As the car was getting a thorough clean at Spellbrook, I took the opportunity to wander along the River Stort. This was my local area until Nov 2007 when we moved. Today, in unseasonally glorious weather I started with a superb, if too distant for a photo, grey wagtail . On the river were several moorhen, a few mallards and 2 little grebes, whilst in nearby trees a tit flock that also contained a calling nuthatch.
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| moorhen |
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| mallard |
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| little grebe |
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| River Stort Navigation, looking north from Spellbrook Locks |
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| little grebe |
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| newly surfaced little grebe |
A kingfisher shot past heading upstream as a kestrel flew overhead. Over the red bridge and a check on Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust reserve of Thorley Wash. A great spotted woodpecker and more tit flocks, with plenty of long tailed in with blue and great tits.
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| Looking north from the red bridge |
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| Highland cattle on the reserve. |
Overhead, a buzzard, magpie and jay along with stock dove, wood pigeon and carrion crow. No winter thrushes or finches that I have seen here in October's past, far too warm at present.
Wrens, chaffinches and robins called, as did a single coal tit, but nothing else was noted. A superb walk along a very peaceful and tranquil habitat. Great to have visited again.
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| tree reflections |
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| Common darter |
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| common darter head on, roosting on ivy. |
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