Birds and nature in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria - 5th November 2025

I decided to visit Grange-over-Sands on the second day of my short trip to Cumbria

There was a beautiful autumnal-looking Hornbeam in the area not far away from the railway station

I walked along the prom in the opposite direction to the town

I could not go far in that direction and so turned round and headed back to the town where a Little Egret was searching for snacks in the shallow water in front of the prom

Little Egret with Holme Island on the left and Arnside Knott in the distance

Beautiful multi-colour Hydrangea in the long flowerbed at the back of the prom

House Sparrow perching on a thin twig

Several Shelduck feeding in shallow water at low tide

Curlew walking across the wet sand

I went into Ornamental Gardens next to the railway station where a group of Bar-headed geese were feeding in the area round the War Memorial

Bar-headed goose feeding on the lush grass

A white Snow goose was with the Bar-headed flock

I have only ever seen Bar-headed geese in the UK with clipped wings as part of a Waterfowl Collection - these had obviously flown into the gardens as they showed off their huge complete wings!

The huge group of Bar-heads, plus one Snow goose, continued feeding round the War Memorial for some time against a background of Autumn-coloured trees and shrubs

 

Amongst the group was a Bar-headed goose with an almost completely white head

I was surprised to see a solitary American Wigeon on the lake - I believe that there used to be a Waterfowl Collection kept in the gardens in Victorian times, but there isn't one kept there now

Birds and autumn landscapes at Leighton Moss nature reserve, Lancashire - 4th November 2025

My first visit to RSPB Leighton Moss was on Tuesday, 4th November in drizzle

View from the top of the Skytower

There were lots of Coots in the lagoon

A Robin posed for me at the edge of the path to the Causeway hide

Cormorants on posts in front of the Causeway hide

Lovely view of reedbed and trees from the Causeway hide when the rain stopped

Four female Pheasants in a field near the Causeway hide

Path with puddles from the Causeway hide

Goldfinch enjoying a bath in one of the larger puddles on the pathway near Lilian's hide

Female Pheasant in the Woodland bird feeder area

Male Chaffinch on a leaf-covered path

Lovely autumn colouring viewed from the Grisedale hide

The light was beginning to fade on one side of the hide

Grit trays for Bearded Reedlings in front of the reeds near the Grisedale hide

- but, sadly, no Bearded Reedlings!

Landscape full of trees

Another view from the top of the Skytower

Eurasian Teal in the lagoon below the Skytower

and yet another lovely autumnal landscape

 

Wildlife and beautiful Autumn scenery in Battersea Park on 28th October 2025

I began my walk in the Herb Garden where I came across some strange dangling flowers

The gardener was taking a well-earned rest!

I then went across to the Old English Garden where a lovely red rose was still flowering

This waterlily bud looked very "alien"

There were some beautiful Autumn leaves near the edge of the lake

Pair of Gadwall on the lake

I loved these Larch seeds and feathery leaves

Lots of red berries near the path round the lake

There is only one pair of Mute Swans that live in the park and I found them at the edge of the lake

Male Northern Shoveler cruising across the lake

Dark red berries on this shrub with leaves overhanging the lake

Lovely Autumn views across the lake

Male Tufted duck on a bad hair day!

Juvenile and adult Moorhens - the juvenile was stretching its wing and seems to be larger than the adult!

Grey Heron enjoying a coffee on a table outside the cafe

Time for the Grey Heron to move on

There were barriers all round the interior of the park in readiness for this weekend's fireworks disply

and, finally, I came across a Rose-ringed Parakeet feasting on Yew berries