Spring birds flock back to nature reserve
19 March 2010
Aqualate Mere launches summer programme for walkers, families and nature lovers
As Easter approaches, so do the summer birds and animals that we can see on our National Nature Reserves, and, this week Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve, between Stafford and Newport launches its summer programme, encouraging us all to get out and enjoy nature on our doorstep.
The Aqualate Health Walks are a great way to begin the season, keep fit and meet new people. Two types of walks are to be held in and around Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve (NNR) from Sunday 4 April.
A 30 minute (approx) walk will be held on the first and third Thursdays of each month, whilst a 2 hour walk (approx) will be held on the first Sunday of each month. All walks are free, open to everyone and will commence at 10am from the Aqualate Mere NNR car park.
For families, on 10th April, there will be an Easter Scavenger Hunt to look for spring treasures. Children over five, their families and birdwatchers will be able to see an array of springtime visitors to the reserve.
Flocks of redwing and fieldfares head north in spring and may well be on the reserve. They are followed by returning sand and house martins, swallows and swifts. Shelduck return to join resident mallard and tufted duck.
By late April reed, sedge and willow warblers can be seen and heard from the hide and osprey are regularly seen on their northward spring passage. Curlew, lapwing, snipe and redshank all breed on the pastures to the west, north and east of the Mere. Depending on weather conditions and insect abundance, in summer there can be thousands of swifts, swallows and martins hunting over the Mere.
There are 225 National Nature Reserves in England and they offer ideal opportunities for observing birds and wildlife. All events, which will run through out the summer, are free but booking is essential.
Aqualate Mere is the largest natural lake in the Midlands and is managed as a National Nature Reserve by Natural England. The Mere lies at the heart of the Aqualate Estate is surrounded by outstanding scenery including a landscaped deer park with many veteran trees.
Aqualate Mere is well served by public transport as the 481 bus service between Newport and Stafford stops 200 yards from the NNR car park.
If you would like more information about Aqualate Health Walks, or any other events on the Reserve or would like to make a booking for an event, please contact Caroline Dahn 0300 060 0583 or email caroline.dahn@naturalengland.org.uk
For a full list of events at Aqualate Mere and all other National Nature Reserves in England visit www.naturalengland.org.uk
More press information from Judie Kellie 01299 896555 / 07973 744161 judie@jkpr.co.uk or Dean Gallen 0300 060 1079 dean.g.gallen@naturalengland.org.uk
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were initially established to protect sensitive features and to provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research. Their purpose has widened since those early days. As well as managing some of our most pristine habitats, our rarest species and our most significant geology, most NNRs now offer great opportunities to the public as well as schools and specialist audiences to experience England’s natural heritage.
Natural England is the body empowered to declare NNRs in England, the Reserves being a selection of the very best parts of England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It is this underlying designation, which gives NNRs their strong legal protection. The majority also have European nature conservation designations.
There are now 225 NNRs in England (and one Marine Nature Reserve, Lundy) with a total area of over 92,000 hectares, which is approximately 0.6% of the country’s land surface. The largest is The Wash NNR, covering almost 8,800 hectares, whilst Horn Park Quarry in Dorset, at 0.32 hectares, is the smallest.
Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
Walking for Health (WfH) is the largest national body promoting and setting the standards for led health walks. It is a joint initiative between Natural England and the Department of Health. For more information visit www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk
