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Post by scfcbiancorossi on Dec 17, 2022 9:45:59 GMT
Seeing cute baby foxes pottering about my road in spring time makes me happy ๐ค๐ค
Also do love an ice cold morning walk with the sun out at the moment... Freezing cold winters are beautiful โบ๏ธ Just need a nice dumping of snow โ
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Post by potterinleeds on Jan 22, 2023 17:08:58 GMT
Out running on the Leeds-Liverpool canal this morning, sunrise glow through thin fog, canal thickly iced over, trees covered in hoar frost - great to be out, despite the temperature. Was nice to come across an ice-breaker / coal carrying canal boat undergoing restoration - built 1922/23 and used to ply its trade between Cannock, Stafford and the Potteries too I think according to the notice on it - so like me, currently a long way from home .
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Post by felonious on Jan 22, 2023 17:28:53 GMT
I was at the Ramblers Retreat last Friday having lunch outside in about four degrees, so the food arrives and I've forgotten to grab a knife and fork. I left the table and immediately a Robin landed on the plate and flew off with a crisp
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Post by potterinleeds on Jan 22, 2023 17:56:34 GMT
I was at the Ramblers Retreat last Friday having lunch outside in about four degrees, so the food arrives and I've forgotten to grab a knife and fork. I left the table and immediately a Robin landed on the plate and flew off with a crisp Yes, the birds are cheeky bastards there, not that I mind really. I didn't manage even a single visit to the RR last year, so it's definitely on my hit list for this year.
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Post by felonious on Jan 22, 2023 18:11:07 GMT
I was at the Ramblers Retreat last Friday having lunch outside in about four degrees, so the food arrives and I've forgotten to grab a knife and fork. I left the table and immediately a Robin landed on the plate and flew off with a crisp Yes, the birds are cheeky bastards there, not that I mind really. I didn't manage even a single visit to the RR last year, so it's definitely on my hit list for this year. You ought to go there's a squadron of around 30 Mandarin ducks on the middle pools now.
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Post by potterinleeds on Feb 7, 2023 9:11:46 GMT
Out running at dawn this morning up on the local hills, and got a beautiful sunrise coupled with a just-past-full moon setting.
Saw and heard my first pair of curlews of the year as well this morning.
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Post by potterinleeds on Feb 12, 2023 18:17:15 GMT
Had a long run this morning around the moorland fringes of Leeds, Bradford and Bingley, climbing up between the late 19th century Corporation reservoirs and grim-looking farms. Saw a huge flock of lapwings for the first time this year over Reva Reservoir. Plenty of plant movement in the hedgerow bottoms and lots of tiny buds to hawthorns and alders, but is an early Spring on its way? Wouldn't like to say yet.
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Post by Northy on Feb 12, 2023 19:19:45 GMT
Large flock of lapwings out on my run as well, fields where the A533 Runcorn Road crosses the A49. Kestrel, heron, and flocks of geese flying over, and the dawn chorus seemed louder today
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Post by chuffedstokie on Feb 18, 2023 12:41:19 GMT
Impressive sight this morning on the 4 mile drive between Aberdyfi and Tywyn, a group of (roughly) ten red kites circling low over one of the fields next to the road. I'm guessing it's find yourself a partner time in the bird world. Meanwhile there's hardly any gulls at the moment largely because of the avian 'flu' that's been doing the rounds. Tourists chips should be safe this easter.
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Post by potterinleeds on Feb 23, 2023 12:17:54 GMT
Although we are due a spell of near-average seasonal temperatures soon (or an 'Arctic blast that will blanket the country' if you read the Express ), plenty of signs of Spring again this morning when I was out running. Tight green buds unfurling on hawthorn and blackthorn hedges, with very small, very green leaves visible here and there. Saw my first lambs this year outside as well.
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Post by Northy on Feb 23, 2023 14:58:03 GMT
One for Alsager to get his big lens out for A long billed dowitcher at RSPB Burton Mere, taken by my lad yesterday. Normally found at the top of North America and Alaska areas
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Post by cvillestokie on Feb 23, 2023 15:28:36 GMT
I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Spring and Fall make me happiest. In Fall, you see the colour of the trees change from the top gradually down to the base over a month/two from my balcony. Iโm excited to see the reverse soon.
I can also run more comfortably with my dogs during those periods without having to get up at ridiculous hours to escape the heat of summer.
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Post by potterinleeds on Feb 23, 2023 17:20:37 GMT
I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Spring and Fall make me happiest. In Fall, you see the colour of the trees change from the top gradually down to the base over a month/two from my balcony. Iโm excited to see the reverse soon. I can also run more comfortably with my dogs during those periods without having to get up at ridiculous hours to escape the heat of summer. I bet there is some superb trail running where you are.
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Post by cvillestokie on Feb 23, 2023 19:13:20 GMT
I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Spring and Fall make me happiest. In Fall, you see the colour of the trees change from the top gradually down to the base over a month/two from my balcony. Iโm excited to see the reverse soon. I can also run more comfortably with my dogs during those periods without having to get up at ridiculous hours to escape the heat of summer. I bet there is some superb trail running where you are. There can be, which is very helpful for the dogs as pavement sucks. Have to be careful for which trail and what time of the month (bears/snakes). Truthfully, itโs my favorite part of the World and I feel very fortunate to have discovered it. Going through some trying times now, but Iโm very proud to be able to get up and live in such a wonderful area.
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Post by felonious on Feb 28, 2023 17:13:44 GMT
I've just had a late lunch in the restaurant at Tittesworth looking out over the reservoir and there's an Oystercatcher on the other side of the glass going from side to side in a courting ritual with his reflection. Apparently he's been back and forth all day I've never seen one that close up what a beautiful looking thing he was.
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Post by Northy on Mar 2, 2023 13:34:27 GMT
I've just had a late lunch in the restaurant at Tittesworth looking out over the reservoir and there's an Oystercatcher on the other side of the glass going from side to side in a courting ritual with his reflection. Apparently he's been back and forth all day I've never seen one that close up what a beautiful looking thing he was. I was just chatting at work here in Birchwood that I saw 2 on the roundabout on the business park, then flying around the office building, some people hadn't a clue what one was
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Mar 3, 2023 0:06:15 GMT
Foxy Lady Complicated but heartwarming nonetheless..
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Post by felonious on Mar 7, 2023 13:04:05 GMT
Lovely walk in the sunshine this morning with Gnasher's replacement, Little Bastard Walked through the fields to the crest of a hill and there were two hares. Ordinarily I would have kept low and watched them for as long as but I thought I'd better make some noise shouting the pup back over to me just in case he disappeared after them On the way back the herd of cattle lowing was magical.
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Post by felonious on Mar 19, 2023 19:00:33 GMT
Rare treat last week I spotted a Stoat on the garden path hauling a dead rabbit. It was managing around 4/5 feet at a time before stopping then had to manoeuvre around a right angle on the path. It then dragged it for another 20 feet then had to lift it off the path and under a honeysuckle hedge. At various points on it's trek it was dive bombed by the resident Jackdaws..... a fascinating watch
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Post by potterinleeds on Mar 28, 2023 17:32:32 GMT
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Post by felonious on Apr 5, 2023 15:41:00 GMT
I was running down the canal in the middle of the sticks near Cheddleton yesterday and listening for the watch to ping the pace at the 3K mark and thought I'd vaguely heard it and on checking it was there. I then realised the reason I hadn't heard clearly was because of the level of noise of birdsong coming from either side of the canal.
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Post by felonious on Apr 7, 2023 19:32:24 GMT
Glorious and sunny at Tittesworth first thing this morning, fantastic view from the dam to the treeline with it's reflection on the reservoir. The fish shoals were jumping in the middle of the reservoir and their silver scales glistening against the sun. Bonus seeing a Balloon taking off just above the Egerton Arms at Astbury, what a day to take a trip on one
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Post by felonious on Apr 14, 2023 17:55:02 GMT
The hanging baskets have been prepped with jute liners and the jackdaws have been nicking it big time
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Post by felonious on Apr 16, 2023 18:59:02 GMT
Disturbed a couple of Tufted Ducks this morning from a pool in the middle of one of the fields, beautiful in flight.
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Post by felonious on Apr 19, 2023 18:34:56 GMT
The Bluebells are out, the Lapwings are everywhere to be heard and I saw my first Swallow of the year this afternoon so everything's good
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Post by felonious on Apr 23, 2023 18:33:42 GMT
Spotted around ten Mallard chicks on one of the local ponds in the last few days they're rapid Out this morning on a ten mile run and stopped to admire a couple of Guinea Fowl in the middle of nowhere, beautiful looking birds.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 23, 2023 19:23:24 GMT
Spotted around ten Mallard chicks on one of the local ponds in the last few days they're rapid Out this morning on a ten mile run and stopped to admire a couple of Guinea Fowl in the middle of nowhere, beautiful looking birds. Not the only birds you were eyeing up ay Fel๐
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Post by potterinleeds on May 1, 2023 17:43:59 GMT
A bit late posting but the usual May Day greetings to you all.
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Post by felonious on May 1, 2023 19:41:21 GMT
Dropping down into Oakamoor on Friday afternoon and a fox jumped down and crossed the road and jumped up the wall about 20 yards in front of me. As I got alongside him I slowed to see if I could get a glimpse and there he was sitting on top of the wall looking back
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Post by felonious on Jul 2, 2023 13:43:27 GMT
Well I was down the bottom of a friend's garden in Trentham yesterday admiring the Longton Brook when a largish Crayfish appeared from under a rock.
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