A Cold Crispness

A Cold Crispness - Little Egret in Flight
A Cold Crispness

Brilliant sunshine sparkled in the large drops of water, hanging heavily from the dew soaked blackthorn leaves and frost tinged grass, low mist clung to the river valley and the chill of an autumnal morning filled the air with a cold crispness that only the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness can offer up. A chiffchaff called from high in the willows, a last vestige of summer now keeping company with Blue Tits.

Church yard

Around the church yard the tit flocks are building, Long-tailed tits leading the way, their high pitched “peep” echoing from all around, Great Tits call out from higher up the canopy, shouting out for teacher while a Coal Tit, now joining the flocks for winter, called back. Below the church the mist spread out across the Ouse Valley in pockets, brilliant white against the duller trees and brilliant blue of the skies.

Misty Morning in the Ouse Valley
Misty Morning in the Ouse Valley

 

Cattle in the mist
Cattle in the mist

Little Owl, again was again nestled into the long hedge, this time keeping it’s bright yellow eye on me while also watching the local Magpies that were creeping around the same bushes.

Little Owl hidden in the trees
Little Owl hidden in the trees

 

Little Owl
Little Owl

A Cold Crispness

As I walked on, the low lying sun continued to warm my back, as it shone from over my shoulder, creating a shadow of myself, elongated in front of me leading me on passed the old lock, while the bitter cold of the morning froze my hands as I carried my camera. Around me Redwings let their presence be known as they flew overhead calling or squabbled in the bushes around me, newly having arrived from the north. Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch called out from bushes, hidden from sight amongst the yellowing leaves.

Male Chaffinch
Male Chaffinch

 

Backlit Teasles
Backlit Teasles

 

Redwing in the Trees
Redwing in the Trees

Floodplain Forest

By the time I reached the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve the mists had been burnt off by the warming sun, although the coldness remained in the shaded areas. The pits themselves were pretty bereft of birds sadly, a few ducks could be seen sleeping on the banks, Common Snipe fed frenziedly along the margins and a few Grey Heron and Little Egret waded the still waters but nothing much else of note.

Swan Lake
Swan Lake

 

Rook in Flight
Rook in Flight

 

Carrion Crow on Fence
Carrion Crow on Fence

Stilt Pits

Approaching the Stilt Pits suddenly all the birds took to the air. Wigeon, Teal, Mallard and Shoveler were joined in the sky by Black Headed Gulls and Cormorants. I started scanning the skies but could not see what might have startled them to flight and then I noticed the tractor moving along the river path and realised the reasons (more in a moment on that – final thoughts).

Even though I assumed the disturbance would mean there wouldn’t be much about I headed to the Viaduct hide anyway. Just in case. I was nearly right a stunning Grey Wagtail dropped in in front of me offering great views.

Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail

 

Grey Wagtail
Another shot of the Grey Wagtail

 

Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail

Leaving the hide to yet more disturbance I headed back along the path, this time using the opportunity to photograph a few of the duck before heading back home once again.

Wigeon in Flight
Wigeon in Flight

 

Wigeon in Flight
Wigeon in Flight

A Final Thought

As an aside we all know that common sense is not very common but it seems to be lacking in the parks trust completely at the moment.

Last week they cut back all the scrub that separates the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve from the path along the River Ouse. A mistake in my opinion as now the area of the stilt pits is open to dogs, legitimately off the lead while on the river path, to see and enter the nature reserve under the recently replaced fence, the old fence prevented this as well. This week they are cutting down ALL the willows along the river.

Now the reasons for the later are valid (see photo of the sign that is up). But since they cut back the scrub and exposed the path there is now no separation of the tractors and trucks, hauling out the fallen trees, from the birds causing the local ducks and few waders real disturbance issues.

Common sense and communication could have seen this work be completed in reverse order or at the same time and reduced the disturbance to the local wildlife of the nature reserve, but what do I know.

Sign put up by parks trust about willow cutting
Sign put up by parks trust about willow cutting

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12 Comments

    • AshleyBeolens

      Thank you, I love it when mist pools like that, but usually only see it when I don't have my camera (or the right lens).

  • Tamsin Mathias

    Wow! These photos are absolutely stunning!! I've never seen an owl in the wild before. I would absolutely love to see one!

    I can't get over how amazing your photo 'Misty Morning in the Ouse Valley' is – it's magnificent. Love it!

    #ChasingNature

    • AshleyBeolens

      Thank you. Owls are one of those enigmas because we assume you can only see them at night they take on a whole other level, but often owls like the little Owl and Short Eared Owls can be found hunting in the day, and Barn Owls are often out early evening or late mornings, it's just a matter of knowing where to be 🙂

  • Lauren The Helpful Hiker

    Beautiful photos, as always! I tried to channel you the other day, but it turns out that a phone and a toddler do not make it easy to photo birds! I was trying to snap a jay-very exciting for the centre of Northampton! I'll just have to keep reading your beautiful blog and dream of the day I have the patience and skills to get some awesome snaps 🙂

    • AshleyBeolens

      hahaha don't think anyone has tried to channel me before 🙂 kids never help wildlife photography (at least not until they can hold the camera steady!).

      October is an excellent time to see Jay flying all over, they really disperse at this time of year and can often be seen carrying acorns in their crops.

    • AshleyBeolens

      Thank you, hopefully the disturbance wont have lasted long (and will now be done) I just think so often thought isn't put into these types of action.

  • Kelly Robinson

    Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post with #ChasingNature I felt like I was reading a beautiful poem. So wonderfully written and the photos are breath taking. I completely understand your frustration. A lot of the time work is carried out without a second thought on how it affects the wildlife.
    Thanks again #ChasingNature

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