I haven't been back to the small Nature Reserve of Millennium Wood in Bickenhill/Marston Green for ages so as I was passing I decided to stop off.
I hadn't got my camera with me and the photos above were taken last year.
As usual the walk round the main part of the reserve revealed only Magpies, Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons. Things started to look up as I approached the car park with blue tits and blackbirds being added to the list. There is no doubt this is the best area for birds - there are mature oaks not far away and lots of holly berries on the road approaching the reserve and car park.
No sign of any Lesser Redpolls on the silver birches yet but I did spot a mixed flock of 15 plus Long-Tailed Tits, blue tits galore and even better a pair of Goldcrest ( a new species for the reserve). Got some good views and watched them foraging for ages and was rather annoyed that I hadn't brought the camera with me!
9 comments:
FP - Many thanks :)
It certainly sounds like a good place to keep your eye on Caroline. I too saw a pair of Goldcrests on a favourite local walk recently but unfortunately they flitted around too much to get a photo, they usually do I find :-)
Lots of lovely autumnal photos on your previous post. It has been interesting to see the seasonal changes on your various visits there throughout the year. Lots of varieties of apples and pears I have never heard of also. That Lamia sounded a cheerful creature! ;-)
Re. your question, no I've never been to Wyatts but it certainly sounds worth visiting! Enjoy the rest of your weekend :-)
ShySongbird - Hi Jan Many thanks. They are lovely little birds Goldcrests but as you say they never keep still! I live in hope of a Firecrest (never seen one of those).
Glad you have enjoyed the changes through the seasons at the Gardens as I sometimes feel I post every month about my visits there and it might get a bit "samey". Had to laugh at your comment re: the Lamia. I've found an even more gruesome piece of verse in an old guide book to the gardens which I'll try and remember to post next time I visit :)
I rather liked Wyatts - a nice nursery and farm shop (some lovely cheeses and pasties) and the cakes in the coffee shop were lovely. So hope you get chance to visit sometime. I think we might go back to the area next year as a family as there's lots to see round there and some old churches. Emily and I had a cream tea last year at Ettington Park Hotel which is close by too :) (She had a voucher as a 21st present).
Have a good rest of weekend too :)
Well, with plenty of holly berries for the birds to feast on you should get some good sightings this winter. I've never seen a Redpoll (Lesser or otherwise!) and saw my first Goldcrest in Wales this summer, down by the old mill. I'm sure they've been there all the time, it's just me not noticing!
Silver birches are good places to look for redpolls as they feed on the seeds - tiny little birds about blue tit size.
Goldcrests are tiny so not always to see especially with the olive green colouration but they are beautiful birds :)
always the way. the little devils KNOW when the camera is not with you!
LOL!! Pete. Your comment did make me smile and oh so true:)
Camera or not. It sounds like you got some nice views. With all the water you have there, will your entire part of the world sink into the ocean? I can't believe the water issues. But I'm glad you spotted birds. And the ones you didn't catch just make a return trip that much more necessary:)
Rohrerbot - Its a nice little reserve. I will go back soon as the lesser redpolls are sure to be attracted back as there are a lot of birch seeds. Most of the rowan berries had gone though - a shame with so many waxwings invading the country!
Post a Comment