Thursday 3 September 2020

Amwell Revisited

You can't really re-visit places you've seen before, because no matter how many times you return there's always something new to see - and not always what you expect.


What my brother and I had been hoping was that a few migrating birds might find their way to the old gravel pits along the River Lea, leading towards London. It's not such a daft idea as it may sound; for reasons best known to avian minds, many migrating birds find their way here every year - but not today! Instead we were royally entertained by Kingfishers, diving and catching their breakfast.

If you think that's a rather unnatural nature photo then you're dead right! The Kingfishers were not co-operating and stationed themselves directly between our position and the glaring sun; impossible to take proper pictures, but suitable to be manipulated into a more graphic image. The only bird that may have been migrating was a Common Sandpiper; they spend winters on our coasts, but at other times they can turn up anywhere.


Lets go for a walk. We set off along the River Lee Navigation, lined by brightly-painted craft of all shapes and sizes, before turning off along the Walkway, which was once the course of an old railway.


The gate to Hollycross Lake and the dragonfly boardwalk was open, so we made a diversion to see what was around.


Well, plenty of dragonflies. And by the look of these two Migrant Hawkers there'll be plenty around next year too! But what's that faint chewing sound I can hear?


And there he was, in amongst the reeds - "Ratty". Despite what you learn in Wind In The Willows, he's not really a Water Rat but a Water Vole. And very happy I am to see him. Their numbers have been falling disastrously in recent decades. You used to be able to see one by sitting quietly beside almost any river in the country but now they are becoming a rare sighting indeed. Loss of habitat, agro-chemicals and mink that have escaped (or been set free) from fur farms are variously blamed.

Cross the River Ash, then proceed uphill through the green pastures....

....watched by 301252 and her friends.

They make a splendid job of keeping the grass neat and tidy. Our path led past the farm and through woodland before turning back down into the Lee valley once again. Rather distantly we could see some Magpies squabbling over what looked like a dead rabbit. After a minute of two a Buzzard came swooping down, talons flashing, and the Magpies fled. You'd think that would be the end of the story, but no, the Magpies returned and mobbed the Buzzard till he flew off. The whole process was then re-enacted with the Buzzard swooping down once more...etc...etc.

We then had to walk through the village/tiny town of Stanstead Abbots, passing this elegant Edward VII postbox.


And its rather splendid church that is Perpendicular in style but actually only dates from the early 1880s. Despite its recent date there's some doubt as to whether it was designed by Alfred Waterhouse or Zephaniah (or maybe Zedekiah) King.


Then it was back along the River Lee to complete the circle.


Take care.


23 comments:

  1. John you always choose to show us such super walks - thank you for this.

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  2. I enjoy walking with you so much John, when you think of it your walks and my walks are so completely different, both beautiful in their own way 💜 Loved the kingfisher silhouette, the boat reflections and the sweet wee vole 💙

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  3. No seen a water vole in years and never come across a black faced cow.
    Have a read John https://www.explorechurches.org/church-explorers-story

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  4. A wonderful walk and photos, John. I like the boats on the River Lee and their colours. Nice Water Vole, I have never seen one. Enjoy your evening.

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  5. Ratty, the water vole, is gorgeous - such a cute face, and I love that photo of the kingfisher in silhouette - it would make a very attractive birthday card.

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  6. Another fine walk. You are right about seeing the Vole - it may mean that things are improving in the world.

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  7. Enjoyed those brightly colored water crafts, John, but my favorites here were the last one of the lined up cows and that little red post box. There's always something new to see even on a familiar path.

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  8. Always finding so many interesting places to walk!
    The kingfishers silhouette is perfect, good news about the vole, and I love the colorful boats.

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  9. How do you know all of these things, John? I have lived in the Chicago suburbs all of my life and I do not know interesting details of the history and nature of the area! You have great pictures and I feel I am along for the walk with your detailed descriptions. Thanks again!

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  10. The vole is a neat looking critter.

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  11. Huge thanks.
    Your walk was a delight from beginning to end.

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  12. What a great walk! Thanks for taking me along. I especially enjoyed the magpie adventures, the boats and the cow with the black face and brown ears.

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  13. Thank you from Texas. Ratty made me smile. He doesn't look like what I think of a rat.....Perhaps a rounder head makes him more innocent. Anyway, lovely walk an thanks again.

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  14. Hi John – what a delightful journey along the Lee and back again … beautiful shots … especially the cameo kingfisher – what a delight to see so many, even if you couldn’t catch one for us.

    Also love “Ratty” – excellently caught on camera. The board walk must be a treat to spend a little time on … #301252: beautiful face. Magpies are pretty awful birds now-a-days … but love the Edward VII post box … thanks so much – really enjoyable … Hilary

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  15. It is quite true that every time one goes to a familiar spot there are new discoveries to be made. It is part if the reason we return of course. I am sure you were pleased to see the Water Vole, a species I was fortunate to come upon when I last visited the UK. Here, I see Muskrats fairly often - I saw one yesterday in fact, and it's always a source of pleasure.

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  16. Beautiful photoes!and yes you are right there s always something to see in nature even at the same spot!That Kingfisher looks nice too..Never seen it but they say it is very littl and cute..Splendid pilot!

    thanx for sharing all the wonderful pix

    Have a great weekend!

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  17. Such a lovely walk there. Love that kingfisher photo so much. What a wonderful moment.

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  18. I enjoyed this walk and all the photos. I do love houseboats. You seem to have quite a few of them. At least I think those boats were houseboats. I love seeing the cows and the little Water Vole. The architecture on that church is beautiful. I'm looking forward to the next walk. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

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  19. Wonderful photo of the water vole. I've never actually seen one!

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  20. Now that I can't get out much and I'm always looking for things to photograph, I'm always noticing the little seasonal changes in the same place.

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  21. O, my goodness, I love that last shot.

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  22. So many wonderful things, especially the water vole and the dragonflies on their boardwalk. I wonder which birds took the rabbit prize in the end?:)

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