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The Park- Bird Watching!

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Edited by Gill Burrell, Saturday, 17 Aug 2024, 12:44

Today after studying in the 9, we had a lovely park walk, around the perimeter of the park field. We had chosen a quiet time of the day, when there was not too many people about.

I had soon spotted a lovely little grey squirrel and pointed it out to my son, he took out his binoculars to have a look  "Yes, it is a squirrel it has a very big bushy tail" said my son, but then that elusive little squirrel ran quickly away up the tree trunk, and disappeared  underneath the large canopy of leaves.

Green trees in parkLarge tree in park where we saw the squirrel

In this time of the year, it's the time of the blue bells, the redish pink ragged robins, yellow king cups, as well as daisies and bright yellow dandelions. The woodland looked quite enchanting at this moment, with all the dandelion clocks, like fairies dancing in the sunlight beneath the trees 

There was not a cloud in the blue sky, it was a beautiful day. We walked along the little footpath, through the woodland that led on to the park and large playing field.

The other path led towards the pavilion with its bright wooden picnic benches outside. Beyond this is the childrens play area, with swings, slides and roundabouts which at this time of day were empty.

Walking briskly we take the path that lead past the tennis court and along the path beneath the trees. We found our favourite spot with the little wooden bench to sit on beneath the trees, and I had brought a hot flask of tea and sandwiches with us.

Playground area in park

Playground and pavillion in park

 Here we could sit and look out across the large park and eat our sandwiches in peace. Looking across the playing field, was a bit like like looking onto a large green stage.


Greem field

Green playing field

It is quite a large park and on Satudays and Sundays they have well organised football or cricket matches on the field. At that time the park is busy full of spectators, mums, dads and children all moving about across the field and around the pavilion. 

At other times you can see dog walkers diligently walking their dogs, who are hopefully well behaved and on their leads. Then there are all the fairground rides and fetes throughout the summer.


A crowd of white sea gulls in the park

Sea gulls in the park

However, today it is the birds that are the centre stage, as they swooped down to pick up the insects. There were Magpies, Crows, a few small Wagtails, Wood pidgeons, Doves, Starlings and Sea gulls all pecking about for small insects and worms that they find there, in the very lush green grass.

Brown benches beneath trees in park

We sat and watched the comings and the goings of the birds, as they swooped down to swallow insects, some birds landing on the ground. We quickly tried to name as many as we could,  I had to be really quick as they were so flying around a lot,  it wasn't easy!

Suddenly and without warning some of the birds flew up into the air, like a huge dark cloud with wings flapping,  while at the same time came the sound  of the lawn mower, that could be heard chugging and spluttering into action!

I had not noticed the man on the other side of the field- (the park keeper) standing  next to the shed, who had mounted up onto the sit -on -mowing machine. He began his long slow journey on the far side of the field, making nice straight lines up and down the field.  The birds scattered and flew away as soon as he approached on his machine.

After finishing off our tea and sandwiches, we moved back on to the footpath once more and made our way back out through the park gate.

 It was time to leave the park behind us, but we had both very much enjoyed this walk,  on a  lovely sunny afternoon.  Then as soon as we heard the cheerful chimes of the ice -cream van, my son asked me if we can have an ice - cream "Oh why not! " I replied.laughing. 🍦🍦

🌲🌲🐞🦆🦠

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