Water Rail by Mark Lynham, Linford Lakes NR 12 February 2017

For the first time, The Parks Trust will be marking International World Wetlands Day in 2018 with a number of special events.

2^nd February 2018 is World Wetlands Day – commemorating the signing of the Ramsar Convention, the international accord on sustainable wetlands management in 1971. Wetlands are among the richest and most diverse wildlife habitats on earth and of course are crucial to human beings as well.

Here is the programme of the events being held between 1-3 February 2018:

Thursday 1^st February:

Wetlands of the World talk. Biodiversity Officer Martin Kincaid will talk about conservation of important wetlands around the world, from the Pantanal to Willen Lake! Linford Lakes Study Centre. MK14 5AH. 7.30-9pm. £3 per person.

Friday 2^nd February:

Guided Walk – Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve. 10.30am. Park at Manor Farm Court, Old Wolverton. MK12 5NN.  Learn about the creation of Milton Keynes’ newest wetland nature reserve. £2 per person.

Guided Walk – Birdwatch at Caldecotte Lake. 10am. Park at car park off Monellan Crescent, South Caldecotte. MK7 8NA. A winter walk to see the variety of wildfowl and other winter birds. £2 per person.

Open Day – Linford Lakes Nature Reserve. 10am-2pm. Park at the reserve car park, off Wolverton Road, Great Linford. MK14 5AH. A rare chance to visit this first class nature reserve on a week day – specially opened for World Wetlands Day. The study centre will be open and the Friends of Linford Lakes will be on hand to serve tea, coffee and cakes. The four bird hides will be open with volunteers on hand to show visitors the wildlife.

Saturday 3^rd February:

Guided Walk – Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve. 10.30am. Details as for 2^nd Feb.