Outdoor SIG - Visit Reports
Ashridge
Ten members of the Outdoor Group made an early start to meet at Ashridge on 24th October for the deer rut and autumn colours. We made our way through the woods in the dark, listening to the call of a Tawny Owl and hearing the bellowing of rutting Stags, finally arriving at the Old Deer Park. In very poor light we saw two large Stags often locking antlers and a group of Hinds. We moved on round the deer park listening but never quite seeing more deer activity in the woods. The trees were starting to turn but have some way to go before they will be at their best. The poor light made photography very challenging but there is something special being in the woods at dawn with a group of enthusiastic, like-minded people. The light did not improve turning to rain around 09.00am. We all went for a ‘Brownlow’ breakfast and planned the next visits for the Group. A few members planned to return next week.
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October 2019
Ashridge
Our first meeting for this season was at Ashridge in October. 11 of us met at 07.00hrs and wandered towards the Old Deer Park. We had wonderful early morning light conditions, trees turning to their Autumn colour but sadly no deer (at least not in the right places). A few of us saw deer but deep in the wood. The weather started to turn and we had unexpected rain so we retreated to Brownlow’s for breakfast!
Most of us have subsequently been back and patience has been rewarded with some images of the deer rut. Even so an early start was required to see the deer at their most active and of course to get the best light! The Ashridge Rangers confirmed to me that the rut is late this year because of the mild weather. It will be worth returning to the ‘lek’ at least for another week.
Most of us have subsequently been back and patience has been rewarded with some images of the deer rut. Even so an early start was required to see the deer at their most active and of course to get the best light! The Ashridge Rangers confirmed to me that the rut is late this year because of the mild weather. It will be worth returning to the ‘lek’ at least for another week.
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Welney
The Outdoor SIG met at Welney on Saturday 13th January. I was the only Group member present.
The weather was overcast throughout the day with a breeze making it feel very cold.
The reserve was flooded limiting access to the main Observatory. There was standing water across Lady Fen.
I joined a public group for the hare walk. We went onto Lady Fen and there were a good number of hares active in the area. With a telephoto lens 400mm or longer it is possible to get good photographs.
There were swan feeds throughout the day. We stayed on site for the 18.30 feed as there are more swans around, the swans are more aggressive and the photographic opportunities better in my view. Welney is one of a few sites in the UK where you can view close up both Whooper (over-wintering birds from Iceland) and Bewick (over-wintering birds from Russia) swans. There are also large numbers of ducks (mostly Pochard). Because of the high water levels the number of wading birds is low at present.
A benefit of leaving the reserve in the dark is that you can see the resident barn owls flying.
It was another very enjoyable day at Welney and I plan to return in the Summer when conditions at the site are very different.
The weather was overcast throughout the day with a breeze making it feel very cold.
The reserve was flooded limiting access to the main Observatory. There was standing water across Lady Fen.
I joined a public group for the hare walk. We went onto Lady Fen and there were a good number of hares active in the area. With a telephoto lens 400mm or longer it is possible to get good photographs.
There were swan feeds throughout the day. We stayed on site for the 18.30 feed as there are more swans around, the swans are more aggressive and the photographic opportunities better in my view. Welney is one of a few sites in the UK where you can view close up both Whooper (over-wintering birds from Iceland) and Bewick (over-wintering birds from Russia) swans. There are also large numbers of ducks (mostly Pochard). Because of the high water levels the number of wading birds is low at present.
A benefit of leaving the reserve in the dark is that you can see the resident barn owls flying.
It was another very enjoyable day at Welney and I plan to return in the Summer when conditions at the site are very different.
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Rainham Marshes
The Outdoor SIG met at Rainham Marshes on Saturday 25th November. Two members of the Group were present.
The weather had been frosty overnight and was cold and fine throughout the day. The afternoon light was wonderful as the sun set over the Thames.
Rainham Marshes has a long military history and only became an RSPB reserve in 2000. The reserve is bounded by the Thames and just inside the M25. The site has good numbers of geese, wild ducks and lapwing. Other wildlife are more difficult to see but the rewards are there with good luck and patience.
The highlights of the day for me were at least one Curlew (sadly now a Red List bird) and a Kestrel. The images below show a Snipe and Egret.
Despite the cold we had an excellent day that exceeded our expectations. The RSPB café also lived up to its high standard!
The weather had been frosty overnight and was cold and fine throughout the day. The afternoon light was wonderful as the sun set over the Thames.
Rainham Marshes has a long military history and only became an RSPB reserve in 2000. The reserve is bounded by the Thames and just inside the M25. The site has good numbers of geese, wild ducks and lapwing. Other wildlife are more difficult to see but the rewards are there with good luck and patience.
The highlights of the day for me were at least one Curlew (sadly now a Red List bird) and a Kestrel. The images below show a Snipe and Egret.
Despite the cold we had an excellent day that exceeded our expectations. The RSPB café also lived up to its high standard!
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27 Nov 2016
Ashridge
The Outdoor SIG met at Ashridge on Saturday 30 September. Our aim was to view and photograph the deer rut. Five members of the Group were present.
The weather was fine throughout the morning turning from mostly cloudy to full sun giving us very good light.
I organised the meeting early in the season and was somewhat hesitant about our prospects of viewing the rut this early. The Ashridge rangers had scheduled public walks to view the rut a couple of weeks later. However, I was optimistic as the week previously I had been privileged to watch deer in ‘full rut’ in Richmond Park.
Despite seeing two groups of deer – one in the woods, the second group in the open, there was no sign (or noise) of any stags. It appeared that the rut had not begun at Ashridge!
We enjoyed a morning’s walk in the sun through the woods stopping to take the occasional photograph of the scene. The large number of dogs in the area on and off leads was very noticeable with their attendant owners. This may well have impacted on deer numbers.
The image below, taken on the walk, shows a typical Ashridge scene but sadly without deer!
The weather was fine throughout the morning turning from mostly cloudy to full sun giving us very good light.
I organised the meeting early in the season and was somewhat hesitant about our prospects of viewing the rut this early. The Ashridge rangers had scheduled public walks to view the rut a couple of weeks later. However, I was optimistic as the week previously I had been privileged to watch deer in ‘full rut’ in Richmond Park.
Despite seeing two groups of deer – one in the woods, the second group in the open, there was no sign (or noise) of any stags. It appeared that the rut had not begun at Ashridge!
We enjoyed a morning’s walk in the sun through the woods stopping to take the occasional photograph of the scene. The large number of dogs in the area on and off leads was very noticeable with their attendant owners. This may well have impacted on deer numbers.
The image below, taken on the walk, shows a typical Ashridge scene but sadly without deer!
Nov 2015