Harris Hikers Solo Walks and More 30th March - 5th April 2020

Bad News 1st April 2020.
I thought walking group members would want to that Dave J had a stroke this morning  and is in Ward 33 at the Countess recovering. He is conscious but has sme weaknessses on his right side. Sylvia is now at her daughter's.
Good News 2nd April 2020.
Dave is hoping to come out this evening and spend the night at his daughter's befor returning home to Chester tomorrow.
Dreaming about Football

I had drean the other night which I thought anyone that has played football would appreciate. As many of you know when I played football I played at left back, but even before wingbacks were invented I frequently went on the attack and occasionaly scored.
 In this dream I was getting very close to the goal when I saw my chance if I stretched out my leg and swung my left foot and made contact with the ball I had a good chance of scoring. This I did, but unfortunately the momentum of swinging out my leg caused me to fall out of bed, woke me up before I knew wether I'd scored or not. I can even remember who I was playing for ot against.

Another of My Regular Short Saltney Riverside Walk 30th March 2020.

A Song thrush in bushes near Bridge Street, Saltney.

Lesser black back gulls, Herring gulls and of course va Grey heron the mud bank west of Bumper's Lane, Chester,

A Greenfinch near the Riverside Path, Saltney.

Not many out walking on the Riverside Path this morning.

Signs of Spring, blossom on a tree on the Wales Coast Path.

Looking across the River Dee towards Chester.

One of many Goldfinch seen and heard along the Riverside Path south east of Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Moel Famau from Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Feral pigeon on the roof of the old Mold Junction Engine Shed with Moel Famau on the skyline.

Walk stats: Distance: 2.4 miles. Climb: 64'.

Time:  hour 36 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

I had to delay setting off on my walk this morning as it started to rain just bas I opened the door. Thankfully it soon stopped and I could get on my way. It was noticeably cooler today and wearing my Paramo jacked didn't feel out of place. I certaly didn't envy the guy on the Wales Coast Path who was wearing shorts.

Largely overcast with very little glimpses of blue sky or enough rays from the Syun getting through to create shadows or raise the temperature noticeably.

Thankfully there the birds were up and running with lots of them singing. Goldfinches must have overwintered well as they seemed to be everywhere.

 Chiffchaffs were singing in the same three locations that I have seen and heard them on my earlier walks.

 I hardly saw anyone on my side of the river and there was noticebly fewer cyclists on the Wales Coast Path on the opposite side of the river.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Collared dove, Mallard, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Song thrush, Pied wagail, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Black billed magpie, Common chaffinch, Feral pigeon, Goldfinch Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Feral pigeon, European robin, and Chiffchaff.

Sue and Dave P also went on a walk this morning.

It must be low tide and even Chester has a beach!
The Pelissiers were out by the River Dee as well.

Even the gulls are obeying the social distancing directive.
A Saltney Riverside Walk with A Little Of The wales Coast Path 31st March 2020.

Dafoddils in flower on the bank of a brook that flows into Balderton Brook.

One of four rake Mallards on Balderton Brook.

A Chiffchaff near the Riverside Path, west of River Lane, Saltney.

A Little egret in fields west of Higher Ferry.

Not many on the Wales Coast Path today.

Every walk must have at least one photo of Moel Famau in it.

Social distancing Oystercather style.

I don't think they have heard of social distancing!

The ferry steps - memories of catching the ferry across the River Dee in the sixties.

A Feral pigeon hot spot - the old Mold Junction Engine Shed site.

Walk stats: Distance: 4.4 miles. Climb: 90'.

Time: 2 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Another overcast day, but with no cold wind it felt warmer than yesterday, so I decided to extend the walk a little by heading towards Queensferry on the Wales Coast Path.
 Once more plenty of birds were singing and at least one Chiffchaff stayed long enough in the open for me to take a photo, not perfect, but the best yet.
  Along the Wales Coast Path, I was again rewarded by hearing Skylarks singing, it would have been better had I seen them as well. Next time hopefully.
 Crossing the Saltney Ferry / Higher Ferry Footbridge is a problem in terms of social distancing as it only abut four feet wide. It is OK if you are going in the same direction, but if you meet someone coming the other way, the best you can do is turn your back on them as they pass.
 Surprisingly no Grey herons today, but the birds that I did see or hear included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Mallard, Collared dove, Chiffchaff, Black billed magpie, European robin, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Common chaffinch, Winter wren, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Common redshank, Common pheasant, Carrion crow, Jackdaw and Little egret.

A Short Saltney Riverside Walk 1st April 2020.

Looking towards Chester from the Riverside Saltney.

A Mmale Common blackbird on the Riverside Path west of River Lane, Saltney.

A Chiffchaff on the Riverside Path west of River Lane, Saltney.

A male Common chaffinch, south east of Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

A European robin, south east of Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

A European robin, south east of Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Moel Famau from Flint Road, Saltney Ferry.

A winter wren on the top of a hedge on Chester Road, Saltney.

Walk stats: Distance: 2.4 miles. Climb: 33'.

Time: 1 hour 19 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

An earlier start to the walk this morning, I set off as soon as the light shower stopped. It was quite cool with the Sun's rays being unable to penerate the cloud cover. Thankfully the cold wind was little more than a breeze.

 Surpringly the water level on the river was too high and the mud bank was yet to form. Consequently the Grey heron wan't in its usual spot. Chiffchaffs, Dunnocks, Chaffinch, Robins and Blackbirds were all singing, but there was a noticeable lack of Goldfinches around. The first Goldfinch was seen towards the end of the walk as I was walking along Chester Road - perhaps they late risers or found it a cold for them to feel like singing.

Birds seen today included: Jackdaw, Rook, House sparrow, Black billed magpie, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Common chaffinch, Common blackbird, Chiffchaff, European wren, Dunnock, Winter wren, Little egret and Goldfinch.

Early Morning Breakfast For Some. 2nd April 2020.

A male Common blackbird.

A European robin gets in before the Common starlings arrive.
A Short Saltney Riverside Walk 2nd April 2020.

A Winter wren sings from the railway bridge over Bridge Street Saltney.

Looking towards Saltney Ferry Footbridge from the mud path close to the river.

Looking through the arches of the Saltney Ferry Footbridge towards Queensferry.

Walk stats: Distance: 2.4 miles. Climb: 100'.

Time 1 hour 15 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h, Overall walk averag: 1.8 m.p.h.

A little more than overcast today, in fact for about ten minutes there was some dampness in the air, so I was grateful that I hadn't discarded my Paramo jacket.

As a slight variation, I decided to drop down from the tarmac path to walk close to river, a place the over sixty years ago I went most days when out walking with my mongrel dog, Timus.

 i got talking to a dog walker who informed me that the police checking on car owners that had driven to River Lane and parked before setting of on a walk with or without a dog.

Birds seen today includd: Collared dove, Winter wren, European robin, Common blackbird, Chiffchaff, Herring gull,Lesser black back gull Mallard, Moorhen, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Jackdaw, Black billed magpie, Common starling and House sparrow.

A Slightly Longer Saltney Riverside Walk 3rd April 2020.

Not very obvious, but this is bank of Daisies, possibly a little early to be fully out.

A close look at some of the daisies.

A European robin near the Riverside Path, south east of Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

The Beluga comes into land at Hawarden Airport.

Robin singin a tree next to the Wales Coast Path.

Queensferry road bridges with Hawarden Bridge and  the Connah's Quay Power Station in the distance.

 Moel Famau on the skyline- taken from the Wales Coast Path south east of the barge terminal.

Brickwork next to the Wales Coast Path, north west of Higher Ferry Footbridge, but why is it there?

The Police are checking up on us.

One field ready for planting, one in the distance already planted and the plants protected by plastic sheeting.

Only Dandelions, but it is good to see them flowering on the roadside.

Walk stats: Distance: 4.8 miles. Climb: 90'.

Time: 2 hours 41 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

A pleasant day for walking, largely overcast, but with occasional sunny spells and gusts of wind.

 Winter wrens seemed to be everywhere singing, from the hedges / trees on both sides of the river.

Chiffchaffs were singing from trees in in all of the usual places on this walk.

As it was so pleasant, I decided to extend the walk by crossing the Saltney Ferry / Higher Ferry Footbridge and head towards Queensferry, hoping to see and hear some Skylarks. I did hear several, but wasn't able to spot them on this occasion.

 As I headed towards Queensferry the Beluga came overhead on its descent to the Hawarden Airport runway,

 On the return route it was the Police helicopter that took off from Hawarden Airport. I know they are suppose to be checking that people are at least two metres apart but with a helicopter. I am sure in reality it was on more significant business than checking on people out walking.

Birds seen orheard today included: Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, House sparrow, Goldfinch, Common starling, Greenfinch, Winter wren, Common chaffinch, Common pheasant, Rook, Carrion crow, Common redshank, Eurasian jay, Black billed magpie, Mallard, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Collard dove, Blue tit, Great tit, Oystercatcher and Skylark.

A Short Saltney Riverside Walk Again 4th April 2020.

A Moorhen on the bank of Balderton Brook in Morrisons Car Park.

Balderton Brook as it enters the River Dee.

Looking towards the saltney Ferry Footbridge from the Riverside, Green Lane, Saltney.

White deadnettle in flower next to the Riverside Path west of River Lane, Saltney.

Selfheal in flower next to the Riverside Path west of River Lane, Saltney.

The "chiffchaff trees" from the riverside.

Not very clear, but i think it is a Raven perched at the top of a tree next to the Wales Coast Path.

Field Forget-me-nots in flower next to the Riverside Path, south east of Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Walk stats: 2.4 miles. Climb: 30'.Time: 1 hour 24 minutes. On the move walking averag: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

The forecast suggested that it would be quite warm today, so I set off about an hour later than usual. At home it was 10 Celsius on my outdoor thermometer, but it didn't feel that warm on my walk. Nevertheless it was pleasant enough, overcast with very little wind and dry throughout.

it was very noticeable that the queue to get into Morrisons was larger than in midweek and there was considerably more activity along the Riverside Path from River Lane, Saltney to the Saltney Ferry Footbridge. Similarly more people were using the Wales Coast Path. The weekend as expected brought out more walkers, dog walkers, runners and cyclists, especially cyclists on the Wales Coast Path.

 No significant additions as far as migrant birds are concerned, I am ever hopeful that I will see my first Barn swallow of the year or hear my first Willow warbler.  For now i will just have to be happy to see and hear Chiffchaffs and Greenfinches and hear the occasional Skylark singing.

 The main difference on the walk as the temperature pick up the number of flowers that are now in bloom. The main ones today were: white deadnettle, Selfheal and Field forget-me-nots. Dandelions were abundant as well, giving their bright yellow dash of colour to hedgerows and roadside verges.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Goldfinch, Common blackbird, Winter wren, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Feral pigeon, Chiffchaff, Common chaffinch, Rook, Jackdaw, Raven, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Mallard, Moorhen, Oystercatcher,  Blue tit and Great tit.

Ed's Solo Welsh Wanders: Llanddulas via Rhyd Y Foel fort from Abergele 

Distance:7 miles.

Entrance to Gwrych Castle, Abergele.

Unused plough near Rhyd Y Foel.

Never seen this folly before OS map says Plas Newydd.

Carved head just before North Wales Path back to Llanddulas.

I see the sea.

A view familiar to most of us.

Clwydian hills from the coast path.

A Short Saltney Riverside Walk with a little extra 5th April 2020.

Balderton Brook as it goes through Morrisons Car Park.

Go Outdoors on the skyline - an instruction that may not be allowed for much longer!

A Chiffchaff - my best close up photo to date.

A clearer photo of the Chiffchaff.

A Chaffinch in the photo above singing.

An unusual bird on the River Dee - just a leucistic Great cormorant.

The path along the bank neaar the river that I followed for the first time today.

The view west from the new path.

Social distancing on the Riverside Path heading towards the Saltney ferry footbridge?

The steepest climb of the day! OK today, but it would be very slippery after rain.

Social distancing on the Wales Coast Path?

A closer look at the Field For-get-me-nots seen yesterday.

The usual - Moel famu from the Flint Road, south of the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Farming goes on - the field west of Saltney Ferry Primary School being ploughed.

Walk stats: Distance: 2.8 miles. Climb: 100'.

Time: 1 hour 34 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

The forecast was for temperatures to be in their high teen Celsius, but it didn't feel that warm despite me not setting off until 12-30. Thankfully I didn't give my shorts an airing, but otherwise it felt very pleasant.

The highlight today was hearing lots of Chiffchaff singing, but even better getting one of my best ever sightings of a Chiffchaff, just 10' above me.

 The strangest sighing was seeing my forst ever leucistic Great cormorant, I've seen leucistic Common blackbirds, but never a Great cormorant.

 It was noticeable that the forecast of good warm weather had brought more people out today. Most obeyed carefully the social distancing directive, but many joggers and racing cyclists do not - many of them must think because you are "speeding" past people, it doesn't matter how close to them you get! I know who to blame, if we end up running on the spot in our gardens.

The extra bit on my walk today was all down to the Field for-get-me-not seen earlier in the week. I needed to check if its leaves had hairs along the edge, I missed it on the way to the Saltney Ferry Footbridge, so I had to retrace my steps to find them again.

 Farming must still go on as I witnessed a farmer ploughing his field. Over sixty years ago, part of this field was a football pitch used by Saltney Ferry Junior Football team, which if we were lucky Mold Junction Primary School used. This was where I played my first ever 11 aside team game of football.

Birds seen or heard today included: Chiffchaff, House sparrow, Mallard, Black-billed magpie, Moorhen, Collared dove, Winter wren, Great cormorant, European robin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Herring gull, Black-headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Woodpigeon, Blue tit, Great tit, Feral pigeon and Moorhen.

Wendy's Early Morning Walk 5th April 2020.

Early morning stroll down the bridle way to the bridge this morning. Not many people but plenty of birdsong including this wren who sang beautifully for us. Animals spotted today Babirusa, White rhino, Cheetah, Okapi and a various deer!

Wendy's singing Winter wren.