Sunday 22 December 2013

Sunny day at Stockers

Walked to Stockers this morning Fieldfares,Redwings and Skylarks were visible at Woodoaks farm.
Along with six Herring gulls in various plumages.
Met Kay Marriot at Stockers West where a male Goosander was present,on to the view point
where a number of Goldeneye were displaying.
We did a circular walk of the lake seeing the usual suspects good numbers of Wigeon
and Lapwing. At the Colne bridge a Grey heron allowed a close approach as a Red Kite
glided over Mill End.
With the sun in our eyes we walked the river side listening for water rail of note a
Black Swan obliged this Australian escape fed amongst the Gadwall.

Finally a couple of Chiffchaff obliged one looked decidedly the Siberian race ,we only
viewed them for moments ,one skulked away but managed a record shot.
Finally got home there were two Red Kites being mobbed by a Crow over the House
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my readers.

Sunday 15 December 2013

Autmn leaves to Christmas

Well the time ha s flown these last few weeks ,Maple Lodge has been quiet after the Osprey had left
for more sunnier skies.
Lynsters farm holds geese a plenty and corvids in abundance.
Wigeons arrive on nearby Lynsters gravel pit,but duck fluctuate in numbers on
Maple Lodge,only Little grebes fish avidly in the shallows.
 
December arrives no snow just frost and overcast wet weather,as               
I arrive  today I bid Tony and Geoff the seasons greetings and make my way
around the reserve its generally very quiet a few Red Kites overhead and a Common
Buzzard was sitting on the barn looking for  rats  then mobbed by 24 Magpies.
 
The forecast rain  had arrived as I made my way home.