Wednesday 31 December 2008

Misty Moorlands

One of the advantages of regular local walking is that you know the paths so can cope even in fogs and mists. Today we walked up Brinscall Moor, the higher we climbed the thinner the mist - in fact we could even see a full silver sun shining high above the mist-line.

We took the path down to Wheelton Plantation (see photos from Ewan's mobile phone) and even beneath the shelter of the pines, young oak and holly saplings were heavily sprinkled in frost. I think most of the finches were staying close to people's garden feeders.

We cut across fields and saw a beautiful Shire horse being led to its stable. In the frozen lanes blackbirds and robins flit across the path and, as we approached old Brinscall Hall, a welcome flock of redwing, fieldfare and mistle thrush fluttered through the tree tops.

Back at the frozen lodge the mallards and black-headed gulls were walking hopefully on ice, while five Muscovy ducks remained planted on the bank. My Micra's thermometer still read -2C.

6 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely post, Carol - I did that walk with you (and kept a lot warmer). Every time I see a flock of fieldfare and redwing I am on the lookout for a waxwing, as I believe they tend to flock with them. Have you see one this year? Our highlight is long-tailed tits on the bird table.!!

Duxbury Ramblers said...

Sounds like a good walk, as you say it is better to know the paths and areas in mist & fog, it certainly adds interest and you just have to stop to admire the handy work of Jack Frost.

Caroline Gill said...

We had it -2 in Carmarthenshire yesterday, which is pretty rare in our neck of the woods. Wonderful hoar frost on blades of long grass and bracken, too.

Thank you for your help with the little round bird! There were three of them (with mallard & coot) on the frozen lake.

All the best for 2009!

P.S. Love the misty photo!

Mistlethrush said...

Weaver - No haven't seen a waxwing yet even though I know they've been in Chorley. I'm not doing very well at all spotting them!

Duxbury Ramblers - Thanks for visiting. I admire how much you know about flowers.

Coastcard - enjoy the cold in Carmarthenshire while it lasts!

Anonymous said...

I'd have though a Mistle Thrush would have known where all the Waxwings are. Every berry bush I see is being guarded by one from the crested invasion! What ate all the berries in Balshaw Lane?

DM

Mistlethrush said...

DM - Blush, blush I've no idea. It seems I'm a very dopey mistle thrush!!

from the field book

from the field book
An inspiring gift for anyone who enjoys watching nature.