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Walmsley Sanctuary...
| Open Day : 25th
August 2007 : Report and photographs by Simon Marquis
The Walmsley
Sanctuary was opened to members and the public between 10am and
4pm on August Bank Holiday Saturday. It was a warm, sunny day
and the reserve looked stunning. Early visitors were lucky
enough to see the young female Marsh Harrier that had been in
the area for a few days. Later arrivals had to content
themselves with Sedge Warblers, a Reed Bunting, Little Grebe and
Mute Swans - along with a huge variety of dragonflies and
damsel-flies.
Adrian Langdon and
Derek Julian escorted visitors around the reserve and all were
able to see the newly-installed memorial to Francis Couch on the
stone in the middle of the reserve. Sam Julian provided
refreshments and Peter Crsispin and Colin Selway did sterling
duty at the car park.
Around 50 people came
- some members, but also some non-members who expressed an
interest in joining the Society. Additional funds were raised by
the sale of Dave Thomas' nest boxes and old Bird Reports.
All in all the
feedback on the day was extremely positive and thanks are due to
all who made the day enjoyable and well-run.
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The
sanctuary is situated about two km north of Wadebridge. It
includes over 20 hectares of reclaimed flood plain between
the farm of Lower Amble and the River Amble, and lies less
than one km inland from the Camel Estuary. Its highest point
is about four metres above the Ordnance Datum.
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The reserve has developed from three fields of pasture on
land reclaimed from salt marsh and now protected from
flooding by a dam at the mouth of the River Amble. The
vegetation is predominantly Juncus effusus. The
reserve also includes hedges, ditches, a shallow pond left
over when the river was straightened and one bank of the
River Amble. The Environment Agency constructed
excellent new areas of water and essential new embankments
outside the new hide, whilst carrying out their Amble
Marshes Management Scheme in 1998.
Naturalist and broadcaster Bill Oddie officially opened the
fabulous tower hide in December 1999. With the hide being 4m
high, excellent views are possible over most of the reserve
and the surrounding countryside, in comparatively luxurious
comfort. |
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Improvement works were
carried out in September 2005. It will take a few
months to "green up" but the amount of open water has been
increased dramatically. All the channels were dredged and
some small scrapes made. There is now a large pool in front
of the old hide that will improve the quality of viewing
from that corner.
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Species to be seen include, in
winter, Teal, large flocks of Wigeon, Lapwing
and Golden Plover. Also Shoveler, Snipe, Greenshank, Green
Sandpiper, Ruff, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, White-fronted Gees
(low numbers), Little Egret and Barn Owl. In summer, breeding
birds include Mute Swan, Mallard, Shelduck, Reed Bunting, Sedge
Warbler and Reed Warbler. |
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Passage migrants include waders, egrets, herons,
wildfowl and raptors. Almost anything can turn up!
Rarities include Black Stork, Black Duck, American
Bittern, Temmink's Stint, Marsh Harrier and Citrine
Wagtail. |
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The sanctuary is nationally important
for wintering waders and wildfowl. During high tides,
many estuary birds use the reserve as a refuge.
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