Gelly Babes June Jolly

Ogston

June 24th 2014

 

A lovely day for our June jolly, the plan was for a walk, a little light bird watching, an art activity and a nice meal, little did we know that the weather had other plans.

Two Helens were treated to a lovely lunch at Maggie's and perfectly on schedule we set off to Ogston only getting slightly misplaced on the way, it's always nicer to take the pretty route anyway.

The weather was still perfect as we set off for our walk and Sherpa Jackson assured us that we didn't need wet weather protection - in fact a small lightweight lilac umbrella would be ample protection for all three of us. So glad I didn't listen to her!

The walk took us all round the reservoir. The first bit is on the road but very little traffic and opportunities to stop and look for birds.

 

Admiring glances from a passer-by for a fine pair of bins!

 

Shortly after we had walked though Ford and the water treatment plant we spotted a very large black cloud following us, by the time we reached he river the heavens had opened and we were forced to shelter under some trees.

Keep Smiling it will only be a shower

(according to Phillip!)

 

The rain didn't show any sign of shopping so we had to press on regardless, the lilac umbrella really came into it's own!

 

 

 

At least one of us was fully prepared.

 

The walk took us along the banks of the river Amber through a 'cow of fields' it would have been very pretty had it not been chucking it down with rain  and we were also a bit anxious about being trampled to death by the cattle.

 

 

Yes this is the path!

 

Long wet grass and shorts are not a good combination as Helen J discovered to her cost, hopefully she will have learned her lesson and be better equipped in future.

The walk came beck out on the road just outside Brackenfield by which time the rain had almost stopped.

 

Drying out in Brackenfield Church porch.

 

The walk then followed the Ogston New Road along the side of the reservoir which gave us another good opportunity for a bit more bird spotting. Interesting fact: the wall along this stretch of roadway was built with stone from buildings which were demolished to make way for the reservoir.

Back at the car park we had coffee and biscuits, huddled in the campervan feeling quite cold and chilly - but not downhearted! Only very slightly behind schedule Jo arrived to join us and eventually Pam made it too. Sadly Lynn wasn't able to join in the fun this time as she had to go for an MOT test!

 

A bit of a squash but warm and dry

 

A Gelly Bloke!

 

Chris arrived to whisk Maggie away for the evening - we didn't allow him in the van as he can never hope to be a true Gelly Babe but he seemed quite happy sitting on a stool outside.

After Maggie had left we went to the bird hide to see what we could spot. Here is the list for the day:

Common tern (new) if only it had been a posh tern!

House Martin (new)..... all the rest we have seen before and this has helped consolidate our knowledge...... really can't beat a bit of consolidation!

Chaffinch
Bullfinch

Magpie

Mallard
Coot
Moorhen

Great Crested Grebe

Oystercatcher

Greylag geese with young

Canada geese

Tufted Duck

Swallow
Blackbird
Wood pigeon

House sparrow

Buzzard
Kestrel
Heron (not herring)

Crow

Cormorant
Robin

..... and to complete our wildlife tour a jumping fish. 

All the other birds of course were in front of the bird hides which are only accessible to Ogston Bird Club members. Apologies for not absolutely sure about the gull... couldn't see its legs.

 

After all the excitement we retired to the Greyhound pub at Higham where we were able to conclude the days gossip and have two courses for £8 - well most of us are pensioners.

 

We suspect that Pam had been off roading!

 

 

A lovely spot, a lovely day (despite the weather) and free parking too!