By car: from Lyndhurst take the A35 towards Christchurch, two miles out from Lyndhurst turn left into the Rhinefield Drive. Blackwater car park is located on the left hand side, approximately half a mile along the Drive.
Violet Viola odorata growing on the way side and flowering early.
Lymington Quay seemed almost balmy at the start as twelve of us made the way through the yacht repair yards but as soon as we were exposed to the bitter wind that swept in from the sea we were reminded of our last winter visit. But those of us that did make it to the end felt pleased that they persevered as we dropped back into the shelter of the seas defences.
From Mike "It's a warm wind, the west wind, full of birds' cries And I never hear the west wind but tears are in my eyes"
Our birdwatching group would have agreed wholeheartedly with the second line of John Masefield's poem, "The West Wind" but wildly disputed the entry of line one! Mr Masefield was clearly in his study when he wrote it but we were on the sea-wall enjoying the winter birds, where the appreciation of the elements was rather more of a 'hands-on' experience as they say these days. However, we listed more than 50 species including a scarce male Scaup and some Goldeneye with the Tufted Duck. Many Brent Geese contributed greatly to the atmosphere of the walk, gabbling overhead to the lagoon for ablutions. On our way back we also saw a sadly disorientated Dunlin in a flooded roadside ditch. It appeared to be capable only of walking in small clockwise circles and its chances of survival must be very slim.
So, a very blustery morning but it did keep dry for us; our next meeting will be in totally different surroundings at Blackwater car park in the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive on Friday, 30 March 2007 at 10 am.
Not just birds but all things found in Nature.
In the event of bad weather, or if there is some doubt that that the walk will go ahead, will members please telephone Bridgid to clarify the situation.
