Brandon Marsh WWT....07/11/2010

Once again Brandon Marsh didn't fail to please!
A sunny but cool in the shade day today. On arrival in the car park a male Bullfinch was spotted feeding on the berries looking splendid in the sunshine.

Highlights today were a Goldeneye (f) on East Marsh Pool and a smart looking Water Rail put in a brief appearance in front of the East Marsh Hide. Viewed from the Carlton hide were Bullfinch (2x m + 1 f ) feeding on the berries along with Redwings and Blackbirds with just a Grey Heron seen on the water. A walk in the afternoon along the path around Swallow Pool was productive! Great views of 3 Goldcrests feeding close together on the brambles opposite New Hare Covert were a delight along with 3 Robins who seemed to be having a territory ding-dong. A perched Green Woodpecker was a joy to see through the scope as was a distant perched Buzzard. A flock of c25 Redpoll sp flew overhead and numerous Redwings were seen flying to the berry trees in the Covert and a couple of Siskins called as they also flew overhead.

The trees and vegetation along the walk were a feast for the eyes. A lovely season is late Autumn but give me summer anyday.lol!!

Fisheries, Wassell Grove....06/11/2010

A sunny Saturday morning, perfect for an amble around the Fisheries! Not long after arriving I saw 4 large flocks of Woodpigeons flying high overhead, one flock consisted of c100. Redwings were the highlight for me today as they fed on the berries, such a smart looking little bird! Other highlights were a flock of LTT's, Chaffinch, Raven x2 and Blackcap (f), with Green Woodpecker, Wren and Buzzard heard only.
A refreshing start to what turned out to be a good weather weekend for a change.

Enville Hall Estate....30/10/2010

This was my first visit to Enville Hall Estate and most enjoyable it was too, especially so with all the Autumnal colour of the trees and shrubs! The walk began from Compton Road and along the bridleway/public footpath that leads to the Estate and passing fields and hedgerows on the way. The views were stunning as the areas opened as we walked, the Autumnal colours on the trees and shrubs looked a real treat! Eventually we reached Enville Hall after taking rather a long time along the way to listen and look for wildlife. A pleasant surprise was to see a female Goosander on Temple Pool, other species on the pool were Coot, Teal, Mallards and Canada Geese. Highlights of the walk were a flock each of Long-tailed Tit, Redwing and Greylag, Blue & Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Nuthatch, Siskin, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Wren, Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Raven and Green Woodpecker heard only. Plenty of Jackdaws, Crows and Pheasants were in the fields! One tree that caught the eye was a large Yew tree that was laden with red berries, I could imagine it filled to bursting with Waxwings, Redwings and Fieldfares but not to be today though a Goldcrest was still a treat to see as it flitted amongst the branches!
The walk took roughly four hours, not that it is a long walk I may add. There was just so much to savour along the way that this walk could not be rushed. A fish and chip supper went down a treat on returning home.

Autumn images.

After a summer that never really materialised it has been refreshing to see such wonderful Autumnal colours in parks, lanes and woodlands. The photo's were taken at Enville Hall Estate, Wollescote park and in my garden.




THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN.

As I was walking down the street,
Something fell beside my feet.
I stopped and looked into the air,
Leaves were falling everywhere!
Brown, yellow, red, orange, gold, and green . . .
The colors of autumn;
An awesome scene!

~~By PocketStr.~~

"The Woodland"....Sophie Brown.

The Woodland

A precious place,
Rare as a gem
Fruit of nature's compassion
Growing free,
High, dense and green -
Plant varieties mingle,
The seen and the unseen.

The towering chestnut,
The humble elder,
Protect the ground
For nature's tenure
Colonising bare soil,
Uncompromised by
Tarmac, fence or wall.

Water meets earth,
Leaves pattern the sky
May blossoms freely
Sprout on stark
Branch and bough;
Scents, sounds and textures
The woods bestow.

Even in a parched spring
The ghost of the stream lives on.
Plants wait for fresh rainfall
Dew and water surge. Season
After season, in leaf and stem:
Sap falls and rises, plants
Wither and grow again

Update: Upton Warren 10/10/2010...Fisheries 16/10/2010

The Pectoral Sandpiper very kindly waited at the Flashes for me to return from my holiday! What a beautiful little wader! I was so pleased that it hung around for so long for me to see it, I had my doubts when I could see it reported the day before I went away.

I had a short linger at the Fisheries this afternoon, blow me it was cold!!! A few Gulls flying high, too high for me to ID them. Not that I am any good at Gull ID's mind! Magpies and Crows in the paddocks, a G S Woodpecker flew through and I heard a Buzzard, other than these species it was very quiet! Dark clouds were rolling over and rain was clearly visible dropping from them in the distance so I thought it time to make my way home. A Jay was mooching along a hedgerow as I drove down a lane towards home! I managed to get my washing in and garage my car before a quick shower of rain! A welcome cuppa soon warmed me up!

Brandon Marsh....12/09/2010

Once again a great day was enjoyed at Brandon Marsh.The highlight today was a Hobby hunting over the Top Pools Reedbeds! Great views were had as it swooped time after time after the Dragonflies. I managed a record photo of it when it perched at a distance. Not a great photo I know but my photography is for my own pleasure not perfection, though it is always a great feeling to get a half decent image.

33 species seen today with other highlights being Green and Common Sandpiper, Turnstone and Kingfisher. I really enjoy the walks at Brandon Marsh, so pleasing! I am finding more and more that I prefer a good walk rather than sit it out in a hide hoping for a goodie to fly in. A good way to keep warm in the winter too, a brisk walk!