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18-04-11, 08:14 AM
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RSPB Coombes Valley,Staffs
We visitied this smashing hillside reserve again at the weekend,we go at least once a year to look for Flycatchers and Redstarts. This year our visit was a month earllier than usual but we decided to go anyway as wanted to avoid travelling during the upcoming all Bank holidays.
We set off down the hill into the valley below watching Orange Tip,Speckled Wood,Peacock and Small White butterflies dancing over the wildflower meadows! We stoppped to sit awhile on a beautifully carved Oak leaf bench overlooking the tops of trees and a bubbling stream. Further down we reached the stream and bridge and again sat and watched a tiny Wren feeding along the edges. A noise from a bush distracted me and a flash of red revealed not 1 but 2 stunning male Redstarts,wonderful.....they were chasing each other in a territorial battle! Another male Redstart was spotted further down by the little cottage where a pair breed in the old walls every year. After a pic-nic lunch,another walk through a new woodland path we slowly began the climb back to the visitor centre and were lucky enough to see a male Pied flycatcher ......after hearing it for what seemed like ages in popped onto a branch at the side of us and gave a nice view of this little beauty! All in all a wonderful day in the valley.....below are some pics from our visit to a great reserve that at the right time of year can be very rewarding! 
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18-04-11, 08:20 AM
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Looks like a good trip Ruth. We are digging in for the double double bank holiday. I think half the UK will be closed and the other half away.
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Peter President elect of the Birding UK Dunnock Appreciation Society.
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18-04-11, 09:09 AM
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18-04-11, 09:50 AM
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What a super day you had at Coombes Valley Ruth! Love the pics and brill news with the Redstarts and Pied Fly! A lovely reserve for an amble and great views.
It has been a couple of years since I visited there, I shall pencil it in! Glad you had a super day and thanks for sharing!
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Judith. Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. - Frank Lloyd Wright
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18-04-11, 06:22 PM
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Grat pictures Ruth. Lovely to know you got your Redstarts and Pied Flycatcher.
Got some plans ahead for down South so hopefully see some lifers whilst down there. Redstarts and Pied Flycathers would be a good start
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19-04-11, 07:29 AM
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Thanks for reading Peter,Judith,Stuart and Maggie.
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19-04-11, 07:21 PM
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A couple of months and the Butterfly orchids will be out down there, no doubt the wife will drag me down to photograph them AGAIN !!!
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Some people say I spend too much time staring in bushes for no apparent reason, and for the most part I have to agree My Website
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20-04-11, 08:34 AM
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