Attenborough

This morning, we took Malcom's Mum, for a trip out to  Attenborough Nature Reserve. The weather was being very kind to us as we walked around the various lakes and water-ways of the reserve.

There were plenty of wildfowl to be seen, as well as Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Robins and Cetti's Warblers in the trees and hedgerows.

All the while, our progress was being overlooked, by the looming presence of Ratcliffe Power Station. As Malcolm said, 'anyone who objects to having a wind farm near their home, should be given one of these instead and see how they like that'.

The walk took us along the Trent for part of the way...

and then back towards the visitor's centre and car parks. On the way, we stopped to watch some more bird life and stumbled across this Little Egret, fishing in the shallows.

Not so many years ago, you would have had to take a trip to the Mediterranean to see these birds, but now, they have become quite common in the UK.

Back to the car and on for some lunch to wish Pat an early, happy mother's day!

Round the Lake

It was another beautiful, sunny morning as Malcolm and I set out for our walk today, so we decided we would do a circuit of Shipley Lake, taking in Osborne's Pond on the way. The Maple Trees are just beginning to show their characteristic lime green flowers and set against a bright blue sky, they outshone everything else.

From a distance, the casual observer might dismiss them as fresh green leaves, but closer inspection shows them for what they are.

On Shipley Hill, the Dog's Mercury is flowering too. A familiar plant, it is usually completely overlooked, but such an early herald of spring, shouldn't be ignored.

Up through 'Beggar's Walk' and Malcolm was looking the part!

At the gardens of the old Shipley Hall, the Pieris is in full bloom too, its small, bell-like flowers giving away its family relationship to the Heathers.

The fresh, new leaf shoots stand out like little red flames among the green leaves and white flowers.

Back down to the lake and a pair of Mute Swans were drifting about looking for food. Just perfect!

Sunny

As Malcolm and I stepped out this morning, it soon became clear that a warm hat would have been useful. Despite the sunshine and blue skies, there was a decidedly chilly breeze blowing. But we soon managed to get find some shelter from the wind and in the sun, it was really lovely.

The White blossom of the Blackthorn, was looking particularly good in the sunshine as we looked out across the fields of Shipley Park. Along the hedges of Slack Lane, the Gorse was blooming too and giving off a delicious fragrance of coconut in the warmth.

Crossing a small brook, we stopped to enjoy the sounds of bubbling water and the birds, singing in the trees all around.

Malcolm had to stop for a 'selfie' opportunity as we passed the enormous, wooden spider....

Back to that peaceful, babbling brook, I thought a minute of relaxing video might be welcome after looking at the spider...

Aaah! That's better.

Water Landscape

Just a few pictures from our walks of the last two days. Yesterday, we walked to Osborne's in the sunshine and had to stop to take a couple of pictures across the water.

The trees and reeds at the side of the water, are yet to spring into life, so the scene is still a little colourless and 'beige', but the bright blue sky reflected in the water, helped a lot.

In among the grasses and twigs of the verges, lots of small, yellow flowers are now showing their bright faces. They look a little like Dandelions, but they're not. They are in fact, Coltsfoot.

Always one of the first of the spring flowers, they are a welcome sight, especially when they open their flowers in the sunshine.

This morning, we took ourselves off to walk along the old Nottingham Canal.

Construction began on the canal in 1792 but it never really succeeded, due to mismanagement and the rise railways in the nineteenth century. Now, it is mostly gone, but a few small stretches still contain water - just!

Further along the Erewash Valley, we could see Bennerley Viaduct in the distance. Built in 1876/7, it is now a Grade II* listed structure 1452ft long and some 60ft above the river Erewash. It was built to carry the Great Northern Railway. Shame it was such a dull morning, but we will no doubt be back again soon.

Lone Walk

I was on my own for my walk this morning. Malcolm had matters maternal to attend to, so I set out for Shipley Hill and Mapperley Reservoir. I stopped off at Shipley Lake on the way, to see if the Gadwall were still present on the 'overflow' lake. Unfortunately, they seem to have gone, at least for the time being, but I still have a couple of pictures of these delightful little ducks from a few days ago, at Straw's Bridge. As usual, it's the male bird which takes the eye.

The female bird would be difficult to tell apart from a Mallard if it were not that she was sticking so closely to her man...

Wherever he went, there went she...

Back to this morning and as I got to the far side of Shipley Hill, I stopped to look over the fields and the Hedgerows of Blackthorn, still in blossom, despite the battering they've had over the past week.

When I got to Mapperley Reservoir, it was so peaceful, that I thought I would try out the video facility on my new camera. I must say, I was quite impressed with the resulting minute of peace - except for the Canada Geese in the background, especially as it was so dull and overcast, not the best day for a video.

I must try some more videos, when the weather is a little better.

Foul Weather

Following hot on the heels of the unseasonably warm weather of February, March has reverted to something like normal. This morning, we set out with the hope of dodging the worst of the rain, a mission in which we failed! So, here are a few pictures from some recent walks in more clement weather, starting with a large flock of Goosanders (Mergus merganser) on Mapperley Reservoir.

We have about 12,000 Goosanders in the UK during the winter. We counted 36 individuals a few days ago, the majority of which were the red-headed females. In fact, I only found 2 males in the whole flock. I later learned that someone else had counted 45 individuals on the same day, but however many there were, the fact remains that the males were vastly outnumbered. I did manage to isolate one Male for this picture - despite them being typically far away.

The reservoir itself was looking good in the sunshine a few days ago with a little blue sky reflected in the surface.

The Snowdrops are just about finished for this year. On Shipley Hill, the last of them were showing a brave face before being usurped by the Daffodils.

I have mentioned before that the Wildlife Trust have been busy installing new sculptures around the area and have posted pictures of the new 'gateway'. But it's so good, it's worth a couple more pictures.

 The carving of various plants and animals, is really very good. I particularly like the Brown Hare...

Finally for today, a more general view across the Erewash Valley, looking through the mist, which gave it an ethereal feeling.

Lets hope we get some better (and drier) weather soon!