Sunday 21 April 2013

Good conditions this morning. I ran the 10 mile route along Heath Road to the Wilbrahams and back through Teversham Fen.  Apart from one short stretch along Little Wilbraham River where the path was still flooded it was pretty dry.

There were a lot of birds in the hedgerows along Heath Road, including a Corn Bunting, Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, a Meadow Pipit, Linnets and 2 Wheatears.  A Buzzard was seen here too and a Hare.

A Chiffchaff was heard on arrival in Great Wilbraham and 2 more at Little Wilbraham Fen.  4 Swallows were seen and a male Marsh Harrier was soaring over the reedbeds at Teversham Fen.

Tuesday 26 March 2013

This morning's run was again along the Lode 10k route but with the addition of White Fen Drove.  Just under 8 miles in 1 hour 6 minutes.  The weather was cold and windy.  The tracks were not too muddy as the ground was frozen.  The wind appears to be drying out the tracks a bit.

2 Mute Swans, 2 small ducks (probably Teal) and several Moorhens and Mallards were seen along Quy Water.  3 Green Woodpeckers were seen or heard (in the horse field at Quy Water, at Lode Mill and along White Fen Drove).

Several Reed Buntings seen along Quy Water and White Fen Drove.  There were 2 Grey Wagtails at Lode Mill and 2 Kestrels at the Jack of Clubs.  It's good to see the birds pairing up for Spring.  A Grey Heron was seen along Bottisham Lode and a Buzzard flew over the railway track.

Several Tits, Yellowhammers, Blackbirds, Chaffinches and Dunnocks seen too as well as a Song Thrush and Fieldfare.

Wednesday 13 March 2013

A steady 10k run to Lode as I'm feeling a bit under the weather.  It was cold and frosty, although it was quite a bit warmer coming across the Lodestar fields.

A Jay was seen in Station Road, Quy and a Moorhen and Coot were at the pond.  Along Quy Water there were several Mallards and Moorhens.  " Green Woodpeckers flew across the track at Lode Mill into the grounds of Anglesey Abbey.

2 Reed Buntings were in the ditch after the Lodestar fields.  A flock of about 15 Lapwings flew over the railway track.  Yellowhammers, Wrens, House Sparrows, various Thrushes and Chaffinches were also seen.

Tuesday 5 March 2013

An 8 mile run to Horningsea today.  The tracks are still generally fairly dry, except the end of the bridleway.  Finished in 1 hour 08:30.

A Buzzard was seen perched in a tree at Honey Hill.  About 150 Fieldfares were in the field just before the pink house.

A Reed Bunting was in the ditch from Horningsea towards Quy Fen.  Just before Quy Fen 3 Roe Deer were in the field to the North.  A Hare was seen just passed Allicky Farm.

Wednesday 30 May 2012

A tiring 8 mile run to Lode this morning, coming back via Quy Fen and Allicky Farm.  Weather was dry and bright, but the grass was dewy.

The Moorhen was again seen sitting on a nest along Quy Water.  2 Great-Spotted Woodpeckers heard at Anglesey Abbey.  Several Swifts seen over Lode.

A few Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats heard.  In the fields after Lodestar a couple of Skylarks were seen, and in the ditch were a pair of Reed Buntings and a pair of Corn Buntings.

A Roe Deer and a Muntjac were seen.

Tuesday 8 May 2012

A bright evening after all the recent rain, so I went out for a run as soon as I got home.  I set off for Wilbraham Fen, with no set route in mind.  After running down the main central path I crossed the wheat fields along the footpath near the windmill and came back to the start along Little Wilbraham River.  I then headed back down the central path and returned to Quy via the Six-Mile Bottom road.  A total distance of 9.2 miles.

A Buzzard flew up close along the hedgerow in d'Engaynes as I arrived.  In the main fen were Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed Buntings, 2 Cuckoos and a Short-Eared Owl.  Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Yellowhammers were seen or heard too.

When I got back to Quy there was a Hare on the cricket pitch.

Sunday 22 April 2012

I ran the Lode 10k route in a good time of 48'37".  I set a new PB to Lode Mill of 15'19".  Weather was dry and cool.

A Swan was on the riverbank at the start of Quy Water.  A Blackcap was heard at the start of Anglesey Abbey woods. 2 Bullfinches were seen in the bushes along Bottisham Lode.

A Green Woodpecker flew out from the trees along the track to the Lodestar fields and another was feeding on the grass towards Quy Fen.  2 Reed Buntings, 2 Skylarks and 2 Lapwings were seen in the field after Lodestar.  The Lapwing were seeing off a couple of Crows.

A Jay was seen along the old railway line.  A Swallow was seen over Bush Farm in Station Road.

A few Chiffchaffs heard. 

Wednesay 11 April 2012

Lode 10k route again this morning.  Weather was dry but rather cold.  Heavy rain in recent days has left the course quite wet in places.  The grass was wet and dewy.

2 Green Woodpeckers at Angelsey Abbey and 2 Chiffchaffs heard here too.  A flock of about 20-25 Fieldfares were on the Lodestar field.  2 Reed Buntings and 2 Skylarks in the next field.  Another Green Woodpecker was seen just before the old railway line.  2 Stock Doves were in the field along the old railway line.

On returning to Station Road, one of the Swans was seen swimming along Quy Water.

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Lode 10k route this morning.  Weather was dry, bright but cold.  There was some frost on the grass.  The ground was very dry as we have had no rain for some time.  First run after the Sandy 10 mile on Sunday so I took it easy.  Time was 55'42".

5 Moorhens on Quy Water.  2 Lapwings, 2 Skylarks and a Reed Bunting in the field after Lodestar.  A Chiffchaff was heard at Quy Hall.

Tuesday 20 March 2012

An 8-mile run this morning to the end of White Fen Drove.  Weather was dry but cool.  A slow time of around 1 hour 9 minutes as still tired from the weekend and last night's circuit training.

The 2 Swans were on Quy Water. A Green Woodpecker was heard in the distance in the woods at Angelsey Abbey and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers hard drumming.  A Muntjac was seen at the start of the wood and a Jay too.

Another Jay was seen at the Lodestar fields and a Reed Bunting and 2 Skylarks in the usual field.

Wednesday 14 March 2012

I managed an earlier start today so I was able to run just under 10 miles to Oily Hall.  Weather was dry and not too cold.  Finished in a decent time of 1 hour 27'02" a new PB for this course.

6 Moorhens were seen along Quy Water and the adult Swans were mating just before Lode Mill (quite a romantic spot!).  No sign of last year's youngsters now.  A Green Woodpecker was heard in the woods opposite Anglesey Abbey.

A Heron was seen flying off along Fen Road.  A Buzzard was over Oily Hall and 3 more seen later between the old railway line and Quy Fen.  3 Roe Deer were also at Oily Hall.

2 Reed Buntings and 2 Skylarks in the usual place.  Several pairs of Partridges about.

Monday 12 March 2012

An 8-mile run to the end of White Fen Drove this morning.  Weather was foggy and fairly cold and damp.  A slow time again of 1 hour 8'30".

Despite the fog some decent sighting today.  The adult Swans were on Quy Water, no sign of the juveniles.  A Kingfisher was perched in the hedgerow, just after the second kissing-gate along Quy Water.  5 Moorhens seen this morning.

A Great-Spotted Woodpecker was drumming along Fen Road, opposite the cottages.  Along the grass track section of White Fen Drove there was a pair of Little Owls.

2 Reed Buntings seen along the ditch after Lodestar and a few Yellowhammers seen.

Thursday 8 March 2012

An 8-mile run this morning to the end of White Fen Drove.  Fairly cold due to strong wind.  It was also very muddy in places.  A slow time of 1 hour 8'52".

The 2 adult Swans were on Quy Water, along with 5 Moorhens.  A Green Woodpecker was heard at Anglesey Abbey.

A Little Egret was in Bottisham Lode.  6 Roe Deer were in the field at the corner of Fen Road and White Fen Drove and another 2 at White Fen.  A Pied Wagtail was on the lawn of the crane farm.  3 Green Woodpeckers were seen along the track to the Lodestar fields in the poplar trees.  In the fields after Lodestar were 2 Skylarks, 2 Reed Buntings and a Lapwing.

Wednesday 29 February 2012

Lode 10k this morning.  Weather was mild but dull.  The ground was damp due to overnight rain.  A slow time today of 54'12".

A Kingfisher was seen at the pond in Quy.  The 3 young Swans were again at opposite ends of Quy Water from the adults.  A Heron was at the start of Quy Water and another along Bottisham Lode.  9 Moorhens seen along Quy Water this morning. 

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at Anglesey Abbey and another in Lode village. 

A large flock of 30 or so Lapwing were circling over the fields passed Lodestar and 3 Lapwing were flying around the field itself.  3 Reed Buntings seen in the ditch today and at least 2 Skylarks, with 1 singing. 

A Sparrowhawk flew along the track parallel to the old railway line.  A Green Woodpecker was seen along the old railway line.  Several Yellowhammers seen and heard.

Friday 24 February 2012

I decided to start running the Lode 10k route again this morning, now that it's light well before 7.  Weather was fairly mild.  The course was a bit muddy in places, especially along Quy Water through the woods at Anglesey Abbey.  My time was reasonable for the time of year, although well down on my PB, at 54'12".

A Green Woodpecker was heard at the horse field. The Swan family were on Quy Water.  Just before Anglesey Abbey I saw a Heron and another one along Bottisham Lode.  A Jay was seen at Lode Mill and another along the old railway line.

5 Moorhens were seen along Quy Water up to the Mill and another 3 along Bottisham Lode.  A Wren was heard singing along Quy Water.  A Great-Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming in a house garden in Lode.  A Song Thrush was singing in the trees opposite the cottages on Fen Road. A pair of Kestrels were seen near the Jack of Clubs farm.

A Buzzard was flying over the Lodestar fields and a Reed Bunting was in the usual ditch between the 2 fields.  3-4 Skylarks were seen here and another 5-6 along the old railway line and bridleway.  One of the Skylarks was singing high above the field clearly displaying.

A Long-tailed tit, a few Yellowhammers and Goldfinches (Station Road) were also part of an impressive bird list today.

Friday 9 September 2011

Lode 10k route this morning. Weather was overcast and not as windy as Wednesday. Time was not too bad at 53'31".

A Grey Heron and half of the Swan family (1 adult and 4 juveniles) were on Quy Water. Only a few House Martins seen over Station Road, have most of them left now?

There were plenty of Moorhens around though, with 2 at the pond, 13 on Quy Water, 1 at Lode Mill and another in a field off Fen Road. Several of the Moorhens were juveniles. 4 Green Woodpeckers seen/heard too - 1 heard at Anglesey Abbey, 2 feeding on the grass towards Quy Fen and another seen at the start of the bridleway.

There were about 6 Reed Buntings between the sugar beet fields. A flock of about 20 House Sparrows in Station Road.

Also 4 Grey Squirrels were seen. 2 at Anglesey Abbey and 2 on the old railway line.

Wednesday 7 September

An 8 mile run this morning to the end of White Fen Drove. Weather was dry but cool with a strong South-Westerly wind. My time was a reasonable 1 hour 7'30".

A few House Martins and Swallows around. The Swan family were on Quy Water as well as 6 Moorhens, including 1 juvenile. 2 Jays flew across the track just before Lode Mill. A Kestrel was seen at the Jack of Clubs and another at the Crane farm.

Along the track to the Lodestar fields a Jay was heard and a Green Woodpecker seen. There were 4 Reed Buntings in the ditch between the sugar beet fields.

It was a very good morning for mammals. A Muntjac was seen in the woods at Anglesey Abbey. A total of 8 Roe Deer - 5 in a field to the North of Fen Road and another 3 in the field just before White Fen. Here at the the end of the track there were 2 Hares. On the way back down White Fen Drove a Stoat came out of the undergrowth and promptly ran back in again when it saw me. And of course there were the usual dozens of Rabbits.

Wednesday 31 August 2011

Lode 10k this morning. Weather was overcast and cool. No stopwatch this morning so no time available.

Marquees have started to be put up for the Lodestar Festival this weekend.

A lot of House Martins in Station Road. The Swan family were swimming along Quy Water in the wooded section at Anglesey Abbey. A Heron was on Bottisham Lode, also a few Moorhens including 1 young bird.

A Green Woodpecker was seen along the track to the Lodestar fields. Along the ditch between the sugar beet field there were 6 Reed Buntings (presumably a family group) and also a Skylark. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the track just before the railway line and another Green Woodpecker was seen along the bridleway. Finally another young Moorhen was seen at the pond on Station Road.

Monday 1 August 2011

Lode 10k this morning. Weather was dry, warm but cloudy. Time was not too bad at 54'15".

Lots of House Martins flying around Vicarage Meadow and Station Road. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard in Station Road and one seen just before the old railway line. The Swan family were at the pond in Station Road. A large flock of goldfinches along Quy Water again this morning. A Heron was in Bottisham Lode just before the bridge. 1 Reed Bunting and 3 Skylarks at the sugar beet fields.

Monday 25 July 2011

An 8 mile run this morning to Horningsea. The weather was dry, bright but quite cool. My time was 1 hour 8'27".

A Green Woodpecker was seen along the track to Allicky Farm. A group of about 10 young Red-Legged Partridges flew away from the track to Horningsea. A Buzzard and a Hare seen at Honey Hill. A few Reed Buntings, Skylarks and other small birds seen.