Fozzybear
Ich bin ein Vogelbeobachter
'Good' Friday: Kingfishers, Willow Warblers and Skylarks
Pretty much copied from my blog, apologies if it's a bit wordy!
Good Friday was a very appropriate name for the day and I had a rather enjoyable walk! The day started warm with patchy sunshine and so I took my usual Manor Farm/River Chelmer walk into Chelmsford. At the new reservoir I could see a number of Tufted Ducks, some Canada Geese, Coots, Mallards, two Greylag Geese (first time I've seen those here) and a pair of Great Crested Grebes - which I haven't seen for a long time so they were most welcome!
Walking on along the track to the smaller old reservoir next to the farm buildings I could hear Skylarks overhead and as I followed the path around the edge of the reservoir I saw a Cormorant circling low overhead, losing it behind the trees as it headed westwards. Pausing where the path turns away from the water's edge I saw a Kingfisher dart across and as I stood hoping for another glimpse a call behind took my attention and I turned to find a Willow Warbler in a bush nearby, the first I've seen this year.
On along the path, a Pheasant calling off to the north and the trees full of Wrens, Great Tits and Blue Tits, I came to the cottages at the end of Sandford Mill Road. Exploring here a little I could hear Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches in the willows but could spot neither (my hearing and observation skills being pretty poor I often struggle to spot small birds in trees or pin down where their calls are coming from). On across the river I could hear another Chiffchaff but this time, yes!, I managed to spot the little thing high in a willow, fluttering about and pecking at the small twigs. Just past here I paused at a little clearing where sometimes rabbits can be seen. No rabbits today but high above a Sparrowhawk circled and disappeared with a lazy flap of it's wings.
Turning left past Sandford Mill I flushed a Blackbird from a tree where it was taking berries from the ivy, also scaring to the air a Mistle Thrush that flew to the river and perched in a willow there, always a good bird to see. Over the bridge and on along the river's edge with the sun's warmth gaining strength, Dunnocks singing from the trees, Moorhens on the water and a Pheasant calling from the trees in the distance. On along the towpath, butterflies and insects buzzing around me, a Magpie keeping station on the path ahead and the calls of Green Woodpeckers heard now and again.
As I passed a couple with their dog I spotted a Jay flying east, then from across the river some small birds flew past me and into a bramble patch, then a glimpse and, yes - Reed Buntings! Three males, just in view for a few seconds but unmistakable, lovely little birds and great to see here. A little further on a Skylark in the distance, snatches of song heard on the breeze and then nearby a Green Woodpecker yaffling. Watching the grass of the horse paddocks I spotted him, a low flapping flight across the grass and then down onto a fence, quickly hopping to cling to a vertical post - the preferred perch for these lovely green and red birds. A pause, a look around followed by a circling of the post and a climb to the top. Then another low flight away out of sight.
At Barnes Mill I sat at the lock for a moment then I walked on along the river, a Great Spotted Woodpecker tapping at a tree behind the mill. From there an uneventful stroll across the Baddow Meads into Chelmsford and back to the busy modern world.
A good walk - I feel much better for it!
Pretty much copied from my blog, apologies if it's a bit wordy!
Good Friday was a very appropriate name for the day and I had a rather enjoyable walk! The day started warm with patchy sunshine and so I took my usual Manor Farm/River Chelmer walk into Chelmsford. At the new reservoir I could see a number of Tufted Ducks, some Canada Geese, Coots, Mallards, two Greylag Geese (first time I've seen those here) and a pair of Great Crested Grebes - which I haven't seen for a long time so they were most welcome!
Walking on along the track to the smaller old reservoir next to the farm buildings I could hear Skylarks overhead and as I followed the path around the edge of the reservoir I saw a Cormorant circling low overhead, losing it behind the trees as it headed westwards. Pausing where the path turns away from the water's edge I saw a Kingfisher dart across and as I stood hoping for another glimpse a call behind took my attention and I turned to find a Willow Warbler in a bush nearby, the first I've seen this year.
On along the path, a Pheasant calling off to the north and the trees full of Wrens, Great Tits and Blue Tits, I came to the cottages at the end of Sandford Mill Road. Exploring here a little I could hear Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches in the willows but could spot neither (my hearing and observation skills being pretty poor I often struggle to spot small birds in trees or pin down where their calls are coming from). On across the river I could hear another Chiffchaff but this time, yes!, I managed to spot the little thing high in a willow, fluttering about and pecking at the small twigs. Just past here I paused at a little clearing where sometimes rabbits can be seen. No rabbits today but high above a Sparrowhawk circled and disappeared with a lazy flap of it's wings.
Turning left past Sandford Mill I flushed a Blackbird from a tree where it was taking berries from the ivy, also scaring to the air a Mistle Thrush that flew to the river and perched in a willow there, always a good bird to see. Over the bridge and on along the river's edge with the sun's warmth gaining strength, Dunnocks singing from the trees, Moorhens on the water and a Pheasant calling from the trees in the distance. On along the towpath, butterflies and insects buzzing around me, a Magpie keeping station on the path ahead and the calls of Green Woodpeckers heard now and again.
As I passed a couple with their dog I spotted a Jay flying east, then from across the river some small birds flew past me and into a bramble patch, then a glimpse and, yes - Reed Buntings! Three males, just in view for a few seconds but unmistakable, lovely little birds and great to see here. A little further on a Skylark in the distance, snatches of song heard on the breeze and then nearby a Green Woodpecker yaffling. Watching the grass of the horse paddocks I spotted him, a low flapping flight across the grass and then down onto a fence, quickly hopping to cling to a vertical post - the preferred perch for these lovely green and red birds. A pause, a look around followed by a circling of the post and a climb to the top. Then another low flight away out of sight.
At Barnes Mill I sat at the lock for a moment then I walked on along the river, a Great Spotted Woodpecker tapping at a tree behind the mill. From there an uneventful stroll across the Baddow Meads into Chelmsford and back to the busy modern world.
A good walk - I feel much better for it!