Bert Blows

 After a week of tedium at work I always look forward to the weekend and the chance to get out and enjoy the countryside. This weekend sadly has been blighted by the arrival of storm Bert whose wind and rain has limited my opportunities to get out and about. After yesterday's washout I opted to head over to Barnwell where I hoped the hides would shelter me from the worst of Bert's bluster. The weather in the morning at least was OK, sometimes wet and sometimes blowy but there was sunshine too and it was certainly mild.

Mandarins

I walked to the park from Oundle and had the place to myself as I made my way to Kingfisher Hide. No sign of the 'fishers today but some Mandarin Ducks added some much need colour to proceedings. At least two drakes and two ducks had joined the regular Mallards and Gadwalls. Passerines were understandably keeping a low profile in the strong wind but I did see Nuthatch and Treecreeper on my wander around. As I left the park I realised why my walk had been so quiet, the park was shut due to high winds - oops! Having left Barnwell I walked along to the floods near the A605 noting several Chiffchaffs on the way, there was a selection of the commoner dabbling ducks on the floods themselves. Once I'd brought my wildlife watching activities to an end I headed into town for a top notch breakfast in the Coffee Tavern and a pint of Pedigree in the Rose and Crown. Not a fantastic day by any means but good to get out nonetheless.