I said it had been awhile since we did this walk as the track that led you north of the Reserve (Pit 46) has been fenced off and barbed wire placed on top of a brand new gate. However the footpath now takes you west of the Reserve and now follows the course of the Swill Brook. It wasn't until we met a chap walking along the river bank that we found out why the path had been rerouted.
Apparently the owners of new millionaire homes that overlook the Reserve to the east, had managed to reroute the footpath around the Reserve to stop walkers etc. from peering into their back gardens. In fact not only did they get rerouted, it appears they they paid for it.
The new path actually runs parallel with the lane until it gets to pit 85, where you turn left and follow the river. As you pass pits 48 and 58 you are actually walking on an established footpath which runs along the Brook.
Our 4 mile walk (Map courtesy of Google Earth)
I must say though, well done to the home owners as this is by far a much prettier route, even in early Spring. The new route finally joins up with pit 58 which is where the Flagham Fen Beaver Project is being run. We still haven't seen one yet!
Swillbrook Reserve
Mute Swan
Coltsfoot
The footpath that runs alongside Swill Brook
A pair of Goosander
Goldeneye
Swill Brook
In the reserve we noted Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, 4 Mute Swan (2 adult, 2 juv), Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pochard, Goosander, a Sparrowhawk overhead, Moorhen, Coot, Wood Pigeon, at least 2 Kingfishers along Swill Brook, Great-Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, a few Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Siskin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting. Also Coltsfoot.
On Flagham Fen, there were dozens of Tufted Duck a few Pochard and several more Goldeneyes. As we headed down past the Rugby Pitch a Little Egret flew over the pit.
The Beaver Project
Pochard - drake
As we crossed the first field a Kestrel hovered above us before moving off and as we approached Otter Corridor I began to realise that the field we were walking across had been well flooded with dead grass and plants washed up against the hedgerow. In fact as we crossed the bridge, and looked down into the brook, it was quite obvious the water level must have been a good 3ft to 4ft above its normal level.
Kestrel
Kestrel
After the floods
Once over the bridge we made our way towards Pike Corner, and as always the path here was flooded. It always is here even in the summer months, so it was a case of picking Benji up and wading through a good 10 inches of water. Once through though we carried on and headed up the track towards the Thames path.
Pike Corner - always flooded
Looking back towards Pike Corner
Freeth Mere
By now the sun was well out and as I took a look across Freeth Mere (Pit 41) a Comma took off from the ground and fluttered off towards another sunny spot. At the Thames path we turned left and past Lower Mill Estate, where obligingly a Goldfinch landed in a tree next to me and posed for a couple of photos. At the top of the lane we turned left onto Spine Road and headed back to the car park.
Goldfinch
Lesser Celandine
Cormorant
Bird Species seen: Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Pochard, Goosander, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Kingfisher, Great-Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Siskin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting.
Mammals: Rabbits
Insects: Bumblebee sp., Comma Butterfly, midges
Plants: Also Coltsfoot and Lesser Celandine.
Today's Photos Here