Walking on Wallasea 27 Feb 2010

Yesterday, under the wing [!] of Edwin, twenty-one of us visited the RSPB site at Wallasea Island to take a closer at the plans for the area, look at the progress so far, and also to peer through our binoculars and spot the birds who are already visiting or resident on the site.

We were met by Chris Tyas, the site Project manager, and two of his colleagues Matt and Sarah who led us on a walk along the sea wall on a wonderfully clear and sunny day.

During our walk Chris talked about the project, which, as you all know, will take ten years to complete, and it is clear that when the job is done, the RSPB will be custodians of a wonderful bird sanctuary, one of the best in the country, right on our doorstep.

Chris and our two young guides set up their telescopes to show us the many birds feeding on the mud flats and waters edge in the inlets that have already been created on the south shore of the river. The telescopes they are using are very powerful, and I for one, put away my binoculars, in favour of looking through the professional ‘scope’, although I didn’t seem to have the knack to spot birds as easily as the guides!

It really was an interesting and fun afternoon, and I can see this will become an annual trip for us. Thanks to Edwin for organising this trip, and also to Chris, Sarah and Matt for making the afternoon a success.