Category Archives: Walks

A Walk Around The Pond

Fishing, Photography, Walks

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The front part of the jetty is completely under water

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The opening of the above jetty in 2010 – see here

David Pottinger writes:

I haven’t had the opportunity to take a walk around the Pond recently so, due to the good weather, I took a quick stroll yesterday and was quite surprised at some of the sights! The recent downpours have made a really big impact.

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One of the fishing platforms is completely submerged

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High water on the path near the railway station

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Another fishing platform

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However, not all bad – a really nice rainbow!

Keeping An Eye Out For Bats At The Pond

Education, Plants and Animals, Walks

Bats F Pond 22 Sept 13 sm

Rachel Jones, our Countryside Ranger, writes:

“We had another wonderful evening on Friday’s Bat Walk at Fleet Pond with a good turn out of over 20 keen adults and children. Rangers Rachel and Izzy guided them around Fleet Pond which again did not disappoint and with a warm dry evening there was plenty of bat activity throughout.

What a brilliant place Fleet Pond is for bats!

Along the woodland paths we saw and heard Pippistrelles and possibly Brown Long-eared bats. This bat has a faint call and exceptionally sensitive hearing, tricky to spot by eye as it often flys high in the tree foliage.

Then around the far side of the pond closer to the waters edge we had an impressive display from Daubentons. These bats are known as ‘water bats’ as they swoop down across the waters edge using their large feet or tail to catching insects on the waters surface.

We could hear the echolocation ‘raspberry bursts’ on the bat detectors they make when they are very close to and catch an insect. We followed their flight patterns across the water with our torches.”

Ed. It sounds a fascinating evening!

Bat Walk At Fleet Pond This Friday

Education, Plants and Animals, Walks

Rachel Jones, our Countryside Ranger, says:

“Rangers Will and Rachel had a great batty evening last Saturday (14 Sept) when up to 30 adults and children turned up to the first (of two) Fleet Pond bat walks!

We were so lucky with the weather, it cleared enough so that volunteer Spike could contribute his astronomy knowledge adding to the frenzy of bat activity all around the pond. Great bat friendly weather condition’s enabled us to see and hear at least 3 species of bat.

All participants had a great evening, all new to bat detecting and some new to Fleet Pond!  We had time to chat a bit about the exciting work that has been going on there and how the wildlife is thriving.

We are looking forward to Friday evening for the second bat walk, fingers crossed we are lucky with the weather again!”

As mentioned above, if you missed the first walk and fancy a bat encounter, please pencil in this coming Friday, 20th September: 19:00 – 21:00.

Booking and other details can be found here.

If you’re curious as to what bat walks are like, take a look here.

Walk The Path 2013 – Sandhurst To Swallowfield

Walks

Walk the Path 2013 Poster

Fleet Pond Society is a member of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and here’s some information on a walk the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust are organising for April. Please support them if you can.

Christine Reeves, of the BVC Trust, writes:

“Get out your walking boots and come along to walk the lower reaches of the Blackwater Valley Path on Sunday 28th April 2013. After a year’s absence the ever popular ‘Walk the Path’ event returns, as a one day walk covering the last 17 km (10 miles) of the Blackwater Valley Path from Sandhurst to Swallowfield. This beautiful part of the Blackwater Valley passes through some peaceful rural areas and if you’ve never explored the countryside here before this is a perfect opportunity to do so as part of an organised walk.

As in previous years participants can walk at their own pace or be part of a group as there will be designated walk guides.  There will be transport at the start/finish to take you back to your starting point, refreshments stops and toilets en-route and a collection service if you are unable to finish the walk for whatever reason.

Organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, full details including a booking form can be found on their website www.bvct.org.uk; pre-booking essential. Costs £8 per person; £6 for BVC Trust members, with a special offer of £11 which includes the walk fee and membership to BVC Trust.”