On Saturday we walked locally at the RSPB Coombes Valley Nature Reserve. It was a beautiful morning and the meadow and valley view area were stunning in the dappled sunlight.
We wandered along the path to the seat where we could take in the view over the valley. We could hear the steam train on the Churnet Valley Railway which is nearby.
The volunteer at the Visitor Centre told us that Pied Fly Catchers had returned, as they do each year after wintering in West Africa, to the area around the old cottage down near the woods.
We stood overlooking the pond and we both saw and heard one. No photos though as the bird was flitting about so much.
Here is what the - RSPB - say about the Pied Flycatcher.
We will be returning to the meadow in a few weeks time to see if we can find Orchids. There are usually loads of them to see. Mostly Common Spotted Orchids and Butterfly Orchids.
Looks like such a pretty place to walk. So peaceful. All those wild flowers. YOu hit it at the right time for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy, it was such a beautiful day:)
DeleteIt was a perfect day for walking on Saturday wasn't it. Lovely to see the meadow flowers and the view across the valley.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverley, yes it was a perfect day for walking, dry and warm but not too hot, the views were glorious:)
DeleteHow peaceful. I hope you see that bird again.
ReplyDeleteThank you Granny Sue, it was very peaceful, just the birds and insects and a few people here and there:)
DeleteGlorious! I would have loved a walk around there. Our local meadow is looking very grassy this year, not many flowers and no butterflies yet, not even the brown ones. Great to see the pied flycatcher too. 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you CK. The meadow was looking good, I only saw a couple of butterflies though, there are usually more. A couple of Orange tips were spotted:)
DeleteWhat a beautiful place to walk - it all looks so very lovely. Good news about the Pied Flycatcher returning. I haven't seen one since we went to RSPB Nagshead in the Forest of Dean many years ago now.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline, yes it is a lovely place to walk, there were Redstarts too, apparently, we didn't see signs of those but did see very briefly the Pied Flycatcher and three buzzards thermalling overhead:)
DeleteIt's a beautiful time of the year to take a walk. The meadow is looking lovely and being aware of different birds is an enjoyable part of a walk in the countryside.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, it is a special time of year and one of my favourites as everywhere looks bright and new and full of life:)
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