Saturday 29 May 2010

My 2nd Cambridge Parkrun. A lot cooler than last week. At least the rain held off until later in the morning. A much improved time with a new PB of 23'57". I was a bit held up at the start my slower runners in front, but once I was clear I thought I was a lot faster than last week. However the first 1km time was only 2 seconds quicker. I picked up the pace for the 2nd and 3rd km, and managed to keep going for the final 2 km although feeling slightly tired.

A Turtle Dove heard near the back of the Cambridge Newspaper building and a Chiffchaff heard too.

Friday 28 May 2010

The 10k route to Lode again today. Weather conditions were much the same as Tuesday, perhaps slightly more breeze. A good time of 53'47".

Several House Martins in Vicarage Meadow, including birds nesting on the new houses. 2 Swifts and many more House Martins in Station Road. No sign of Swifts in Mill Road, but several House Martins in Lode and 2 Swifts over the village. Swallows at the end of Fen Road.

A Buzzard was again seen just before Anglesey Abbey, also a Lapwing in the field here. 2 More Lapwings in a field along Bottisham Lode and a Grey Heron. 2 Chiffchaffs heard in Anglesey Abbey woods. Many Wrens heard. Mallard with at least 3 ducklings on the pond in Quy.

Tuesday 25 May 2010

I did the 10k run through Lode to White Fen Drove this morning. Weather was dry but noticeably cooler than it has been over the last week. A fairly strong Northerly breeze. 55minutes was a reasonable time.

A couple of Swifts in Station Road Quy and several House Martins. Several Swifts (some screaming) in Mill Road Lode. Usual pair of Swallows at the stat of White Fen Drove. A Green Woodpecker seen in a farmyard in Station Road, Quy and another along Bottisham Lode. A Buzzard flew low over Quy Water into the woods of Anglesey Abbey. A Kingfisher was seen a bit further along Quy Water. A Pied Wagtail was seen along Fen Road, and Whitethroats. On the way back along the old railway track a fox was seen across the field.

The start of White Fen Drove.

Old tree by White Fen Drove.

Saturday 22 May 2010

I took part in my first Parkrun today at Milton Country Park.








This is a weekly 5km run held at a number of sites across the UK and Europe. Although the distance is less than I'm used too it was good experience at running at race speed. My leg was still giving me a bit of trouble at the start however I managed a decent time of 24'34". My km times were fairly consistent at 4'54", 5', 5', 5' and a final dash at 4'40". The weather was very warm. Fortunately most of the course is fairly shady.

Chiffchaffs were heard signing around the lakes.

http://www.parkrun.org.uk/cambridge/Home.aspx

Friday 21 May 2010

Last week's run was clearly too early to return to running after my injury. A few more days has made a big difference as I was able to run 10k fairly comfortably today, in a time of 55'45". What a difference a week makes to the weather too. Last week the nighttime temperatures were below zero, we now have day time temperatures in the mid 20's. This morning it was dry, sunny and warm (even before 7 am). The grass along Quy Water was a bit dewy though.

Swallows, House Martins and a Swift in Station Road and a few screaming swifts in Mill Road, Lode. Along Bottisham Lode I managed to see a Kingfisher despite the fact that the verge has become overgrown with Cow Parsley (anthriscus sylvestris). Further along Bottisham Lode towards the start of White Fen Drove were a couple of Swallows and a Kestrel in the usual place, and a small patch of Bluebells. Yellowhammers and Whitethroats seen in various places.





Bottisham Lode - through the Cow Parsley.














Bluebells on the verge.

Thursday 13 May 2010

A short run to Lode Mill (4.6 miles) after a break of almost 2 weeks due to a thigh injury. Although walking has become easier now the running was still quite difficult, hence a slow time of around 45 minutes. Weather was cold and frosty, but quite a bit of warmth in the sun in a cloudless sky. Currently experiencing the coldest May nights for 15 years.

3 Goldfinches in Station Road a couple of House Martins here and 3 in Vicarage Meadow. A Garden Warbler was heard singing along Quy Water just before Anglesey Abbey. The Mallards on Quy Water still have 4 (now quite big) ducklings. Whitethroats and Wrens also seen and heard.