Starling Murmuration at Wolla Bank.

Unable to get to Leighton Moss for the starling murmuration there, because of Covid, we opted to try on the Lincolnshire coast at Wolla Bank just north of Chapel St. Leonards.  The day before Lockdown 3 was instigated we headed south after lunch arriving at Wolla Bank about 2.30.  We pottered down onto the beach for some photography for a while and then returned to the car for some hot chocolate.  By 3.00 pm the sun was beginning to sink and the sky was colouring nicely.  Apart from a marsh harrier which headed our way and came very close there was not much other activity.  We walked south through the dunes on the England Coastal path Nationa Trail until we found an elevated spot with good views.  We then settled down to wait for a while enjoying the slide show of colour change as sunset approached.  We had just about given up and began to head back towards the car when we suddenly noticed a small group of starlings fly past us heading south, then another and then another.  Looking towards Chapel we realised thaty a mumruration was building up.  It wasn't huge but there were several hudred birds wheeling in the sky against the sunset tinged sky.  We enjoyed the spectacle for 15 mins or so and then in unison they dived down into the reeds and it was all over.  What a fabulous evening though.  Returning to the car we headed back to Grimsby expecting to find road blocks out.

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A Misty Walk in Walesby Woodlands.

 We met up today for a misty walk in Walesby Woodlands.  A very pleasant walk, despite wintry conditions.  The ladies didn't walk so far and availed themselves of hot toddy back at the cars.

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Family Meet Up at Stapleford Woods

 We hadn't seen the children at Christmas so we met up with Beth and Alejandro in Stapleford Woods near Newark, half way between us.  Sadly, Thomas, who had been staying with Beth and Ale had gone back to Lancaster on Boxing Day.  Despite the cold weather, we enjoyed our picnic, walk and present swap and our video call to Thomas while we were opening his presents.

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A First Visit to Osgodby Wood

 Despite the damp gloomy weather we had arranged to meet up with Brian and Heather for our regular weekly walk.  When we arrived Brian was already parked and reconnoitered the way in to this new wood.  Despite being a relatively small wood managed by the Forestry Commission, there are lots of criss-crossing paths and we easily managed 3 miles.  During the second World War the area was an army camp and the ruin of one of the buildings still stands at the main junction to Caenby Corner on the A46.  Older OS maps show a hospital in the centre of the wood but we saw no sign of it.

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Wet in the Valley Wood

 We were the only vehicle parked on the muddy parking spot at the entrance to Wold Newton's Valley Wood.  We had driven out to deliver cards and calendars as well as check out the winter feeding station hide which I shall begin feeding and spending time at now the leaves have gone and it is light in the wood.

The Valley Wood is the start of one of our favourite circular walks, but todatwe were just walking to the end of the valley and back in the drizzle to stretch our legs.  Good to be out, though.

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