River Severn

Feeling the need for some exercise and making the most of a good weather day we decided on a 7 mile walk to Stourport and back from one of the car parks up river (Near the Safari Park) taking the camera of course just in case, although not many opportunities presented themselves

On arriving on the river side path we had only gone a few yards when a Kingfisher shot past heading, so much for sitting in a hide and waiting for one a few days earlier! No time for a photo of course. So feeling pleased with ourselves we headed on.

A Damsel fly posed:

as did a Mallard:

and a newly fledged Robin:

A bit further on we saw our first Whitethroat of the year, he did pose at the top of a distant tree but the photos are  a bit fuzzy, never mind! Other birds along the way were Buzzard, Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinch and our first Mandarin Duck (a male) swept past us on the strong river current while we were having a coffee and was gone before I could pick my camera up. We carried on had lunch in Stourport and then headed back.

In the same spot as on the way we saw the Whitethroat again, this time a little closer:

A bit further on we had another Mandarin opportunity, this time a female with ducklings:

So quite a good day, adding a Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Kestrel before we arrived back at the car. 25 species counted for the walk.

The next post will cover an impromptu jaunt top Pembrokeshire and visits to Skomer and Ramsey Islands and a fantastic NT Reserve at Marloe Marshes.