A return to Charlecote Park 27th August

All, all was not lost, at least Mrs Mallard and family were happy to see us, even though we'd left the swan and duck pellets in the car!

2 visits ago to Saintbridge Balanceing pond I acidently did that same thing I took some duck and Swan food for them but Cause I hadn’t been there for a couple of months i was so exited about what species I will see after not being there for so long and so exited about takeing photos I didn’t realise I didn’t take the food and that I left it in the car I only just realised by the time I got all the way down to the pond and looked for the food. The second the ducks heard the word they all came out onto the bank more and more came up until we had a whole group of them quacking at me we had to tell them sorry we didn’t bring any. The person with me humourously said oh dear do you feell bad now there all after you. Sorry guys we don’t have any cause Left it in the car and then said don’t feell bad. They were very amuseing cause after that they all lined up like schooll kids and went in the water one at a time.
I said I’m definitely bringing some next time now.

cause I’m usually so exited and passionate about takeing photos Of Wildlife I forget stuff like for example I might be so exited and focused on takeing pictures that I just get all my stuff and leg out the car only to find I don’t have one of the most important things I needed for species I was after when I get there. Or even just the Wildlife there in general. The 2nd time I didn’t bring any food but the 3rd time I went to Saintbridge balanceing pond last month I tryed to remember my bird food even though I’m so exited about takeing photos only to not use it cause I was so focused on the Kingfisher and getting my first proper photo.


It was time for a cuppa, and a cake, so it was to the Wood Yard Cafe, being the nearest of the two cafes, we went, and watched the housemartins among other birds, flying around.

Unfortunately I don’t get much chance to see House Martins at nature reserves this year but did manage some at Highfield Garden world not far away and about locally that you have seen. It’s lucky you get to see house Martins and the nature reserve.

They have some magnificent trees at Charlecote, and the yew trees are close on 200 years old, and tower spectacularly over many of the buildings.

Yes some types of Trees can leave for more than 100 years and some are even considered Anchient by the Woodland Trust. They provide homes for both insects and nesting sites for birds and the dead wood is very important for invertrevretes that like dead wood and use it for there daily activitys and it is also important to them cause invertrevretes ranging from wood lice, to many other invertrevretes that like dead wood and decomposing organic matter help recycle and decompose organic matter and don’t harm or hurt the tree Anchient trees are one of there favourates, and Anchient trees also support dead wood specialists. And even for the tree itself there’s lots more to Anchient trees than you think they have there own exspeariances and there own unique history’s and so much more they are actually very interesting

I think your photos of the house martins are very good you always take good close ups every time you go and all your other photos you shared from there is very good aswell.

For your leg even if it’s a slow process hopefully it will get better and even if it does turn out to be a condition you should definitely keep talking photos and not give up what you do cause your very good at what you do

gaynorsl said:

"But, I'm not going to lie down and give in yet."

When you were mountaineering I imagine you always headed for the next peak. Keep at it Mike.

You know me well Gaynor.

You never conquer summits by giving in.