Woolhampton Gravel Pit, behind the Rowbarge

[rolf]

Spent an hour this afternoon along the Kennet and Avon canal, then 2 hours walking around the large gravel pit at Woolhampton.



Not much on the large lake, but the first spot was a little collection of Tufted Ducks way out on the lake and several Great-crested Grebe, two pairs and a couple of singles.


Was quite a walk around to the far side of the lake, about an hour, heard a Chiffchaff in the copse and he showed himself, flitting from tree to tree, lovely little birds, but a devil to photograph.



Thought it was another Chiffchaff, but then the song of this one (too far away for a decent photo), identified him as being a Willow Warbler.



Just around from the copse there was a solitary Mute Swan, and the still lake surface made a nice reflective composition.



Towards the end of my walk a Crow was mobbing a Heron, had been more than one Crow, but the sole Crow was left to make sure the Heron left the Area.



Also spotted these flowers, not really sure what they are.



Despite the greyness of the afternoon, it was a nice walk and I'll do it again soon.

[Chocky]

Looks like you had a nice time
Love the Tufties

[Catherine]

Love the Tufties too, Rolf!

Wild flower is a Cowslip!

[rolf]

Thanks Catherine, not good on flowers, although I now have a book on them.

[Catherine]

I'm better at identifying flowers than recognising birds, Rolf, - as everyone now knows!

(And that doesn't say I'm all that good at naming flowers either!

But I like them both!)

[Maadi]

Nice and cool stuff. I like all images.

[rolf]

I drop into this location periodically, there is limited permitted parking at the rear of the Rowbarge car park, nice for a quiet beer and meal.

It's quite a large lake and takes a while to walk the circumference, but is worth the effort, as there is a wealth of wildlife. Grid Reference : SU 5724 6636

Was there Saturday afternoon, mostly looking at insect life, here are some pictures.

[Catherine]

Some absolutely BRILLIANT photos there, Rolf!

That azure-coloured Damselfly is truly amazing!

What an amazing variety of insects there!

[ladylouise62]

Blinkin' Heck, Rolf, you got a nice action shot of the dragonfly. A lovely set of shots, especially the first one of the vultures in the tree