 |
| Venus Pools |
For many of us this was a first
time visit to this fine Shropshire reserve. The surrounding countryside with
views over to the Wrekin were stunning and the area is well worth a return
visit, sadly, mist cloaked the hill and my photographs do not do the landscape justice.
Venus Pool (usually known as
"VP" to local birders) covers almost 27 ha (66 acres). In addition to
the pool itself, with its islands and areas of open shoreline, other habitats
include stands of willow scrub, extensive marginal vegetation, flower-rich
grassland, hedgerows and woodland. An arable field to the south of the pool is
planted with bird-friendly crops that provide winter food for birds.
The list for the site shows
over 170 species, we managed around 42 in
the few hours we were there. Our list
included, on the lake, lots
of snipe and lapwing, widgeon, shoveler,
shelduck, a solitiary little grebe, some splendid gadwall, a lonesome
oystercatcher and a couple of mute swan.
 |
| GS woodpecker |
Of note on the feeding station reed
bunting, siskin, nuthatches and gt spotted woodpecker; a little vole was running
around picking up lunch alongside a particularly well fed rat!
We failed to espy any
yellowhammers, along the hedgerow , but linnets were plentiful.
 |
| Field margins and hedgerows |
Raptors for the day included soaring buzzard,
a hunting kestrel in the quarry and a spectacular sparrowhawk that flashed low straight
over the lake trying to pick off a tardy individual.
 |
| Hopeful Sparrowhawk |
 |
| Quarry |
 |
| Blackthorn |
The Blackthorn at Venus Pool nature reserve was a wonderful
sight and was truly complimented by the lovely buzz of Honey Bees smothering the
white blossoms. Needless to say the
unseasonal warm weather we’ve been having brought are first Butterflies of the
year, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell.
 |
| Buddies, Anne & Chris |
 |
| John in reflective mode |
On the way home the gang
stopped by the River Severn for the Greenland white fronted goose that’s been hanging
out with the Canadian and greylag geese.
No sign of the goosanders we had seen on the river on the way in, but we
were treated to a kingfisher darting downstream.
A very pleasant February day
out was had by all.
No comments:
Post a Comment