Ladywalk: A Visitors Guide - Barbara Valentine

Ladywalk is a haven of peace on the edge of Hams Hall industrial estate. It has a variety of habitats and offers five hides from which to observe the wildlife. There is also a sixth hide which is off the main reserve paths and used solely by the ringers.

Once through the first gate, the car park is to the left. From here I usually walk down the tarmac road towards the angling pool, as you sometimes find different birds from those on the reserve. The two bridges act as good viewpoints over the rivers. Back in the car park, the feeders are kept well stocked and are a magnet for Tits, Robins, Warblers and the occasional Muntjac Deer. Passing through the second gate you walk down the public right of way. The trees on the left contain birds such as Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits, Chiffchaffs and other warblers. To the right is the river where Mallard, Gadwall, Coot and Moorhen are nearly always present. On a good day Goosanders may be seen, along with Swans and Canada Geese. Purple Buddleia bushes are usually covered with butterflies in season. Red Admirals have been abundant this year, but Speckled Wood and the three Whites can also be seen in good numbers.

Entry to the reserve is via the pedestrian gate, using the same code as the car park gate. Bear left along the track from the main gate and then either turn right through the woodland, or second right towards ‘A’ hide, passing the woodyard on the left. I nearly always go to ‘A’ hide first and then anticlockwise around the reserve. From upstairs at ‘A’ hide, there is a good view of more feeders which attract Finches (including Brambling in season), Tits, Reed Buntings, Woodpeckers and Muntjac. There is also a small pool with Moorhen and ducks. Since clearing some of the willows and scrub there is a good view of most of the main pool, particularly the Cormorant roost area where the Night Heron was seen this year. The newly constructed lower level to the hide provides easy access for disabled people and camera users to see the feeders.

Behind ‘A’ hide, walk through the woodland track and turn left towards Rudd hide, with the river still on your right. The flowers in front of Rudd attract plenty of insects, but the Sand Martins don’t seem to like their purpose-built home, seen from the hide. Instead, they prefer to nest in the riverbank, even though they get flooded out. The seat in front of Rudd gives a good viewpoint for the Martins flying along the river. Riverwalk is the next hide and from its elevated position there is a good view of nearly all the main pool. Here you will find Herons, Little Egrets and most species of duck. In summer Hirundines and Hobbies skim across the water catching insects. Kingfishers may also dart across. Moving on to Bittern hide, you may see different birds along the river, including Goosander, Pied and Grey Wagtails. There’s also the possibility of an Otter, although I have yet to see one. Before reaching this hide, adjacent the river is an Owl box, which usually contains a Barn Owl. Bittern hide affords a view of ‘B’ pool and attracts waders such as Sandpipers, Lapwings, Plovers and Redshanks. On the pool are two Tern rafts, which are often taken over by Black-headed Gulls.

Continuing from Bittern, the track doubles back to ‘B’ hide, past the sluice, which controls water levels on the pool. ‘B’ or Ken’s hide is close to reed beds which are favoured by Water Rail and Little Grebe, with Reed and Sedge Warblers during summer. There are also feeders here which are visited by Woodpeckers and Tits – even a Willow Tit sometimes. Near ‘B’ hide is an open area where Helleborines grow in June and July. Its also a good place to spot several species of butterfly including Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Whites, Large and Small Skippers. This year we also found a Marbled White. On the edge of the clearing are four new beehives, set up this year and already producing honey.

On the way back to ‘A’ hide, you can turn right down a track behind the wood yard, towards the composting toilet. Turn right again and the tool storage area can be seen. From here there is a ‘secret’ path skirting the old angling pools in a horseshoe shape. As it is not often used, it can be overgrown in places. Once back at the storage area, turn right and rejoin the main track to the car park, or turn left to ‘A’ hide and go back through the woods, turning right where the track forks and rejoining the main track at the end of the trees.

As a volunteer, I really enjoy work parties at Ladywalk, although I probably prefer helping with the butterfly surveys. The reserve is rarely over busy, apart from when we have visiting rarities such as this year’s Little Bittern and Night Heron, both of which I was lucky enough to see. On an average day, I usually record about fifty birds and in July this year we managed a total of 176 butterflies of 13 species. I find Ladywalk a relaxing and calming place to be – why don’t you try it too?

Barbara Valentine