Chelmarsh 28 December 2013

With strong winds and stormy weather over the past two days, I thought I would visit Chelmarsh Reservoir in the hope of seeing a storm blown diver (a great northern diver had been reported in the north of the county) or some sea ducks.  Chelmarsh lived up to its reputation of producing neither.

Down the right hand side of the reservoir I could see, though, 22 goosanders which consisted of males and females, the later known as "redheads" by ornithologists due to their red-brown head plumage.  The males looked resplendent in their attire with white, tinged salmon-pink, bodies and black and glossy green heads. The females have dark-grey bodies but take on a character of their own if seen close up with their red head plumage "combed" back almost in punk rocker style! - female red-breasted mergansers, a cousin of goosander, looks even more so.

Chelmarsh has a good standing of reed (phragmites australis) on both the scrape and the reservoir. In the summer it holds a healthy population of breeding reed warblers - it's hard to imagine that in only four months time they will be back here from their wintering grounds in Africa.

Contrary to its common name, reed, phragmites, (usually shortened to phrag by naturalists) is in the grass family. It is a stout perennial, up to 2.5 metres high, often forming large beds in fens, riversides and marshes.

Phragmites is from the Greek "phragma", partition or screen.  This is because it is often planted along ditches to form a fence in fen country.

Phragmites australis is the main material used today in thatching.  Correctly laid and firmly fixed it makes the most durable thatch, far better than other thatching materials of oats, barley, wheat and rye.

The sun was beginning to set in the west with the light hitting the heads of the "phrag" giving it a sparkling effect.  Time to get the camera out, I thought.

Phragmites.

Phragmites.

Phragmites.

Phragmites.

Phragmites.

Hampton Loade. 25 December 2013.

Due to heavy rain and storms over the past few days and reports on the news of the river flooding, I decided to have an afternoon walk along the river Severn at Hampton Loade. 

It turned out that the river was in flood but, as you can see from the photos, it hadn't  yet reached its peak - which are predicted for a couple of days time.

Along the river walk going towards the water works bridge, a flooded area in one of the grass meadows had appeared and there was a large flock of Canada geese feeding there along with a few mallards.

Part of the Canada geese flock - there must have been a least 200.

Amongst the flock were two darker hybrid type individuals. The photo below shows one in the centre and one to the right.

By the water works bridge is an old oak tree, which I had noticed on numerous visits here over the years.   I tried to get some shots of it but the sun was low in the sky making it difficult with exposure.
Nevertheless, here are a few examples:

Also a large tit flock was working its way along the trees alongside the river and a superb male bullfinch showed well giving off its distinctive low piping call.

As I walked back to the car along the river the sun was setting through the trees and glistening over the surface of the water.  I tried to photo it shooting into the sun using various camera settings but without much success as you can see below. 

                                  Notice the 'flare' on the above photo due to shooting into the sun

Badger, Worfield 21 December 2013

Spent part of the this afternoon (the shortest day) at Badger and Worfield.  Weather conditions were mild for this time of year with the sun breaking through occasionally which made it quiet pleasant.

The mallards were confiding on the village pool and I managed to get this photo of a female showing off her blue speculum.

Female Mallard.

There was also a friendly little robin flitting about and alighted on a wooden post right next to me, giving ample opportunity for a photo shoot.

Robin.

Which gave me inspiration for some verse. (if I do attempt at poetry in this blog from time to time, just read them as they come. I haven't got the foggiest idea about poetic devices).

Little robin, you are always so friendly
You come so close but never befriend me
On the flick of the wing you are away
Not to been seen again that day

Little robin I want you back so we can commune some more
O robin, o robin I will hold you dear for evermore


I noticed in one of the gardens opposite the pool some fallen apples of all shapes, sizes and colours and their apple scent gave my senses an uplift. Which goes to show that the simple things in life is what counts.

 Next stop was the Mere at Worfield. Not a lot doing on the Mere except for this pair of graceful swans.

Today's posting is a good example of getting out and about in the countryside and connecting with it.  I have always said, put in the effort and each time will be unique no matter where you go and how brief the visit: that little robin, the fallen apples and the bright blue wing pattern of the mallard.

Introduction

Hi

This blog is my wildlife observations in Shropshire, England starting in December 2013.  Particular focus will be in south-east Shropshire with some of the main sites being Chelmarsh Reservoir, Dudmaston Hall (NT), River Severn, Worfield, Severn Valley Country Park (SVCP), Claverley area, Catherton Common, Clee Hill, Brown Clee, Titterstone Clee and the Shropshire part of the Wyre Forrest.  All these sites fall within three Ordnance Survey maps (1:25 000 scale), numbers 203, 217 and 218. Visits wont be restricted to the main sites listed above, but anywhere within the map area can be visited.

The main town is Bridgnorth, which is located on the River Severn.

My findings and observations wont be a long list of rare and scarce species (which can be found on numerous blogs and websites) but, instead, will feature all aspects of wildlife (wild flowers, birds, trees, insects and landscapes) that have caught my eye, interest and the essence of nature.

I hope you enjoy reading them as much I did observing them.

Regards,

river. (December 2013)

 Primrose, cowslip and possibly oxlip. Chelmarsh, April, 2012.  Hopefully these charming flowers, and others like them, will be a regular feature on this blog.