[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

OH, and I decided to go out to do a bit of bird watching today. We set off this morning at 10am (to be precise to allow our sleep time for the weekend) for a days outing.

It only takes us an hour to get to Grafham Water, so it is good that we live so close to the area. Grafham Water is definitely one of our favourite patches to visit in the UK because there always so much to see and do, each and every time.

Even though the weather was unpredictable; we decided to take a risk for the enjoyment of some wildlife watching, plus a lot of exercise out and about for our own enjoyment. We made sure we had our waterproofs, and warm clothes with us at all costs, so we where comfortable during our walk. We packed our optics, camera, binoculars, notes, pens, bird books, walking boots, and a couple of snacks to keep us going, all placed together in our backpacks.

We looked forward to the day ahead. We had our Canon G10 Powershot, and Nikon D7000 camera, and the usual 2 pairs of binoculars giving us all that necessary viewing to our heart content. Cameras in hand for taking some photos using the reserve bird hides as our main tool of ‘photo’ contact….yessss….anyday.

The sky was a mixture of grey, white, and blue so it was difficult to know how the weather would behave today. As we made our way along the A421 towards the Black Cat Roundabout, we could see Rooks flying about in all directions close to the busy motorway. The Corvid families remained close together busy feeding at the side of the motorway. Each individual bird walked with confidence remaining close to the grassy edge of the roadway. Plenty of bugs, and worms for the taking for foodstuff for each individual bird. Crows seem to be unhindered by the continual rumbling noise of the traffic is more accepted as part of their lifestyle with humans.

We joined the A1 Motorway, and after a few miles, we watched out for the sign for Grafham Water. Once we found our signpost, we turned off and made our way to Perry.

We finally reached our destination, and made our way to Grafham Car Park. The car park was empty, probably due to the wet weather. It meant that we would have a quiet day for our walkabout.

The air was filled with a Male Chaffinch’s song which was repeated over and over again. It was singing in earnest for a mate. A sound of desperation came from the individual bird’s call to keep a territory, and to raise a family of chicks. The whole area vibrated with its song, and what a songster it was to listen too.

A Blackcap blasted out its tune close by where we stood, and it caused us to stop in our tracks. We had a look where the bird was well hidden in the low scrubby bushes. Blackcaps are never the easiest to see as they like to hide in the middle area of anything that they are perched in so it makes it impossible to see them at the best of times.

1. Two Great Crested Grebes together as a couple.
2. Diving couple of Great Crested Grebes.
3. Great Crested Grebes
4. Great Crested Grebes
5. Black Headed Gull perched on post

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[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

We concentrated on getting ready, and after we changed into our walking boots, we set of for the 10 mile circular walk around the area. This thought was paramount along with a lot of determination, plus a large dollop of gumption for a brisk walk. Considering the grey sky looked in one of its soggy moods, the black moody clouds looked sinister over the reservoir, but still we carried on. We had not been to Grafham area for a while so it was a ‘birding’ trip well overdue, and needed to be rectified to fulfil our own contentment of life experiences.

This trip was a great opportunity to make full use the yearly car pass we had for using the Anglian Water Car Parks in the area. At least it saves the bother of paying for car parking when we decide to make a short or long trip to the area.

We set of towards the first Hide in the reserve. We heard a loud rustle of a mammal moving away from us. We caught sight of a lone rabbit which was the illusive creature in our sights only for a matter of seconds. It disappeared very quickly in the undergrowth with a lot of rustling grass out of our sight. The grass was quite a height within the area close to the car park. The growth would be hiding lots of smaller rodents, as an ideal spot for them. A Great Tit moved close by with members of the Tit family – they called to one another all of the time in the spindly trees nearby us. The place presented a haven of bird song and wildlife

We headed towards Mander Hide. Once at Mander Hide, we went through the door, and we sat down, and raised the wooden flaps in the hide. We where faced with bird feeders that had not been filled at all, so the area looked a little devoid of ‘Garden birds’ birdlife. The area of water behind was a little on the quiet side so we decided to continue on with our journey.

We decided to make our way to the next hide. Lots of Common Spotted Orchids, and Purple Milk-Vetch swayed in the wind at the edge of the pathways. Lots of wild flowers grew everywhere. It made for an interesting study of what flowers to ID, and all other interesting wildlife that was around to enjoy.

As the first spits of rain started, the wind upped its power only to blow hard into our faces. We both wrapped ourselves up well to counteract the driving rain before it got any heavier. We plodded onward to the Valley Creek Pond, and over the boardwalk. Common Spotted Orchids grew everywhere we looked along the edge of the pathway in abundance. They where dotted in areas where they would not be disturbed by people trudging off the pathway, and into the verge are. A pathway needed to steer people away from treading on the flora, and fauna is to have a solid walkway in the area.

It was interesting to see random Toadstools growing in all the nocks and crannies in the verges. The weather has been so damp it must have generated fungi growth in advance in the middle of the year, rather than towards the end of the year. We continued on our way towards the water front. Mute Swans graced us with their presence, and the first birds that we saw in our sights over the water front.

6. Mallard in moult (M)
7. Mallard in moult (F)
8. Cormorant stretching its wings while perched on post
9. Cormorant stretching its wings while perched on post
10. Tufted duck standing on rock

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[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

We past close by the water front, and where lucky to see a Tufted Duck standing on a large rock sunning itself. The greenish algae on the rock showed that the rock is not entirely exposed to the air all of the time. A ‘strutting’ Pied Wagtail decided to come into the frame, and it posed nicely on a wooden fence post in front of us. We ended up with two species of birds in one photograph – nice one! The Tufted Duck did not look bothered that we where there at all, and carried on with its business. I have never seen a Tufted Duck out of water before and those feet LOL..what more can I say….yeow!!!

We went through the gate to Dudney Bird Hide at the edge of the water, and made ourselves comfortable in the accommodation. There was lots of activity going on with wildfowl. All the honking, and calling from various birds on the water was dominate in the area. A Black Headed Gull sat having a rest on top of one of the wooden strainer post protruding from the water. It turned its head slowly around from its back to have a look at its surroundings every so often. This presented a good opportunity of this posturing bird for a photo or two.

A few Great Crested Grebes moved about the water. One picked up pieces of dark green water weed from the water to present to its mate. The same bird repeated the same moves with more weed. A pair of birds, romancing the stone, a nice well wrapped gift to reinforce the commitment to their partner went down well for the courting couple of birds.

A few Mallards hung about in a close knit group, just below the window of the hide. They ‘quacked’ and ‘splashed’ about in the water in glee. They looked a little on the scruffy side due the yearly moult/eclipse of their feathers. They look bedraggled, tired looking, becoming close to looking a different species of duck all together.

The stars of the ‘hide window’ show had to be the ‘courting’ Great Crested Grebes. They posed, flaunted themselves, copying each others movements in the water. One bird dived, and the other dived at the same time. They appeared together in unison copying each others body movements. A lot of weed was passed between the male and the female birds. They got really close to the hide so OH had a great opportunity to capture their courting session on his camera.

A Cormorant flew across the sky in front of the hide window with its neck stretched out in its own lumbering way. Three Herons appeared in the sky close together. The birds laboured flight in slow motion, which I thought was quite unusual as they are never with their own kind. It might have been a family of birds most probably looking after each other and their own interests.

Coots made it clear who was boss on the water, and that accounted for any bird that got to close to them at all. Their inner sense of being very territorial was clear cut with many noisy verbal outbursts over and over again between Coots, and other birds sharing the waters. Each bird that got to close to the nesting Coots, and their families only created conflict, developed into a fully fledged fight – the Coots where very headstrong in their quest to keep birds away from their territory. They chased off all other birds within two feet of them, with a lot of noise, and wing flapping each and every time.

11. Tufted Duck on Rock
12. Pied Wagtail on post
13. Canada Geese in military precision
14. Blue Damselfly
15. 4 Spotted Chaser Dragonfly

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[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

The one Mute Swan played about with the weed in its bill, dropping the weed and picking it up out of the water over and over again with a ‘loud’ undulating plopping over, and over again. I wondered what this behaviour represented, as I could not see any other Mute Swans close to it at all.

Other residents in this area of the reservoir included Black Headed Gulls, Great Crested Grebes, Greylags, Mallards, Grey Herons, and Cormorants, along with lots of House Martins plus Swallows flying about in the sky above the hide. They chirruped while they flew about in their dozens in all direction. They zig zagged across the sky with the greatest of ease, with such grace, and panache they where a joy to watch.

As we made our way out of the hide, I noted a Cormorant sitting on the thick wooden posts next to the Black Headed Gull. Of course we went back into the hide, only to sit down to take some photos of the displaying bird. The Black Headed Gull had a look out of one of its sleepy eyes, did not mind, and carried on what it was doing… sleeping with its head over its back.

The Cormorant had a thorough preen of its feathers running its bill down each one slowly. Once the bird was happy with its looks, it sat on the same post with its wings wide open, and displayed itself for the world to see. What a poser.

Now it was coming clear that Chiffchaff's where in the area. First one would call, and another would reply close-by in their own tree. It was a Chiffy kind of day today, and the short rain showers did put them off at all.

Sadly, no signs of any Willow Warblers calling in the area. I hoped that we would hear one sooner than later. I heard a couple of other unknown Warbler calls, but sadly, I was unable to ID them at all. Garden Warbler did come to mind as one call was very fast, and that is a Garden Warbler sounds like (from past experience) That was as far as it could go, unless I had an expert near me to listen and ID the calls, and give me new direction, and add to the knowledge of birding in the big outdoors.

As we wandered around the cycle route, we came across Scorpion Flies, Bumble Bees, Honey Bees, Moths, Bee-flies and many other insects landing on the flower heads in the warmer moments of the day. The endless wildlife buzzed everywhere, and it felt good to be out and about and it was so relaxing for ones soul.

The sun did try to make an appearance a couple of times, in amongst the rain showers for about 10 minutes at the most at one time. The wet drizzle that we endured continued non-stop, dripping on our heads. Each time the rain started it brought an invigorating wind along with it that caused a stir on land, and in the nearby waterways and soakways

The water in the reservoir became very active, slashing waves, and water everywhere. The waves blew across the water causing the wildfowl to swim with the tide at the rate of knots. A Great Crested Grebe bounced up and down in the waves like a cork, and it appeared as if it was in the power of the waves all together.

16. 4 Spotted Chaser Dragonfly
17. Coots, and their chicks
18. Great Crested Grebe
19. Coot feeding its family
20. Grey Heron on Floating Island

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[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

The wet weather changed the landscape over, and over again from green to grey. The green growth of plants, and flowers swung left to right in the wind. It made taking photos a lot more difficult, and tested the skills to the limit eeek..... The camera settings where re-arranged each time we took any photos...the shutter speed was never the same everytime. help!!!

The Dog Rose scent that filled the verges of the pathways was pungent. The wild Roses in all shades of dark to pale pink, and glowing white which brightened up the area. It brought a cheerful reminder that we are in the middle of summertime at the moment. Yes, and what a wet summer we have all had too…so wet!

Despite of the wet weather, so many flowers seemed to love to parade their colours everywhere we looked. Lots of colourful White and Red Campion, Birdsfoot-trefoil, Purple Vetch, Coltfoot, Knapweed, Pink/White Clover, Periwinkle, and Thistles illuminated the area.

Gangly, leggy, Teasel plants showed signs of seeding, and it would be not long when the Goldfinches would enjoy the seed head content once they have ripened on par.

A Horse Chestnut Tree showed the beginnings of a few small, green, spiky, conkers resting amongst the large finger like leaves. The leaves had circular rust burn marks on them. I hoped that it is not one of the ‘tree’ diseases that are around at the moment. Horse Chestnuts have a few problems at the moment – hmm…

A Wren called in its usual style, and for a bird so small it can pack a punch with its presence. There was some conflict when the Wren was protecting its area, and the tssking speeded up to an uncontrollable frenzy of chittering calls. The Wren flew out of the bushes at a glance to show the disapproval of the intrusion of the other Wrens in its territory. Both birds disappeared in a flash once more to silence.

A lone Pheasant made a loud echoing grating ‘cackling’ noise from the far away trees, well hidden from our view. It repeated itself a few times then silence once more.

We made our way to the Dragonfly Pond to see if there where any Damselflies or Dragonflies close to the waterway. We found 2 Blue Damselflies mating, and two 4 Spotted Chasers patrolling the same area of water over and over again. I could not see any Female 4 Spotted Chasers as their disguise is so good within the brackish, brown, water.

We could see Water boatmen, Pond Skaters, and some other smaller residents in the pond, scurrying over the surface of the still water. A ‘Pond Skater’ was not missed, as it was included in one of our Damselfly photos

21. Meadow Brown Butterfly
22. Tufted Ducks everywhere
23. Black Headed Gulls on shoreline at Damn Wall
24. Black Headed Gull treading on Water
25. Juvenile black Headed Gull causing a stir

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[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

A Mistlethrush, and a Song Thrush sang together in the nearby tree to give out all musical entertainment to us while we watched all the activities in the area of water. Never heard two Thrush species sing at cross purposes at all – and it made me laugh LOL.

We arrived at Lymage Bird Hide. We had been lucky so far that people visiting where few and far between using the hides on this day. We where aware that there was a group of people with a local leader to give them advise. They walked about the circular route being told what was in the local area of interest. We kept out of their way as best we could.

At Lymage Bird Hide, we settled once more on the wooden seats. We could see that there was a lot of nest building activity going on in the reserve area.

Coot chicks where in their infancy stage connected to one nest closest to the hide. One youngster remained in the nest while the 2 other chicks swam about the area. It was endearing to see the adults where there for their chicks. Parent Coots tend the needs of their offspring with devotion, love and attention, while keeping the nest clean and tidy.
The Coot chicks are not the most handsome chicks, but still they have their own quirkiness if that is way of putting their looks, above looking cute.

The Coot parental couple passed twigs to one another over and over, as a bonding gesture to both birds partnership. The ‘red headed’ chicks bobbed about like corks in the water, as defenceless they are, but only too happy keep their parents on their toes. One parent spent all the time staying very close to the chicks in the water, and the other remained on the nest with the other single chick close by.

Still the manic Coots chased away any bird that dare go near their ‘nesting’ patch. Many noisy scuffles continued while we continued to watch all the action from the over protective adult birds. The Great Crested Grebes came very close on occasion, but managed to miss out on the ‘angst’ of the Coots from what we could see.

A group of Canada Geese played follow my leader in the distance. They followed each other, one behind the other like an orderly military queue.

A couple of Tufted Ducks surveyed the area together, diving underwater for a few minutes, and coming up for air, only to go underwater once more. A Cormorant flew over low in front to of the hide and disappeared from view. All other birds where too involved to notice any changes close to them in any way in their own individual ways.

A very distressed Grey Heron landed on one of the floating island and ‘cronked’ for quite a while. It then remained with its wings outstretched for a while until it had calmed down from its experience of life, and living…a worried bird. A Magpie joined the Grey Heron, and the Heron flapped its wings hard, which caused the Magpie let out a loud squawk and in turn flew off elsewhere.

We made our way towards the next hide, and past two butterflies on the way. A couple of Meadow Browns, and a few Ringlets, displayed well in amongst the wild roses bushes

26. Lone Black Headed gull searching for food
27. Juvenile black Headed Gull
28. Juvenile Pied Wagtail
29. Grey wagtail (not a great shot but an attempt to catch one on camera)
30. Crow

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[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

The rain had increased in volume, and now it decided to come down hard like stair rods, and we got soaked. We hid under a high hedge to keep dry as much as we could with other people who where caught out as we where and we started to chat with one another in earnest...along with a lot of smiles about our ‘wet’ dilemma

We headed toward Littleless Ancient Wood. The Ox-eye Daisies grew everywhere we looked, and gave a white sparkle to the area, Lots of Bees species landed on the Clover heads. Other nectar laden plants had their own insects sitting on many flowers heads. Dandelions attracted many small creatures of all shapes and sizes…sitting on the dazzling yellow flowers.

A few Red Poppy’s swayed about in the wind. The leaves looked bruised, and battered with the relentless wind, and rain. A light green Moth plucked up the courage to fly, but ended up flying on the spot instead – it was struggling with life.

The thick luscious woodland protected us from the most of the rain showers. The day had gone very well for us with the ‘superb’ photographs of wildlife.

Lots of Goldfinches ‘tinkled’ to one another above our heads. An interesting assortment of birds made their presence know to us, especially when the sun decided to make an appearance every so often through the grey clouds.

We where now heading towards Savage Creek Bird Hide. This hide was well hidden deep in the woods along beside the reservoir. This area of the Reservoir was teaming with Tufted Ducks everywhere we looked. I have never seen so many of this one species in my life in one place. I would say that 50-60 individuals swam together in a large group across the water at quite a speed on a mission to be somewhere. There were the usual Mute Swans, Greylag Geese, and Coots in the area.

We decided to move on, and continued our journey along beside the shoreline that had produced the most amazing amount of tiny flies in the air. The ‘black’ flies got everywhere you could think on ones body, very much like Midges do in Scotland. I flapped my arms about to get rid of them as much as possible, and to keep them at bay – if that was possible at all. Ekkkk!!!

The next rain storm came down, and this time we stood under one of the roofed sign posts for some shelter. The Great Crested Grebes, and the Mute Swans where buffeted along the shoreline in a cascade of waves in the ever changed multi-coloured water. Once the rain had subsided we continued our journey.
We past a field where a large Crow looked at us contently, and sized us up while we watched eyes locked while the Crow rested in a field of golden grass.

We carried on, past houses, and farms, then towards the famous Reed Bed. The giant grass was still growing showing green areas of new growth appeared at the base of the reed-bed.

31. Scorpion Fly
32. Periwinkle
33. Purple Veitch
34. Common Spotted Orchid
35. Mute Swan playing with weed

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[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

The reed-bed was not dense enough to hide all the birds that rely on this type of environment. Looking back over the reservoir lots of dingy boats where sailing in the area and we spotted a Laser 2000 our favourite dinghy boats yesss….from Menorca.

We past a few more houses, a small public area of grass, and a local pub to the area of the route. We encountered a Female Blackbird with a beak loaded with all types of creepy crawlies. She looked to be busy, and no-doubt she is still feeding youngsters…busy girl.

The sky looked steel grey and full of water, as Swallows and House Martins flew above our heads in masses. Lots of ‘gentle’ cheeps spread throughout the community of birds on the wing, communicating with one another.

At last, I heard my first Willow Warbler call of the trip. Then, a second bird interacted with the first bird in the next tree along. Good to hear that they are still around at the moment.

The cafeteria was not too far away, and OH and I where looking forward to a cup of coffee, plus a sit down. We had a superb cup of coffee, sandwich, and a relax of our aching muscles. I was pleased with the way that day had gone, and we had enjoyed seeing all the wildlife, and we got good use out of our cameras.

After our coffee, we continued our walk and we where close to the Damn Wall, and the Water Tower in the distance. OH called me over to look over the Damn Wall, which I did. I looked over, and I could see a group of moulting Mallards standing about in unison hardly moving at all.

The Mallards looked scruffy looking in various stages of the yearly moult. Some where sleeping in the group, with their heads over their backs, while other preened themselves. All birds seemed unhindered by our presence in their space.
Amongst the Mallards, a few Pied Wagtails strutted up, and down the shoreline with their tails wagging up and down. By this time, I knew I had seen adults Pied Wagtails, and Juvenile Pied Wagtails in the same area.

OH noted a Grey Wagtail, and tried to get a photo, but sadly it was a fuzzy photo of the bird walking on the wall – hey ho there will be another time and place for a good photo of a Grey Wagtail in the future.

A large group of Black Headed Gulls sat amongst the other birds. The Black Headed Gulls remained close together at the shore front, along with a few juvenile Black Headed Gulls. The adult birds kept on flying just above the water, looking although they where trying to catch something on the surface of the water – maybe it was a form of training for the youngsters. The endless feet treading over the surface of the water caught our attention over and over again. It was strange to watch the birds showing this type of behaviour. The Juvenile birds watched the adults with interest form the water, and the shore.

A lot of ‘loud’ quacking came from above our heads. We looked up towards the sky. I could see two Mallards flying side by side over our heads in amongst the Swallows, and the House Martins

36. Dog Rose (pink)
37. Dog Rose (white)
38. Bug on flower head
39. Fungi
40. ------

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[Peewit]

Grafham Water - Sunday 1st July 2012

A few fisherman remained in the area in their wooden boats. Various people where fishing in the wind blown waters well away from the shoreline.

We could see a Crow sitting on a fence post close to the main road to the left of us. It flew off in a slow manner, when it could see our camera lenses pointing its way. Crows and especially Magpies are so camera shy if they sense you are watching them at all.

Now the end of the road was getting close. We where heading towards Plummer Park, and Perry itself. A Goldcrest called from an evergreen tree above my head. I knew that cute call anywhere from many experiences of listening to birds calls in Bedford.

The built up areas was beginning to show up quite well. As we passed through we could see a couple of Moorhens sitting on the park grass. One Moorhen got up, and started to walk away, and disappeared into the bushes. The other bird remained where it was, and sat watching us contently. Moorhens have no fear of humans due to given food on a daily basis as in Bedford Park (where I stay)

A Wood Pigeon stood perched on a low wall, and I got a photo of the bird before it flew in a flurry of terror (was they do)

We where close to the Grafham Car Park, and the Sailing Club once more. We felt tired, and hungry after our epic journey. We would sleep well tonight that was for sure. We left Grafham, to make our way home back to Bedford. We enjoyed the rest of the day relaxing at home.

I really enjoyed this trip a lot, and the exercise was a good thing too. The weather was a damp squid on this day, but hopefully the sun will be around a lot more in the coming weeks....please more sun……now!

Thank you everyone for taking time to read my report.

41. Forest Walk
42. Ringlet Butterfly
43. Bee on Clover
44. Ox-eye Daisy
45. Bug on Flower

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46. Red Poppy
47. Speedwell
48. Savages Creek Hide
49. Choppy waves on a windy day for a Great Crested Grebe
50. More wind for the mute Swans

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[Peewit]

51. Female Blackbird with food
52. Damn Wall (anti-clockwise)
53. Juvenile Black Headed Gull
54. Damn wall (clockwise)
55. Mallards in flight

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56. Gull in flight (unknown)
57. Mallard preening itself (M)
58. Mallard preening itself (F)
59. Chestnut Tree showing rust on leaves
60. Bee

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[Peewit]

last post of all...

60. Wood Pigeon
61. Mallard at Grafham Water carpark

If any species needs corrected please mention to me on here, anytime {wink}

Regards
Kathy
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