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Sign 3: A Closer Look ….

The Crowfoot Bridge

The Crowfoot Bridge is named after the crowfoot plant, which thrives in fast-moving, clean “streams” made of chalk and gravel such as the Gade River. This makes it a good sign of the river’s water quality. Crowfoot is a green weedy plant which is adorned with beautiful white and yellow flowers in late spring. Some of the leaves resemble a crow’s foot, from which the plant gets its name

Bats

This bridge area is a favourite location for Daubenton’s bat.  Other species seen are common and soprano pipistrelles. The pipistrelle is so small, it can fit into a matchbox! Despite its size, it can easily eat 3,000 insects a night: look for it flitting around the garden or a lit lamp post as it chases its prey. 

Pipistrelle Bat

Trees

On the other side of the bridge the path leads through tall trees on both sides. Looking across the bridge is a majestic oak, the long living native tree that that provides a home and food for very many creatures that include squirrels, birds and butterflies. 

Oak Leaves

The Little Egret

The Crowfoot Bridge is a good spot for birdwatching, especially if you’re patient and quiet. Keep an eye out for Little Egrets, elegant white herons that stalk the water for fish, Insects, and frogs.

Little Egret

RSPB and the Little Egret

These birds played a crucial role in the founding of the RSPB, a conservation organization dedicated to protecting birds, in 1904 by a group of female conservationists lead by Emily Williamson. Emily initially created the Society for the Protection of Birds in 1889 after becoming sickened by the slaughter of exotic birds for their feathers. For centuries egret had been killed for their feathers to use on hats and other costumes. Thanks to their efforts to protect the birds, Little Egrets have made a remarkable comeback, with their numbers increasing significantly in recent decades. However, threats like climate change and illegal hunting continue to endanger many other bird species such as Turtle Dove, highlighting the ongoing importance of conservation work.

Visit the RSPB site to learn more about the organisation.