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.

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Another late start so again just a short run to Lode. Weather was dry but quite cold. After a steady start for the first 3/4 of a mile I picked up the pace to finish in a PB of 36'03", over a minute quicker than previous best.

A Heron was again seen along Quy Water. At the start of Anglesey Abbey woods a Sparrowhawk dashed across the river. Today I counted 10 Moorhens along Quy Water, with another 2 at the mill pond and 3 at the Station Road pond. Several Blackbirds and Wrens heard in the woods at Anglesey Abbey.

12 Partridges were in the field at the start of the bridleway, a bit further on a Buzzard flew out from the oak trees. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard in Station Road and just before the crossroads another flew down the road.

Monday 24 October 2011

A late start so just a short run to Lode (just under 5 miles). Weather was dry and not as cold as recent mornings. Wind was strong though.

A Barn Owl was seen in the usual place in Station Road. Along Quy Water a Heron was seen and the Swan family (only 3 young seen today). Moorhen sightings were down due to the low light, especially through the woods, but 6 seen today.

A couple of small flocks of Fieldfares seen. A Kestrel and a Green Woodpecker seen along the old railway line.

Saturday 22 October 2011

Another good Parkrun this morning. A record attendance of 324. Finished in a time of 21'40", 10 seconds down on last week's PB. This week's effort was more tiring.

2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers heard.

Wednesday 19 October 2011

Lode 10k this morning. Weather was dry but cold and windy. Not too dark this morning as the half-moon was bright in the cloudless sky, before the sun came up. A slower run than recent ones in a time of 52'13".

Twelve Moorhens seen along Quy Water and 2 more just after the mill. Along Fen Road a Heron and Kestrel were seen and a Green Woodpecker heard.

The right-hand sugar beet field has now been harvested and the left-hand one has been started. A large group of Partridges in the field after the sugar beet fields. Another Green Woodpecker was seen along the track to the old railway line.

2 Pied Wagtails were on a house roof in Station Road.

Monday 17 October 2011

Another dry, bright and cold morning. A later start today so a shorter run of 4.8 miles to Lode and back. A good time of 37'20".

The Swan family were feeding on Quy Water in the woods at Anglesey Abbey. 15 Moorhens seen along this stretch this morning. Many of then were on the path and jumped into the water as I ran past. Another Moorhen was at the mill pond.

A Kestrel was seen along the bridleway.

Saturday 15 October 2011

A dry, bright but cold morning. A very good Parkrun in a new PB time of 21'30".