I wasn't too sure which forum to put this in as it covers a number of topics, so settled on 'General Wildlife'. The Mods can always move it if necessary.
Yesterday I had a very enjoyable walk, mainly along canals, which provided me with loads of wildlife sightings. The walk was about eight miles long, roughly rectangular in shape, starting and finishing at Marsworth (somewhere between Tring and Aylesbury, I was never quite sure whether I was in Herts or Bucks). The eastern edge of the rectangle was part of the Grand Union Canal, the long southern edge was part of the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal, the western edge consisted of paths that were part of the Aylesbury Ring long-distance path, and the northern edge was part of the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal, which took me back to Marsworth.
I have already posted some photos of the route here:
where did you walk today?
Almost as soon as I started I saw a Heron on the opposite bank of the Grand Union Canal.
As I passed Marsworth Reservoir on my right, I saw several Common Terns. Then I heard a warbler in some reeds beside the reservoir- I only got a brief glimpse, but I'm fairly sure it was a Reed Warbler. At the first lock I came to on the Grand Union Canal, I saw a Grey Wagtail on the opposite bank - I didn't get a decent photo, but at least I finally got a 'record shot' to show I've seen these lovely birds.
As I walked along the Wendover Arm of the canal, I saw several Orange-tips - they were the butterfly would se most often on the walk, though I also saw some Peacocks, a Small Tortoiseshell, a Brimstone and a Speckled Wood.
A Kingfisher flew past me too! Near the end of the navigable section of the Wendover Arm, I saw Swallows swooping down and drinking from the canal. Further on I came across the first Marsh Marigolds I've ever seen.
I came across some Coots with youngsters ...
... and further on some young Moorhens.
I had to cut across country between the Wendover Arm and the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal. As I did so I saw some Black Poplars - the Vale of Aylesbury is the main area that they can be found now, I believe.
As I walked along the Aylesbury Arm of the canal, another Kingfisher flashed past. It disappeared into the vegetation on the far bank, out of view. Later on, another (or possibly the same) Kingfisher went past. This time it perched on a branch over the canal, and I again managed to get a 'record shot'.
As I tried to photograph the Kingfisher, I was distracted by a Red Kite, which appeared from the far side of the canal and swoped down and dipped it's feet in the canal, like an osprey catching a fish!
I came across Cuckooflower in several places ...
and saw some Green Alkanet and Garlic Mustard.
There were Dandelions everywhere.
I cam across another Heron that was happy to pose for me ...
... and of course there were numerous Mallards.
At one point on my walk, I saw a notice warning about swans nesting on the towpath - the sign said they might bite! Straight away I saw a male Mute Swan on the canal, next to the towpath. I then spotted the female, on their nest next to the towpath. I had to squeeze between them - the male watched me very carefully as I went by, but fortunately did not become aggressive.
I hope the last photo doesn't infringe WAB rules - I've been careful not to specify the exact location.
All in all, this walk was one of the best I've ever done in terms of wildlife sightings.
Linear Mode
