Thursday 25 April 2013

Due to overnight rain I avoided the potentially muddy areas and ran the 9km route through Bottisham to Lode Mill and back along the old railway line.

A Collared Dove was seen sitting on a nest on the side of a house in Lode at the same spot as last year.  Several firsts for the year today:
- Several Whitethroats heard (1 seen);
- Blackcap heard, where the track from Lodestar joins the old railway line;
- A male Bullfinch seen along the old railway line;
- 2 House Martins in Vicarage Meadow.

I also saw or heard, a Kestrel, 2 Swallows, several Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Long-Tailed Tit, Geat Tits, Robins, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Chiffchaffs and Skylarks.

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.

Sunday 31 March 2013

Today I ran the basic 14.2km Heath Road route, I didn't want to endure the slippery mud of Teversham Fen again.  Conditions were much the same as Friday.

A Buzzard flew over the Newmarket Road at Bottisham.  Again several Yellowhammers and Chaffinches and 2 Hares seen in a different field. 3 Kestrels seen in various places.

Friday 29 March 2013

I tried a new route today, taking the Heath Road byway from just past Bottisham to Great Wilbraham.  This is a really good wide grassy track with some nice up and down hills.  The track was pretty dry.  The planned route was 14.2km but when I got to Little Wilbraham I decided to extend the run through Teversham Fen, making the total distance 16.4km (just over 10 miles).  This latter part of the run was very muddy and almost impassable in one place where the Little Wilbrham river had overflowed over the path.  Despite the mud this is a very scenic route along the meanders of this chalk stream.

Along Heath Road there were several Yellowhammers and Chaffinches.  2 Hares were seen just after the 6km mark.  At Teversham Fen 2 Teal flew up from the stream and a Kestrel and male Marsh Harrier were seen.

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 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.

Tuesday 3 April 2012

Lode 10k this morning.  Weather was dry and cool.  My fastest time this year at 53'00".

Chiffchaffs were heard at Anglesey Abbey at the start of the woods and near Lode Mill.  1 Green Woodpecker seen.  A male Kestrel was seen at the Jack of Clubs.  2 Roe Deer were in the fields along Fen Road.

A few Yellowhammers seen too.

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.

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.

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Lode 10k this morning. Weather was dry and bright but rather windy. Felling a bit stiff after long run at the weekend, so not a quick run (54'20").

Family of Swans were in the same place on the bank of Quy Water. Several Swifts were feeding along here. A little further on there was a family of fledged Blue Tits and in the woods at Anglesey Abbey a Blackcap was singing.

A Mallard with very small ducklings was on the bank of Bottisham Lode. At the bridge 6 Swallows, including young birds, were flying around. A Jay was seen again along the track to the Lodestar fields and at the end of the track there was a Hare.

No sightings of Lapwings since the large flock seen a week or so ago. They must have moved on now after breeding. A male Yellowhammer was almost camouflaged as it sat on a falling tree along the railway line.

A Chiffchaff was singing at Quy Hall, and a Coot with a chick was on the pond. The highlight of the day was a lovely Barn Owl in Station Road. This was a very pale, ghostly white bird.

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.

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Been forced to take a break for a few days by a stinking cold! Ran a loop of Little Wilbraham Fen this morning. 7.5 miles in 1 hour 13'14". Weather was mild but cloudy. Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming by the Wheatsheaf pub in Quy. A Cormorant flew over. Muntjac along L. Wilbraham River, 5 Hares along the footpath leading back into the fen and a bit further on there was a Fox. Several Yellowhammers seen along the hedgerows bordering the footpath. 2 Moorhens were seen in a ditch just before the first farm. At the end of the fen, just before the boardwalk a Buzzard was sitting on top of a bush, but flew away as I approached. Otherwise lots of Pigeons, Corvids, Blackbirds and Chaffinches about.

Thursday 17 March 2011

The 5.5 mile Bottisham, Lode Mill route this morning. Weather was quite cold and misty with a steady light drizzle. Feeling tired this morning so a slow time of 52'19".

A Great-Spotted Woodpecker drumming loudly at Lode Mill. The bird was seen at the top of a poplar tree. Yellowhammer again at the bend in the bridleway.

2 Coots on Quy Water heading toward the pond and a Kingfisher flew across the pond to sit in an overhanging tree. Heron flew over Stow Road and over the park. A Song Thrush was on the grass in the park.

Friday 11 March 2011

Having found on Wednesday that the path along Quy Water is fairly dry, I reverted back to my summer route this morning. Along Quy Water to Lode Mill out to the end of White Fen Drove and then back via the Lodestar fields. Just under 8 miles in 1 hour 10'59". Weather was cool but bright. Quite windy though, with headwind coming back.

Great-Spotted Woodpecker drumming in Station Road, a Green Woodpecker seen just before the mill and another heard just before White Fen Drove. A Lapwing was displaying in the field just before Anglesey Abbey. A female Grey Wagtail was sitting on the fence at Lode Mill. 4-5 Roe Deer were in the field to the North of Fen Road. A Jay was seen along the grassy stretch of White Fen Drove.

Several gulls on the Lodestar fields including Lesser Black-Backed, Common and Black-Headed. 2 Skylarks were singing over the fields just passed Lodestar and about 6 Lapwings were displaying. Reed Bunting seen here too.

Just before the railway track there were several Yellowhammers.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Bottisham and Lode again this morning. Cold and frosty, but bright and sunny. The frost meant that there was no mud this morning. A respectable time of 1 hour 4'45".

At the end of Bottisham Lode there were 2 Herons, A Green Woodpecker heard calling and a Lapwing and Stock Dove flying over. A Lesser Black-Backed Gull was seen over the Lodestar fields. Passed the fields were the usual Reed Bunting and a Skylark. Another 10-12 Lapwing flew over. 3 pairs of Partridges seen. A few Yellowhammers were seen and along the track leading to the old railway line there was a Jay.

Along the bridleway another group of about 10 Lapwings were in the field.

Tuesday 1 March 2011

7.5 mile route to Bottisham, Lode as far as the start of White Fen Drove. Back via Lode Mill and the railway line. Weather was mild and dry. Time was 1 hour 6'21".

Along Bottisham Lode there were 5 Moorhens, 2 Green Woodpeckers, a Heron and 2 pairs of Mallards (one of which had a domestic white drake). A Yellowhammer was heard in the bushes opposite the lode and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the bushes opposite the cottages.

Song Thrushes and Wrens heard singing again this morning.

Sunday 9 January 2011

A late morning run through Bottisham and Lode to White Fen Drove. Clear skies and quite warm in the sun, but with a strong cold wind. Frost still on the ground in the shade. 9.5 miles in 1 hour 21'35", slightly slower than last weekend.

Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue (CAMSAR) were out on a training exercise., some on foot and some on mountain bikes.

Not a lot of birds seen. Only notable sightings were a flock of 25 Yellowhammers along White Fen Drove and 6 Moorhens together on the bank of Bottisham Lode.

Monday 3 January 2011

I avoided the mud along Quy Water today by running along the road route to Bottisham and Lode then continued out to the end of White Fen drove. Weather was dry but a little cooler than the last few days. 9 miles in 1 hour 21'16".

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the trees along Lode Road, Bottisham. 6 Moorhens seen along Bottisham Lode and a Kestrel. There were 3 or 4 Roe Deer in the field to the North of Fen Road. A flock of Yellowhammers were in the bushes at the start of White Fen Drove.

A Green Woodpecker and a Mistle Thrush were seen in the Lodestar field and a Buzzard flew into a tree here.

Again several Blackbirds and Fieldfares seen as well as Blue, Great and Long-Tailed Tits, Chaffinches and Goldfinches.