As we finally start to enjoy some warmer days we can take pleasure in what the months of rain have given us – lush foliage and blooming fauna that have prospered in the damper conditions all along the Thames Path National Trail. Perfect conditions to house an abundance of bird life!
Before I get onto the feathery matters, for those of you new to the Thames Path, let me briefly start with a quick description of our fabulous trail. The Thames Path is a long-distance walking trail, following England’s best known river for 185.2miles (298 km) as it meanders from its source in the Cotswolds through several rural counties and on into the heart of London. On its way the Trail passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and cities and many lovely villages, finishing in Woolwich just a few miles from the sea.
I have been in post as the Engagement Officer for the Thames Path since March 2023 and in today’s post I thought I would share a little of what I have learnt about the stunning variety of birds that live along our glorious National Trail. Much of this new knowledge has been picked up from conversations with keen nature lovers that I have encountered along the path and stopped to chat with. This has included my childhood geography teacher Jon Mason, a keen bird watcher who goes under the name of The Early Birder on social media.
If birding is your thing, you won’t be disappointed along the Thames Path National Trail. In the upper reaches of the Thames wildfowl flourish amount the reeds and will often burst into flight as you make your way along the trail alongside them, scattering across the water in a display of wings and webbed feet as they flap away from your disturbance. Keep an eye out for the commonly seen Mute Swans, Mallard Ducks, Tufted Ducks and Canda Geese that often grace the waters and banks in large groups, some of which aren’t so shy, and will happily hold their ground and make you walk around them. Respect their wishes, and if you get a hiss from a swan it is definitely advised to allow them their personal space!
The most common wading birds to be seen on the Thames are Snipes and Curlews with their characteristic long legs and beaks, alongside another wader, the Lapwing, which still has the longer legs, but has a shorter beak. I learnt from one birder I met on the trail that waders with a shorter beak eat insects that dwell just below the surface of the water, whereas their longer beaked compatriots use their beaks almost like chopsticks to pluck insects from the muddy riverbed. Learning little nuggets of fascinating information like this are one of the reasons I love my job!
The varied plant and tree life which grows along the banks is home to such a long list of other birds that I couldn’t even start to try and name them all, however while walking you may well encounter the recognisable colours of Kingfishers at the waters edge, the call of a cuckoo on the breeze, the immense wingspan and characteristic V-shaped tail of a Red Kite as it circles above, or the tapping of a woodpecker as it communicates with others or excavates a nest cavity in a suitable trunk. Kingfishers can be found along many parts of our trail, but our team have personally spotted them at the river’s edge in the historic city of Oxford, and at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, both destinations which would make a great day out! Information on these places can be found here Oxford City Guide - Everything you need for your visit to Oxford City and Cotswold Water Park | Official Website.
If this read has inspired you to search out some of the birdlife along the Thames Path National Trail, take a bird book out on your next walk and get your eyes peeled! If you fancy trying a bird hide for a more restful observation, there is one at Chimney Meadows which is run by Berks Bucks and Oxen Wildlife Trust. Chimney Meadows | Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (bbowt.org.uk)
References and sources:
Thames Path Trailblazer Guide, 3rd edition. Publisher: Trailblazer Publications, ISBN: 9781912716272
The Early Birder, Jon Mason. theearlybirder | online photography nature speaker blog
