River Boat Rides.

[glsammy]

I've become a fan of River Boat rides. Lately I've been on three, always the same ride from Newark in Notts. It's a 1.1/2hr ride down the river.
What has surprised me is the amount of wildlife you can get to see, even on a busy river like the Trent.
Every time I've been, I've seen Kingfishers. On the last one I had six sightings, no doubt some were the same bird, as it flew up and down the River, but never the less an excellent sight.
Heron's everywhere! Seven were spotted yesterday, two of them are in the Gallery. Great Crested Grebes, with juveniles, the usual Swans and Canadian Geese, as well as Greylags, with Domesticated Geese for company, with which they've obviously been breeding.
I usually see a few Oystercatchers as well as Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail.

So if you get that chance, get on a River boat!

I've included below some shots not good enough for the Gallery, but it's still the best Kingfisher I've managed to get so far!

[carlj]

It's familiarity Graham. The birds instinctively know we can't walk on water and tend to be less flighty around boats. Even the mile long lake at Trentham Gardens, the boat trip goes past a massive heronry, cormorants regularly rest on the island, grebes and ducks carry on regardless. Plus Amber loves boat trips so are always a must!

[canonman]

Hi
Know what you mean can’t beat messing about on the river.
There something about being on a boat makes it very relaxing
Years ago I used to go to the Norfolk Broads, always had a boat for a week.
The amount of wildlife you could see was great, today unfortunately the Broads are extremely busy
Not sure that you could see that much wildlife in peak periods, but that’s another thread for debating
Mick

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I've become a fan of River Boat rides. Lately I've been on three, always the same ride from Newark in Notts.

So if you get that chance, get on a River boat!

Nice idea. HiD and I have next week off, so might try it.

Can you give us a few more details ?

[glsammy]

The one I use goes from behind Newark castle, twice a day at 1.0pm and 3.0pm at present. These times are subject to change, when the schools are back, it is usually just once a day at 2.0pm. Costs £6.00 each. Refreshments available on board.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

The trent is a wonderful river, IMO one of, if the the best in the country you see alsorts on its banks, from the Kingfisher and Waterbirds, to loads of Fieldfare and Redwing in the winter

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

The trent is a wonderful river, IMO one of, if the the best in the country you see alsorts on its banks, from the Kingfisher and Waterbirds, to loads of Fieldfare and Redwing in the winter

Yes, it's so much improved over what I remember from way back! I remember when you'd never see a reed bed, or a Lilly growing anywhere near it. Not now, it's full of life!

[digi]

I sometimes pilot a narrow boat down the Trent, but piloting a 70ft boat and taking images at the same time is not recommended.

Digi