A Walk In The Sunshine

Just lately we haven’t had many sunny days but yesterday, after an early morning frost, the sun rose into a clear blue sky. So I decided that it was an opportunity that was too good to miss and set off for a walk around one of my local nature reserves.



I spooked a large flock of Yellowhammers that were feeding on the set aside ground by the footpath, fortunately they didn’t go far and settled high in the trees where they appeared like jewels sparkling in the sunshine.




A small party of Reed Buntings were making their way along the hedgerow and not giving too many photo opportunities as they kept low down amongst the branches. Eventually curiosity must have gotten the better of this female as she popped up for a quick and nervous look, maybe to see what the strange creature following along behind them was!




There were also quite a few Fieldfare and Redwing (and Blackbirds) feeding on the abundant berries along the hedgerow, unfortunately, they are so wary and skittish birds, they always managed to stay safely out of camera range. (After many attempts I’ve still not got any decent images of either Fieldfares or Redwings…one day!!)

Further on around the reserve and I came across a pair of Stonechats using a fence line as a lookout perch to spot and dive down onto any unsuspecting insects. They managed to keep, what they decided was, a safe distance ahead of me by moving along one post at a time. The male did sit still for long enough and allow me to fire off a couple of shots.




As well as the birds mentioned I also saw (unfortunately no decent photographs!) a large flock (50+) of Goldfinch feeding on Teasel heads, a Kestrel perched in a distant tree, an overflying and very vocal Buzzard also numbers of Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow,Blue Tit, Woodpigeon and singles of Wren, Robin and a Great Spotted Woodpecker ‘tapping’ away high up in a dead tree.

And finally… I was treated to a flyby by a fast moving green missile…or maybe it was a Green Woodpecker? I managed to fire off a quick burst of shots and this, massively cropped, is the best one.



If you look closely it appears to have it’s eyes closed…maybe it was scared at the speed it was going or perhaps it was just having a nap with the auto pilot turned on?!!

I was pleased that I made the effort and had a good three hour plus walk in the sunshine (although the breeze was a bit nippy at times) and got to see a good selection of birds. I also didn’t see another human being!!
Oh yeh!…I also saw and photographed quite a few different species of Fungi (wet and dirty knees and elbows time again!) which I’ve yet to properly sort ID’s for…I sometimes wish that I didn’t take so many photographs!

A DAY OUT TO PITSFORD WATER

Last Monday Keith and I had a day out to Pitsford Water in Northamptonshire. We arrived at around 6.30am, and after buying our permits ( excellent value at £5) from the little hut by the main gate we parked up on the causeway that divides the reservoir into two parts (wildlife reserve and sailing). By now the sky was beginning to show the first glimmer of light and the first thing that we noticed, apart from the cold  ( -4 C / 25F ), was how low the water level was, which doesn't bode well for the Summer.

Whilst having a warming cup of coffee and waiting for the sun to rise we noticed stream after stream of Gulls coming in to land on the water from where they had, presumably, roosted for the night. Over the din of the traffic which was now getting busy along the road, we started to hear from across the water, what we decided were Jackdaws 'talking' to each other prior to leaving their roost and sure enough, as the chattering got louder literally hundreds of Jackdaws left the trees and started swirling around in the sky before slowly dispersing to wherever they were going to spend their day - a beautiful sight!

After recording at least 17 different bird species without moving away from the car and watching a beautiful red sunrise it was time to set off on our seven mile trip around the reserve and within less than 300 yards we came to a small group of bushes containing a feeding station where, amongst others, we found large flocks of  Fieldfare, Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers. Keith also spotted a covey of Red-legged Partridge making a hasty retreat!

With another ten or so species recorded here it looked like a good day was in store.  Unfortunately  the birds were keeping their distance making it difficult to get any real close photo opportunities.

Fieldfare

 Retreating Red-legged Partridge.

So, on with our walk, despite the sun now shinning in a bright blue sky it was still cold with a thick white frost on the ground. Although there are numerous hides overlooking the water we didn't see any waders mainly due to the shallow water in the scrapes being frozen over!

 For most of the way the path tends to be some distance from the water's edge and travels through various stands of trees, quite a few species noted here including both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Pheasant, and Bullfinch. We were also accompanied for most of the way by what appeared to be a single Robin darting from bush to bush just a few yards in front of us but in reality it was a 'relay' of Robins escorting us safely through their 'patch'.

There were still a few Jackdaws hanging around.

Nearing the end of our walk the path again afforded good views across the water where we had a good, if fleeting, view of  a pair of Goosander  and a male Goldeneye.

Goosanders

I also managed to capture this image of a different kind of aviation. There is a small airfield close by Pitsford called Sywell were they fly a lot of vintage aircraft. I checked the registration number and this is a  DeHavilland DH-82A Tiger Moth  built in 1939. I don't know what the passenger jet is but it just struck me as to how far (in some ways!!) we have advanced over the last 70 odd years!

So after seven miles and a little over six hours of pleasant walking we arrived back at the car for a welcome 'picnic' of rolls and coffee. With over fifty species of birds logged along with Rabbits, Brown Hares and Grey Squirrels it turned out to be a very enjoyable day.

A video of the walk!