We had a day out at Bolton Abbey a really beautiful
place, especially today with the sun shining. The car park was £8.00 but it was
worth every penny.
A walk from the Cavendish Pavilion upstream on the west side path
brought us to the Strid Café and we just had to stop for lunch. Another £7.00
for a Ploughman’s for me (this Ploughman must have been on a diet though) and
10p for a piece of cress for ‘er in doors – she’s eating out tonight at her
friends so I was quite happy with this scenario.
While at the cafe a Great Spotted Woodpecker did some clever gymnastics to access the grub on the feeding table.
After lunch we ventured on towards Barden Bridge.
We had already had some early success, with my first
Spotted
Flycatcher this year, near the Cavendish Pavilion. Also about were a
Kestrel and a great number of Grey Wagtail taking advantage of the fly life
brought about by some warm sunshine. There was also Pied Wagtail and a Dipper
or two on the river.
Then we had another nice surprise when a Kingfisher
flew past and landed in a nearby tree. It remained well hidden but I managed a
few pics.
Sue spotted 5 Geese over > S Greylag I think and
there was a Coal Tit and a good number of very busy Nuthatch (Some were down by the
riverbank, collecting moss by the look of it). A Lapwing was calling from the
moor and there was Long Tailed Tit in the trees. Also over > N a group of,
at least ,5 Oystercatcher.
Near the Pavilion there were c15 Swift and a mixture
of Swallow and House Martin. I didn’t spot any Sand Martin but no doubt there
would be some there.
At the Strid Café a pr. Swallow were building a nest
under the café roof and I managed a pic. through the cafe window.
We crossed Barden Bridge and 200 yds further along
bumped into a chap taking photos, with a very impressive piece of equipment, which
made my little thing look even smaller! We soon saw that he was photographing a
Pr. Pied
Flycatcher. The male bird was very obliging, sitting on a branch
near a nest box. The female was more elusive disappearing into the nest box and
staying there. (We saw 4 Pied Flycatcher in all today).
The cameraman (who turned out to be Tony, a good Middlesbrough
bloke and not forgetting his lab. Jack) was very helpful and alerted us to a
singing Redstart in a tree nearby. While Sue had a chat I tried to see the
Restart but without success. Sue then pointed out another bird nearby, another
Spotted Flycatcher and as we watched this, Tony noticed the Redstart
land in a tree close by.
Here again we managed a few pics.
Thanks Tony for all the info. for helping me with another
memorable tick (I know you don’t do ticks!).
Other birds seen were Greylag Goose in a field nr. Barden Bridge, Mandarin Duck,Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 1 BHG and Mistle Thrush.
We resumed our walk towards the shelter and I
stopped for a drink when Sue shouted “Never mind the B drink , there is an Owl
just here – look”.
Sitting quietly in tree, not 20 yds away, was a Tawny Owl
a life time first for me. Well done Sue , with my crap eyesight, I would never spotted
it.
We continued our journey back towards the Pavilion
and I was well chuffed with a small grin breaking out on my face – well a
massive grin really.
We celebrated with a Crunchie Chocolate Ice Lolly –
not one, but one each!!!!
A really memorable day.
Good woodland birding country, never disappointing.
ReplyDeleteCheers Bri.
ReplyDeleteI needed some therapy, after my birding drought of late.
John
Great day out John and glad the bird droughts over for ya, love it at Bolton Abbey when its not too busy.
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave,
ReplyDeleteWe have our weekend during the week , and we are normally doing family dutues at the weekend ( so we tend miss the crowds).
Thanks again for the comments they are really appreciated.
John
Great birds John & pictures to go with them, well done to Sue for spotting the Tawny, very much a birding red letter day for you both.
ReplyDeleteCheers - yes it was a great day out for us bith.
ReplyDeleteJohn