Saturday, December 29, 2018

A Misty Lakeside Walk

On Thursday morning we walked around Westport Lake.

The mist was hanging over the water

Everything was grey

As we walked the mist began to lift slightly

There weren't many people walking just a few stalwarts taking exercise or walking dogs.  Although the air was damp it wasn't cold.

The birds were keeping close to the edges of the lake, looking out for people with food to offer them.

Others were snoozing
There were a few tufted ducks out on the lake also grebes and gulls.  I watched a cormorant fly over the lake but didn't see it land.

There were lots of coots and moorhens about too

We only saw two swans on our walk, there are usually far more.

There were four Muscovy Ducks.  Two out on the smaller lake and two keeping dry under the trees.

This goose looks like a cross between a greylag and one of the white geese.


The long tailed tits were flying quickly between the branches of the trees.  I managed to catch one of them from the rear but they are so hard to take photos of.

A tree full of pigeons all rock doves rather than wood pigeons.

I've registered to take part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch.  We've done this for quite a few years now.  The weekend for the survey is 26th -28th of January 2019.  

At the moment we have loads of goldfinches visiting the feeders plus sparrows, chaffinches, blue tits and great tits.  We saw a green finch a few days ago and the blackbirds are back in the garden.


What are the odds that they will all stay away when we sit down to take the survey?




34 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Briony. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos:)

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  2. A very atmospheric looking walk with lots of wildlife. I must get round to registering for the bird watch. Lots of gold finches here too. Clearly a good year for them. B x

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    1. Thank you Barbara. I always enjoy the bird watch. It does seem to be a good year for goldfinches, I love their antics:)

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  3. Replies
    1. It always cheer me up to see them William:)

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  4. Replies
    1. I'm so glad you were here, I hope all is well:)

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  5. Wonderful birdlife you saw on your misty walk.

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    1. Thank you Julie, I was pleased to see quite a few differrent birds:)

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  6. The first few photos are so atmospheric and lovely to see the photos of birds you saw. It is always nice to get out for a walk at this time of year and blow away the cobwebs.

    I'll be doing the RSPB Birdwatch too and look forward to hearing what you see. As you say so many birds that appear before and after "decide" to stay away during the hour you choose!!!

    Hope you have had a good Christmas.

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    1. We've had one or two short and more local walks over the last few days, it is nice to get out and about after staying in so much over the last few days. It will be interesting to compare visitors to our gardens. We have had a quiet Christmas, hope you and your family had a super time:)

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  7. Gosh is it nearly Garden Birdwatch time again already?! What a spooky walk you had but such a great one. 😊

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    1. It comes round quickly doesn't it? I wonder what the weather wil be like at the end of January?:)

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  8. Love mist!!!!

    Wisps of Words was here....

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  9. Looking for reading ideas! You are a treasure trove of them! Just found "The Stranger Diaries" by Elly Griffiths, here. Out in March here.

    Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. The Stranger Diaries is very differrent from her other books, at first I thought I wouldn't enjoy it but soon got drawn in and couldn't put it down:)

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  10. Wonderful, atmospheric photos, Rosie. It's been so grey here too, thank goodness for Christmas twinkle to brighten things up. x

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    1. Thank you Mrs T, thank goodness we still have twinkles inside to brighten up these dark mornings and evenings:)

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  11. I love the misty photos around the lake and all the wildlife too! Good luck with the RSPB bird watch later in January. I bet they will all be camera shy! Happy New Year Rosie. x

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    1. Thank you Simone, the birds just seem to know when the survey is taking place. Happy New Year to you too:)

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  12. Happy New Year!
    Beauty on a misty day. A glorious series of photographs.
    I hope the bird survey goes well, no absentees.

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    1. Thank you Elaine, I love misty mornings, those birds just seem to know we want to count them and hide away:)

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  13. Happy New Year! You captured the beauty of the misty morning walk very well Rosie and saw quite a variety of birds. I particularly like the photo of the coot. Most of our week has been spent indoors, but we did go out for a walk around Castleton, Derbyshire as our Berkshire grandson S wanted to show his girlfriend some favourite places that we have often visited when he's been staying with us in the past. Thanks for the reminder of the RSPB garden bird survey this month.

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    1. Thank you Linda. It was a lovely walk and it wasn't cold even though it was damp in the air. Castleton is always lovely but looks wonderful at this time of year with all the trees and lights. I always look forward to the bird watch. Happy New Year to you too:)

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  14. You have some lovely wildlife photos, Rosie. I’ve been trying to leave a comment on your blog for weeks, but I’m still having issues with Blogger. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and send my warmest best wishes for a happy new year. Marie x

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    1. Hello Marie, so sorry you haven't been able to leave a comment, glad to see you herre now so I hope all will be well from now on with blogger. I've visited your blog to wish you a Happy New Year but will wish it again here too:)

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  15. Beautiful pictures! The birds are so gorgeous! Wishing you and your family a happy new year!

    Sandra xXx

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    1. Thank you, Sandra. Happy New Year to you and your family too:)

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