The Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve used to be an old coking plant which was very contaminated. After the plant closed down, a clean up operation started. It is now a nature reserve. We decided to do a circular walk around the nature reserve starting under the railway tunnel. Luckily, no trains came over as it's quite loud underneath.
A pair of kestrels return every year to lay their eggs in a nest box, especially made for them. You can't get close to them and it's all fenced off. You can only really see them through a long lens or binoculars.
We had another explore around the old pumping station that served the village Coking Plant. You can't get into it and the graffiti isn't so hot either.
We struggled up the steps back to the car. We are due a mini heatwave soon, so I was glad to get back in the shade. It's definitely on its way.
#wednesdaywalk initiated by 
