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Thursday 7 February 2013

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.



20 comments:

  1. Hey Roy....Not fair, to show those gorgeous Snowdrops when we are expecting a major snowstorm tomorrow of a possibility of up to a foot in my area grrr!!
    Really I loved this post especially the snowdrop patch , and the other plants coming up!! It sure sound like spring is on it's way for you !! : }
    I enjoyed the photos of what your seeing there!!
    Grace

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  2. Hi Roy

    A nice post. I enjoyed the gulls feeding in the flooded grass and it is nice you have signs of spring. It is above freezing here for now but Spring is a long way off.

    All the best.
    Guy

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  3. Lovely to see masses of Snowdrops. There is a house here in Dorset, Kingston Lacy, which has masses of Snowdrops and they do open their garden to the public for a weekend when the Snowdrops are fully out.

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    1. Certainly is Lyn, I think I have heard of that place.

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  4. Looks like a great place for a wander with the camera Roy! It's so nice to see the snowdrops out......soon it will be Spring...... (-: I love the Black-headed Gull triathlon! (-:

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    1. Thanks Jen, yes its pretty good normally when we are not hit by "wall to wall" water like recently.

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  5. Is Spring finally beginning to spring Roy?! It has certainly felt that way over the past couple of days, especially with the Snowdrops poking their heads up! Let's hope the weather continues to improve, although the forecast isn't brilliant!
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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    1. It has been better this last few days John. In the past we have had some pretty bad weather in the middle of February, but hopefully not this time.

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  6. Looks like Spring may be on its way to you! We have snow forecasted for tomorrow through Sunday morning. Love the snowdrops! They seem so delicate. The Blue Tits always make me smile.

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    1. Thanks Kathryn, we are hoping not to see anymore snow.

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  7. Thanks Karen, for your kind comments.

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  8. Roy, what a lovely walk. And to think you are already seeing spring flowers while New England is bracing for a blizzard! I have adjusted to being in Arizona once again and am so glad that I do not have to deal with the blizzard though we may actually get snow here on Saturday!

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    1. Thanks Kathie, another good reason why you have moved back to AZ.

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  9. A lovely photographic tour of your home patch Roy, and it's great to see so many signs of spring now appearing isn't it :-) Those Blue Tit shots are superb and as ever I am deeply envious of your Nuthatches :-)

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  10. What a lovely post Roy! It really does look like you have a very nice place to walk in with a variety of habitat. So good to see signs of Spring. You have a lovely selection of photos. Like David I'm very envious about that lovely Nuthatch. I have only ever managed a record shot.

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    1. Thanks Jan, we are quite lucky with Nuthatches in one certain location.

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  11. Very nice bl; ot Roy with a diversity of nature. Beautiful birds, trees and water plants. All aspects are present :-)

    Lovely to walk.

    Greetings, Helma

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