Thursday 24 April 2014

Migration Watch

This press release went out from Ray Matthews. 'See you all on Sunday?

April is the busiest time of the year for migrant birds arriving in Britain to breed.  Many species travel thousands of miles to set up ‘house’ at Paxton Pits, and the nature reserve’s volunteers and staff are inviting everyone to share in the spectacle.

Whitethroat by Kevin Loader
The Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve and Huntingdonshire District Council Rangers invite you to “Migration Watch Day” at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve on Sunday 27th April, anytime from dawn to dusk.  The aim is to see and hear the new arrivals as they claim their territories, display and build their nests. 

Volunteer Trevor Gunton, organiser of the event, said:

We invite visitors to drop in on observers at key points on the Reserve, including the Visitors’ Centre Garden, the bird hides and other vantage points.  Our experts will help everyone enjoy this exciting time of year.

There will also be guided walks to see the migrants at 10.30 am and 2.00 pm (£2.00 per person), and for the more competitively minded, Senior Ranger Jim Stevenson’s “Tick and Twitch” will start at the Visitors’ Centre at 10.00 am.

Jim Stevenson explained:

“I will help folk on the “Tick and Twitch” see as many species as possible, but the ‘catch’ is that they must donate 10p for each species we show you. Good birding and the birds benefit!


Refreshments, bird feeders, books and wild bird seed will be on sale at the Visitors’ Centre.