{"id":803,"date":"2010-05-17T14:24:58","date_gmt":"2010-05-17T19:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rdnhs.org.uk\/blog\/?p=803"},"modified":"2010-05-17T14:24:58","modified_gmt":"2010-05-17T19:24:58","slug":"hungerford-marsh-9th-may-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rdnhs.org.uk\/blog\/hungerford-marsh-9th-may-2010\/","title":{"rendered":"Hungerford Marsh – 9th May 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three Water Voles were the highlight of the walk at Hungerford Marsh on Sunday 9th<\/sup> May, led by Roger Frankum. There was a cold north-easterly wind and the temperature was a chilly 10C as 9 members set out across the meadow of the BBOWT reserve. Marsh-marigolds made bold splashes of yellow, and closer inspection revealed the tiny micromoth Micropterix calthella<\/em> on some of the flower heads. Water Avens were in flower in good numbers. The bright orange speck of an Orange-tip butterfly egg was spotted on the flower head of a Cuckooflower plant. In the ditches of the former water meadow were big clumps of Greater Tussock-sedge and the white flowers of Marsh Valerian. A Kingfisher flashed electric blue across the meadow.<\/p>\n

\u00a0There were at least 4 families of ducks on the River Dun as it flowed through the adjoining Freeman’s Marsh, with 9 tiny ducklings in the biggest family party. This was where Harry Matthews, out in front, spotted the first of the Water Voles, while his wife Lynn was able to identify a Grayling by its long, rippling upper fin. Also on the river were a Dabchick and a family of Moorhens, with a single youngster peeping out from beneath one of its parents on the nest. Swifts, Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins swooped above the marsh and a single Cuckoo was heard. On the walk back to the cars, everyone had good views from the towpath of 2 more Water Voles as they swam along the far bank of the Kennet and Avon Canal.<\/p>\n