Friday 26th February was a gloriously sunny day and as we had to visit Tesco at Roborough we also decided to have a quick walk at (fairly nearby) Burrator Reservoir.
It is only the second time this year that I have been in a car and still the furthest I have travelled anywhere from home this year (12 miles) and it did feel a bit weird but it was just so nice to be out and about somewhere different for a change. Burrator was busy with people but we kept our distance from everybody and had a lovely walk in the warming temperatures and I even had a brief and distant view of a very white looking female Brimstone butterfly flitting past in the sunshine.
Bird wise it was quiet with the highlight being a summer plumaged Great Crested Grebe out on the waters of the Reservoir. A Marsh Tit was also a nice find feeding on nuts and seeds at the main car park along with Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Great Tit and Blue Tit.
The usual White Goose was present with just 3 Canada Geese and a pair of Mallard. There were also 3 Cormorants drying their wings out on the floating barrage with one looking very smart in full summer plumage.
The lock down continues but we have been advised of a tentative road map out of it from the Government which at least gives us something to plan towards. March 29th seems to be the first key date when the stay at home order ceases and up to 6 people will be able to meet outdoors and then April 12th will be the next key date when the shops will reopen. Hopefully this year spring migration will now be a go after missing out on it last year during the first lock down.
Lock down becomes more wearing day by day and I have to remind myself that I have much to be thankful for despite it all. The recent spell of warm weather has been very pleasant and has done much to improve my mood with the expectation of spring and the excitement it brings building in my bones. I hope the road map out of lock down goes to plan.
Wednesday 3rd March and my first Plymouth Hoe lock down walk of the month was a calm, sunny and mild affair and very spring like with plenty of daffodils in flower and a Chiffchaff quietly singing in the bushes near the National Marine Aquarium as it chased small insects amongst the branches.
The female Long-tailed Duck was busily diving away in The Cattewater, distant and mobile as always, and 2 Great Northern Divers were also seen. 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (1 male) were also seen flying downriver out into The Sound.
A smart looking summer plumaged Little Grebe was seen on Sutton Harbour along with 2 male Mallard, 3 Canada Geese and 12 Mute Swans and on the very low tide more Pacific Oysters were seen clinging to the harbour walls along with Breadcrumb Sponge.
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