Canal/river walkways? (1 Viewer)

[silverbadger47]

Hey guys,


I’m quite new to birding, having only gone around my local area and a small water/lake nature area here. I have a week off in a couple of weeks and planning two specific birding days. One to a common/wooded area, which I feel okay with attempting on my own with my limited knowledge. However, the other one will be along quite a long canal riverway.


Any tips on how to approach this? The path I’ll have will be narrow and there will be potential of canal boats moving along. How do I best approach to minimise scaring the birds off and being able to see as many as possible? I won’t necessarily have the chance to hide away to a degree or just sit in one spot to allow them to get used to my presence a little more. Anyone with any experience mind giving some tips or advice?

 

[delia todd]

My brother lives beside a canal, so I've walked it a few times.

Most birds get used to people walking/cycling along the tow path, and so long as they quiet and don't move suddenly etc they'll probably ignore your presence. If you're lucky enough to find a seat occasionally, just sit and absorb the atmosphere.

Birds will be easier seen at this time of year with the leaves gradually thinning out, however, there's likely to be fewer of them than in the spring/summer. As you live in the south of England, you've maybe a decent chance of seeing Kingfisher, so learn their flight call as they zip along!!

 

[Mike Crawley]

I used to live about half a mile from the River Mersey.
Walking the riverside footpaths was quite productive for both water birds (Mallard, Goosander, etc.) and the wood, fields alongside were good for warblers, finches, etc.
The water birds were far more easily "spooked" than the other birds, who seemed to be accustomed to pedestrians and cyclists.
Wear drab clothing and move smoothly along the towpath, you will be fine.

 

[silverbadger47]

My brother lives beside a canal, so I've walked it a few times.

Most birds get used to people walking/cycling along the tow path, and so long as they quiet and don't move suddenly etc they'll probably ignore your presence. If you're lucky enough to find a seat occasionally, just sit and absorb the atmosphere.

Birds will be easier seen at this time of year with the leaves gradually thinning out, however, there's likely to be fewer of them than in the spring/summer. As you live in the south of England, you've maybe a decent chance of seeing Kingfisher, so learn their flight call as they zip along!!

Oh, nice. I hadn’t considered it from that aspect. Definitely feeling a little more optimistic about it now. The round trip takes about 4 hours walking, gonna give myself at least six and a half so I can go slower and hopefully find places just to absorb it.

Yeah, I was a little frustrated at my time of getting into birding but then realised that next spring/summer when I can really delve in, I should have a better idea of what I’m doing. Thanks for the advice!

 

[silverbadger47]

I used to live about half a mile from the River Mersey.
Walking the riverside footpaths was quite productive for both water birds (Mallard, Goosander, etc.) and the wood, fields alongside were good for warblers, finches, etc.
The water birds were far more easily "spooked" than the other birds, who seemed to be accustomed to pedestrians and cyclists.
Wear drab clothing and move smoothly along the towpath, you will be fine.

I appreciate the reply and advice. I’ve got a couple different tops/bottoms that should be good for birding so hopefully should be okay on that front. Glad to know about the water birds potentially being more spooked so thanks for that. I’m giving myself an extra 2/2 and a half hours to do the walk and back so hopefully should be okay. Definitely feeling a little more optimistic now, thanks!

 

[Mike Crawley]

Just in case this hasn’t occurred to you, take a notebook.
Jot down what you see that you can identify and make notes (size, colour, what it was doing) about things you don’t recognise to look up at home.
Above all else, relax and enjoy !

 

[silverbadger47]

Just in case this hasn’t occurred to you, take a notebook.
Jot down what you see that you can identify and make notes (size, colour, what it was doing) about things you don’t recognise to look up at home.
Above all else, relax and enjoy !

Sorry, not sure how I missed your reply! I have bought myself a little notebook to make notes and I’m trying to remember to make mental notes as practice, even with things I can easily identify such as jackdaws. Thanks for the suggestion and advice though, definitely appreciate the suggestion to just enjoy it and try to identify at home/later so I can just enjoy the experience.