Hi there
Trip on the 14th April 2009 (typo error in title)
What a beautiful, warm, sunny day. We decided to go on a 10 miles walk around one of the main public pathways close to where we live. OH had cycled the same route so he told me it was worth us walking around the area. I took him up on his offer and we decided to so the walk today in the afternoon.
We headed of along Wentworth Drive and Norse Road. As we walked along we saw two male Pheasants trying to hide in the undergrowth. They where worthy of a picture, but to flighty to get close too. The birds in question where so close to the busy main road, and I am sure it did not do them any justice at all. I just hoped they did not decide to cross the road at all as they are a bit of a hazard with cars.
Then we turned left and along the A428 St Neots Road for a quarter of a mile. We headed up the Public Path up to Castle Mill Farm. As we walked up the path an Orange Tip Butterfly fluttered past, and landed on a white flowered Dead Nettle. We got a picture of it. It did not want to move away so seeing it was in our favour.
We walked through the Farm itself, and I could see a Muntjac Deer close to the edge of a field a quarter of a mile away in the distance. We looked at one another, and the deer ran of with its tail showing the white flash in the air, in disgust why we should be so interested in him. The movement of the deer sparked of movement from a Hare to run across the same field. The whole place was buzzing with wildlife. We thought this was going to be an enjoyable walk.
A Hoverfly flew close to us, and then a large Bumblebee buzzed loudly and then landed in scented wildflower for a second and flew off. Lots of different coloured wild flowers where everywhere. Speedwell, and Stitchwort was dotted about in large clumps, and looked well established where they grew.
A Song Thrush sang it song as loudly as it could and got our attention so we stopped and listened to the bird in question. He was too well hidden to be seen, and we just enjoyed his song instead.
We walked up towards Castlemill Sluice, which overlooked the quarries. The Quarry traffic was loud and rumbling. Lorries past us by. We stopped to look over the area, and there was quite a concentration of small lakes connected onto the quarry area itself.
I understood that the area is going to be transformed into a Nature Reserve after the quarrying is complete. Even with the Quarry working there seemed to be an influx of many Waterfowl using the lakes. They seemed not worried about the noise at all.
We looked across the first lake, water shining in the sun. We could see at least 10 Cormorant's sitting around. They all had their own little island in the water. Some where sunning their bodies, now that the sun was blazing now. One bird looked although it was nesting by the position it was sitting in.
Maybe there was other reasons of course. One other just stood there motionless watching the world go by.
A large group of Tufted Ducks where moving around in front of the Cormorant's, The Tufted Ducks never remained still at all. A little diving here and there, then the birds reassembled as a group once more
Then some activity caught my eye in the air and my OH said that Sand Martins where flying about above us in all directions, and then they skimmed the water looking for insects no doubt. Not sure how many that where around, but they seemed to like the area.
Then a call from a Lapwing, and this one flew up in the air ,‘Peewit’ calls where heard easily, the rounded wings showing, as the bird flew close by us gave the game away to what species it was.
It did a full circle and landed close to the Cormorant's. I knew there was more than one Lapwing in question as they where calling to one another.
The position of the birds made it clear to me that they where safe away from predators like foxes causing problems due their nesting needs, I am sure that the water in the quarries is very deep, and that gives the birds protection too.
Just before we moved on a couple of Sand Martins flew above my head and descended, and skimmed the surface of the water no doubt for insects.
Then another couple of birds appeared. Wonder how many where 'resident' birds in the Sluice area as it was well liked by them.
A pair of Partridges appeared over the edge of the quarry closest to us and then disappeared once more over the edge of the shore line.
We carried on walking. I past a few of clumps of Cranesbill dotted along the pathway. What a beautiful shade of purple.
A lot of Yaffling, coming from a Green Woodpecker illuminated the sound barrier in the distance, but the bird was to far away to see with the naked eye.
Now the woodland was becoming more apparent, and the Yaffling still continued as we walked along the pathway. A Blackcap gave his verbal tune out of the nearest bush. I tried to get closer to the bird, and off he went as they do. They are impossible to see, as they always seen to know that you are there watching them.
A Chiff Chaff did his ‘Chiff Chaff’ call. He was sitting on the top spindly branch of a tree and we where lucky to see him, and then he flew off elsewhere. A Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly flew in front of us and did not stop for us so he travelled on to find his favourite patch of nettles somewhere.
The area was covered with Dead Nettles and the butterflies seen to like these as much as stinging nettles. That appeared to be the case from what I could see on my travels in this particular patch
We came across another small lake. There was a lone Coot, and some Mallard's. One bird I thought may have been a Shoveler, as the size of the bill was very prominent. The bird was too far away to be absolutely sure but I will look another time. Maybe another person will see the bird and confirm the sighting.
Lots of male Chaffinches where singing their hearts out in every tree and bush, as we walked along and there appeared to be a bird in every tree as we continued our walk. The Robins made their presence known and it was although they wanted to look at us as much as we wanted to look at them – they are fearless of people.
Lots of Woodpigeons flews in all directions, and a couple of Magpies sat in the nearby branches. A Magpies tail is a giveaway to the bird's flight each time - so unmistakable.
We where now at the point where we where parallel to the motorway A421, and we where walking along beside a tall fence, there to divide the roadway from the public path. As we where walking along, we could see a Kestrel hovering in the distance looking at potential prey at the side of the A421 Motorway.
It hovered for a couple of minutes, and then flew off again, and it repeated doing these same actions at least 6 times, until it flew away for us away from the area of the Motorway. It was not having any luck finding its food source so it decided to move on elsewhere.
Another lake came into view and it was more sterile and had a colony of Black Headed Gulls who where happily sitting on the shoreline preening themselves. Some where swimming in the lake itself.
Not much vegetation existed around this particular lake so we thought it was still in its infancy. Time would give the much needed vegetation for the additional wildlife
We carried on past a field, and Skylarks appeared to be everywhere. We where filled with the Skylarks calls as they seemed to liked to be right above our heads. It gave the feeling of peace and summer all at one time.
Funnily, the way they acted, it was although they where chasing us away from their territory. At one point I saw one land in the field, and I thought it might be the area that this one was nesting in.
The camouflage of the bird is amazing, and It must be hard to see on the ground,
We could see two wildfowl in the nearby field looking like they where sleeping. They had their heads turned around and sitting on their bodies. It was a male and female Mallard duck. They looked out of place in the nearby field.
Yet, another Hare ran in front of us only to disappear once more. There seemed to be many Hares on this route.
Then the next well established lake had many more Tufted Ducks. There must have been well over 30 of them – all paired off in male and females. It was obvious by the colouration of the birds that they where in their pairs and where happy to be together as a group at the same time. No sparring occured between the group in question, just a peaceful group gathering. A lot more Sandmartins could be seen and heard.
Another lone Coot swims close by. Two Mute Swans stay close together, no doubt a pair There was a lone Great Crested Grebe, with a full head of feathers for display purposes. A couple of Canadian Geese sat on the shoreline in the distance. So this lake had some interesting wildlife to look at and observe. I am sure there where other species the but an central island hid some of the activity from our vision. A lot more Sandmartins could be seen and heard in the vacinity
Another Skylark makes its presence known to us as we walked along. Now we where getting closer to the Priory, and our walk was near enough complete. We pass the Sewage works, and towards the remote Car Park. As we walked along we looked to our right and we could see a Grey Heron through the bush thicket, and it was sitting on the side of the river. He seemed to sense we where looking at him, and he flew of as we tried to photograph him. Blast it, as it would have been a great picture.
Now we where getting into thicker Woodland and I could hear few Chiff Chaff's as we walked along parallel to Great River Ouse, and into Bedford itself. I heard one lone Willow Warbler. This was no doubt Warbler country so I listened for their calls. I could hear another Blackcap singing the bush nearby, and this one flew across to another tree and out of earshot. Why are they so illusive and they are so clever at keeping well hidden form view.
I had another look for the Grey Heron from earlier and as I walked down a trodden path to the rivers edge I disturbed a female Mallard which happed to be sitting on the ground. Poor thing – I must have scared her off. Hope that she was not nesting there as it is too exposed for her, as it is too near people scaring her al of the time.
At last we found the Grey Heron once more. I managed to get a picture but with our camera we where limited to what we could produce. At least you can see the Grey Heron in the picture.
I could hear a lot of Long Tail Tits twittering in a Ivy laden Tree nearby, and one flew off elsewhere, and I could see it disappearing over the trees.
A Magpie was now close by, and had disturbed a few birds and the frenzy of alarm calls appeared from all of the birds in the vicinity. The resident Tit family where showing their disapproval of the Magpies presence. The alarm calls where very apparent. At one stage I could hear one little bird calling loudly, the Magpie was so close and it looked like it was out on a mission to cause problems for this bird. I hoped that the bird was alright.
We passed the car park up towards the Beefeater Restaurant, and yet another Blackcap was singing in a bush nearby. I tried to do my undercover sneak up to the bird, and it disappeared into the scrubby bushes on the other side of the area. Blast it, for a third time on the same outing.
We continued towards the Beefeater Restaurant. Once there, I could hear the twittering of a Pied Wagtail close to the Restaurant building. We stopped off at the Bike shop for a look around. We then had a cup of Coffee and a relax for a while. After all we will have walked 10 miles in all, and that is a lot to do in one day for us.
Then another further walk to Bedford town centre. I could hear the same twittering from the Long Tail Tits from earlier. More Chiff Chaffs calling from the river bank on the opposite side from where we where walking.
We continued into the Priory Park itself and we saw another Grey Heron once more. This one saw us and was up and off again. I saw where it had moved too so I asked my OH to take a picture of it and he did so we have a picture of sorts but not as clear as we would like it to be.
There where a lot of wildflowers around and a clump of Marsh Marigolds caught my eye and we took a picture of the flowers. They are lovely to look at.
Lots of Mute Swans, Canadian Geese and Mallard ducks where around everywhere in Priory Park. As we walked parallel to the Great River Ouse we could see some very amorous Mute Swans.
Yes, Spring was here. I could feel a blush or two coming. The Swans where mating , and people just stopped In their tracks to hear what all of the rumpus was about. People where quite loud with their thoughts and where talking loudly to one another.
The Swans where not shy at all. Anyway it is Spring after all, and nature is nature
So enjoyed my walk, all 3 hours 30 minutes it, and we will do it again sometime. Got home tired, and will sleep well tonight.
Picture 1 - Herb Robert
Picture 2 - Sign Post of Castle Mill Sluice
Picture 3 - Cormorant's on Islands at lake within area of Sluice
Picture 4 - Road past Sewerage Works
Picture 5 - Sign Post
Trip on the 14th April 2009 (typo error in title)
What a beautiful, warm, sunny day. We decided to go on a 10 miles walk around one of the main public pathways close to where we live. OH had cycled the same route so he told me it was worth us walking around the area. I took him up on his offer and we decided to so the walk today in the afternoon.
We headed of along Wentworth Drive and Norse Road. As we walked along we saw two male Pheasants trying to hide in the undergrowth. They where worthy of a picture, but to flighty to get close too. The birds in question where so close to the busy main road, and I am sure it did not do them any justice at all. I just hoped they did not decide to cross the road at all as they are a bit of a hazard with cars.
Then we turned left and along the A428 St Neots Road for a quarter of a mile. We headed up the Public Path up to Castle Mill Farm. As we walked up the path an Orange Tip Butterfly fluttered past, and landed on a white flowered Dead Nettle. We got a picture of it. It did not want to move away so seeing it was in our favour.
We walked through the Farm itself, and I could see a Muntjac Deer close to the edge of a field a quarter of a mile away in the distance. We looked at one another, and the deer ran of with its tail showing the white flash in the air, in disgust why we should be so interested in him. The movement of the deer sparked of movement from a Hare to run across the same field. The whole place was buzzing with wildlife. We thought this was going to be an enjoyable walk.
A Hoverfly flew close to us, and then a large Bumblebee buzzed loudly and then landed in scented wildflower for a second and flew off. Lots of different coloured wild flowers where everywhere. Speedwell, and Stitchwort was dotted about in large clumps, and looked well established where they grew.
A Song Thrush sang it song as loudly as it could and got our attention so we stopped and listened to the bird in question. He was too well hidden to be seen, and we just enjoyed his song instead.
We walked up towards Castlemill Sluice, which overlooked the quarries. The Quarry traffic was loud and rumbling. Lorries past us by. We stopped to look over the area, and there was quite a concentration of small lakes connected onto the quarry area itself.
I understood that the area is going to be transformed into a Nature Reserve after the quarrying is complete. Even with the Quarry working there seemed to be an influx of many Waterfowl using the lakes. They seemed not worried about the noise at all.
We looked across the first lake, water shining in the sun. We could see at least 10 Cormorant's sitting around. They all had their own little island in the water. Some where sunning their bodies, now that the sun was blazing now. One bird looked although it was nesting by the position it was sitting in.
Maybe there was other reasons of course. One other just stood there motionless watching the world go by.
A large group of Tufted Ducks where moving around in front of the Cormorant's, The Tufted Ducks never remained still at all. A little diving here and there, then the birds reassembled as a group once more
Then some activity caught my eye in the air and my OH said that Sand Martins where flying about above us in all directions, and then they skimmed the water looking for insects no doubt. Not sure how many that where around, but they seemed to like the area.
Then a call from a Lapwing, and this one flew up in the air ,‘Peewit’ calls where heard easily, the rounded wings showing, as the bird flew close by us gave the game away to what species it was.
It did a full circle and landed close to the Cormorant's. I knew there was more than one Lapwing in question as they where calling to one another.
The position of the birds made it clear to me that they where safe away from predators like foxes causing problems due their nesting needs, I am sure that the water in the quarries is very deep, and that gives the birds protection too.
Just before we moved on a couple of Sand Martins flew above my head and descended, and skimmed the surface of the water no doubt for insects.
Then another couple of birds appeared. Wonder how many where 'resident' birds in the Sluice area as it was well liked by them.
A pair of Partridges appeared over the edge of the quarry closest to us and then disappeared once more over the edge of the shore line.
We carried on walking. I past a few of clumps of Cranesbill dotted along the pathway. What a beautiful shade of purple.
A lot of Yaffling, coming from a Green Woodpecker illuminated the sound barrier in the distance, but the bird was to far away to see with the naked eye.
Now the woodland was becoming more apparent, and the Yaffling still continued as we walked along the pathway. A Blackcap gave his verbal tune out of the nearest bush. I tried to get closer to the bird, and off he went as they do. They are impossible to see, as they always seen to know that you are there watching them.
A Chiff Chaff did his ‘Chiff Chaff’ call. He was sitting on the top spindly branch of a tree and we where lucky to see him, and then he flew off elsewhere. A Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly flew in front of us and did not stop for us so he travelled on to find his favourite patch of nettles somewhere.
The area was covered with Dead Nettles and the butterflies seen to like these as much as stinging nettles. That appeared to be the case from what I could see on my travels in this particular patch
We came across another small lake. There was a lone Coot, and some Mallard's. One bird I thought may have been a Shoveler, as the size of the bill was very prominent. The bird was too far away to be absolutely sure but I will look another time. Maybe another person will see the bird and confirm the sighting.
Lots of male Chaffinches where singing their hearts out in every tree and bush, as we walked along and there appeared to be a bird in every tree as we continued our walk. The Robins made their presence known and it was although they wanted to look at us as much as we wanted to look at them – they are fearless of people.
Lots of Woodpigeons flews in all directions, and a couple of Magpies sat in the nearby branches. A Magpies tail is a giveaway to the bird's flight each time - so unmistakable.
We where now at the point where we where parallel to the motorway A421, and we where walking along beside a tall fence, there to divide the roadway from the public path. As we where walking along, we could see a Kestrel hovering in the distance looking at potential prey at the side of the A421 Motorway.
It hovered for a couple of minutes, and then flew off again, and it repeated doing these same actions at least 6 times, until it flew away for us away from the area of the Motorway. It was not having any luck finding its food source so it decided to move on elsewhere.
Another lake came into view and it was more sterile and had a colony of Black Headed Gulls who where happily sitting on the shoreline preening themselves. Some where swimming in the lake itself.
Not much vegetation existed around this particular lake so we thought it was still in its infancy. Time would give the much needed vegetation for the additional wildlife
We carried on past a field, and Skylarks appeared to be everywhere. We where filled with the Skylarks calls as they seemed to liked to be right above our heads. It gave the feeling of peace and summer all at one time.
Funnily, the way they acted, it was although they where chasing us away from their territory. At one point I saw one land in the field, and I thought it might be the area that this one was nesting in.
The camouflage of the bird is amazing, and It must be hard to see on the ground,
We could see two wildfowl in the nearby field looking like they where sleeping. They had their heads turned around and sitting on their bodies. It was a male and female Mallard duck. They looked out of place in the nearby field.
Yet, another Hare ran in front of us only to disappear once more. There seemed to be many Hares on this route.
Then the next well established lake had many more Tufted Ducks. There must have been well over 30 of them – all paired off in male and females. It was obvious by the colouration of the birds that they where in their pairs and where happy to be together as a group at the same time. No sparring occured between the group in question, just a peaceful group gathering. A lot more Sandmartins could be seen and heard.
Another lone Coot swims close by. Two Mute Swans stay close together, no doubt a pair There was a lone Great Crested Grebe, with a full head of feathers for display purposes. A couple of Canadian Geese sat on the shoreline in the distance. So this lake had some interesting wildlife to look at and observe. I am sure there where other species the but an central island hid some of the activity from our vision. A lot more Sandmartins could be seen and heard in the vacinity
Another Skylark makes its presence known to us as we walked along. Now we where getting closer to the Priory, and our walk was near enough complete. We pass the Sewage works, and towards the remote Car Park. As we walked along we looked to our right and we could see a Grey Heron through the bush thicket, and it was sitting on the side of the river. He seemed to sense we where looking at him, and he flew of as we tried to photograph him. Blast it, as it would have been a great picture.
Now we where getting into thicker Woodland and I could hear few Chiff Chaff's as we walked along parallel to Great River Ouse, and into Bedford itself. I heard one lone Willow Warbler. This was no doubt Warbler country so I listened for their calls. I could hear another Blackcap singing the bush nearby, and this one flew across to another tree and out of earshot. Why are they so illusive and they are so clever at keeping well hidden form view.
I had another look for the Grey Heron from earlier and as I walked down a trodden path to the rivers edge I disturbed a female Mallard which happed to be sitting on the ground. Poor thing – I must have scared her off. Hope that she was not nesting there as it is too exposed for her, as it is too near people scaring her al of the time.
At last we found the Grey Heron once more. I managed to get a picture but with our camera we where limited to what we could produce. At least you can see the Grey Heron in the picture.
I could hear a lot of Long Tail Tits twittering in a Ivy laden Tree nearby, and one flew off elsewhere, and I could see it disappearing over the trees.
A Magpie was now close by, and had disturbed a few birds and the frenzy of alarm calls appeared from all of the birds in the vicinity. The resident Tit family where showing their disapproval of the Magpies presence. The alarm calls where very apparent. At one stage I could hear one little bird calling loudly, the Magpie was so close and it looked like it was out on a mission to cause problems for this bird. I hoped that the bird was alright.
We passed the car park up towards the Beefeater Restaurant, and yet another Blackcap was singing in a bush nearby. I tried to do my undercover sneak up to the bird, and it disappeared into the scrubby bushes on the other side of the area. Blast it, for a third time on the same outing.
We continued towards the Beefeater Restaurant. Once there, I could hear the twittering of a Pied Wagtail close to the Restaurant building. We stopped off at the Bike shop for a look around. We then had a cup of Coffee and a relax for a while. After all we will have walked 10 miles in all, and that is a lot to do in one day for us.
Then another further walk to Bedford town centre. I could hear the same twittering from the Long Tail Tits from earlier. More Chiff Chaffs calling from the river bank on the opposite side from where we where walking.
We continued into the Priory Park itself and we saw another Grey Heron once more. This one saw us and was up and off again. I saw where it had moved too so I asked my OH to take a picture of it and he did so we have a picture of sorts but not as clear as we would like it to be.
There where a lot of wildflowers around and a clump of Marsh Marigolds caught my eye and we took a picture of the flowers. They are lovely to look at.
Lots of Mute Swans, Canadian Geese and Mallard ducks where around everywhere in Priory Park. As we walked parallel to the Great River Ouse we could see some very amorous Mute Swans.
Yes, Spring was here. I could feel a blush or two coming. The Swans where mating , and people just stopped In their tracks to hear what all of the rumpus was about. People where quite loud with their thoughts and where talking loudly to one another.
The Swans where not shy at all. Anyway it is Spring after all, and nature is nature
So enjoyed my walk, all 3 hours 30 minutes it, and we will do it again sometime. Got home tired, and will sleep well tonight.
Picture 1 - Herb Robert
Picture 2 - Sign Post of Castle Mill Sluice
Picture 3 - Cormorant's on Islands at lake within area of Sluice
Picture 4 - Road past Sewerage Works
Picture 5 - Sign Post
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