If you go to the worng lake . . . Ring-Necked Drake Bird Number 155


Saturday 28h February

Have you seen a ring-necked duck this year? I have. Bird number 155 on the year list but what a time finding it. Good gen is what's required but it's not what I had. My fault, a friend had sent details of the bird being on the SW corner adjacent to a footpath at a lake. My fault was in not knowing the name of the lake,
The previous day I had cycled from Braunton to Bampton after visiting the peaceful RSPB reserve at Chapel Wood.
After over 40 miles of cycling a heavy bike along the roads of North Devon, made heavier by my purchase of a tent, I reached a great B and B in the village. Bampton I thought was close to the lake where I thought the bird would be. You know what thought did.
After breakfast at The Quarryman's and after talking with incredible owner, Martina, I cycled north, after seeing dipper and grey wagtail by a stream through the village,
 and pushed the bike up a couple of incredibly steep hills until reaching a car park and entrance to Wimbleball Lake. Down to the dam with my boots to the road to assist the brakes on the steep path down. There I noticed there were no ducks in the SW corner. One little grebe that was all.

Undeterred I took the path around the large lake thinking that it may be at the north end. On seeing that this lake held no ducks at all, 4 canada geese and the same number of cormorants didn't bode well, I realised that I may have made a mistake by using the maps on the mobile to decide my destination. Looking at the screen again, I saw that there was a lake to the east.
After a slice of fruit cake and a hot chocolate at a lakeside cafe, always find a silver lining, I then took roads and back lanes for a few miles to get to a dirt track and boggy public footpath to get to the other lake, Clatsworthy Lake.
Ducks! The first one a splendid, smart-looking ring-necked drake all the way from America. UTB!

So what if it was raining, here was the bird and things were good. In a beautiful wooded valley the lake looked magnificent, as did the duck and here I was with not another soul to be seen.

The big push when back on Brown Lane, I stopped to have lunch and take in the prospect whilst sheltering from the rain under a large tree.
The rest of the afternoon was taken by cycling along the now in Somerset roads. Changing my itineraryand route because of the error over the location of the bird, I made my way to Taunton where a lovely family of 5, Tammy and Paul with 3 delightful young children, told me of the location of a number of B and B's. The rain had made me think that a B and B would be better than the tent. By now it was dark and the rain had returned after a brief respite. On not finding the B and B;s road I saw a Police station and went on to ask for advice over where some may be. Thanks PC Julie and PC Michelle for your help. Lovely chatty ladies!

Today's route and elevations are on here -
http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4028420.html

Tomorrow it's off to a RSPB reserves Swell Wood, West Sedgemoor and Greylake.
 
Now please have a look at the photographs of the 28th's photos on my facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bikingbirder2015
 
Also if you could please make a small donation to any of the charities that I am supporting then please click on the links to the right. I know I put this onto the end of every blog posting but I really get a boost from every donation. The RSPB, The WWT, Asthma UK and Chaskawasi-Manu. I would be so grateful if you could make a donation however small. Thanks.

All the very best everyone. Love to you all xx

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A little near death scenario to keep me thinking.

Image
It is now Wednesday the 4th of November. I am in a hotel room just south of Aberdeen being a little nesh as it is raining outside. Last Saturday I experienced the worst moment I have ever had whilst cycling. The police are involved but the chances of a prosecution are extremely slim. I can't put any of this onto facebook as my dear Mum is watching my every step/pedal. So here's my book text for the day. Saturday 31st October Fresh SE AM to light S PM Very dark, low cloud and rain AM, very sunny & warm (14C) PM Stunning sunset. The ferry is rocking due to the swell and waves as I awake on the floor of the cinema, my usual sleeping location on the Aberdeen to Northern Isles ferry. We dock at 7 and by 7:15 I am cycling through the empty Aberdeen streets in the heavy rain. My progress is good and before 9 I reach Newborough and spend some time birding the Ythan estuary. A wader flock, mostly dunlin, reels around like a starling murmuration before landing on t...
Read more

Machynlleth to Maentwrog. 24th to 27th March. Barn owls!

Image
Tuesday 24 th March. The journey back to Machynlleth to collect the bike, panniers and carry on towards Lake Vyrnwy was uneventful and surprisingly comfortable on the Virgin train with fewer people on it than the day before. Goodbye to Josh at Wolverhampton and onto Shrewsbury, eventually reaching Machynlleth at 3.00pm. I collected the bike, loaded up and had a pleasant cycle ride towards Lake Vyrnwy. In fact it was lovely despite a quick shower that had me sheltering from the hail in an old sheep barn. Now there were two barn owl boxes inside with a lot of pellets but no way was I going to disturb the occupants despite needing them for the year list. It seemed like the whole route was uphill but with a light breeze behind me I breezed my way up. I was determined to get to Lake Vyrnwy and so as darkness fell I continued onto a B road. It was beautiful with the stars bright and a crescent Moon to the west. Beneath this was a very bright planet which one I don't know. Or...
Read more

Two Days, 3 RSPB reserves, 3 new year list birds and 3 fabulous people encounters.

Wednesday 28th January From a comfortable night at Fishbourne, near Chichester, in a room called Tiberius, the cycling was tough as there was now a strong westerly wind hitting my face. Please let me have the wind behind me one day. To Thorney Island and the checkpoint for the Ministry of Defence. I was given instructions from the officer on charge on where to go and found the west seawall that would lead me to Pilsey Island RSPB reserve. A lovely lady allowed me to hide my bike and belongings at her house and despite torrential rain and a strong gale, I set off. Getting through the security fence, I found it difficult to stay upright as the wind battered me and the mud on the path was deep and slippery. Great fun! At West Thorney I found a greenshank, Bird number 124 for the year, and as the weather was improving I took a few photographs.   Further along the path were a dozen or so red-breasted mergansers, bird number 125.   Finding the sign eventually ...
Read more