Rimrose Valley Revisited

I'm not sure how long it has been since we walked through the valley park but it has matured considerably. The valley was always subject to flooding; in the 20th century it has been used for tipping, allotments and playing fields and it is only in recent times that Sefton MBC began its transformation. Larger areas, in particular the southern end, feel really natural and its success as a nature reserve is undoubted - even water rail has been heard here. The walk is very flat and took us around the fringes of the park, with occasional detours along boardwalks into the reedbeds.

It is known that reed warbler, whitethroat, reed bunting and sedge warbler have bred here; fleeting sightings and constant bird song provided visual and audible evidence.
The final stretch of the walk took us along the Leeds Liverpool Canal from Buckley Corner towards Seaforth; here we saw lost of fish, including a small (6" long) pike, coots, moorhens, swans...

...a heron...

and, unusual for this stretch of canal, a narrowboat!

I'm sure that once the link through to the Albert Dock is completed, this will become a regular sight again. How nice!
As you can see by the pictures we had fine weather! Sorry I tried not to mention it but, like the walk, it was very nice! You can view the 5.0493mile route of this walk at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2073667.

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