Parkland Walk

Scenes from my recent Parkland walk.

A chilly windy day, but the sun shone all morning.

One of the boat pontoons that doubles as a resting place for Gulls and Cormorants. 

I think the Black-headed Gulls on the left are about to start a Triathlon.{:)

Many of the meadow areas are still under patches of water which these Black-headed Gulls are taking good advantage of.

A view from one of the woodland areas looking across the flooded meadows towards the major part of the parkland.

The "Lords and Ladies" plants are shooting up from the leaf mulch woodland floor.

I just had to stop off at the tree stump to feed the Nuthatch and friends.

This area below is a great place to find butterflies and dragonflies in the summer, well during a normal summer that is, hopefully not like last year.

A short cut down to the riverbank

A female Great Tit.

Quite a few Blue Tits were observed moving about the trees searching for food. Some were chasing others about, which is a sure sign of a new year and the Spring arriving soon.

Osier Willow

The river levels haven't reduced much after the recent snow and rainfall.

Snowdrops. This area below has produced a lovely show of snowdrops over the years. In the last few years Hazel bushes have been allowed to grow on this patch and the snowdrops have remained hidden.

Fortunately the park staff have cut the bushes again and we get to see the spread of this early flower.

Across the other side of the river another riverbank sentry was lurking.

Bluebell leaves are shooting up everywhere under the tree canopy.

A female Blackbird was hiding away in the thick bushes.

This male Siskin was quite some distance away and I was unable to get any closer unfortunately.