Blackwater Valley, Moor Green and Horseshoe lake

[Chocky]

Here is part of he lake with geese flying about. Taken in the evening
This is a big lake and there are Swans, ducks, a variety of geese, Crested Grebe, Moor Hens and Coots, plenty of birds and other wildlife.

[rolf]

I didn't realise it was such a nice place Chocky, thanks for the info.

[Chocky]

Yo will like it. plenty of wildlife photographic opportunity hrere

[ladylouise62]

It does look nice, and certainly very colourful.

[Chocky]

Yes . I found it very peaceful and plenty of activity. We are going there this afternoon weather permitting
There is a hight restriction on vehicular but I don't know if it all day, it was on in the evening

[Chocky]

I would like to point out this wildlife centre . I went there recently whilst visitin g my son who live in Yateley Hants. He took me all over the centre....well most of it. It is one of the finest places I have ever been to for wildlife and will be paying frequent visits especially in the fall.
It is well worth a visit . It covers some 90 acres

http://www.blackwater-valley.org.uk/

Here are a some photos I captured whilst visiting Geese flying across one of the lakes , a view of one of the lakes and a Kestrel sitting on a fence of a field Adjacent to one of the lakes

[rolf]

Looks good Chocky, will try and give it a go in the near future.

[Chocky]

I'll be going up to Yateley later, probably in October. I am going to visit as much as I can over the next 20 months, it is really a superb place for wildlife

[Chocky]

Monday
I traveled to my son’s house in Yateley Hant's for a few days holiday and photography shoot.
Tuesday
I went to a favorite spot of mine call Yateley Park where I can spend hours taking photos of birds or just sit and watch the activities going on around the lake
This is a very large magnificent lake called Horseshoe Lake, so called because it has a horseshoe shaped island.
A photo below is showing the island.
The amount of birds there is uncountable. I have captured a Kestrel and a buzzard, Swans ducks Stonechats Canada Geese, Snow, Barnacle and Egyptian Geese. Jays, Robins, Goldfinch, Siskins and many, many more. The Downy Emerald Dragonfly and Banded Demoiselles. To name but a few of the wild life species
The first photo shows the outlay and information. The second photo is a Snow Goose. The third is a flock of Canada Geese forth is a pair of Stonechats. The Fifth is a Common Hawker Dragon fly and the 6th is Horseshoe Island in the middle of the lake.

A place to visit. http://www.blackwater-valley.org.uk/...een_lakes_.htm

[Chocky]

Wednesday.
Rolf and I met. I introduced Rolf to Matty another member of the TVB and Rolf and I went to Yateley Park for a TVB Site Shoot.
We managed to capture the Stonechat some Cormorants and Wigeons. These are very pretty ducks with slate blue beaks and the male whistles.
Rolf captured many more but I’ll let him tell you.

Yes, nice day out, but unfortunately suffered with overcast weather, not great for the long lens, but still saw a couple of species which were new to me.

The Stonechats were the first, closely followed by the Wigeon, heard first, then captured. Love the Cormorant colony, looks almost pre-historic.

[Chocky]

Thursday
I went to Yateley Park again in the morning whilst my son popped into work.
After lunch my son took me to the Moor Green Nature Reserve. This is adjacent to Yateley Park and has 4 huge Lakes and is a very large reserve. These are disused Quarries.
Here I captured a buzzard flying low chasing off a crow. Red shank also bread here.
Also there are Dear and Foxes during the light hours. At night time there are Pipistrelle Bats feeding along the hedgerows whilst Daubenton’s Bat Feeds low over the lakes
All along the side runs the Black water River which meets up with the White Water River
It all comes under Black Water Valley
The Photo shows the Buzzard and the second photo is sunset over Horseshoe Lake
The 3rd shows Geese flying from Horseshoe lake to the Moor Green reserve lakes

[rolf]

Here's a couple of Great Crested Grebe which I took there yesterday, plus a Heron and a pair of Goosander. The main attraction for me was the aerial display and calls of the resident Lapwings.

[Chocky]

Very nice captures Rolf.

I will be up that way next week from March 24th - 28th 2008 and hope to take a few more photos. It really is a fantastic place I must also look out for the Goosander.

[rolf]

From our most recent visit, well worth joining the local Moor Green group, as it gives you access to the two hides, which make life much more comfortable on cold and windy days, plus you can see some breeds fairly close up.

Here are a couple of photos of Beryl and Myself in one of the hides and a couple of shots of a Shoveller Duck having a splash about.

[Babs]

What a suspicious looking pair of characters we have here ......................oooooops hello there you two I didn't recognise you for a moment you had me worried for a minute

Glad to see your latest meet went well

[Chocky]

Thanks Babs. Actually we were concentrating on some Lapwings.

[andy b]

its amazing how much tackle we all end up carrying about ( looking at all your bags and lenses) looks like a great place. some excellent shots the pair of you

[Chocky]

Yes . A great deal of equipment is needed different lenses etc. There is also another large tripod with a camera and large lens taking the photo of us
Here are some of the shots I took.
A Kestrel spotted by Rolf. It was a fare distant away
Then we spotted this little robin singing away just out side the hide on the path.
A Tufted duck in flight
And a Heron in flight which we both nearly missed.
Last but not least . A pair of Egyptian Geese
The day was most relaxing and enjoyable.

[hurricaneharold]

I would like to point out this wildlife centre . I went there recently whilst visitin g my son who live in Yateley Hants. He took me all over the centre....well most of it. It is one of the finest places I have ever been to for wildlife and will be paying frequent visits especially in the fall.
It is well worth a visit . It covers some 90 acres

Welcome to the Blackwater Valley

Here are a some photos I captured whilst visiting Geese flying across one of the lakes , a view of one of the lakes and a Kestrel sitting on a fence of a field Adjacent to one of the lakes

I visited Moor Green Lakes for the first time today,spotted the Heron ,but he was to quick for me to take any decent photo`s,saw the goosander,robins ,great tits ,blackcaps and cormorants.

Where was the middle photo taken ?Is this an entrance to the Lakes ?

[rolf]

The middle photo in Beryl's first post is Horseshoe lake which adjoins the Moor Green Lakes Aaron, it has much more parking and for me is better, because my vehicle is too high for the little Moor Green car park due to the barrier.

[Catherine]

Glad you added that, Rolf, as I doubt if I'd have seen this thread otherwise!

It looks a lovely place - and not too far from us too!

(Thanks for the location info, Beryl! Too many of the places mentioned on posts are completely unknown to me and I haven't a clue where they are, being from 'abroad'!)

Meant to say - LOVE the Kestrel!

[Chocky]

Thanks Catherine, every one.It really is a lovely place to visit if you can

[pluckyfilly]

I have been a member or Moor Gn for 3 years now but mostly go to Lavell's - unfortunately I am uable to walk overly far but I know the Horseshoe lake as well and park that side if I feel like a bit of walking, there is also California Country Park and Heathlake in this area both worth a visit if you have the time.
Ann

[Billy]

I have been a member or Moor Gn for 3 years now but mostly go to Lavell's - unfortunately I am uable to walk overly far but I know the Horseshoe lake as well and park that side if I feel like a bit of walking, there is also California Country Park and Heathlake in this area both worth a visit if you have the time.
Ann

i also have walking distances issues so its good to know that if i went to moor green, its not a major walk ... looks a brill places, and some amazing pictures...

[Billy]

really enjoyed my time here, anyone know when the car park opens in the morning, just i want to a early start but not the massive walk!! see if i can get the barn owl first thing.

[Chocky]

Probably about 9 am but it might tell you on the info site some where.
Welcome to the Blackwater Valley

Have a nice time

[rolf]

Didn't think the car park at the back of Moor Green shut up at all, just has a height restriction as far as I know. MGLG - Reserve Map

[Billy]

got to say i do like this place, so full of insects i really enjoyed walking round. Saw my first little owls flying over my head, which was cool. Have to say its well set up for people who are disabled to a degree - hard to get a electric buggy past the protection against moter vehicals, and in the hide if you cant get out your chair you would need someone to lift the flap.

cant upload any more computer says no!!

[rolf]

Nice shots there Billy, don't go there too often as I have difficulty parking the van, but it's a great place.

What message are you getting to stop you uploading more photos?

[Billy]

overload check with site manger or something along those lines, ive always got that if i try to load more than 4 in one go, so ive always split them into groups...

[hurricaneharold]

Didn't think the car park at the back of Moor Green shut up at all, just has a height restriction as far as I know. MGLG - Reserve Map

The carpark does shut,there is a sign by the footpath advising of closing times.

[rolf]

Ah thanks.

[hurricaneharold]

No worries , if you are very patient , you might see the kingfisher.

[hurricaneharold]

I would like to point out this wildlife centre . I went there recently whilst visitin g my son who live in Yateley Hants. He took me all over the centre....well most of it. It is one of the finest places I have ever been to for wildlife and will be paying frequent visits especially in the fall.
It is well worth a visit . It covers some 90 acres

Welcome to the Blackwater Valley

Here are a some photos I captured whilst visiting Geese flying across one of the lakes , a view of one of the lakes and a Kestrel sitting on a fence of a field Adjacent to one of the lakes

A lovely capture of the kestrel sitting on the fence post.

[Chocky]

:thumbsupThanks Aaron. He wasvery obliging

That's a cracking Kingfisher shot