Saturday, 19 October 2013

Birds At Broad Water

I have at last sorted a small amount of the photos I took when Eileen and I went bird watching last week. .  This post is of part of the second day.  On the first day we when to the RSPB Reserve in Belfast, Kinnegar Shore, Dargan where we saw the first Scaup this year, Whitehouse Lagoon and Hazelbank.  Overall we saw 43 bird species that day however on arriving home we realised we had left the picnic basket at Whitehouse Lagoon!  I phoned the nearest police station to the basket and they sent someone round to see if it was still there and very soon the police phoned to say, they are found it!  As we were not going in that direction the next day, we left home at 7.30am to retrieve the basket before heading off to the RSPB Portmore Reserve.


On our way to Portmore Lough, we stopped at Broad Water and as we walked, we had a wonderful sight of a Kingfisher flying right down the canal.




 The Broad Water is a man made feature, built in a natural valley in order to retain a sufficient head of water to accommodate the navigation.

  Since the canal was officially abandoned in 1954 the banks have become overgrown and an array of colour is provided by a variety of trees, shrubs and wild flowers. Moira is unique as being the only town in Ireland to straddle two counties, County Down and County Armagh.




So come with us as we walk along part of Broad Water and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, set against the background of a thin belt of mature woodland! Above is Eileen standing on the bridge under the arch.






Moorhen


Mute Swans in the early morning light.



Little Grebe



Coot



Tufted Ducks





Tomorrow, I will show you a post of the Mute Swans and you will see one taking off in stills that Eileen took and a video that I took from this very spot.


Two more Little Grebes


Can you see the Little Grebe in the middle of the green weed?  
If not, watch the video below and you will see it is much clearer.  
Watch to see how the Grebe sinks and then dives.
The video can be accessed at

http://youtu.be/UiDQcjlqLxA

If there is a black space below, click it and the video will appear.




I hoped you enjoyed walking along the towpath with us and finding
what was on the canal.
Many thanks for visiting my post today.
Thank you for all the comments you have left on any of my post today.

 I am linking this post with The D'Pot


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37 comments:

  1. ADRIAN19 October 2013 at 19:22

    This is a great place for a wander.

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  2. Kerri Farley19 October 2013 at 19:27

    What a pretty place!!

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure19 October 2013 at 19:31

      HI Kerri Yes it is a pretty place to wander around. Thanks for comments here and on the Flamingos. Glad you liked both posts.

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  3. Elephant's Child19 October 2013 at 19:51

    What an incredible place. With bonus birds.
    I am really happy that you were able to recover the picnic basket too.

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  4. EG CameraGirl19 October 2013 at 19:55

    I love the shot of the moorhen. I find that they are quite shy in my neck of the woods so I only get bits and pieces of them swimming around cattails.

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  5. Lynn19 October 2013 at 20:10

    I love the little Moorhen's beak of red and yellow, very stylish. 2-3 days to do 27 miles one wouldn't have wanted to cross in a high storm! OK Margarent I am going to stop saying anything about your photos, they are always outstanding and gorgeous, beautiful etc and I've run out of adjectives, just know I THINK THEY ARE ALL AMAZING AND ALWAYS WILL BE ;-).

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure19 October 2013 at 22:52

      Hi Lynn You are so kind and I accept all compliments anytime. Glad you liked the Moorhen. I am still wading through the photographs for THAT 1 day!!! This week that Eileen was here will seem go on forever with photographs!!! Anyhow, no don't I will manage. I have locked the doors this weekend so I stay put and without camera!!! MANY THANKS for your comments, I do appreciate them.

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  6. Margaret Birding For Pleasure19 October 2013 at 21:10

    Hi EC Yes was very pleased that the picnic baskete was found as my sister in law had given me it and my mothers picnic tablecloth was also in it. Glad you liked this place and birds. Thanks for commnets.

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  7. ♥ Łucja-Maria ♥19 October 2013 at 21:46

    Hi Margaret!
    Slowly, I am learning to know some birds ...
    Stone bridge on your picture is beautiful.
    All photos are, as always, very beautiful.
    I wish you a nice weekend.
    Lucia

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure19 October 2013 at 22:54

      HI Lucja Slowly learning about birds is the way to do it. Glad you enjoyed the bridge and the other photos. Thanks for cmments.

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  8. Em Parkinson19 October 2013 at 22:20

    Love them all but my favourite is the one with the bridge.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure19 October 2013 at 22:55

      HI Em Yes the bridge shot is lovely and Eileen will be pleased you liked that one especially.Thanks for comment.

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  9. DeniseinVA19 October 2013 at 23:31

    I love how you ended he video with that cutie disappearing under the water. And I also loved this series of photographs. Thank you Margaret :)

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure19 October 2013 at 23:59

      HI Denise I thought it was interesting that its body sunk a bit before it dived. Only saw that when I watched the video. Glad you liked the post and thanks for comments.

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  10. Linda at To Behold The Beauty19 October 2013 at 23:44

    Lovely photos of birds and scenery. I, too, liked the shot through the stone arch of the bridge.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 00:02

      HI Linda Glad you liked the stone bridge and thanks for comment.

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  11. TexWisGirl20 October 2013 at 00:57

    pretty bridge! glad you got the picnic basket back. i love the little grebes.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 02:10

      HI Tex Glad you liked the grebe and bridge. Thanks for comment.

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  12. Ruth Hiebert20 October 2013 at 02:11

    Thanks.I enjoyed my walk with you.The scenery is beautiful.

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  13. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 02:17

    Hi Ruth Glad you enjoyed the walk and scenery. Thanks for comment.

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  14. Ragged Robin20 October 2013 at 02:48

    What a beautiful walk and some lovely photos. Good selection of birds too :)

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  15. Coloring Outside the Lines20 October 2013 at 04:44

    Oh the little grebe is so cute! All of your photos are beautiful Margaret!

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 18:49

      Hi Terri Glad you enjoyed the Little Grebe. Thanks for comment

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  16. betty-NZ20 October 2013 at 07:10

    Such lovely creatures! Thanks for the tour and the info about the place.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 18:49

      Hi Betty Glad you enjoyed the whole post. Thanks for comment

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  17. Ginny Hartzler20 October 2013 at 07:33

    I think the thing I love about your photos best is the wonderful light! The morning light, so beautiful! I really enjoyed seeing the Moorhen, too. I have read about them in novels, but never seen one.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 18:50

      HI Ginny Glad you enjoyed this post especially the Moorhen. Thanks for comment

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  18. George20 October 2013 at 10:49

    What a beautiful place for walking and birding. Thanks for taking us along with you -- your photos are wonderful.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 18:51

      Hi George Glad you enjoyed this post and coming with me on this walk. Thanks for comment

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  19. Bob Bushell20 October 2013 at 18:41

    A beautiful place for all those birds, and I am very pleased with the police finding your hamper.

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  20. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 18:52

    Hi Bob Yes I was very pleased with the promptness of the police adn glad to get the basket back. Glad you enjoyed this post. Thanks for comment

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  21. Anonymous20 October 2013 at 19:08

    Very enjoyable photos, Margaret. Have a nice Sunday.

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  22. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 19:12

    HI BL Glad you enjoyed this post. Thanks for comment adn hope you are enjoying the weekend.

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  23. Anni 20 October 2013 at 22:10

    Fabulous image shares Margaret!!! Such beautiful country too. You live in such a wonderful, ideal area of the globe for birding.

    By the way, I corrected your link at the Bird D'Pot this morning...the link you added was broken by a typo. Hope you don't mind.

    Oh, and love the swan images in the post above this also...as you say the lighting was perfect.

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  24. Margaret Birding For Pleasure20 October 2013 at 23:52

    HI Anni Glad you enjoyed this post as well as the Swan one. Many thanks for correcting the typo. Since I started blogger I seem to have gone dyslectic!!! It is driving me crazy!! All of the other blogs like Stewart and the wordpress ones, have all my details already in so that way I do not make this mistake but your system does not. Just keep your eye on me please!!!

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