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.

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.

Sunday 13 November 2011

My longest run ever today of 14.7 miles. I started out towards Lode Mill with the intention of doing the 10 mile loop past Oily Hall and the polo club. When I got to the end of White Fen Drove I decided to extend the run through White Fen and down Swaffham Bulbeck Lode to the River Cam. When I got to the Cam I was still feeling good so decided to carry on down to Clayhithe and then on to Baits Bite Lock to come back through Honey Hill.

The weather was dry and bright and quite warm. It was a very enjoyable run in around 2 and quarter hours.

The Swan family (with 3 young) were on Quy Water. 2 Jays seen just before Anglesey Abbey. As I turned into White Fen Drove a Heron was seen in the middle of the field off to the left.

Along Swaffham Bulbeck Lode a Merlin darted across the lode just in front of me and a bit further on a female Marsh Harrier was seen hunting along a ditch in the field to my right. The Harrier swooped down into the ditch so I stopped for a minute or so but she didn't reappear. Obviously a successful catch.

Several Swans seen on the Cam and at just before Clayhithe there were a several Coots. Having crossed the bridge to the towpath to Baits Bite Lock 3 Little Grebes were seen diving for food.

A Green Woodpecker and a Kestrel were also seen. Several Goldfinches again just before the A14 bridge.

Wednesday 11 May 2011

Early morning run through Little Wilbraham Fen. Weather was cool and bright. The conditions through the fen were not good. The grass (and nettles!) have grown quite long along the central track, and this was very dewy this morning. A good time of 1 hour 8 minutes for the 7 and half mile run.

A few House Martins and Swallows seen in Quy. Fledgling Rooks were on the ground at Vicarage Meadow and through the trees alongside the park.

At Wilbraham fen, a female Marsh Harrier was sitting in a tree in the middle of the reedbed. A few Whitethroats and at least 3 Chiffchaffs were heard. Reed and Sedge Warblers heard.

2 Hares were seen in the field just before Little Wilbraham village.

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.

Friday 25 March 2011

Little Wilbraham Fen again this morning, but a slightly different route. On reaching the Fen, I ran down the centre of the Fen to L. Wilbraham, then back past the windmill along the left hand path then crossed Engaynes Field again to the right hand side of the Fen. I ran down the track towards L. Wilbraham again and turned left just before the end to reach the Quy to Six Mile Bottom road. From here the route was back over the A14 and into Quy via Albert Road. Whether was cold but warm in the sun. The grass was little frost in places early on. Legs felt comfortable on the run, but some back ache. Time of 1 hour 15'25" for 8.5 miles.

2 Marsh Harriers over the reed beds, several Lapwings and a few Hares again. A Muntjac was seen in the same place as Wednesday. A Chiffchaff was heard singing here too. On the final lap a Green Woodpecker was heard. Heading back to the road there were 2 Skylarks and another 3 along Albert Road.