Strumpshaw Fen Bird Reserve

A good walk yesterday round the Strumpshaw Fen bird reserve with M.   We started at the reception hut with a quick cup of coffee and joined the serious twitchers in the hide with their massive binoculars and cameras.   The chap next to us was very forthcoming about what he had seen that morning and let us have a look at some goslings through his telescope.  Watching birds is a very serious business!

We did a looping walk.  On the first loop we had a couple of hail showers but by the time we had come back to reception the sun was out so we collected our packed lunches from the car and set off on the second loop.  Lovely views across the fens, bluebells in the woods, the cuckoo calling and the woodpecker tapping and the robin singing his heart out.  We found a sunny bench for lunch and finished just before it clouded over. 

We walked about 4 miles in total.  Afterwards we went to two garden centres as M wanted to pick up some plants for hanging baskets.  As she only had a very small car, which she filled with plants and compost, I had to content myself with looking!   Quite frustrating for someone who loves to buy plants! After all that walking in Yorkshire it's ironic that this morning I should have a trapped nerve in my hip after a slow amble round the fen on the flat!