Showing posts with label goslings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goslings. Show all posts

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

Visit to Alnmouth, followed by a damp and windy walk along the river Coquet to Warkworth - 11th May 2026

I was staying in Northumberland for a week and, on Monday, I travelled by train from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Alnmouth.  I walked from the railway station to the town.  

I had to cross the river Aln, where I came across a pair of Greylag geese with four young goslings

Bus that I could have caught in order to travel further on to Amble - I decided to go later in the day

A few coloured houses in Alnmouth

Barn Swallows flying around a water-logged piece of land near the river



Large house and garden behind the water-logged land with the Swallows

A cross to St. Cuthbert on top of a little island in the river Aln behind a group of moored boats

Presumably fishing with a large net in the river Aln


Lovely orange Poppies growing on a grass bank at the edge of the pavement



View from Alnmouth to Coquet Island in the distance

Pair of Eider ducks on the river Aln

with their friends

Time to impress the female!

I then went by bus to Amble and began walking along the river Coquet towards Warkworth

Looking back towards Amble from the path along the edge of the river

Winged sculpture on path along the river

The lighthouse on Coquet Island can be seen in the distance to the left of the houses in Amble

Three Mute Swans came sailing along the river

A pair of Oystercatchers were wandering around in shallow water at the edge of the river

It was very windy with occasional showers, so I was glad to find this shelter at the edge of the river just when I wanted to stop and eat my lunch!

Warkworth Castle in the distance

Strange to find a Gorilla in one of the gardens opposite the castle

Looking up at Warkworth Castle as I walked into the village





I found a tranquil spot to sit and relax by the river Coquet in Warkworth before getting the bus back

 

Thursday, 16 April 2026

Birds and flowers in Battersea Park on hot sunny 8th April 2026

Lovely patch of Bluebells on the path at the beginning of my walk in the park

Egyptian parent and three goslings were startled by a sudden heavy flow of water from a nearby pipe

Close-up of gosling searching for snacks in the grass

Four military helicopters flew in formation over the park

Grey Heron pretending to be a statue in the Old English Garden

Beautiful white/yellow Irises

There were many fancy-shaped Tulips in the Old English Garden








The Grey Heron had moved round to the other side of the pond and posed in front of some flowers


Back at the lake, the Egyptian parents were standing with four of their six goslings

Oregon Grape at the edge of the footpath round the lake

Rather handsome Gadwall drake

and pretty female Gadwall

Common Pochard having a splashing time!

Coots doing what Coots love - fighting!!!

Recently I have seen none or just a few Mandarins - today one was swimming around on the lake

A Grey Heron flew overhead with what looks like a large fish in its beak

Two differently-coloured Mallard drakes swam across the lake

Back almost where I started, I was happy to see several Mandarin drakes - and just one female!






 I counted six male Mandarins altogether, but they refused to all be photographed together