Down the Vale. 18.3.2026.

 I went down the vale on Monday, but wish I hadn't as it was very muddy after all the rain we've had.

Still managed to get a few photos as it was sunny, managed to get these big terrapins sunbathing on the far side of the upper mill pond.

On the river was this pair of Mandarins 

The male is the more colourful one.

The new box is looking nice full of daffodils.

I went down again today and the paths had dried out quite a bit and I had some shoes on with a bit more thread!.

There were three Heron's dotted around the park .

The resident swans are sticking close together at the moment, Ivan making sure no foreigners pinch his lady!. 

He's the one in the front will the larger nose.

A nice little Gadwall on the lower mill pond.

 Nice splash of colour on the lower mill pond!.

A young gull sharing my apple today.

A new development in the children's picnic area, aways something new in the park with the marvellous set of volunteers there.

Two smaller terrapins out in the sun today on the lower mill pond, it must be getting warmer, in fact I didn't have a jumper on today in March!, we must be getting some of that Global Warming we hear so much about.

Squirrel with a peanut.

Back home the flock of Sparrows are eating  me out of house and home!.

Yesterday, I was up a bit earlier and to my surprise there was a Siskin on my Feeder!, think it was a female has it has a flecked crown and no bib.

My friend David Seely has put a picture of one on the Vale website so I know Siskins are in the area!.

  A first for me.

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