Friday 29 January 2010

Mid Week Watery Stroll.

A mid week stroll took me to Papercourt Pits, where I commenced a clockwise circuit of the main sailing pit which was still two thirds frozen. Initial sightings were Robin, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Blue and Great Tits. Occupants on the water included Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Coot. 
Around the far side I passed a small group of Mallard who didn't fly away!
This Coot was also quite inquisitive.
Half way round the sky darkened and the rain started so I quickly donned waterproofs and packed the camera away. Carefully skirting the small pond I spied a pair of Mute Swans. A group of 6 Shovellers were lurking close to the bank but despite treading slowly and carefully they decided to fly away and find cover elsewhere. The trees were alive with twittering Long-tailed Tits and masses of Goldfinches but no Redpolls so I headed off towards the Wey Navigation. The track crosses between open (desolate) fields and a newish reserve that is not freely accessible. Very little life seen except Blackbird, Redwing and Wren.
Masses of seed heads along the pathside.
Crossing a small stream I spotted willow buds beginning to open amoungst the rows and rows of salix being grown commercially here on this damp meadowland. Following the course of the little stream I passed a small pond again with no active life around it.
As I headed onward along the increasingly muddy path a flash of brilliant blue dashed past me and appeared to stop somewhere ahead. Trading carefully I eventually caught up with the Kingfisher but only one distant shot (just visible in the bottom right picture) before it headed onward along the streambed. I followed and sighted it once more before it also continued its daily journey.
Crossing the Wey Navigation I headed out onto Papercourt Marsh with the occasional sighting of Cormorant and Black-headed Gull passing overhead plus a pair of Mute Swans over the distant trees.
.
Carrion Crows gathering with a few lookouts posted.
I ventured a little way beyond this bridge that would eventually be my homeward route and met a Mute Swan drifting silently upstream.
After crossing the Wey Navigation I spotted a pair of Tufted Ducks and 20 Lapwings who promptly took flight together with a  group of Redwing that had been feeding nearby. One perched high above and this was
 
the best I could do (cropped)! With little else appparently about apart from Fieldare calling as they passed
overhead I took a few shots of the river transport before heading back across the farmland track.
 Definitely far better suited to these muddy conditions than me!
Nearly back at the car my final encounter was with a Great Spotted Woodpecker high above me in an oak but despite the lack of foliage this male was not going to make it easy for me to get quality shots.
With the late afternoon light and very cold fingers I took this series using manual focus. Still not what I'm really after but it will have to do for now.       Have a good weekend.   FAB.

14 comments:

  1. Lots of species on that walk that I will have to keep my fingers crossed for on my patch!

    Well done with the Kingfisher, good to see it survived the freeze up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh what a delightful stroll. It lifted my spirits to see such lovely birds. The Coot is quite comical and the calf has such a sweet face.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Sunny :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. A nice set of pictures. The waterways look quiet, and that makes it so serene.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice walk Frank considering the less that agreeable weather, well done for sticking it out and seeing some good birds! Kingfisher is always a thrill! (-:

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a lovely post! Really peaceful & calming!
    You're lucky to still see the Redwings & Fieldfares, ours have just about disappeared now :-(
    Love the photos of the GSW, the red plumage really stands out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another enjoyable stroll with lovely pictures, at least you are seeing Kingfishers!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Frank,
    you managed to see a lot and have a nice set of pictures. I love the last part, the woodpecker series! Very nice indeed... I would love to see a kingfisher!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for another walk with you and a look at the variety of birds you see. The Swan picture is just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good for you for finding so much to see in the winter. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, I LOVED accompanying you on that walk! Felt like I was right there....and LOVE the pics!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. A lovely walk Frank.
    Really like the seedhead photo although all photos very enjoyable.
    The calf looks really forlorn, although I think I would be aswell stood in so much mud lol.
    Quite a variety of things to see on this walk, regardless of the weather. Brilliant.
    Have a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I enjoyed that stroll Frank; especially seeing the signs of spring.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Another good "recce" Frank. Manual focussing in that light, at that distance with that subject is a very difficult job at the best of times.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Warren. Totally different habitats but I'm amazed at what you have found so anything is possible.

    Sunny. Glad I was able ti lift your spirit.

    Bob. It will be a hive of activity when the warmer weather arrives but now we can enjoy the calm tranquility.

    Jenny. A flash of blue is always welcome.

    Sharon. They have obviously headed off to greener pastures.

    Jan. I'm sure one will turn up for you soon.

    Chris. I would just love to be able to get a really good close shot of the dashing blue fisherman!

    Mona. Thanks.

    Steve B. There were some I expected to located but didn't!

    Kerri. Delighted to have you along.

    Shirleyanne. Thank you. Sorry to learn you are suffering..get well soon.

    Keith. I'll do the walking, you just sit, rest and watch.

    Roy. Bigger lens and use the tripod me thinks!!

    ReplyDelete

I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails