31st March 2010
Camelot Richard Harris
And so from a very noisy hide adjacent to a
small pond full of Smooth Newts at Highnam Woods RSPB Reserve near
Gloucester, I started the day on the 31st of March. The noise was coming from
the terribly busy main road adjacent to the reserve. An open hide, that is to
say that it has no back to it, did have a lot of feeders around the front, beside
a small pool. These attracted a good number of remarkably close views of
titmice, including a Marsh Tit as well as a Great spotted Woodpecker.
The rest of the reserve was walked in pouring rain and a very squelchy underfoot pathway. Interesting Swift sculpture along one path. Ravens overhead, three Blackcap, one Willow Warbler and three Chiffs seen and heard amongst the expected woodland birds. If one is here in the summer then Nightingales would add to the dawn Chorus cacophony.
By afternoon I had reached Lower Lydbrook on the River Wye and my lunch, a tin
of sardines with a couple of hot crossed buns, I shared with some Mallards. The
time gave me a relaxing opportunity to watch a group of Hirundines over the
river. They were mostly Swallows but there were also five House Martins [164].
A male Goosander was on the water swimming downstream. I had seen some lovely
views of the Black Mountains, covered in snow, on the way here.
I stayed at the beautifully situated Welsh Bicknor Youth Hostel, after visiting Goodrich Castle in the afternoon. For a place to stay away from the rat race there cannot be many more lovely spots. Great hostel.
Camelot Monty Python
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