Storms, Wind and Floods

Over the last few weeks we have suffered considerable rainfall. 

A number of large storms have in turn come from the South West via the Atlantic.

River levels have been near or close to the top of the banks.  

Storm Chandra has now caused these rivers to overflow.

One bright moment was shooting these small groups of Snowdrops.

Snowdrops

Most of the images in this post are of fields complete or mostly waterlogged.

A few birds could be observed, but the high cold winds kept most of them out of sight.

Another bright moment was the show of the first Crocus flowers in the Borough Gardens.

Freezing Sunshine at Lodmoor

The sunny conditions at Lodmoor Reserve the other morning certainly did lull one into a false sense of well being. It was extremely cold and probably the coldest I have experienced there for some time. 

The Black-headed Gull below was standing on ice just under the water's surface.

At another location I observed a small group of Common Snipe moving through a reed bed area. 

The very low sun condition made for unusual images. It highlighted this Blackbird quite nicely.

Amongst other reeds I could see a Chiffchaff moving rapidly about and catching insects of some kind. 

I think he has caught some kind of Bush Cricket below.

Other images captured around the Reserve.

Moorhen

Robin

Dunnock

This Grey Heron was sheltering from the cold wind and catching the relative meagre warmth from the low sun.

Little Egrets were moving about the Reserve quite a lot and for once, not chasing each other away.

Togetherness.

I walked around a small Nature Reserve on the Northern edge of town. I found these two Collared Doves tucked away in a dense tree. I have seen them over the last year in the Reserve. So I assume they have taken up permanent residence. They appeared to be well protected from the cold wind conditions we are now experiencing. So as it is Christmas I have featured them in a Post.

This Robin posed quite nicely for a photograph.

The Long-tailed Tit wasn't quite so helpful and was high up in another tree.

The field to the North of the Reserve was underwater in many areas due to the considerable rainfall we have had recently.

This Chiffchaff was also difficult to get a clear shot as it moved about the undergrowth.

 

The Blue Tit and Great Tit emerged from the undergrowth in the same location. There is a water course underneath the bushes in that location where many birds go down to bathe or drink.