After bailing out early from Norfolk for two reasons, one being the foul weather yesterday, the other well. I’m not going to say other than I doubt we’ll be away with certain people again; I decided to have a bonus day out on the Foot It challenge.
Rather than bring my planned walk to Swithland Reservoir forward I opted to try Loughborough for the Waxwings as they’re most likely to do one before the end of the month. My route is pretty much as shown below and came in at a nice 4.75 miles… I feel fitter already!
Day One
By the time I’d left Quorn I was was on 25 species a couple of Goldcrest and a Coal Tit in a housing estate were bonuses. Woodthorpe proved quiet but I located six Waxwing on Ling Road, the main A6004 Loughborough bypass on the edge of the Cemetery… I didn’t have to plod all the way to Tescos.
Here Be Snipe
As I set off over the Great Central Railway a set of yelping calls alerted me to my first real bonus species and certainly one I didn’t expect, 34 Pink-footed Geese flying NW. The flooded fields by the Quorn Borrow Pit brought in some sought after birds, a Jack Snipe and about five Common Snipe. My next stop was to complete my trio of Scolopacidae as the woods enabled me to flush up a Woodcock. I also noticed this nice looking Bracket Fungus.
Bracket Fungus
On the homeward stretch Barrow Sewage Treatment works brought in Pied Wagtail and Grey Wagtail, a singing Chiffchaff and a real gem, a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Something I’d hoped for but wasn’t 100% on and certainly not there. Almost home and on 49 species, I really wanted the local Kestrel to be in his usual spot… he wasn’t.
Willow Catkins
I thought I was destined to finish on 49 species, not bad but 50 would be just right, as I made my way home when the flock of Siskin that had been around all December made a timely fly-past 20m from my front door. That puts me on 52.63% of my predicted total.
I must say I really enjoyed the walk and I’m glad I took the challenge on. Tomorrow Swithland Reservoir…
I used to walk my dog daily down “Bull in the Hollow” and, in winter frequently sighted kingfishers patrolling the linear ditch.
Was hoping for one today Alan but no luck. Buddon Brook should get me one.
That one walk puts into perspective just how shit my patch is!
But it’s about what you think you might see against what you do see. I bet I won’t see Merlin which is highly likely for you.
Seems unlikely given the almost total lack of Merlin food on the patch at the moment.
A distinct lack of Merlin food anywhere… unless they like fish?