Well I was going to call this 'wet and dry' but yesterday was such a gale that the more appropriate title is above. So, many thanks to the team at Radipole/Lodmoor RSPB reserve for the welcome and accommodation. Good luck to Steve on his move to Geltsdale for the Summer. Good luck also to the RSPB with their aim of a 3% carbon cut in 2010. have a look on Google for the 10:10 carbon cut campaign from thr Age of Stupid people.
Thursday - a quick look at Ferrybridge [16 med' gulls] and Portland Harbour [9 black-necked grebes] before cycling to Abbotsbury for lunch [pate, bananas and hot cross buns] and Lyme Regis for delicious Dorset cake and custard, as well as 14 beautiful purple sandpipers tucked in on the fisherman cottages wall on the Cobb. [143 birds year list now]. It had been heavy rain most of the way and even some time in the clouds just past Abbotsbury. Got to Beer and found the Youth Hostel.
Next day entirely different and the brightness of the sun, unseen for days, was actually hurting my eyes! Went to the entrance of Beer caves which look similar in structure to Tilly Whim caves at Durlston [not that I've ever been inside those!] and other caves at Winspit; both the latter near Swanage Dorset. A large pig farm had hundreds of gulls, corvids and a good-sized flock of lapwings and these gave me an excuse to have a rest as the westerly wind was strong enough to stop me cycling.
Lunch on the extensive Aylesbeare Common RSPB reserve and only 2 birds found on the deck; a 'small' reed bunting that I tried to string into something better and a goldcrest. Otherwise a buzzard flew over and everything else was being kept down because of the gale. Cycled around to Venn Ottery RSPB reserve and similar birds here i.e. none.
Down to Bowling Green marsh, now a couple of days ahead of my schedule but with the coming Sunday's forecast being for one of the worst storms in years, feel that I need to have a 'cushion day' available. Well it's also the final Villa versus the **** in the Carling Cup Final. Please let us beat them. the dignity of Martin O'Neill versus the pathetic diatribe of the foul Fergie. Not that I'm biased but when will the FA do something to bring football back from 'cheats' thugs and foul language? I'm off on one but I would dearly love to see the beautiful game beautiful.
I digress.
Tide rising out on the Exe so waders arriving during the sunny afternoon spent in the hide. C.100 avocets flying around, sim' and more bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits, redshank and curlew with just 2 dunlin. 1 little egret, 1 pr of pintail, 7 redwing and c.250 wigeon. 3 pochard, a few tufted duck. Lovely to be having a relaxing birding time. 2 godwits were in summer plumage too.
Found the excellent youth hostel and met some of the teenagers who were on their way to take part in the South West Cross Country challenge races at Truro. Lovely, polite and interesting young adults who sat and watch france beat Wales in the Six nations rugby match.
Saturday - walked along the river walk to Exeter Cathedral, getting a soaking on the way but enjoying 2 kingfishers that allowed close views. An hour to look around the cathedral, after paying my £5 to get in.
One final thought. After having met 2 dog walkers who actually were carrying their dog's pooh. Why do some of the same throw the pooh bag into the hedges?
Setting Off From Sandwell valley
Showing posts with label birdwatching RSPB WWT Climate Change Charity birds film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birdwatching RSPB WWT Climate Change Charity birds film. Show all posts
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Monday, 11 January 2010
Monday 11th january 2010 Barnes WWT reserve
Please sponsor me at :-
Asthma Uk www.justgiving.com/bikingbirder2010asthmauk
WWT www.justgiving.com/bikingbirder.wwt
Thanks!
Sorry that it has been so long since the last update. No access to the 'net Maybe a summary will help. Please email strobble186@live.co.uk or phone 07988754090 if you want to contact me.
If you can offer accommodation anywhere on my route then PLEASE do so. thanks Right .........
* Bird list 2010 - 76 species now, including barn owl, chiff chaff and another bittern.
* Saturday - finally escaped from Hemel Hempstead by wlaking along the canal towpath to Uxbridge, pushing the bike all the way. Said goodbye to the wonderful Richie and Maddy and had a cup of Bovril on a barge with Tim and Amber, with their 3 dogs, Lady, Muffin and ... can't remember.
A barn owl was seen just north of the bridge under the M/A 40. Police at Uxbridge helped me get a B & B and a £5 donation into the RSPB tin.
* Sunday - At last on the bike, now unladen and a ride to hedgerley to see the RSPB reserve there called Church Wood. Photograph at the entance to Pine wood Studios by a recent visitor from Kabul. "What do you think of the situation there?" - ****ed up the reply.
Met Jean and Doug, with their dog Sidney and had chips and sarnies in the local pub. Many thanks to them for such a treat. I even took a doggie bag from here for later consumption. Said goodbye to have a go at sledging on the hill. Eventually looked around Church wood and saw a female roe deer, green and great spot woodpeckers and some titmice. Lots of deep snow and lots of deer tracks. Cycle back to the same B & B in Uxbridge after a stop for tooth ache remedy in the town centre - it's agony!
* now for today. London roads are great for cyclists as there are lots of cycle ways along the major roads. Soon-ish got to the Wetland Centre at Barnes and met Brenda, Evy [a half-French girl with no French] and John who kindly showed me around. A Photographer from the local paper had me in reed beds and on the bike.
Cycled to Buckingham Palace and Big Ben before reaching St Paul's YHA, my accommodation for the next two nights. The last time I stayed here was for Charles and Diana's wedding. I can even see the exact spot that my fiance at the time, Joy, and I stood and where we met Spike Milligan and harry Secombe as they got out of a taxi. Beatiful glimpse of the cathedral from the reception room.
Asthma Uk www.justgiving.com/bikingbirder2010asthmauk
WWT www.justgiving.com/bikingbirder.wwt
Thanks!
Sorry that it has been so long since the last update. No access to the 'net Maybe a summary will help. Please email strobble186@live.co.uk or phone 07988754090 if you want to contact me.
If you can offer accommodation anywhere on my route then PLEASE do so. thanks Right .........
* Bird list 2010 - 76 species now, including barn owl, chiff chaff and another bittern.
* Saturday - finally escaped from Hemel Hempstead by wlaking along the canal towpath to Uxbridge, pushing the bike all the way. Said goodbye to the wonderful Richie and Maddy and had a cup of Bovril on a barge with Tim and Amber, with their 3 dogs, Lady, Muffin and ... can't remember.
A barn owl was seen just north of the bridge under the M/A 40. Police at Uxbridge helped me get a B & B and a £5 donation into the RSPB tin.
* Sunday - At last on the bike, now unladen and a ride to hedgerley to see the RSPB reserve there called Church Wood. Photograph at the entance to Pine wood Studios by a recent visitor from Kabul. "What do you think of the situation there?" - ****ed up the reply.
Met Jean and Doug, with their dog Sidney and had chips and sarnies in the local pub. Many thanks to them for such a treat. I even took a doggie bag from here for later consumption. Said goodbye to have a go at sledging on the hill. Eventually looked around Church wood and saw a female roe deer, green and great spot woodpeckers and some titmice. Lots of deep snow and lots of deer tracks. Cycle back to the same B & B in Uxbridge after a stop for tooth ache remedy in the town centre - it's agony!
* now for today. London roads are great for cyclists as there are lots of cycle ways along the major roads. Soon-ish got to the Wetland Centre at Barnes and met Brenda, Evy [a half-French girl with no French] and John who kindly showed me around. A Photographer from the local paper had me in reed beds and on the bike.
Cycled to Buckingham Palace and Big Ben before reaching St Paul's YHA, my accommodation for the next two nights. The last time I stayed here was for Charles and Diana's wedding. I can even see the exact spot that my fiance at the time, Joy, and I stood and where we met Spike Milligan and harry Secombe as they got out of a taxi. Beatiful glimpse of the cathedral from the reception room.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th January - Stuck in Hemel Hempstead
It's Thursday now and I'm actually sitting in the most wonderful cycling shop I've ever been in - Leisure Wheels - [www.leisurewheels.co.uk] in Hemel Hempstead. They're repairing the bike from the damage from Tuesday's fall on the ice and they've allowed me to catch up on the emails.
Right, Tuesday - well it was a fabulous morning. Got down to Otmoor after seeing red kite whilst cycling to the reserve from Stanton St John where Richard and Lynn Ebbs had kindly put me up for the night. 19 Red-legged partridge had moved off the frozen [ should have taken more notice!] lane for another year tick and a yellowhammer flew over closely followed by a meadow pipit, both calling. [64 species - year list]
Down to the first screen and shovelor [65] was with a large group of mainly teal with some mallard and wigeon, all around the only bit of ice-free water to be seen. More red kites, 5 of them were seen here and a raven came over [66]. Phil, originally a Scouser gave some company and chat and he caught up with me as I went onto the second screen.
Bittern! Walked out from edge of left hand read [phraggy!] area and then after 10 minutes or so flew over the ice into the middle of the right hand reeds. [67]
Phone rings - BBC OXFORD TV girl has arrived for an interview. Poor girl. She really must have drawn the short straw to be out here in the bitter cold. Filmed riding, stopping by the gate, getting off and going through the kissing gate - 4 times. Interviewed C.C.C. - climate change, children and charities. I should add another C - contacting.
Off back to Richard and Lynn's to collect the panniers and off I came. Thick ice had been unnoticed until the bike went from under me leaving me rolling along the ground. Luckily only had a small cut on the palm otherwise just shaken. The bike though was worse off. The right hand gear system was broken and the pedal cover smashed. Got back up, fixed the gears as well as I could and walked for a bit until the ice seemed less. The gears started to work reasonably well but with a slight crunch now between each one.
Got the panniers, said a very sincere thanks to the wonderful Lynn [I'd said goodbye and thanks to Richard at Otmoor. This wonderful man was with a group of very dedicated volunteers carrying out a work party in the frozen area of hedgerow along one of the paths] and started off for Hemel Hempstead.
A group [herd? What is the collective noun for deer] of 41 roe deer were in a field to the left after about one mile and I stopped to look. The stag, resplendent with huge antlers, was keen to watch me. Oh yes, forgot to say a bank vole had been exploring Richard and Lynn's stone wall. I saw it as the Hounslow, Brentford and Twickenham newspaper reporter was talking to me.
A green woodpecker flew alongside me next [68].
Thame - post office for juice bottle - Lucozade Sport.
Prince's Risborough - a beef lasagne and hot chocolate in a cafe opposite Marks & Spencers. Didn't catch the name but recommended.
Dark now - 5.30pm and a climb/walk up and over the Chiltern Ridge to Great Missenden.
Up and over again - thick, heavy snow falling now - down towards Chesham. An ambulance pulls me over. Do I look that ill? No it's the back light not working - reason broken cable. Dropped skiing glove in the panic. Walked back half a mile or so and found it.
Into Sainsbury's at Chesham. No back lights for cycles or anything for cars. Buy a torch, tie it to the back! No elastic bands, no string. Use good old British ingenuity. A pair of 'value' ladies tights and an RAC £4.99 torch.
Off again - snow ridiculour now but up yet another hill and on a very dark 'pot-holed [!!!!!] road towards Berkhampstead. The A41 - a snow-bound dual carriageway that felt like a motorway. Must take it - it's the straightest way. Past a Premier Inn - no, had promised hemel Hempstead landlady, Mrs Peters, that I'd be there. 5 miles - stops and slogs - the junction. The workmen. The Police Station - well I needed directions for 47 Crescent road - the cheapest B & B in town. 945pm. Fantastic Police Ladies [is that PC PCs?] and the B & B not too far away.
At last - sanctuary! Thrilled to have made it. Mrs Peters, the landlady greeted me in and got a hot mug of soup, toast, Christmas cake and 2 mince pies for me. Wonderful! Shown the room and shower but too tired. went to sleep perchance to dream.
Right, Tuesday - well it was a fabulous morning. Got down to Otmoor after seeing red kite whilst cycling to the reserve from Stanton St John where Richard and Lynn Ebbs had kindly put me up for the night. 19 Red-legged partridge had moved off the frozen [ should have taken more notice!] lane for another year tick and a yellowhammer flew over closely followed by a meadow pipit, both calling. [64 species - year list]
Down to the first screen and shovelor [65] was with a large group of mainly teal with some mallard and wigeon, all around the only bit of ice-free water to be seen. More red kites, 5 of them were seen here and a raven came over [66]. Phil, originally a Scouser gave some company and chat and he caught up with me as I went onto the second screen.
Bittern! Walked out from edge of left hand read [phraggy!] area and then after 10 minutes or so flew over the ice into the middle of the right hand reeds. [67]
Phone rings - BBC OXFORD TV girl has arrived for an interview. Poor girl. She really must have drawn the short straw to be out here in the bitter cold. Filmed riding, stopping by the gate, getting off and going through the kissing gate - 4 times. Interviewed C.C.C. - climate change, children and charities. I should add another C - contacting.
Off back to Richard and Lynn's to collect the panniers and off I came. Thick ice had been unnoticed until the bike went from under me leaving me rolling along the ground. Luckily only had a small cut on the palm otherwise just shaken. The bike though was worse off. The right hand gear system was broken and the pedal cover smashed. Got back up, fixed the gears as well as I could and walked for a bit until the ice seemed less. The gears started to work reasonably well but with a slight crunch now between each one.
Got the panniers, said a very sincere thanks to the wonderful Lynn [I'd said goodbye and thanks to Richard at Otmoor. This wonderful man was with a group of very dedicated volunteers carrying out a work party in the frozen area of hedgerow along one of the paths] and started off for Hemel Hempstead.
A group [herd? What is the collective noun for deer] of 41 roe deer were in a field to the left after about one mile and I stopped to look. The stag, resplendent with huge antlers, was keen to watch me. Oh yes, forgot to say a bank vole had been exploring Richard and Lynn's stone wall. I saw it as the Hounslow, Brentford and Twickenham newspaper reporter was talking to me.
A green woodpecker flew alongside me next [68].
Thame - post office for juice bottle - Lucozade Sport.
Prince's Risborough - a beef lasagne and hot chocolate in a cafe opposite Marks & Spencers. Didn't catch the name but recommended.
Dark now - 5.30pm and a climb/walk up and over the Chiltern Ridge to Great Missenden.
Up and over again - thick, heavy snow falling now - down towards Chesham. An ambulance pulls me over. Do I look that ill? No it's the back light not working - reason broken cable. Dropped skiing glove in the panic. Walked back half a mile or so and found it.
Into Sainsbury's at Chesham. No back lights for cycles or anything for cars. Buy a torch, tie it to the back! No elastic bands, no string. Use good old British ingenuity. A pair of 'value' ladies tights and an RAC £4.99 torch.
Off again - snow ridiculour now but up yet another hill and on a very dark 'pot-holed [!!!!!] road towards Berkhampstead. The A41 - a snow-bound dual carriageway that felt like a motorway. Must take it - it's the straightest way. Past a Premier Inn - no, had promised hemel Hempstead landlady, Mrs Peters, that I'd be there. 5 miles - stops and slogs - the junction. The workmen. The Police Station - well I needed directions for 47 Crescent road - the cheapest B & B in town. 945pm. Fantastic Police Ladies [is that PC PCs?] and the B & B not too far away.
At last - sanctuary! Thrilled to have made it. Mrs Peters, the landlady greeted me in and got a hot mug of soup, toast, Christmas cake and 2 mince pies for me. Wonderful! Shown the room and shower but too tired. went to sleep perchance to dream.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Monday 23rd November Back to another school day and Biking Birder 2010 news
A day at school, and fun with a rehearsal of a 1980's musical laced nativity with the children.
Email from Gemma at the RSPB talking about an article in Guardian and a film to be made about the project at school next week. All exciting stuff.
Greenbirding - Bigbying's website http://www.sparroworks.ca/CA/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=58&Itemid=66 have been in touch over next years bike ride and information has been sent to them. I know that they will be covering everything over this side of the pond and I look forward to hearing from the many BIGBY people around the World. My best wishes go out to all of them. Keep it up.
Problems over the website are coming to a close, so it seems. Now its the font and photo size and the page size that need sorted. Still it'll be done asap and then watch things take off, which considering next year's project is a bit of a pun.
Time to go, back to the little caravan I call home. Watching David Attenborough's State of the Planet DVD tonight.
Email from Gemma at the RSPB talking about an article in Guardian and a film to be made about the project at school next week. All exciting stuff.
Greenbirding - Bigbying's website http://www.sparroworks.ca/CA/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=58&Itemid=66 have been in touch over next years bike ride and information has been sent to them. I know that they will be covering everything over this side of the pond and I look forward to hearing from the many BIGBY people around the World. My best wishes go out to all of them. Keep it up.
Problems over the website are coming to a close, so it seems. Now its the font and photo size and the page size that need sorted. Still it'll be done asap and then watch things take off, which considering next year's project is a bit of a pun.
Time to go, back to the little caravan I call home. Watching David Attenborough's State of the Planet DVD tonight.
Friday, 20 November 2009
20th November 2009 41 days to go
Hello there.
This blog has just opened today and I hope that you will find it and return to see how i'm doing as my project for next year takes shape. Over the next few days I'll tell you a bit about myself but first let me tell you what I'm going to be doing next year.
In 2010, starting on January the First, I am going to cycle to every RSPB and WWT nature reserve; that's over 190 of them from Kent to Cornwall, Shetland to Ireland.
I am going to do this because I am very aware of what the predictions are for climate change and I wish to do my bit to help stop it from happening. The scenarios for our future in the UK is dire, let alone what other parts of the world are going to suffer if we don't all do something about it.
Watch Age of Stupid - the wonderful film now out on DVD and available at all good internet outlets [Amazon for instance] to see what I mean.
OK so I am a birder too. I want to break Chris Mills' record for how many bird species seen in the UK by cycling only.
More details tomorrow.....
Meanwhile if you have any thoughts, advice, etc then please email me at strobble186@live.co.uk
All the best people...
Gary Prescott The Biking Birder 2010
This blog has just opened today and I hope that you will find it and return to see how i'm doing as my project for next year takes shape. Over the next few days I'll tell you a bit about myself but first let me tell you what I'm going to be doing next year.
In 2010, starting on January the First, I am going to cycle to every RSPB and WWT nature reserve; that's over 190 of them from Kent to Cornwall, Shetland to Ireland.
I am going to do this because I am very aware of what the predictions are for climate change and I wish to do my bit to help stop it from happening. The scenarios for our future in the UK is dire, let alone what other parts of the world are going to suffer if we don't all do something about it.
Watch Age of Stupid - the wonderful film now out on DVD and available at all good internet outlets [Amazon for instance] to see what I mean.
OK so I am a birder too. I want to break Chris Mills' record for how many bird species seen in the UK by cycling only.
More details tomorrow.....
Meanwhile if you have any thoughts, advice, etc then please email me at strobble186@live.co.uk
All the best people...
Gary Prescott The Biking Birder 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)