Wild Ride Home

[balkantrek]

My 6-year old son has just begun the new summer term, and we have decided to do the journey home every day from school by bike....or should I say I am on a bike and he is on half a bike...a trailer-bike which I have to tow along behind me!

The distance between school and home is about 10-12km depending on the exact route followed, but apart from a couple of busier sections of road, it is a lovely peaceful route which takes us beside streams as we pass through an area of farmland and marshes, then along the coast over cliff-top meadows, and finally home along the promenade by the sea.

My son absolutely loves nature, and is already getting very good at identifying birds, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians, as well as sea-life. During our rides he is keeping a careful eye open for wildlife along the route, and we are keeping a record of it all when we get home.

Today's ride had a few lovely surprises. His first sightings were a Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, followed almost immediately by a Pheasant, Mallard Duck and then a wonderful Brown Hare which bounded across the road in front of us.

A bit further on we had Moorhen, and then the croaking of frogs brought us to a halt so we could search for them in the stream. Finally he spotted a large Marsh Frog. Then as we looked across the marshes we saw the lazy long-winged silhouette of a Harrier being hounded by a Carrion Crow.

Finally we reached the coast, and enjoyed a short break, watching a Pied Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail feeding together on the grass. Then on across the cliff-top meadows, where Sand Martins and Swallows were present in good numbers, along with Linnets, Meadow Pipits and joyfully singing Skylarks.

A wonderful ride that leaves us looking forward to tomorrow!

[agrumpycow]

Now that sounds like the perfect ride home from school
I think it's lovely that he's interested in it so young, I hope his enthusiasm continues once winter comes . Back in the day my trip home from school consisted of a mile walk along a busy road & a new housing estate

[ron1863]

It's great to see young people interested in nature instead of being stuck indoors on the playstation all day.

[balkantrek]

Another nice sunny and warm day. Spotted two Little Grebe, heard several Chiffchaff and saw plenty of butterflies including Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and a male Orange Tip. The latter are always a delight to see, just as much for me as for my son!

[Bunnyrabbit]

Oh my word, how lovely is that. What a great journey Home.....

[balkantrek]

Arrived at school this afternoon and my son and his school friends came running excitedly over to the fence to shout out a list of butterflies they had seen in the playground during the day: Small White, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Brimstone. I was very jealous of the latter...haven't seen one myself this year.

Highlights of today's bike ride were Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Grey Heron. My son also called out for a Tern as we cycled along the coast, but I wasn't able to look back and identify which species or we would have swerved onto the beach!

We also enjoyed several sightings of Speckled Wood butterflies.

Overalll a very enjoyable first week....although must say my legs are looking forward to a break from pedalling over the weekend having clocked up nearly 150km on the school run this week!

Think our explorations this weekend will be walking rather than cycling!

[balkantrek]

What a contrast! The new week has got off to a horrible wet and windy start, and we got home from school soaked to the skin. However, there was one highlight, a male Stonechat perched on a teasle. Also saw a male Mallard on the beach.