An adventure locally...

With rain forecast for mudday, I thought id go off and take a few more Autumn pics..

I remembered one place that looked amazing from the past.. A track down to a farm lined with Sycamore Trees. Too Late!!!! Most leaves off trees.. D'oh!

So carried on to Lambourn to catch up with people at my old work, when I remembered this old Watering Hole that is left when the River Lambourn dries out. Plenty of Finches and Pipits bathing..

Plus half a dozen Yellowhammers, that I needed for my Facebook A-Z of Birds Album..

So I went away happy.

After a quick nip to my old work, it was still sunny so I thought Id head out to Raptor Alley..

A long road that has farm land and telegraph poles on each side for 4 miles (near Woolley and Chaddleworth)...

From my days of cycling around there, I knew this area was a hotbed for Raptors...

Buzzards, Kestrels and Kites have made this home and I doubt you would never see at least 1 of each, anytime of the year..

And happily snapped this Red Kite.. One of 3 that were circling there.. and one of a dozen I saw in the space of a few miles..

I recognise Lucky when I see it.. ;o)

After Raptor Alley, I headed to Dinton Pastures near Winnersh..

A Bittern had been repeatedly reported at Lavills Lake LNR on http://www.berksbirds.co.uk and I need this for my YEARLIST.

I sat there for 2 hours or more.. Local knowledge folks. You cant beat it and it saves you from freezing you 'arris' off!!!

No Bittern, but I have a better idea of when to go now.

Whilst there I snapped a very brave Little Grebe.. Normally a shy bird, but someone forgot to tell this one!! And of course.. you cant go anywhere near water without seeing Cormorants these days..

A cold, but goooood day..

Everybodies favourite Season?

A day off so hit the local pathes for a bit of Birding.. all quiet, apart from some Grey Partridge at Bucklebury, and a Year tick.. so I was happy in the end.

Then drove back towards the Discovery Centre and had a quick walk in an Autumnal wood.

Stumbled across these monster toadstools. . .

These Deer live in Englefield Park..

Owned by a certain MP for West Berkshire...

I used to go there as a kid and walk around the Park.. might have to apply for permission and get a few Deer shots.

The sunbathing Fox...

Headed to Hengistbury Head near Christchurch after Brownsea, hoping to find some passing Migrants... (not the Polish type).. It was dissapointing... a few Stonechat, but the North wind had probably helped them well on their way all week.. Anyhoo. A quick check over a Gorse bush found this stunner.. bathing in the Sunshine.

Beautiful Brownsea..

Managed a quick trip to a few places today..

First stop was Brownsea for Spoonbill and Avocet for the year list..

Ticks achieved.. and the real attraction of Brownsea is the Red Squirrels.. .

plus took some pics of the graveyard..