That was the week that was

We were promised Snow last Sunday but it amounted to nothing.

This was on the tree in my front garden

I did wander one day to the pond where I had see the Little Grebes and YES! I watched it catch a fish (sorry no photos it wasn't good weather).

I wander to Netteswell pond alas only Coots, Moorhen, Mallards and Black Headed Gulls, Oh there was a Muscovy Duck.

I had spotted a church nearby and off I wandered. When I arrived I found that the church is redundant and is now but of a study centre. I'm not sure when it was built but it is medieval and a church certainly existed in 1177 when it was granted to Waltham Priory. When built it was isolated next to Netteswell manor. The manor is long gone and it is surrounded by houses. It  became a chapel of ease in 1964  to the new church of St Stephen in Tye Green and was redundant in 1978. I will have to find the new church next week.

This is not a pond! There are two ponds beyond it but these 3 Mallards like this flooded bit! 

Hovering about

It is a glorious day so I had to go for a wander.

The Starling is a glorious bird!

Blackbird

Robin playing peakaboo

I FINALLY saw a Redwing 

and this Male Kestrel..... I wish I had had the long lens but needs must

Sparrows mostly

The forecast for Wednesday was for heavy rain but it was just dull with the odd drizzle. It rained harder in the evening.

I thought I'd head to the pond where I had seen the Little Grebe's last year but alas they were absent I did get to see a coot to add to my walk year list.

I did see this sculpture which seemed to be in someone's garden!

So where to today? I have driven past Netteswell pond many times going to dad's. I'd always say it was too far to walk but obviously I now know it isn't too far so I thought somewhere new so...

The pond is slightly bigger than the others I'd been to so I had faint hopes of something different but alas no Mallards, Coots, Moorhens and Black Headed Gulls

This is the clock tower. It was built in 1864 by the Revd Joseph Arkwright in order to ensure the punctuality of his estate workers.

Here are some photos of the local House Sparrows.

A surprising walk tick

The forecast for the next two days is not good so I thought it best to get out. 

Mrs Mallard "at home".

Makes a change from Pigeons I guess! 

Frosty! 

As I've said the common is a bog at present but I was walking on the road past it. There were a number of Canada Geese, I scanned them for something different but no 22 Canada Geese. A dog spooked the geese on the grass to fly on the pond and as I moved my bins to the pond a kingfisher flew across and perched! A KINGFISHER!! That is a bird I didn't seriously expect to find!

A rewarding walk! 

Sunday Morning

I have been out every day but the weather has been pants so I have just wandered in waterproofs. 

I have read lots but haven't finished anything! I have a number of short story collections on the go which I am enjoying. My week is walk (listening to podcasts) and then listen to music whilst reading. Oh and watching vintage TV like the Avengers and New Avengers.

The promised snow yesterday turned to rain first thing which melted everything, however today the sun came out so I picked my camera up and off I went.

Bird wise  I added Canada Goose, Grey Wagtail and Sparrowhawk to my walk list (35 species so far).

The Mallards were out at the nearest pond

The House Sparrow is an underrated bird.

The second local pond which I seldom go to. The other day it was empty but a big puddle in the nearby grass had 3 mallards sitting in it. Today they were in the pond.

This is the common pond, There are 8 Canada Geese. I live in hope of a Greylag or Tufty popping up. The common is a bog.

On my walk I saw Sparrowhawk and Grey Wagtail (the later had the sun RIGHT behind it!)

This chap has lost its harness. 

AW AW I think these are two of the foals from earlier in the year (I could be wrong).