Friday 11 May 2018

Bolton Abbey

On Monday we made our yearly visit to Bolton Abbey (we always plan on going again but there's so many places we want to visit elsewhere!). We got up there before 9, hoping to avoid a lot of the bank holiday crowds. By Barden Bridge we saw Greylag Geese with their young, Grey Wagtails on the river and Blue Tits in the trees.




Walking through the woods by the Bridge was lovely and peaceful.....peaceful as in barely a peep out of any birds bar a Great Tit! The river though had more Geese, our first Dipper of the day and several Mallard with their young. A few Sand Martins were flying over the banks. A little further along I heard a soft bird call and saw a Willow Warbler right above our heads, mostly preening but occasionally singing quietly.

Dipper


Mallard


Willow Warbler



We crossed over the bridge so we could walk up through the Strid Woods, stopping to watch a couple of Dippers fly backwards and forwards up the river.

Dipper


As we went into the woods we spoke to a gentleman there taking photos, he pointed out a Redstart and mentioned he'd seen a few Pied Flycatchers, a couple were flying around the nearby trees. They were showing well and we stopped a while to watch them flying around,  my daughter spotted a Mandarin asleep on a rock down in the river. Another was perched in a tree a little further in the woods.

Redstart


Pied Flycatcher


Mandarin


Redstart


Pied Flycatcher


Mandarin


A Pied Flycatcher was singing just by the hut at the top of the woods, we sat for a bit here and watched all the birds fly in for the seed on the path and rocks - Chaffinch, Coal, Great, Blue Tits, Nuthatch, Mallard, Pheasant and in the tree beyond a GS Woodpecker. A Brimstone butterfly was flying up and down the banking.

Great Spotted Woodpecker


Coal Tit 


The woods were full of the smell of Wild Garlic and there were lots of flowers out in the sun, it was a beautiful day, though I was pleased most of the walk was in the shade! A lot of butterflies were flying around - Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Orange Tip and I think both Large and Small White.


Orange-tip Butterfly


Small Tortoiseshell


Green-veined Butterfly



By the Pavillion a female Goosander flew down the river. We stopped for a drink and ice creams, it was late morning by now and very busy, though as we carried on our walk towards the Strid itself there wasn't quite as many people.

We finally saw our first Common Sandpiper of day just past the Strid and another two further along. There were more Mallards and chicks hiding among the rocks too. We couldn't resist stopping to dip our (very hot) feet in the river at a quiet spot away from any ducks (don't get me started on the numerous dogs chasing ducks and their chicks in the water - one guy even encouraging his dog, luckily we didn't see any being actually caught but i'm sure the chase was stressful enough!). Across the bank my husband saw a rabbit hiding in the grass.

Spot the bunny



Back along towards Barden Bridge a Willow Warbler (the same one as this morning?) was picking up bits of twigs etc off the path, it was almost oblivious to us being there and was probably some of the best views i've had of one, in fact I don't think i've ever seen one on the floor before! Very nice couple of minutes before it flew off with it's beak full.



Not long after that we were back at the car and cooling down, thank fully we'd parked under a tree so it wasn't too hot in the car. We took the scenic route home seeing Pipits, Curlews, Lapwings, Oystercatchers and Red-legged Partridges as we drove.

Mallard


12 comments:

  1. A day with a Dipper is a great day, a day with several Dippers is fantastic!

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  2. Super walk and sightings Pam. Some of those species I haven't seen for a few years such as Pied Flycatcher and Redstart. Always lovely to watch Dippers.

    Awful to read about dogs chasing ducks though - why are some dog owners so irresponsible? It makes me so angry.

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    1. Bolton Abbey is great for these species, almost guaranteed at this time of year! It really sets me on edge seeing the dogs doing this, I can't understand the mentality of the owners!

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  3. Looks like you went the day before me... (see blog post) we saw the same birds . The Mandaring male was still asleep on that stone the next day so I do hope it was ok.
    I always feel like I am on holiday when I go here, it's a very special place. I walked back down the other side of the river to the bridge. Not been that way, it's a stunning walk.
    Lovely to see the photos you took that day.
    Amanda xx

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    1. Oh yes I hope it was ok, maybe it's just a lazy duck?! I'm pleased you discovered the walk, it's all so lovely round there :) Thank you xx

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  4. Your photos are excellent in this post I sure enjoyed viewing each of them the Redstart is sooo cool! Love the Dippers, and agree dogs should not be chasing the ducks and little chicks.

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    1. Thanks Sondra, it's the best views i've ever had of a Redstart!

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  5. Lovely set of images Pam.
    Like Amanda, you got to see a Dipper and Pied Flycatcher.
    I wish!! :))

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    1. Thanks Roy :) It's worth the visit to watch those birds alone!

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  6. I always see a good variety of birds around Bolton Abbey too, a lovely place to walk.

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