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South Yare Wildlife Group Guided Walk

Buckenham Marshes Winter Wildfowl & Corvid Roost

It was a brave group who faced the elements for the annual South Yare Wildlife Group Winter Walk, and with the last two events of this kind cancelled due to inclement weather there was a determination to run with this festive ice-breaker, no matter what mother nature had in store.

The group set off from RSPB Buckenham Marshes carpark mid-afternoon on Sunday the 7^th of December, rain stinging our faces, optics quickly dripping with rainwater but the collective feet glad of the solid track. The walk was led by RSPB warden Ben Lewis, who did a great job of maintaining both the interest and enthusiasm of the group, punctuating the stroll with stops to describe the catch 22 of reserve management or to call out avian highlights.

Whilst the group quickly realised how well prepared they were (or indeed weren’t) for such conditions, the wildlife of course remained unperturbed. The whistling of Wigeon was grabbed by the wind, and soon we were able to watch flocks waddling and grazing like cattle near the track. Teal and Shoveler graced the pool, and a single Black-tailed Godwit probed endlessly in the mud. Ben spoke of the plight of our native Waders, and underlined the importance of managing Buckenham to support their breeding efforts. One such species is the Snipe, which can be heard ‘drumming’ here in the Spring; on this occasion three birds passed overhead. From the river bank, a lucky few caught a glimpse of an Otter crossing the Yare, and everyone else had to settle for Chinese Water Deer for the mammal list.

As the gloom descended further, a swarming of Pink-footed Geese took to the sky, and with the almost-full yellow moon that appeared later, perhaps they were heading off to feed on the beet rather than roost. Imagine waking up with breakfast in front of you! The evening commute continued apace, various Gulls headed through in the direction of Breydon and silently but with purpose 19 Marsh Harriers were counted heading to sleep at Strumpshaw Fen. A reminder of how important wildlife corridors are, and the life that this valley brings.

Back at the carpark as darkness began to envelop the valley, the group watched for signs of the winter Corvid roost. Small flocks of Jackdaws swirled through the grey-black before landing in the wet carr woodland. The modest blanket of Rooks from the marshes must have joined them without us noticing. A few thousand birds, a mere suggestion of the majesty of the gathering at its peak.

Too wet to care, the group headed to cover and The Shoulder of Mutton, who supplied Mulled Wine and Mince pies, thoughts turning to Christmas and the solstice. Thank-you to all who joined us for this event, we look forward to seeing you for more (hopefully less damp!) fun in the New Year.