and about again.  I am free most days but would prefer it not to on Thursdays.

Look forward to meeting.

Regards Jan

Tony

The links you posted may well be visible to you BUT could well be blocked for other posters on SL. That's what I was told in PMs by others regards my poats/threads with this site's link, so may be worth you PMing as suggested earlier.

Thanks, MF, but as it was informal I kept no records, so I cannot recall who came along. I have also terminated my Streetlife account, and told them in no uncertain terms why I have done it.

Tony42

I have just checked the weather approximations for next week - looks as if Friday might be acceptable, if anyone cares to join me ? Please PM if you want my details.

Tony42

HI

Any idea of the distance you plan to cover and the area?

Bob

Hi, Bob,

They are mid-week morning walks, at an easy pace, about two to three miles long, just to see the wildlife in the area. It can be extremely muddy, so stout footwear and sturdy outdoor garb is suggested.

We start at the Halfords Roundabout, the start of the Marriott Way, and meander beside the river to the Nature Reserve, the either continue (if people are keen), or return. We are usually out for about two hours.

Hope to see you on one of them - there is a map at the start of this thread showing where we meet. Please PM me if you would like further info.

Tony42

Just to confirm, and invite participants :

A Wildlife Walk is planned for this coming Friday February 24, along the Marriott Way, starting at 10:00 by the sad neglected remains of Norwich City Railway Station, near the Halfords Roundabout (for exact location see map at the beginning of this thread). It will probably be about two hours long, at a very easy pace, probably with a brief break halfway for those who would like to join me in resting their weary bones !. The weather so far looks to be cool but pleasant, with a possibility of some sunshine. 13 mph gusty WNW winds, the Met Office say.

If you wish for info I've omitted, please PM me for phone number etc. It is almost bound to be muddy, so stout footwear and outdoor clothing is recommended. Regrettably, the terrain is unsuitable for prams and pushchairs, and although it is a grand place for dogs, it would be appreciated if they were left at home, please.

Hope to see you there

Tony 42

Despite the meteorological tantrums of the past twenty-four hours, I am still ready to lead the walk - if any one else is brave enough, see you at ten (ish) tomorrow.

Tony42

After Doris had done her worst, a walk along by the river was called for, to assess damage to habitat. Supposed to be a Wildlife Walk, but no-one else turned up. Tarmac path had some twigs and leaf litter, and one bush down. Tree on City Station broken too.

Path beside river showed more evidence - as more wooded, more obvious damage : Twigs and small broken branches cluttered the ground, but easy passage for a few hundred yards, until the first path-blocker appeared. Not a big tree, but immovable without equipment, so I had to go round it, past the roots.

Path regained, carried on to the next obstacle, a more mature Silver Birch right across the path, too low to crawl under, and no way round at either end. Found a fairly low part to climb over, and elected to perform a 'Fosbury Flop', as it was too high to get my leg over.

Sat on the trunk, leaned back, and managed to get my right leg high enough to clear the trunk and reach the ground on the other side. This success must have made me cocky, and I tried to swing my left leg over. This caused me to begin to slide off the trunk, but I was confident I could retain my balance.

I would have done, too, except for the fact that my left foot caught in the ivy festooning the trunk, and stayed where it was. So, there was I, flat on my back, legs in the air, one foot trapped in the ivy, binoculars rammed halfway up my nose. I was laughing so much as \i pictured the ridiculous spectacle, it took me a minute or so to get my breath back.

Eventually I managed to tug my foot free and get to my feet, still laughing. The rest of the walk was really an anti-climax after that.

Did see 24 species of bird that day, though.