Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Ashdown Round
It was beautiful weather for our first Saturday walk for ages, and we did the round from Ashdown in a clockwise direction for a change. It was nice to approach Uffington Castle along the Ridgeway from the west, seeing the hill fort standing knobbly and bare against the sky and wondering if any migrants would still be around.
While Greger had a nap in the sun I found a wheatear on the ramparts, keeping company with two meadow pipits. There were loads of people around and the three birds were flushed over the Ridgeway to the sheep-field. A goldcrest was an unexpected find nearby, flying from hawthorn to hawthorn. We saw the wheatear again as we turned south, but only looking into the sun. I know I'm always taking photos of wheatears, but I thought this might be my last one of the year.
However, when we got round to Weathercock again there was another wheatear on the top of the hill. So I had to take a photo, as it might be my last one of the year....
A raven, a buzzard and two bullfinches were the only other birds of note; but it was a very enjoyable walk.
However, when we got round to Weathercock again there was another wheatear on the top of the hill. So I had to take a photo, as it might be my last one of the year....
A raven, a buzzard and two bullfinches were the only other birds of note; but it was a very enjoyable walk.// posted by Christine @ 10:59 AM 
