Sunday 17 April 2011

A 7 mile run this morning along my usual 10k route through Lode, but coming back through Quy Fen. Weather was dry, bright and quite warm.

A single House Martin (my first this year) was inspecting an old nest in Station Road. A single Swallow was by the cottages along Fen Road, Lode. Further down Fen Road a Sparrowhawk flew along the side of the road and then circled around by the bridge at the start of White Fen Drove.

A couple of Lapwings were seen in the usual fields. A Green Woodpecker was heard along the track to Quy Fen and another at Quy Fen itself. A Buzzard flew over Quy Fen and another over the bridleway. A Heron flew over Station Road in Quy.

Several wrens and Whitethroats were heard along the route.

Friday 15 April 2011

A run to Oily Hall (NT) this morning. Weather was cloudy and cool, but warmer then earlier this week. Some light overnight rain in Quy, but roads were dry in Lode. Just under 10 miles in 1 hour 27'19". A pair of Reed Buntings were seen along Quy Water just before the start of Anglesey Abbey, and a Sedge Warbler was heard here. A Green Woodpecker was seen just before Lode Mill. A Roe Deer was in the field at the end of White Fen Drove. On the way back a Swallow was flying along Bottisham Lode by the bridge at the start of White Fen Drove. Another Reed Bunting (male) was seen in the usual ditch just after the Lodestar fields and 6 Lapwings in the fields here too. A Buzzard flew low over the bridleway. The Marsh Marigolds are again flowering well this year in the single clump along Bottisham Lode.

Wednesday 13 April 2011

A 9.5 mile run this morning to Little Wilbraham Fen. Weather was bright and cool. Time was 1 hour 20'54". I felt pretty comfortable throughout the run. A pair of Pied Wagtails were seen on Man Street Quy and another 1 in Albert Road. A Green Woodpecker flew along the driveway to Quy Park. A Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were all seen over the fen. A few Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs were heard singing. Along the track at the far end of the reserve were 2 hairs and a male Linnet. In the field just before the Six Mile Bottom road there were a couple of skylarks.

Monday 11 April 2011

A run to the end of White Fen Drove this morning. Weather was bright and cool. 7.8 miles in 1 hour 7'23". A dead rat was on the path along Quy Water. A drumming Great-Spotted Woodpecker at Anglesey Abbey woods also a Chiffchaff here. A Grey Wagtail was at Lode Mill. 2 Swallows (first for this year) were seen in Lode. 2 Roe Deer were at the end of White Fen Drove and 2 Reed Buntings. Another pair of Reed Buntings were in the usual spot as well as a Lapwing in the field. A Kestrel was along the Bridleway and a Greenfinch was seen in Station Road.

Saturday 9 April 2011

A good run at Parkrun this morning. Just short of my PB at 23'05".

Friday 8 April 2011

A break for a few days following food poisoning! A short 4.8mile run this morning to Little Wilbraham Fen. Weather was bright, but quite cold. Mist was hanging over the reedbeds. My time of 41'14" was good. Along the cycle path leading to Newmarket Road a pair of Jackdaws came out of what looks like a Kestrel nestbox. A Buzzard was sitting in tree in the middle of the reedbed. Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers were seen. Wrens and a possible Cetti's Warbler were heard. At the start of the track leading to the Six Mile Bottom road a Green Woodpecker was heard. At the end of the track a Lapwing was seen and a Skylark was singing. Just before the bridge over the A14 a Sparrowhawk flew past.

Sunday 3 April 2011

Sandy 10. My second time for this 10 mile run. Weather was warm and sunny for the early uphill stages. The water station just after 3 miles was very welcome. This year there was no water station at the halfway stage which was a pity. It was cooler for the latter part but with a headwind. I finished in a time of 1 hour 22'43", over half a minute quicker than last year.