So from the car park it was down to feeders along the main track were there was a Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird and a Dunnock. Just beyond this point you come to a crossroads and we went straight across down to the apiary. In the field on the left were several Redwing and Mistle Thrush, plus a pair of Carrion Crows. On the right and above us were a few Goldfinches chattering away in the conifers. At the apiary a Robin posed for a photo on the fence post.
A pair of Carrion Crows.
One of many Mistle Thrushes present today.
The Redwings were in good numbers here today.
A very friendly Robin by the Bee-hives
As we left the track and through the hedgerow we walked across to the pools which well frozen, a good 4cm at least. As Benji made his way around them a Meadow Pipit flew overhead and a Nuthatch called from the woods to our right.
David, Dawn and Benji by the pools
Benji's off as decides the frost is to cold for his paws
From the pools we headed towards the main lake which was well frozen apart from the edge along the dam that had been broken up by the resident Swans, their one remaining juvenile and a few Mallard. Despite the pool being frozen, there was a fair bit of water cascading down the waterfall. As we walked across the dam a Great Spotted Woodpecker called from the wood and overhead a mixed flock of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls swirled around in the breeze.
By the dam, is one of the few places on the main not to be frozen, due mainly to the Swans and Mallards paddling up and down it.
One of the few Mallard attempting to walk on the ice. Fortunately Mallards have the ability to transfer warmth to their feet, so prevent them from sticking to the ice. If you want a really good explanation on how it works, then Ask a Naturalist has a pretty good page on it Here.
Just beyond the north bank of the pool, the trees and bushes actually cut out the wind and for once you could actually feel the warmth of the sun coming through. It certainly appealed to a pair of Robins, I say pair, where one went the other followed. They sat together on a bramble and seemed to be very content with each others company.
A pair of Robins! Seemed to be very content with each other, preferring to follow each other as opposed to chasing.
As we made our way back up the track the shelter of the bushes gave way to the bitter wind coming across the pool. Looking back towards the dam I could see 3 Moorhen and a few more Mallard, and that was that. Walking back to path there were a few Pied Wagtails, several Redwing and a few Fieldfare in the field between the path and Stanton House.
Close to the car park we came across a patch of Snowdrops in the shelter of the trees and another small patch coming up through the leaf litter.
All in a pleasant walk, but that wind was bitter!!!
Birds Recorded: 3 Mute Swan (2 adults and juvenile), 12 Mallard, 3 Moorhen, 3 Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, 4 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 40+ Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 5 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Just beyond the north bank of the pool, the trees and bushes actually cut out the wind and for once you could actually feel the warmth of the sun coming through. It certainly appealed to a pair of Robins, I say pair, where one went the other followed. They sat together on a bramble and seemed to be very content with each others company.
As we made our way back up the track the shelter of the bushes gave way to the bitter wind coming across the pool. Looking back towards the dam I could see 3 Moorhen and a few more Mallard, and that was that. Walking back to path there were a few Pied Wagtails, several Redwing and a few Fieldfare in the field between the path and Stanton House.
Looking back towards the dam, the pool frozen over.................
..............apart from section which had 3 Moorhen and a few Mallard.
One of a few Fieldfare feeding in the Sheep Field below Stanton House.
A nice side profile
Close to the car park we came across a patch of Snowdrops in the shelter of the trees and another small patch coming up through the leaf litter.
Snowdrops............
Early signs that Spring will be here soon!!
Just a few comparison shots of the thrushes seen today, but from behind.
Mistle Thrush
Redwing
Fieldfare
All in a pleasant walk, but that wind was bitter!!!
Birds Recorded: 3 Mute Swan (2 adults and juvenile), 12 Mallard, 3 Moorhen, 3 Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, 4 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 40+ Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 5 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.