Thursday 24 February 2011

7.5 miles this morning through Bottisham and Lode to the start of White Fen Drove. Not too cold this moring and dry. Very muddy from the Lodestar fields to the end of the bridleway. Feeling very exhausted this morning especially after 5 miles, however time of 1 hour 06'54" was not too bad.

A few Song Thrushes heard singing and two seen chasing in Lode. A Buzzard was sitting on a fence post along Bottisham Lode. 2 Greenfinches seen at the end of the bridleway and another was singing along Station road. Green Woodpecker seen flying away. 5 pairs of Partridges seen and a group of 4. Wrens were heard singing. A Cormorant flew over Lode and a small group of about 4 House Sparrows were seen in Lode.

In the usual feilds after the Lodestar, there were 3 Skylarks and a Reed Bunting along the ditch. Along the railway line a Sparrowhawk flew low along the bottom of a hedge.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

5.5 mile route to Bottisham and Lode this morning. Weather was cool and dry after a few initial spots of rain. The ground was wet though and very muddy along the railway track and bridleway. My legs were feeling tired after the weekend. Time was 50'03".

A couple of Song Thrushes heard, several Blackbirds and Chaffinches. A Grey Heron flew over Vicarage Meadow. Lots of Snowdrops at the start of the bridleway and thousands at Quy Hall. Buds are starting to come out on the hawthorn bushes.

Sunday 20 February 2011

A new route round Brandon Country Park today. Starting from the usual place we initially crossed the road and followed the Blue cycle route to High Lodge. From here we took the Green cycle route passed "Go Ape" and along the eastern edge of the forest crossing the road again at Mayday Farm. We then took the Blue route back to the country park car park via the short cut. Total distance of 9.1 miles.

Several Chaffinches seen and a Coal Tit heard.

Saturday 19 February 2011

Park Run. The course was very wet and muddy. The slippery surface produced a below average time of 24:03.

Saturday 5 February 2011

A 9 mile run at Brandon Country Park. Weather was fairly warm, but with a strong wind. The wind was fortunately behind us for the final stretch up the hill.

Only Great Tits seen on the feeders. A Jay, and a few Crows and Black-Headed Gulls over were the only other sightings. At Mayday Farm a Grey Squirrel was eating the seeds from a pine cone.

Thursday 3 February 2011

Not too cold this morning, with just a little touch of frost in places. A head wind coming back though. Much lighter this morning, even before 7. Same run as Tuesday except I came back via Lode Mill rather than the Lodestar fields.

Plenty of birds around today. A pair of Partridges flew across Albert Road. There seem to be more Blue Tits, Great Tits and Chaffinches preparing for Spring. A lovely male Sparrowhawk was sitting on a post by the bridge near Lode station. He flew off along the lode towards the mill as I went past.

2 Herons in this lode this morning. A few Starlings on the telegraph wires in Mill Road also Collared Doves and Jackdaws. More Doves and Jackdaws in Station Road, Quy.

A couple of Song Thrushes heard today.

Tuesday 1 February 2011

7 miles this morning to Bottisham, Lode and up to the start of White Fen Drove. Cold and frosty and a biting wind on the way back. Quite light this morning with a red sky early on.

3 Herons evenly spaced along Bottisham Lode, also a Kingfisher was seen sitting on a fence that goes down to the water's edge. The Kingfisher flew off along the lode as I passed. A Skylark was seen in the usual field.

A Green Woodpecker was heard across the fields towards Lode Mill. A Coot was on the pond in Quy.