Cyril Hart arboretum and Cannop Ponds.

We went to Cyril Hart arboretum nr Speech House on thursday. There is over 200 species of tree there some of which were pretty cool. We also took a walk along to Speech house lake, which unlike the last time we visited was eerily quiet, hopefully awaiting its winter migrants. 

Coal tit and sparrow 

Blue tit

Chaffinch

Coal tit

Nuthatch

After the arboretum we decided to go check on the Mute swan family at Cannop ponds. We were greeted again by the Little Grebes and this time I managed to get a semi decent shot.

Adult Little Grebe

The Mute swan cob was still chasing ducklings and at one point separated a family of Mallards, with a couple of babies being trapped in the reeds near us.

Mute swan pen after ducking down and stirring the sludge on the bottom up in the hopes of finding a meal.

The cygnets were all flapping and simulating take off's on the water so I don't think it will be long before they leave. 

Cannop and woodland ramblings

Went to Cannop ponds and walked towards Worrall Hill today with Katie from http://lifeintheforestofdean.blogspot.com/. We went looking for Boar or Deer but saw neither though we did see lots of other species and Blackcaps which I've not seen in about 16 years so I was pretty chuffed.

Mute Swan - Cob
Mute Swan Pen on nest, I was about 10 foot away from her, I only took a couple of photos as I didn't want to disturb her too much but to be honest she didn't seem that worried about us.

Fungus
Fungus
Nuthatch with a Blue tit about to land in the background

Nuthatch

Male and female Mandarin's

Male Mandarin

Male Mandarin

Male Mandarin
Coot, which was either really tall or stood on something in the middle of the ponds lol
Coot again

Chiffchaff

Male Blackcap

Sunny morning at Cannop Ponds

The weather was brilliant again this morning so I went to Cannop for a stroll through the woods and around the ponds. I saw plenty of Mallards and a few Mandarin Ducks but only one swan who was too far away to take photos of.

Sleepy Male Mandarin Duck
Male and Female Mandarin Ducks

Mandarin Duck - Male