RSPB Bowers Marsh is only a few miles away from where I live but difficult to get to using public transport and without a long walk.
However, this morning was the last day of a 5 day car rental so I took advantage of that and had my first visit to RSPB Bowers Marsh since 7th May 2024.
RSPB Bowers Marsh comprises dry and wet grassland, fresh and saline lagoons, intertidal habitat, saltmarsh and arable areas. It is an ancient landscape and the grazing marsh has played a vital role in the lives of people and wildlife for centuries.
RSPB Bowers Marsh is now managed as a reserve comprising of significant wetland and lowland wet and dry grassland habitats and it provides feeding and breeding grounds for important wintering, migratory and breeding waders and wildfowl. This is primarily achieved through hydrological management and appropriate grazing regimes. It also supports a range of important protected species such as Water Voles and reptiles by providing important managed habitats such as ditch networks, meadows and fields of varied structure and floral diversity.
There are 4 miles of nature trails and 3 viewing points at RSPB Bowers Marsh. The trails pass different areas of the reserve such as a saline lagoon, freshwater reservoir/scrapes, wet grassland, hedgerow and reedbed habitats. Scrapes are specifically created close to viewing areas.
The undoubted highlight from my trip to RSPB Bowers Marsh this morning was a Woodcock which I flushed from the scrub adjoining the path to the saltmarsh viewpoint. This was a further addition to my 2024 UK year list taking it to 197 species.
The main highlights from my visit were as follows:
Lapwing (c.200), Dunlin (c.50), Black-tailed Godwit (c.40), Common Redshank (c.20), Grey Plover (15), Avocet (6), Curlew (3), Greenshank (1), Woodcock (1), Common Snipe (1), Shoveler (c.100), Teal (c.60), Wigeon (c.30), Mallard (c.10), Pintail (3), Common Pochard (2), Great White Egret (2), Little Egret (1), Grey Heron (4), Great Crested Grebe (1), Little Grebe (1), Water Rail (1 heard calling), Coot (2), Mute Swan (1), Canada Goose (c.50), Greylag Goose (c.50), Common Buzzard (1), Marsh Harrier (1 male), Kestrel (3), Bearded Tit (9), Cetti’s Warbler (5 singing males all unseen), Stonechat (pair plus a single male), Skylark (4), Meadow Pipit (1), Linnet (2)
Love nature .... act now
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