Sunday 30 October 2011

An 8.5 mile run at Brandon Country Park mainly along the Blue Cycle Route with an extension at Mayday Farm. The weather was dry and fairly warm with quite a strong breeze. I started at Mayday Farm for a change having had a 2 mile walk around the area first birdwatching. The birdwatching was a bit disappointing with not a lot to see. The usual top spots around water holes were birdless and the water had dried up.

Some of the paths were closed (But the sign said this did not include weekends) as there is currently a lot of tree felling going on. At Mayday farm as you head along the yellow bird trail the view is quite different with the trees ahead all cut down.

Mainly Pigeons, Corvids and Gulls seen, although I did see a large flock of Chaffinches and a mixed group of tits with a Coal Tit. A Green Woodpecker was seen near the large (dried up) pond at Mayday Farm.

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 13 November 2010

An 11.5 mile run at Brandon Country Park this Saturday. Called in at Brandon Brewery on the way, but they were closed. Weather was dry and not too cold. The ground conditions were very good.

We did the Blue Cycle Route and 2 laps of the extension at Mayday Farm.

Have bought a season ticket for the car park, so will try and go several times over the next few months. Had a nice sandwich, coffee, pot of tea and cake in the visitor centre tearoom.

Not many birds to see - A Jay, Green Woodpecker and a few Great Tits were about all. The feeders at the visitor centre hadn't been filled up, so nothing here. Some Grey Squirrels and at Mayday Farm lots of deer tracks of various sizes - Muntjac, possibly both Roe and Red Deer too.

Sunday 21 February 2010

A visit to Brandon Country Park with Joanna again today. Early snow turned to rain and so the tracks were pretty slushy. We did the Blue Cycle Route with the additional 2.7km loop at Mayday Farm.

3 Muntjacs seen on the journey to Brandon and another during the run, also a single doe Roe Deer. Also saw a couple of squirrels. Marsh Tits were heard as we set off past the Orchard car park. 2 hen Pheasants flew off from a recently felled area. A party of Great Tits and Blue Tits were seen at Mayday Farm and several more at the feeders at the car park, together with Coal Tits, Chaffiches a Robin and a Nuthatch.

Sunday 7 February 2010

Ran the same route as last Sunday - the Blue cycle route at Brandon Country Park plus a 2.7 km extension. Started out with Joanna, who decided to run the first 2km far too quick. At Mayday Farm she decided not to do the full extended route so I continued alone whilst she went on the basic 10k route. The weather was not so good this week, there was drizzly rain for the first 4km. With the incentive of possibly catching up with Joanna I pushed myself to run a bit faster than normal. It wasn't until about 1km from the finish that I caught sight of Joanna up ahead and managed to catch up with her 500 metres from the finish. Completed the run of just over 8 miles in 1 hour 16 minutes.

A Goshawk seen at Mayday farm and a Nuthatch near the feeders at the visitors centre.

Sunday 31 January

Brandon Country Park - A very pleasant 8+ mile run around the Blue Cycle Route with an additional 2.7k loop at Mayday Farm. The weather was slightly cold but sunny. The ground was in good condition for running. I ran the 8 mile route with Joanna and did a few extra there and back branches to allow her to catch up, so total distance run was 8.5 - 9 miles. No tiredness felt, in fact had energy to spare for last 2km.

The forest was very quiet as far as birds were concerned. One small flock of Great Tits otherwise Marsh Tits seen at Orchard car park and Coal Tits on the feeders at the visitor centre. A Muntjac was seen near the Orchard car park.

Blue Route - http://gb.mapometer.com/en/running/route_358519.html
Add-on - http://gb.mapometer.com/en/running/route_358540.html

Sunday 3 January 2010

A long break due to snow and ice and Christmas. Started the New Year with a gentle 10k run in Thetford Forest. The weather was cold and it was snowing quite heavily for the final 4km.