An afternoon walk around Putnoe Local Nature Reserve/Barkers Lane, Bedford

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Hi there

The sun was shining, and it looked a great day for a good walk about my local patch.  After posting a couple of letters at the Post Office,  I made my way to Putnoe Local Nature Reserve.

I wanted to see the current situation with the Reserve after it had some diseased Oak Trees removed from the area.  I have to say, it was a bit of an eye opener.   There where felled branches and felled tree/trunks where very noticeable.  There where large open areas of ground exposed to new growth, and old growth all at the same time.

The mud tracks where wide and very muddy to deal with.  People where wearing wellington boots.  I was glad I had my walking boots on - it was messy, muddy, and slippery underfoot.

So I walked through the Reserve,  and listened out for any Woodpeckers, and was disappointed not to hear one at all.  They are usually so active too.  The place had a sort of dead hush about it like it lacked something.   It was eerie, and interesting at the same time.  A dead feeling lay heavily in the air, and a hazy grey cloud hung over the area.

Having said it was grey, there where no lack of songsters.  The sun was out the birds where in full singing mode.  I past by lots of Robins singing at full volume on their own branch to keep intruding Robins out.  Some tsks.....tsks..  from a bush said Wren to me.  Wrens love low lying dense bushes to hide in.  They are very hard to see.

I could see lots of Snowdrops had grown in the natural conditions, and they where growing in clumps all over the place on the canopy floor.   It added a charm to the place, and I took a couple of pictures of them.  So spring like, and I was glad in my heart to see them growing as they do.  Such a cheery sight to see the area.

A couple of birds flew overhead, and sat on a nearby branch.  Their song was less familiar to me.  So I looked through my binoculars.  I could see two Redwings chasing each other about in the canopy above.  I wonder if it was a pair though it is getting late in the year for Redwings to be around.

I could hear lots of Blue Tits and Great Tits on the nearby bushes trying to hide in the Ivy to avoid my presence.  Others sat close to me as I walked past them.  The Great Tits had a singing competition to see who could sing the loudest between the male birds.  I could only guess this is the time of year for all birds to think about raising a family.  I could hear Long Tailed Tits a couple of times but could not see them.  They love to be amongst members of the Tit family - must be a safety in numbers things.

I walked to the furthest corner where the Goldcrests/Firecrests love to be, and I was pleased to see that very little Tree cutting had been done in this area.   Maybe the Firecrests will be back this year (as they where seen in March 2009).  I really hope so once more.  So I am sure the Goldcrests will be back in their favourite patch before we know it.   This is the end of the wooded area.  The golf course runs parallel along one side of the wood, and it is a good landmark for finding 'located'  birds. It was very much the place I remembered it to be – undisturbed so that was a relief.

Lots of Crows moved about.  A few Rooks moved about, made their ruckus call, and a Magpie chipped in to interrupt them.  A Rook sat happily for a picture while he ate something of interest while I walked towards him/her on the muddy middle pathway.  Lots of Corvids everywhere in the woods.

I could hear a Song Thrush singing high in a local Tree.  He seemed to sense my presence and hid away from me behind any foliage he could find.  He continued his song and I tried to photo him, and I managed to get a picture of the bird with much patience attached.

I continued my walk from the wood, and along side the golf course. There where large areas of flood water within the area of the golf course .  A couple of Mallards had taken to the water like ‘Ducks’ do.  It must be great for them to have their own personal area of water – even though it is probably short lived.

A group of Long Tailed tits flew and moved about the bushes close to the area where the Ducks where.  I tried to get a picture, but found myself struggling as the LTT’s continued to move about,  and it was hard to get their best side.  Plenty more members of the Tit family moved around the foliage, and I lost sight of the LTT’s – sadly for me.  I also needed to keep my footing in the deep mud.  It was a test of good footwork, and balance at the same time.

Moved on along the pathway, and then along towards the end of Wentworth Drive.  I could see some Yellow Crocus’s growing on the local grassland, and I was pleased to say I have seen my first Crocus of the year.

I walked up Church Lane to the end, where the road meets the park towards Goldington Road.  I made an attempt to take another picture of a Song Thrush, but this one was too far away, then a dog started to bark at me at my feet for some reason, and it put me off.  Blast!

I walked across Goldington Road, and back towards Barkers Lane. I walked around the back of Tesco, and continued along Barkers Lane. The hedgerow was alive with bird song.  The Sparrows moved about everywhere chirruping as they do.  Lots of Blackbirds, Thrushes Robins, Wren, Chaffinches, Goldfinches. Starlings etc… in the area.  One male Blackbird was singing in full volume, and he sounded out of place.

The sun was starting to drop down low in the sky producing a very low sunset, and the yellow/orange light was dazzling.  The sky very colourful to observe in its changing light, and the sun was disappearing fast. The white clouds showed lovely shades of pink against a blue sky.  The effect was very interesting to watch.

I reached the corner of Barker lane, and the Sparrows went into one huge chorus of song.  The noise was something else.  I think there could be something in the region of 50 or more birds.  I have never seen/heard so many in one place in my life before.  It was a fabulous thing to see and hear such a large colony of one species.  It is hard to think they are rare birds in many parts of the country.  There are plenty of Sparrows in Bedford – so we must be doing something right!

Anyway I made my way home and I enjoyed the three hour walk a lot.  We are supposed to be getting good weather this week, so I think a few more walks are in order this week – we will see

Pictures to follow….

Regards

Kathy and Dave