Last year, I took another walk around Sywell Country Park, but this time it was all about nature and finding the birds, insects, and flowers.
It was June, so it was much greener than before and I could feel the warmth from the sun on my skin.
The first feathered friend I saw was this Coot with its white frontal shield. Fun fact: Back in the day, the featherless shield gave rise to the expression “as bald as a coot.” (Wikipedia)Â
This one has found something to balance on.
Whilst trying to photograph this delicate dragonfly, I got the plant in focus instead – I think it’s a Stinging Nettle.
There are lots of flowers dotted around – like this daisy.
Although Hogweed is pretty to look at, it’s best not to touch it as it can cause blisters and scars in humans! (Wikipedia)
This bee doesn’t seem bothered.
Another beauty, but also very toxic, is the lovely Foxglove. Fun fact: In the past, myths had it that foxes wore the flowers on their paws to silence their movements as they hunted – hence ‘fox’s glove!’ (Wikipedia)
It’s quite hard to take photographs of things that move, but this Long-tailed tit sat at the top of this tree just long enough.
As did these two-silhouetted birds.
A family of swans swam passed – the mother looking back to check the cute little babies are all there.
Then, they head off towards the reeds and out of the open – there were buzzards circling overhead!
These coots chicks were sticking close to each other – the lake must seem like an ocean to them!
This bird flew away at the exact moment I took the photo!
But, this dunnock and duck looked straight at the camera lens!
It’s always a pleasure seeing nature at her finest!
A lovely place to walk around is Sywell Country Park near Northampton. The reservoir was built to supply water to the surrounding villages, but now it’s a country park with a gravel walkway around the lake, meadows, forest-like areas with different types of trees, and a variety of habitats for the wildlife that live there. (Woodland Trust).
As you leave the car park, there are lovely green areas surrounded by tall trees, perfect for a picnic or just to sit peacefully and enjoy the sounds of nature.
You have to walk up a flight of steep steps to the reservoir, but the effort is worth it as the views are fabulous.
I always walk to the right and the first thing I see are these two geese psyching themselves up to get into the chilly water.
Next, I pass a lovely red-bricked water tower which is always worthy of a photo (or two!).
This swan looks so elegant with its curved neck – an aquatic ballet dancer maybe?
There are so many different types of plants and these dried grasses will be shelter to small birds and mammals.
The path leads you through sometimes wooded areas and sometimes more open areas as you walk around the lake.
There are many types of birds to see and this swan was tending to her nest among the reeds.
This robin stopped long enough in the tree, so I could take a photo.
And this Great tit was busy feeding.
The path follows the undulated features of the countryside, so you get good views all around the lake.
And there are lots of trees and, as this was early in the year, they are still bereft of leaves.
Flowers here and there give a welcome splash of colour.
It’s good to see all kinds of wildlife getting a helping hand as these little bat houses prove.
And, it’s also a pleasure watching wildlife from these hides which are placed in certain locations.
On the walk home, I couldn’t help but stop and say hello to these fellows. (Don’t you find cows to be very curious – they always migrate towards you!)
This cute pony getting in on the action.
And I was happy to see that with Spring comes new beginnings.
I wrote about Summer Leys Nature Reserve a couple of months ago, but I actually went there for the first time in 2019. In June, 2022, I went back and enjoyed another walk there – this time taking photos of the animals and birds that use the reserve as their home.
We’ll get to the creatures in a minute, but here is a reminder of how lovely the reserve itself is.
I visited in the summer again and as you can see, the fields, flowers, plants and trees are in full bloom.
Now to the animals and birds which is what took me back to Summer Leys in the first place.
The first thing I spot is this butterfly resting on a leaf. I am not sure, but I think this is a Polygonia c-album – a species which is common around the UK (Wikipedia). Insects are notoriously difficult to photograph, but this one was kind enough to rest long enough for me to capture it.
Polygonia c-album
As I wander along the path, I come out into open fields where these sheep are grazing or having a rest – oblivious to me watching them.
There are also a few Highland cattle at the reserve. These grazing animals help keep the grass short throughout the year
Close up of one of these huge beasts. Good job my camera has a long lens on it!
A much smaller mammal, the grey squirrel is a resident of the UK and can be seen everywhere from parks to reserves like this one. I love watching them scamper around.
There are so many birds to be seen here too like this bullfinch.
And this Long-tailed tit (you can just about see it in the trees).
The reserves gives the birds a little helping hand with these birdfeeders. If you stay quiet and in one place for a short amount of time, then more will come – like this Blue tit.
And this Great tit.
As a walk around, I see a flash of movement in the bushes and managed to capture this cute little fellow – I believe it is a Willow Warbler.
I think it’s great that places like this are dedicated to looking after the wildlife.
There are also different kinds of habitats for every species to have a chance of success!
No matter how big or small you are!
If you are ever in the area, I recommend a little walk around Summer Leys Nature Reserve, it’s a great spot for wildlife watching and getting back into nature.
Another lovely spot to take a walk in Northamptonshire if you are ever here, is Summer Leys Nature Reserve.
An old gravel pit which has been transformed into a nature reserve, Summer Leys takes about an hour to walk around unless, like me, you stop and take lots of photographs, then it will take a while longer – but that’s all good if you want to spend some time surrounded by nature.
There is a pathway that takes you around a lake in the centre of the reserve and, I would say, that it is one of the less popular places to walk around, so there have never been that many people there. Maybe it’s a different story at the weekend!
Setting off from the car park, you follow the path through woodland where the birds are chirping and the trees are rustling in the breeze.
The wood makes way to a tree-lined path.
It won’t be long before you see your first hide where you can sit and watch the different species of birds that breed there – if you are lucky enough to spot them!
The reserve is not just for birds, the habitat is perfect for insects to and there is a whole meadow which has been dedicated to butterfly conservation. (More on the insects at Summer Leys in my next post!)
Part of this meadow is also home to grazing animals like these sheep.
Keep walking and you’ll find yourself surrounded by trees which form a natural arch across the path.
Before you reach the end of this path, you’ll see a small area where the birds have been given a little helping hand.
It’s a lovely place to do some exercise too!
There are plenty of flowers which always add a splash of colour to all that greenery.
Out of the woodland again, you’ll be closer to the water.
Go through the gate and follow the path around the other side of the lake.
Meander your way through more woodland, again full of the wonderful sounds of nature.
One last look at the lake from a different perspective before reaching the car park again.
If you’d like to learn more about what Summer Leys Nature Reserve has to offer, go to the Wildlife Trust’s website. Better yet, go and see it for yourself!
Whilton Locks, near Daventry in Northamptonshire, is the name of a seven-lock system which forms part of the Grand Union Canal – the main waterway from London to the Midlands (Wikipedia).
Back in 2013, I took a trip out there to take a gentle stroll along the canal. If you get the day and time right, you won’t see another soul which means you can really appreciate the sounds and peacefulness of the countryside for yourself!
A boat passed me by, I watched as it created gentle waves in the water. Once it had gone, the water was so still, creating mirror-like reflections of the trees.
It’s a lovely place to go for a walk and it’s high time I went back!
