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EVENTS
Birdtrail with Chris
Packham
Sunday June 8th
2008
BIRDTRAIL – 8TH JUNE
2008
BOLDERWOOD, NEW FOREST
With the RSPB and HOS
This was the
first of its kind, a huge birdwatching walk event, with 150
children, guided principally by members of the RSPB and HOS
(Hampshire Ornithological Society). Chris Packham enthused
everyone, in his unfailing manner, to get out and about and
enjoy nature at its best. The purpose was to identify birds
by sight or sound, see how many we could identify, but to
enjoy the experience, rather than compete.
We met at 9
am, at Bolderwood Car Park. The sun was to shine
throughout, on one of our hottest days of the year, so far.
This usually
means there are fewer birds to be seen, but when
birdwatching, you never know what to expect. The main point
of the exercise was to give a flavour of the joys of
birdwatching, the tastes and atmosphere of the New Forest,
and the wildlife therein.
It was an
unqualified success, it seems everyone enjoyed it, and the
picnic afterwards was the ice-cream on the cake. The
children and adults loved the experience, and there can be
little doubt that this will now become an annual event in
the calendar, minor teething troubles will be learned,
perhaps more open spaces next time, slightly shorter walks,
but all in all, it could not have gone smoother. The
organisation and voluntary work for such an event is
colossal, the easier it looks, the more work has gone into
it, and this is especially so when children are involved.
So thanks must go to Derek Lister, Dawn Russell, Chris
Packham, and many, many others.
150 children
Nature’s future in their hands
What better place to start
their quest
The New Forest - - the most
cherished of our lands
Bolderwood had never seen the
like
Half of Hampshire seemed to be
there
An introduction to our wildlife
An atmosphere rent the
air
Nothing like this had been
tried before
But the day shone bright and
true
The sun duly played its part
The sky a cloudless blue
Chris Packham welcomed each and
all
Words of contagious,
enthusiastic glee
The children suitably infected
So plain for all to see
These, our future
conservationists
So; precious to us all
Let them set eyes upon our
natural world
Wonders that never pall
A Wood Warbler sang throughout
the day
Showed well, just off the
well-worn track
Every group thought they had
been the blessed ones
When gleefully reporting back
A Tree Pipit sang with all its
heart
A jubilant, trilling sound
Before performing its
celebrated display
‘Parachuting’ to the ground
Buzzards cried above the trees,
Circling, mewing, displaying
well
But other birds were skulking
If reluctantly, truth to tell
The day was hot, the trees were
lush
Birds had better things to do
Than reveal themselves to the
likes of us
Not many of them flew
But everyone had enjoyed
the walks
Even those of us difficult to
please
Who could not feel uplifted
By the glades, the streams the
trees
But we fear this is but a
precedent
For many a year to come
Maybe too successful
What have the organisers done?
Not a single teardrop had been
shed
A day of joy and fun
Smiles, picnics, pleasing
company
Tantrums there were none
Thanks to all the parents
RSPB and HOS, who led the way
But our greatest thanks to the
much maligned
Youngsters of today
Pictures of
the Day
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