Well it is another year to begin! I have some amazing plans for this year, let me hope it all pans out!
12th - 19th January Fuertoventura, Canary Islands.
21st - 24th January South Africa
25th January - 7th February birding with Tom in Botswana/Namibia.
7th - 25th February birding with Delana; Maarten & Rob in Botswana/Namibia.
March/April Botswana/South Africa
April 23rd - 13th May UAE
14th - 30th May UK
31st May - 10th June Spitsbergen
Dangerous wildlife abounds here.
One has to keep your wits about you while walking!
Red Kite is now a common species around here.
Wharfe Meadows Park
Herring Gull
Black headed Gull
The wonderful Sue Ellen!
12th - 19th January Fuertoventura, Canary Islands.
21st - 24th January South Africa
25th January - 7th February birding with Tom in Botswana/Namibia.
7th - 25th February birding with Delana; Maarten & Rob in Botswana/Namibia.
March/April Botswana/South Africa
April 23rd - 13th May UAE
14th - 30th May UK
31st May - 10th June Spitsbergen
Typical Dales scenery
One has to keep your wits about you while walking!
This park in Otley is a bit of a gem:
something for everyone.
News Years Day came & went without anything significant happening, but I was out & about on the 2nd January. I did a big hike of around 18 miles from Middleton to Otley via Asquith & on to Knotford Nook and back. It took me a tad under eight hours walking. It was a cold grey day but little wind, so good for walking/birding.
Much of the route around Otley
is along the River Wharfe.
Knotford Nook
A small part of the immense Curlew flock.
Long tailed Tit
European Robin
Bird list:
Mute Swan; Grey Lag Goose; Canada Goose; Mallard; Goosander 2; Red Legged Partridge 7; Common Pheasant; Great crested Grebe; Great Cormorant 6; Grey Heron 6; Red Kite 5; Common Buzzard 2; Common Moorhen; Northern Lapwing 230; European Curlew 417 (the largest inland flock I have ever seen in the UK); Black headed Gull; Common Gull; Herring Gull; Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon; Woodpigeon; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Pied Wagtail; Dunnock; Robin; Song Thrush; Redwing 45; Mistle Thrush; Fieldfare 12; Blackbird; Goldcrest; Wren; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Blue Tit; Long tailed Tit 40+; Nuthatch; Treecreeper; Magpie; Jay; Carrion Crow; Rook; Jackdaw; Starling; House Sparrow; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Greenfinch; Siskin 2 & Bullfinch 4.
49 species.
Didn't do much after this date, as the weather wasn't ideal. It was even cold inside the house!
Dipper
The first Snowdrop!
Looking towards the Abbey.
The magnificent Bolton Abbey.
The construction of the Abbey started in 1158 AD.
It was destroyed by Henry V111 around the 1530's.
The entrance to the church,
which is still intact.
Inside.
An interesting point is that
pagan symbols are in the
church!
It shows how entwined beliefs
were at this time.
Rowan & Lola watching TV!
Myself, Rowan & Tom +
Lola of course!
On Saturday 12th January we went to the local rugby club to see Callum play. As you can see it was a tad chilly for us, never mind him!
The River Wharfe: this photo shows just how dark
it was in the woodland. It was taken close to mid-day!
It was destroyed by Henry V111 around the 1530's.
which is still intact.
pagan symbols are in the
church!
It shows how entwined beliefs
were at this time.
On 15th I went out for the day with Jackie, a local artist, whom I had met previously. She turned out to be an excellent companion. She was engaging, extremely knowledgeable about the area we were walking through & I had a lovely time. She picked me up & we parked at Barden Bridge & walked alongside the river, to Bolton Abbey & back via the opposite side of the river. It was a cold, grey day but we saw a few birds, including Common Buzzard, Dipper & a few woodland species.
You have been warned!
Grinning from ear to ear!
In late afternoon we visited the Craven Arms in nearby Appletreewick. This is a lovely pub, with lots of old world charm. It has also had a famous visitor in the past! A fitting end to an excellent day in the field.
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