By Katie Isham.
Birds, bugs and buggies. They were the main foci of my trip to Weston Shore this morning. Being no stranger to the shore, nor to a suburban wander, I felt it was my civic duty to join the guided birdwatching walk along my common stomping ground.
This week, the city of Southampton is green. As part of the Urban Wild city-wide festival, there are events, talks, activities and performances to celebrate the green spaces which are so integral to our lives.
This organised walk was one such event. We met at the car park and ranger James from the council introduced himself and laid out the plan. Then we were off!
A good crew of local folk of all ages, bags stuffed with snacks and curiosity seeping through our cagoules, we followed James along the shore.
It wasn’t an arduous walk (although those with buggies dredging the shingle might disagree) as we stopped a lot to observe the flora and fauna of Weston Shore (Site of Special Scientific Interest, don’t you know?) and James brought his enthusiasm and knowledge along for the journey.
There were oyster catchers, ladybirds, sea beet as far as the eye could sea, ghosts of the seaweed hut, hawksbeard covered in aphids, furry orange caterpillars, five types of meadow grass (who knew there were so many varieties?) and the joyous handfuls of shells and sea glass presented by the small members of our troupe.
I cannot begin to count the number of times I’ve strolled along the shore, but every time is different and today was especially different. There is great joy in learning new things, particularly about a place you’re so familiar with. Did you know there is a peregrine falcon that nests atop one of Weston Towers? Did you know the difference between common mallow and marsh mallow? I do now!
Our guide James revealed at the end that we had been his first tour. He was patient, knowledgeable and not thrown off by the constant eating and questioning of toddlers. A win for us all I say. There are plans afoot for more guided walks; every local should wander along to learn more about the rich natural diversity in our local community.
But before that, there are more events this week. Urban Wild runs until Sunday and there are a range activities, many free of charge, throughout the city. Southampton may be an aspiring National Park City, but it seems like we’re already there in all but name.
If the aim is to grow a healthier, greener, more connected city, they should point the microscope at Weston Shore this morning. Different generations walking, learning and talking. It was great for physical and mental health to laugh and breathe in the (very breezy) sea air.
Enrich your relationship with nature and community in our area and join in with something on offer this week and beyond. The grand finale will be on The Common on Sunday. Who knows what you’ll learn or where you’ll go? Go green and go keen and then the sky’s the limit.
Visit the Southampton National Park City website for more information.
- Can you help In Common pay our bills? We are trying to raise £500 to cover some of our annual running costs. Could you make a small donation to help keep this not for profit site running? gofund.me/3146626b
You may also like:
Free Urban Wild festival comes to Southampton this half term