Looking Back - part 1

Well, it's that time of year again, when we take a short but rapid dash though the past year and look forward to a new one.
The year started predictably enough, with January and a welcome bit of sunshine to see the new year in. We had seasonal birds in the garden...

 some exotic-looking Mandarins...

 and a Great-crested Grebe in winter plumage to start things off.

It has become something of a habit for us to get away for a few days in January and this year, we went to Torquay. The winter weather in the UK can be a little hit-and-miss to say the least, but we struck lucky this year. Things were blooming...

 and this gorgeous Buzzard simply stole the show as it posed in the sunshine.

 It certainly didn't look like England in the depths of winter.

 Malcolm even shed a layer for his selfies!

 Back home again and the clear skies at night,

 meant we had some bitterly cold mornings.

It was still cold as January gave way to February...

 but soon, the Hazel trees were showing signs of warmer things to come.

 The garden birds were looking bright and colourful in anticipation of a busy breeding season...

 and the Snowdrops were putting on a show.

 A few winter wildfowl were still  to be found, like this rather fabulous Gadwall.

 Even the White Park Cattle were happy as they soaked up some early morning, golden sunlight.

 This Black-headed Gull, had jumped the gun somewhat, by getting into his full breeding plumage...

while on Mapperley Reservoir, we were treated to the sight of a large flock of (mostly female) Goosanders.

 Everything was in a hurry to start flowering, from these pretty little Coltsfoot...

 to the wonderfully coconut-scented Gorse.

 A visit to Attenborough Reserve provided us with some fine - but distant - views of a Little Egret.

More tomorrow, as I continue marching through the year's highlights.

Dull, Dull, Dull

The only word to describe the weather this morning, is 'dull'. It was foggy and damp and the cold got through to the bone, but we were not gong to be put off, so we doggedly set off for Osborne's Pond. On the way, we passed these Highland Cattle.

They've not been in this field for long, but they seem to have already made a startlingly fine job of turning it into a muddy wallow. This morning though, as one of them peered at us through the fog, they were only interested in their nice fresh hay.

Further along and we passed a small stretch of water, which marks where the old colliery railway lines used to run past Hogg's Pond. There is usually a footpath alongside the water, but not today. It was all very flooded down there in the gloom...

On to Osborne's Pond, where the mist made everything rather moody and peaceful - until the Coots started arguing amongst themselves.

Two Mute Swans came to see if we had anything to eat...

Floating about among the Mallards and Coots, was a lone Muscovy Duck.

His bright bill and legs were certainly the brightest splashes of colour we saw this morning.

Time to head for home and some warming coffee.

Odds and Ends

As we're stuck in again this morning because of yet more rain, it gives me the chance to post a few odds and ends from the past few weeks. Starting with the most obvious effect of all that rain, the brook, which is still pretty full (and rather muddy-looking).

We seem to have had all forms of weather lately (no snow yet sadly) and a few days ago, fog was the main theme as we looked out across the countryside.

As the fog sat in the lower areas, we had a great perspective from the viewing platform kindly supplied by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Fog is often accompanied by frost, and we've a had a bit of that too, on the few clear, sunny days we've had.

Hoar frost, clinging to the dead remnants of grasses, always looks good.

Quite seasonal!

Among the bare branches of winter, some colour is provided by the wonderful array if lichens which can be found, if you look closely.

Just one more for today and it's a panorama of 'Swan Lake' at Straw's Bridge. Not much in the way of winter wildfowl on this one, but there's still plenty of time for that - if the rain ever stops!

Last of the Algarve

Just a few last pictures today, of of our short trip and as usual, we got plenty of long walks while we were there. The dunes have been protected from walkers' feet, by the construction of wooden walkways and one of our favourite walks was along to the lighthouse at the mouth of the harbour.

Near the end, the wooden walkway, gives way to a granite causeway, forming two sides of the channel into and out of the estuary and harbour.

Plenty of places to stop, to check in to your social media..!

AT the end, was this small and rather rusty lighthouse.

At low tide, the estuary was reduced to a few small water channels.

We had some nice views across the sand...

and across the dunes.

Walking from the hotel in the opposite direction, all was cliffs, which looked beautiful in the sun...

and came in all sorts of shapes.

Back at the hotel, we were a big hit with the local Azure-winged Magpies - or at least our Pastéis de nata were!

So that's about it. Time to head home again and get started on Christmas..!

Birdlife

The wetlands around Alvor, are excellent for wildlife and for the birds especially. Among the ubiquitous Sparrows and Starlings, we found large flocks of Linnets and Goldfinches, as well as a new 'tick' for my life list, a Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica).

Bluethroats were once classed as members of the thrush family, but have now been moved to the closely related, Old World Flycatchers. But whatever family they belong to, it was a rare treat to see one, especially at this time of year, when most have gone south to Africa for the winter.

Out on the mud and knee-deep in the water, Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) were busy feeding.

A few of these distinctive wading birds can be found as far north as the UK, but they are always easier to find in southern Europe.

Flitting about in the dry grasses, several charming little Fan-tailed Warblers or Zitting Cisticolas (Cisticola juncidis) kept us amused. These tiny birds are always tricky to photograph, as they are so small and never still for more than a second or two.

Back out in the water, a Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) was always busy probing the sand for something to eat.

Perhaps the most spectacular find and another new 'tick' for the life list, was a large flock of Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) which we saw on Sunday evening as we were heading back to the airport. Sadly, the camera was packed away and we were in the back of a minibus anyway, so no photos. Better luck next time!

Cliffs

Just a few more pictures from our short break in the Algarve today, starting with a some views of those crumbling cliffs.

The clifftop paths were a little bit scary at times, particularly when you look back at where you'd been standing only a few minutes ago, to find that there wasn't much supporting the bit you were standing on!

Lots of holes, small caves and sections which had been completely undermined by the battering of the sea.

Back down at beach level, you just have to stop for a while to enjoy the waves rolling in.

Then off to explore through the rocks, to another small, sandy inlet.

All very nice!

Along the clifftops, there are several spots, where you can look down the blow-holes which have formed (if you are brave enough). One of these has a small viewing platform, built out over the hole, so you can look vertically down at the sea crashing in below. I think this one is called the Gruta das Baratas, or cave of cockroaches for some strange reason. You might even take a short video!

Algarve

Malcolm and I, returned late last night, from a few days away in the Algarve. We stayed at the Pestana Dom João II hotel.

We arrived on Thursday and spent a few hours finding our way around the local area and enjoying the views.

This part of the Algarve, is well known for the crumbling cliffs, which seem to disintegrate more and more each year, requiring more 'danger' signs to be displayed.

Thankfully, it was very quiet everywhere as it's the end of the season, so we had the beaches and boardwalks almost to ourselves.

We had lunch at a lovely sea-front restaurant, with views across the harbour and the yachts moored there.

The harbour area, takes up a small part of the extensive wetlands, popular with wading birds of all kinds (more of which, later).

Large areas of scrub and dune systems, provide a home to many other species of birds and other wildlife.

We enjoyed the sunset at the end of the day too

Much more to come...