John Derek Venables

 

Rupert has informed me that Derek passed away peacefully today, 2nd May 2026, at 12-50.

Derek has been quite poorly for some time, and was a resident in Orchard Manor Care Home at the time of his death.

Rupert has informed me that Derek will be cremated, but there will be no funeral service.

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR 2nd May 2026

 A few photos from my 3.5 mile stroll around RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands Nature Reserve.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Great tit, Common pheasant, Cetti warbler, Woodpigeon, Tufted duck, Black headed gull, Common coot, Moorhen, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Avocet, Shoveler, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Sedge warbler, Reed warbler, Wigeon, Gadwall, Lapwing, Knott, Spotted redshank, Common redshank, Ruff, Goldfinch, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Little egret, Common whitethroat and Common buzzard.

Bluebells in Gorse Covert.

Bluebells in Gorse Covert.

Bluebells up close.

The path through Gorse Covert.

More of the path through Gorse Covert.

More Bluebells in Gorse Covert.

A Canada goose family at the picnic site.

A Canada goose family reluctant to move.

The gosling foraging.

The beauty of the Dandelion.

Mallards with a duckling (but there were 7 more not in the picture).

Marsh marigold.

According to Lens this is Three Cornered Leek.

Black tailed godwits with two Spotted redshanks (black birds)in amongst them on Centenary Pool.

One of many Avocets on Centenary Pool

A pair of Gadwall on Centenary Pool.

Black tailed godwits on Centenary Pool, two in Summer plumage.

A Ruff in partial  Summer plumage.

The same Ruff on Centenary Pool.

A Lapwing on Centenary Pool.

Another Lapwing on Centenary Pool.

Lapwings flying through.

Herb robert next to the path.

Reed mace /Bull rush.

On Reed mace head.

Red campion next to the path.

Gronant Dunes Nature Reserve, Big Pool and Around Talacre Abbey 29th April 2026.

A Carder bee on the beach.

Nigel on top of he dune.

Th beach at Presthaven Sands

Activity on the sea.

Fishing boat heading out to sea.

Fishing boat on the sea.

Red campion and Bluebells in Big Pool NR.

Bluebells Garlic mustard in Big Pool NR.

Dandelion gone to seed.

A silent video of a pony ant trap racing around the track.

One of the ferns seen today.

Another of the dominant ferns.

"Fern wood."

Point of Ayr Lighthouse from the Caravan Park.

Nigel's sand dune from the Caravan Park.

The path above the Talacre Abbey Grounds.

Our lunch spot near Talacre Abbey Home Farm.

A good splash of Gorse in flower.

An obliging Speckled wood butterfly.

Amongst the Bluebells in Coed Bell.

Bluebells in Coed Bell.

Bluebells in Coed Bell.

Bluebells in Coed Bell.

Close up of Bluebells in Coed Bell.

More Bluebells in Coed Bell.

More Coed Bell Bluebells.

Even more Bluebells in Coed Bell.

On the path in Coed Bell.

Today, we couldn't get enough of the Bluebells in Coed Bell.

Distance: 7.4 miles. Climb: 945'.
Time: 4 hours 48 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 Overall walking average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: 14-20 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force Max 4 a 17.2 m.p.h. Moderate breeze.
Group: Martyn, Nigel and Fran.
We left Chester at 08-30, a little earlier than usual, and were walking before 09-45.
We started off wearing fleeces / jackets as it felt a little on the cool side with the cool easterly breeze. By the time we reached Big Pool, it felt much warmer, and our outer garments were banished to our rucksacks.
Even though we walking on the beach by Presthaven Sands at around high tide, the sea was still a good way off.
Birds seen or heard today included: Wood pigeon, Common chaffinch, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, House sparrow, European robin, Common blackbird, Common buzzard, Common whitethroat, Sedge warbler, Grasshopper warbler, Lesser black background gull, Herring gull, Dunnock, Barn swallow, Mallard, Skylark, Blackcap, Water rail, Canada goose and Greylag goose. Butterflies seen: Orange tip, Peacock and Speckled wood.
Flowers seen included: Dandelion, Selfheal, Common daisy, Red campion, Jack the lad, Red campion, Greater stitchwort and Bluebell (at their best in Coed Bell).
Lunch was taken on the track near Abbey Farm, where we took advantage of a low wall as perching spots. I was the only one to sit in the shade.
At lunch, Nigel had an unfortunate experience with a present left by dog. Much effort and lots of toilet paper, hand sanitiser and even some perfume (provided by Fran) were used to make his rucksack more presentable.
The highlight of the day was the Bluebells in Coed Bell – we weren’t disappointed. The display of Bluebells was magnificent, the best that we have seen this year by far.
Straight home today, with Nigel’s rucksack and walking shoes carefully placed inside a bin bag!
Overall, a very enjoyable walk.

We should have visited a local hostelry to toast the beauty of the Bluebells we had seen in Coed Bell, but alas we all had reasons to head straight back home!

Saltney Ferry to Shotton along the southern side path 25th April 2026.

The start of my walk.

The start of the riverside path on the south side of the river.

Dandelions line the path.

The path to Sandycroft.

Preparations for sending carbon dioxide to Morecombe Bay!

Horse riders on the main North Wales Coastal Path.

Easier to share the path with them than some cyclists!

A Red admiral butterfly on the path.

A Speckled wood butterfly on the path.

Grazing on the river bank.

The path to Queensferry.

Bluebells next to the riverside path.

Believe it or not, this is a Red kite.

A major project at this farm between Queensferry and Hawarden Bridge. 

This is all that remains of an impressive entrance to the original estate.

The last section of the path leading to Hawarden Bridge.

The former John Summer's Steel Works HQ.

Alexandra Road Park, Shotton.

Distance: 6.0 miles. Climb: 200'.
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Overall walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Just a gentle stroll this morning - too many stops look at birds, flowers and butterflies!
Temperature: Not measured, but Met Office suggested it would have been about 20 Celsius for most of my walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: Not measured, but no more than 1 Light air.
Birds seen or heard today included: Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Common chaffinch, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, House sparrow, European robin, Common blackbird, Common whitethroat, Sedge warbler, Willow warbler, Lesser black background gull, Herring gull, Dunnock, House martin, Lapwing, Skylark and Red kite ( a bird I wasn't expecting to see )
Butterflies seen: Orange tip, Red admiral, Peacock, Small white and Speckled wood.
Flowers seen included: Dandelion, Selfheal, Common daisy, Red campion, Jack the lad and Bluebell.
I finished off the walk with an excellent pint of Gadd's (Ramsgate) brewery’s Stan the Man session bitter in the Cenral Hotel, Shotton.