10 August, 2010- Quite a lot has changed since the last update, the reeds are at that gorgeous green stage with their jet black grass heads poking through. Summer life has been progressing, with an abundance of butterflies making the most of their stunning surroundings in the summer sunshine, along with dragon flies etc which have made early evening walks really enjoyable. Today one of our regular walkers spotted a Little Egret which apparently is quite unusual, and will add to our list of rare bird sightings.
We made the local media again recently, apparently Quarry Walk has become a breeding ground for bittern! Whilst we know there has been a bittern here, it hasn't been seen for a few months now, and none of our regular visitors to the walk have witnessed its "boom" which is often associated with paired up bitterns. So we remain sceptical. For those new to this site, we were busy cutting up logs in the Spring when a waterbird similar but smaller than a heron, and more brown in colour landed amidst the reeds. It was unusual enough for us to say "What on earth was that?" so we immediately identified it on the RSPB site, and it was of course a bittern. However since then it has been living up to its reputation of being elusive!
As far as the reed bed is concerned, we are hoping to be able to feed more water into it from the nearby quarry, which should slow down the willow growth and boost the growth of the reeds. We will have to wait and see.
If you have any news about what you have seen, please let me know!
Debbie
Take a detour from the footpath that leads from White Mills Lock, Earls Barton to the village of Grendon and within seconds you will become completely immersed in the tranquility of one of Northamptonshire's largest reedbeds.
Quarry Walk, at Pastures Farm consists of 27 acres of stunning reeds, lake and wetland which together have fast become a haven for a wide variety of birds, from the very common through to the very unusual.
Whether its during the Spring or in the depth of Winter, Quarry Walk is an ever changing sanctuary.
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Quarry Walk was officially opened on 17th July 2009 by 99 year old George Crawford (above). It is a 900 metre circular walk around one of Northamptonshire's most important reedbeds.
It features a fabulous 80 metre boardwalk, that not only allows you to lose yourself amongst acres of wonderful reeds but enables you to experience, and absorb the reedbed's natural beauty in a unique environment.
