Its got to be three or more likely four years since we last visited Clara-Vale and it was plain to see how time had taken its toll,you can only visit one hide at present due to a fallen tree making it unsafe to enter the second hide .We left a lovely sunny morning as we skirted the cricket field and headed to the hide,however inside was a different story as it was absolutely freezing as we opened the shutters things looked rather quiet with two solitary Mallards climbing up the bank from the pond to our left.
It took quite a bit of effort to take my hand from my warming cup if oxo to press the shutter button on the scourge of the British Red population
Moorhen and Magpie were next
that just left this Pheasant and Stock dove to bring up the rear.
A really poor show for a fifty mile round trip and three hours freezing in a bird hide walking back to the car feeling the warm sun on our backs we reflected on what was missing from previous visits, Kingfisher ,Bullfinch, chaffinch,Willow-Tit and Jay and even the ever present Sparrow hawk is it because they have other things on there mind at present Who knows !!.
Thanks for looking
STAY SAFE
Joe.
