Health Walk - Thursday 18th May 2017
Photos by Michael - Please click on photos to see a larger one
Today we had twenty-three walkers. Another gloriously sunny spring morning
Carmel was leading the main walk, Elizabeth M was back marker.
Michael S was leading the short walk option, eight today.
Carmel made her introductions, described her walk and set off into the Pinetum
Michael followed with his talk to the short option walkers and got agreement for his proposed walk. It was Michael's first time leading the short option group. Suzie wasn't well, Peter was on holiday and Brian L goes shooting arrows on Thursdays.
Michael, leading the short option walkers, preceded to the Cinder Path where he imparted his knowledge of the Cinder Path.
They merging on to the Cycle Track walking into Cock Cabin Wood
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where they were privileged to see one of the Herons
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before he/she flew off
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The Rudd were also swimming around in the sun, many blue Damsel Flies
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and the first of the Irises
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before wandering deeper into the wood.
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These two photos were taken on the Dawn Chorus Walk but Michael passed on David Beattie's knowledge. The two holes are former Greater Spotted Woodpecker nest holes. The top one has been modified, i.e. the hole made smaller by the Nuthatch using a 'cement' of its own making, you can see the nuthatch about to enter. The lower hole was used by the nuthatch but is now a bat roost.
We walked into and out of Walkers Wood, across the Stone Bridge and across the Picnic Area direct to the Long Steps
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At the top of the steps we saw another Heron, was it the same one?
We tried to see the Heron's nest, Michael caught a glimpse of a neck.
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These photos of the Heron nest on the west side of the island were
also were taken on the Dawn Chorus Walk from the Nature Reserve
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Two families of Canada Geese
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The five other short option walkers, Linda D leading them
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Michael took them along the eastern shore to see the other Heron's nest, you can just see the chick.
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Again these photos of this nest were taken on the Dawn Chorus Walk, taken from the Nature Reserve.
As we turned to return to the Stone Bridge we spotted the main group coming down the hill out of the Field and we tagged along behind
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Brenda and Otis. Brenda likes to walk Otis through the Ford but she wasn't in her boots this time so decided that the stepping stones were too slippy
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The two Elizabeths catching up
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Progressing up Snake Hill
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I love the many greens in the trees and the light highlighting the leaves. The buttercups are beautiful
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As we climbed the hill the cows were resting. Is it going to rain?
The main walk had crossed the Wooden Bridge, gone up into Gravel Hole Wood, Dog Kennel Wood and into the Field to Hawks Clough. They walked up to the Ponderosa, down into Green Wood, up to the top and then back down to Hawks Clough.
We saw them as they were coming down the path in the Field towards the Stone Bridge. We tucked in behind them.
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Today's walks (Red Main Group, Green Short Walk Option Group)
Today's walkers
Main Walk - Anne H, Bill, Brenda, Carmel, Colin C, Colin D, Elizabeth M, Graham, James H, Janet S, Joe H, Keith, Linda E, Michael S, Moira and Otis
Short Walk Group - Ann S, Carol R, Carole, Elizabeth H, Gwen, Linda D, Michael S and Norman
The Chorley Walks.
