A few days off work for me Birthday, 61, yes only 61, I've had a hard life!! This enabled two trips out, doing them in one post because both a bit quiet, but a few nice bits seen! Firstly, last Thursday, Margie and I ventured up the River Adur in the hope that the Shrike I failed to see last time out had returned, it hadn't or at least if it had we couldn't find it! We wandered far and wide around the area, lovely sunshine and a few bits seen, notably a couple of Peregrines and a very friendly Kestrel. Once again I sauntered past numerous ferocious cows without a care in the world!
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| Lovely Autumnal Colours captured by Margie shame about the wires |
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| Ice, it was a bit chilly!! |
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| Getting ready to pounce |
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| Me sauntering past the Cattle |
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| Distant Sprawk |
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| Pied Wagtail |
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| Goldfinch, part of a small flock |
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| Redwing, a few about with some Fieldfares but tricky to get pics of! |
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| Mallards by Margie |
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| Margie's tranquil Swan shot photobombed!! |
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| This was more what she was going for! |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
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| Peregrine |
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| Margie got some Canada Geese flying over |
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| More ice she can't help herself |
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| Swan by Margie |
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| Kestrel hovered about us for quite a while, but trying to get it in favourable light was difficult |
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| Red Kite, stayed distant |
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| Stonechat |
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| Little Egret |
Not a bad trip!
Thursday evening we had a lovely meal at the Bolney Stage, excellent Gluten Free Options!
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| Faggot Starter |
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| Gluten Free Venison Pie! |
Friday saw us off to Old Lodge Nature Reserve on Ashdown Forest, again a quiet one, Fieldfares, Redwings, Meadow Pipits, a single Crossbill, Coal Tits and a few Goldcrests nice to see, although the scenery as ever was the star!
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| Fanbloodytastic! |
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| Scenery by Margie |
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| Fieldfare one of several in this Holly Bush |
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| Well at least it's not a Bull!!! |
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Trees tying themselves in knots |
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| Crossbill, nice red male, only one seen though did hear a couple fly over! |
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| Coal Tit |
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| Goldcrest |
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| Their usual showy selves |
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| Fieldfare, hadn't read the bury yourself in the bush script |
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| Stonechat |
A very nice walk, no Dartfords or Woodlarks but nice to see a Crossbill and Goldcrests!
The Birthday festivities were finished off with a trip to London on the train, met up with two thirds of the offspring, very nice meal at Hawksmoor, Spittlefields.
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| Scallopa |
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| Porterhouse |
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| Bone Marrow |
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| Black Forrest Pavlova, sensational pudding! |
It was delicious, glad I weren't paying for it though!!!
Pretty good few days all round!
