Elmley 14th August late opening for friends of Elmley….
It was a lovely day at the reserve today, albeit a touch warm, with temperatures soaring to 28 degrees Celsius and only a gentle breeze to provide some relief. Thankfully, the wind did make a refreshing appearance occasionally, which was much appreciated. The drive down, crossing the Dartford Bridge, was smooth and uneventful, with light traffic ensuring a pleasant journey. The return trip around 8 PM was even better, marking a delightful change from the hustle and bustle typically associated with evening travel.
We began our adventure with a leisurely stroll down to the river, passing the charming schoolhouse. Unfortunately, the elusive little owls were nowhere to be seen.. Halfway down the path, we could hear the distinctive calls of bearded reedlings, although they remained frustratingly concealed from view. After a serene moment by the river, we retraced our steps, continuing to hear birds without catching sight of them, only a fleeting glimpse of one reedling darting overhead.
As we passed the schoolhouse once more, still no owls graced our path, but the walk was delightful despite the heat. Upon returning to the car, we enjoyed some well-deserved sandwiches and a soothing cup of tea. During our break, we struck up a conversation with a lovely couple who had spent the night at one of the lodges. They were fortunate enough to witness barn owls and long-eared owls the evening prior. They mentioned that the lodge was called The Roost and particularly enjoyed the outdoor bath, a unique touch!
If you're interested, here’s a link to the lodge; it looks quite lovely: (https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk/stay/the-roost).
After refueling, we embarked on the long walk to the Wellmarsh hide. Just before we started we chatted with a volunteer warden who informed us about potential plans for a small bus service to assist walkers who might lack the energy for the trek. While we cherish the exercise we get from walking, I must admit that on a day like today, we might have considered opting for the ride back, personally we would help with the costs if asked, maybe a small donation.
Once we reached the hide, it was a bit sticky inside, so we decided to wait outside for a while to catch a breeze. When a few visitors came out, they kindly made space for us, allowing us to settle in and take our time. It was truly a pleasure to relax and observe the surroundings in the company of like-minded individuals.
The only disappointing end to the day was we were looking forward to wood oven pizza but on the way down it was announced that today it wasn’t available, real shame, but didn’t damper our spirits as still a really great day.