Mute Swan

 The pair of Mute Swans have now settled on the island. Hopefully they will be nest building and will have a successful breeding season this year. Last year was not too good for them as only only chick survived and turned in to a beautiful Cygnet. Predators do seem to be a problem at Ferrymoor Flash, something that is all too common in nature.

Lichens

 I spotted this on the branch of an old tree while I was walking round Ferrymoor Flash yesterday. It is not  until you study them closeup that you see the shape and form that has been created. These complex life forms arise from a symbolic relationship between fungi and algae.

Coltsfoot

 This is actually a perennial herb that flowers in Spring. A few of these flowers are starting to appear at Ferrymoor Flash. The flowers always appear before the leaves. The bright yellow daisy like flowers do look very similar to Dandelions. The heads stand out so bright in the overhead sun.

Blackbird in a Tree

 This male Blackbird was singing away in a tree at Ferrymoor Flash. It was quite close to where the feeder is situated so perhaps it was ready to investigate what was on offer. I have a pair of these nesting in a Burberry bush at the bottom of our garden. They certainly kick up a racket early in the morning.

Moment of Reflection

 Abstracts have not really been my thing. On my last visit to Ferrymoor Flash I saw this reflection in the lake. The golden brown of the reed heads and the overhead sun all made up this mirage of colours. I zoomed in really close for this photo. What do you think ? 

Grey Squirrel

This guy seems to spend a lot of time at the Bird Feeder but I spotted him up a tree on my last visit to Ferrymoor Flash. There does not seem to be many of these creatures about down there/ I have only ever  seen two of them. Whether they are a pair or not I do not know. I was not aware at the time but I managed to capture his whiskers in this picture.

 

Black Headed Gull

 I took this photo on as what is known locally as "The Beach". A part of Ferymoor Flash that does tend to get very boggy as it is now. Hopefully we are now in to Spring and it will soon dry up . Many of these birds can be found either perched or flying around. When the chance of food is offered they fly down on it fast and furious.

Pussy Willow

 I cannot help thinking these look like small furry animals. This is the stage before they actually open fully and turn in to proper Catkins. There were many of these at Ferrymoor Flash but they are gradually coming to the end of their season. More and more new growth is appearing and soon  the whole area will be green and fresh.

Dog Rose Shots

 The first sign of Spring is when all the trees and shrubs start to supply fresh green shoors. This Dog Rose at Ferrymoor Flash will soon be supplying us with beautiful pink flowers. A very wild rose that also comes in white. Hopefully we will see lots more splendid and colourful flowers there.

The Lake

 I love this particular part of Ferrymoor Flash. It has probably one of the best views of the lake. This picture was taken a couple of days ago in front of the railings. A seat has been placed in this perfect location. It is well worth stopping here for a few minutes. Many birds can be seen here in the water and on the small island. I have even seen a Grey Squirrel climbing about in the overhanging tree on the left.

Canada Goose

I just love the reflection caused by this Canada Goose.  This large wading bird originates from North America. Many of these can be found at Ferrymoor Flash. In fact in migration time many hundreds of them. That black head and neck with the white collar really makes them stand out among the other residents.

 

Spring is here

 Well everything is starting to get green now at Ferrymoor Flash. What is left of the verges beside the paths has signs of possibly some wildflowers going to appear, even though they have been the victim of many unnecessary stimming attacks. The trees and shrubs are starting to come in to bud. Even the sunlight is beginning to appear through the trees. Tomorrow is officially the first day of Spring.

Mute Swan

 I love to see this when they spread their wings out. These birds are so graceful and majestic. There are currently a single pair of these at Ferrymoor Flash also a cygnet from last years brood. Its all white plumage and orange beak make if really stand out among the other birds on the lake. The population in the UK has increased recently due to better protection.

Hazel Catkins

 There are many of these at Ferrymoor Flash. This particular batch are growing beside the lake. So high up in the tree that I had to use the long lens to capture them. These are pollinated by the wind therefore it does not rely on insects like many other plants and trees.

Coots

 These two Coots were encountering a passionate embrace on my visit to Ferrymoor Flash last week. I guess the breeding season is upon us now and very soon we will be seeing nests about the reserve. Lets hope it is more of a successful season for the birds than last year. What with the predators and those of the human kind causes distress for the birds. 

Ribes

 Also known as Flowering Currant there is a bush full of flowers at the moment. I spotted this on my visit to Ferrymoor Flash yesterday. This particular plant is often found growing in gardens and private estates. I guess this one was either planted by someone or even perhaps grew from seed, When the flowers dye of it produces some very small dark coloured berries.

Mute Swan Male

 This bird was dipping its head in and out of the water. Maybe for a drink or perhaps looking to see if there was any food below.  A pair of these swans have been at Ferrymoor nearly all winter. Perhaps they will produce some more young this year. This is the male as you can see by the large black bulge on the front of the head.

Black Runner Duck

 There has been one of these birds hanging around at Ferrymoor Flash for quite some time now. Quite a few of the Indian Runner Ducks can also be found here. It is quite a peculiar manner in which they position their slender bodies. Although they originate from India many can be spotted around the UK.

Mallard Duck Male

 A Mallard Duck swimming on the lake at Ferrymoor Flash. There are many of these birds about now, possibly because the breeding season is about to start. Hope to see many of them nesting and sitting on clutched of eggs.  

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The Beach

This part of Ferrymoor Flash is known locally as "The Beach". I have no idea why as there is no sand there. It is just a piece of ground where nothing seems to grow and at many times of the year is just a muddy patch that is normally too boggy to walk on. The soil is also very black which makes me think it may be saturated with coal dust as this was one a mining area.

Cygnet

 I captured this short video clip of a Cygnet from last years brood. This is the only one of last years fledgling that survived. It seems to have stayed with the parents who are still spending time at Ferrymoor Flash.

Rook

 This Rook was sitting perched high up in a tree at Ferrymoor Flash. I could not have wished for a better background to this picture with a lovely blue sky. These are very sociable birds and it it very unusual to see one on its own. Although the noise that was being created there could quite easily have been another one nearby.

Short Video shot at Ferrymoor Flash

 Please click on the link below

Wild about Ferrymoor This video was shot in Spring 2024 when many of the birds were with fledglings. Hopefully many will return to have families this year so I can capture this all again. These videos were all taken with a professional video camera in 4K and uploaded to You Tube. Unfortunately YouTube tend to downgrade the quality.

Hawthorn

 This Hawthorn bush is leafing up and starting to bud very early. I noticed this on a recent visit to Ferrymoor Flash. But there again everything in the world seems to be much earlier now. Could this be something to do with the greenhouse effect that is with us now? After a week of rather warm weather for early March we now seem to be going in the opposite direction with some cold weather forecast for the next few days.

Gadwall

 On a recent visit to Ferrymor Flash I spotted this Gadwall swimming across the lake. It is a very grey coloured dabbling duck smaller than the Mallard. With a very obvious black rear end. Numbers of this bird are very low in the UK and it is on the Amber species list. I have never seen these birds together as a pair all the times they have been about.

Pussy Willow

 Willow Catkins also known as Pussy Willow. There a few large trees at Ferrymoor Flash situated beside the lake where  these Catkins that are covered in pollen. As the catkins are so high up I had to use the long lens on my camera to obtain a decent picture. They do noy last very long in this condition and soon die off.

Lake reflections on a sunny day

 The lake at Ferrymoor Flash is not that large but when there is a bit of sunlight it produces some very interesting reflections. The patch of blue in the water with a duck in it I thought made an excellent centre point for this picture. I do not get enjoyment for praising my own photos but I was really pleased with this capture.

Dunnock in a Bramble Bush

 This Dunnock was singing away in a Bramble Bush on my last visit to Ferrymoor flash. This small brown and grey bird is normally quiet and very shy. Normally seen in gardens creeping and shuffling under along the flower beds. I have seen them many times in our garden picking up food that has been spilled from the feeder by other birds.

New life is appearing

 New life is beginning to appear at Ferrymoor Flash. A bit of green is showing in places. Many trees and shrubs are starting to show new buds and some even new leaves. Even visiting birds are starting to appear. Apparently earlier this week some Great Crested Grebes were spotted on the lake. Even a bit of blue in the sky. Fifteen more days and we will officially be in Spring.

Portrait of a Coot

 This particular coot at Ferrymoor Flash appears to be disabled. One of its legs is bent. This does not stop it from getting about the reserve. Also it appears to be feeding well and socialising with the other birds around it. It has been like this for a while now and thankfully not been attacked by predators. So if you are visiting here and see this bird please leave well alone, and it should have a long and  happy life.

Stripped Bark

 I noticed on a walk around Ferrymoor Flash yesterday the bark of this Silver Birch Tree had been stripped down, Obviously by a mammal of some sort possibly a Grey Squirrel. No idea why they do this quite possibly to see if there is any food behind it. Deer also tend to do this but I have never seen any at this location, but who knows?

Canada Goose

 I just love taking portrait photos of birds. The Canada Goose one of many at Ferrymoor Flash was no exception. There are always quite a few of these birds about and in the migration season even hundreds tend to congregate at this location. Although it is actually native to the Arctic and Temperate regions of North America there are plenty to be found around the UK.

Lichens on branch of Tree

 There are many trees around Ferrymoor Flash that have branches with Lichens on them.  Lichens are a cross between Fungi and Algae. They can often be found in conditions such as at Sea Level, Alpine and damp woodlands. They play a crucial role in the ecosystems  contributing to soil formations and providing habitat for various organisms. 

Long Tailed Tits

This suet block near the feeding station at Ferrymoor Flash attracts quite a variety of different birds and mammals. These two Long Tailed Tits spent quite some time disabling what was left of it. They are easily recognisable by their distinctive blush black and white colouring. They are also quite sociable and very noisy. Their main diet is insects and seeds