We decided that we we get up ridiculously early today and go for a walk in the local countryside before breakfast. This is all part of Arrran's schooling and our Phenology topic . We wanted to see what went on when nature is just starting to wake up. Get Arran to look around and see what is going on. He can be in his own world at times.
It was bitterly cold with a thick frost when we set off. We could just see a chink of light through the trees as we made our way down the dark lane to the old church. A few lights were on for early risers but it was really quiet just the odd rustling coming from the hedges as we passed.
We did not enter the woods behind the church but skirted round it heading for a well grazed cow field. Usually it has a lovely herd of cows but today it was as the rest of the area quiet but for the local wild life waking up. We stopped at the top of the hill so Arran could listen. We could hear two song thrushes singing to mark their territories. A pheasant made a strange strangled noise in the near by wood and a Roe deer was startled and ambled out across the frost covered field ahead of us. Its white tail upright in the moonlight.
When we reached the other side of the fields and climbed up the other side of the hill from the Colne Valley.we looked back and watched as the sun rose over Hill house woods. The colours were beautiful. All shades of red, orange and yellow. My husband captured it with his camera.
It certainly got colder as we walked towards the River Colne. Our fingers especially were frozen. There were lots of birds about now. Mostly from the tit family. They are the most argumentative species. Arran spotted another deer. This time a muntjac sprinting along a hedge line. I think it was startled by a local early morning dog walker. He must have had a least six various breeds of dog with him.
Lots of trees have been planted down by the river as the land has been donated to the national trust for use as a nature reserve. They are still saplings but appear healthy. It was nice to be down by the river again but we were quite shocked at the work that has taken place there as the bank had been re constructed after a new gas pipe had been laid. It also spread to the adjoining farmers field like a long brown earthen drive through the virgin. countryside. I hope it recovers soon.
Passed through a small wooded area. Not much going on but we think we spotted a tree creeper. They are so small and quick that the time we got the binoculars out it was gone. They are funny little brown birds that fly in a spiral up the tree trunks searching for bugs to eat.
We also passed through a field where we have collected frogs spawn from a small pond. We put back some tiny frogletts. Hope that some survived to breed this year. Explained to Arran that the frogs don't actually hibernate but go into a state between sleep and hibernation. There where just a few sheep in the area today.
Arran seems very relaxed. The sun is up fully now so we can appreciate the new day. The silence is spoilt now by a distant drone of a busy road as travellers wind their way through the traffic to their various destinations. I think you have to close your eyes and really listen to the true sounds of nature or the modern world does intrude with all its noise and brashness.
We did a full circuit, passing the ancient tree that we measured the other day. A day older but still standing.
Disaster. I broke husbands binoculars. I dropped them when he was taking a picture. So sorry! Super glue at the ready, I hope!
Frost still hanging on our clothes when we arrived back for breakfast and a hot drink. Arran wrote up some notes on what he had seen. He did well with the spelling of some of the words and seemed quite animated by the experiance.
We really must do that again some time and not just part of a school lesson.
It was bitterly cold with a thick frost when we set off. We could just see a chink of light through the trees as we made our way down the dark lane to the old church. A few lights were on for early risers but it was really quiet just the odd rustling coming from the hedges as we passed.
We did not enter the woods behind the church but skirted round it heading for a well grazed cow field. Usually it has a lovely herd of cows but today it was as the rest of the area quiet but for the local wild life waking up. We stopped at the top of the hill so Arran could listen. We could hear two song thrushes singing to mark their territories. A pheasant made a strange strangled noise in the near by wood and a Roe deer was startled and ambled out across the frost covered field ahead of us. Its white tail upright in the moonlight.
When we reached the other side of the fields and climbed up the other side of the hill from the Colne Valley.we looked back and watched as the sun rose over Hill house woods. The colours were beautiful. All shades of red, orange and yellow. My husband captured it with his camera.
Dawn over Hill House Woods, Essex.
It certainly got colder as we walked towards the River Colne. Our fingers especially were frozen. There were lots of birds about now. Mostly from the tit family. They are the most argumentative species. Arran spotted another deer. This time a muntjac sprinting along a hedge line. I think it was startled by a local early morning dog walker. He must have had a least six various breeds of dog with him.
Lots of trees have been planted down by the river as the land has been donated to the national trust for use as a nature reserve. They are still saplings but appear healthy. It was nice to be down by the river again but we were quite shocked at the work that has taken place there as the bank had been re constructed after a new gas pipe had been laid. It also spread to the adjoining farmers field like a long brown earthen drive through the virgin. countryside. I hope it recovers soon.
Field near the River Colne
Passed through a small wooded area. Not much going on but we think we spotted a tree creeper. They are so small and quick that the time we got the binoculars out it was gone. They are funny little brown birds that fly in a spiral up the tree trunks searching for bugs to eat.
We also passed through a field where we have collected frogs spawn from a small pond. We put back some tiny frogletts. Hope that some survived to breed this year. Explained to Arran that the frogs don't actually hibernate but go into a state between sleep and hibernation. There where just a few sheep in the area today.
Arran seems very relaxed. The sun is up fully now so we can appreciate the new day. The silence is spoilt now by a distant drone of a busy road as travellers wind their way through the traffic to their various destinations. I think you have to close your eyes and really listen to the true sounds of nature or the modern world does intrude with all its noise and brashness.
We did a full circuit, passing the ancient tree that we measured the other day. A day older but still standing.
The River Colne
Disaster. I broke husbands binoculars. I dropped them when he was taking a picture. So sorry! Super glue at the ready, I hope!
The Colne valley - a new day
Frost still hanging on our clothes when we arrived back for breakfast and a hot drink. Arran wrote up some notes on what he had seen. He did well with the spelling of some of the words and seemed quite animated by the experiance.
We really must do that again some time and not just part of a school lesson.
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