We meet at locations which vary through the seasons depending on what wildlife is about. Whilst most of the sites we visit are fairly close to Peterborough, we do visit a few more distant sites up to about 35 miles away. Walks are sedate ambles at "birdwatching pace", none are particularly strenuous. Suitable clothing and footwear is essential for conditions on the day. You will need a pair of binoculars and a telescope will be useful at some of the larger sites. We are an informal, sociable group and beginners are welcome as well as experienced birders. Whilst we are mainly a birdwatching group, there are opportunities to see all other forms of flora and fauna.
Wednesday 4th November, Eyebrook Reservoir
Meet at the Stoke Dry car park (
SP852964) on the shore of Eyebrook Reservoir at 10:30 on Wed 4th Nov. This is about 25 miles from Peterborough. To get there, head west on the A47 to the A6003 roundabout at Uppingham. Turn left at the roundabout and follow the A6003 through Uppingham and then take the first right turn, about 1 mile after leaving Uppingham, signposted to Stoke Dry. Follow the road through the village and down the hill and you will see the reservoir ahead. The road turns right to follow the shore of the lake and the car park is on this corner and is very obvious.
The road goes around about 2/3 of the shore of the reservoir and we will drive round, stopping at various viewpoints. Parking space at these viewpoints is rather limited, so we will take as few cars as possible, leaving any other cars parked at Stoke Dry. We will aim to return to the car park around 12:30. There are no facilities on the site.
The water level is pretty low at the moment and there is considerable mud exposed around the shore which attracts numbers of gulls and waders. We will hope to see waders such as Golden Plover, Egrets, etc on the mud. There should be a good range of wildfowl including Geese, dabbling ducks and diving ducks. Goldeneye are starting to arrive and we can also look for Red-crested Pochard and Scaup. One of the species the reservoir is noted for in winter is Smew, but we may be too early for any to have turned up. The fields and hedgerows around the reservoir hold a good range of non-waterbirds which we can also look for.
Future meetings
- Dec 2nd, Nene Washes, Eldernell