Tuesday 13 May 2014

Visit to Strangford and Nugent's Wood

Last week I met my U3A Nature group in the afternoon at Portaferry when Brian Gibson, our leader took us into Nugent’s Wood to see the wildflowers. I decided to make a day of it and left in the morning making my way to Strangford to visit a National Trust property called Castle Ward (more about that is another post).  I had an hour to spare before crossing over on the ferry to Portaferry so I sat in the sun, having my  lunch and watching all the was happening on the water most of which you will see on the video at the end.


This Pied Wagtail kept me company while I had my lunch.




This is the ferry  I travelled over to Portaferry on.


Off I go in the ferry.


Brian showed us these tiny Ferns on the wall and also many other wildflowers as we walked though this wood.


This is most of the group that visited the wood.



The highlight of the wood were the numerous Bluebells and white Cow Parsley and the beautiful lime green of the new growth of the trees.



It was a lovely walk through the wood yet at all times we still had a view of the Strangford Lough.


The cream candle flowers of the Horse Chestnut tree.


I think this tree decided to have a ‘rest’!


I saw several Speckled Wood butterflies and although I took this shot for the record, it is not good.


During our walk, I saw a Robin, some of the Tits family, a Dunnock, a few Chaffinch and heard a Willow Warbler.



After leaving the wood, I went over on the ferry again, picked up my car and on the way home called into the hide at Island Hill.



There were quite a number of Duck, Grebe, Tern, Swallow, Swan, Cormorant, and some Waders on the other side of the lake.



I will leave you with the bright Gorse that was growing all along this road.

You can access the video at

http://youtu.be/oSucOhco3XY

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



Thank you for visiting.  

Many thanks for leaving comments on any of my posts today

27 comments:

  1. I love the gorgeous bluebells and the Pied Wagtail. I would love to ride on a ferry, I bet it is really fun, love looking at this one.

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  2. such a lovely place to visit and the bonus with the swans and others towards the end

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  3. What a beautiful day to go for a walk especially at this time of the year with the bluebells in full flower and the gorse bushes showing off. We are two of a kind. I also love my walks with U3A and spending many happy hours walking around National Trust properties.

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  4. What a lovely day, beautiful blooms and birds.. Love the views, a lovely place to visit.. Wonderful series of photos, Margaret!

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  5. another stunning tour...I love all of those white homes and buildings!

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  6. Your area is teeming with life right now. It's wonderful that you don't take it for granted but realize what a lovely place you live in.

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  7. What a day, one that I'd love! What a magical place, everything looks so lush and heavenly! Thanks for sharing your day, looks like it was just perfect~

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  8. What a beautiful wood - lovely photos and flowers :) Sounds like a wonderful day out :)

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  9. Oh My Margaret, what a glorious looking place and the Wagtail is such a beauty~

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  10. just love all the greenery and blooms! so lovely!

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  11. Lovely pictures! Thanks for sharing your day.

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  12. That pied wagtail is gorgeous!

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  13. I remember when spring used to look like that! Its a bit less colourful here.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    PS: there is a brief explanation of why the beach squeaks in this weeks WBW.

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  14. Your blog is amazing.Photos are very gret.

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  15. Seems like you had a lovely day. I'm loving all the captures and beautiful scenes you experienced, especially the wildflowers.

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  16. It must be a beautiful stroll through this green field.

    Tomás.

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  17. Beautiful birds --especially the Pied Wagtail.... Neat!!!! AND--i enjoyed going on your Wildflower Tour also... Spring is such a gorgeous time of year for so many flowers of all kinds of colors.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  18. A Pied Wagtail is proper company:) Love the grounds around where you visiting. Gorgeous flowers!

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  19. All your photos are a delight Margaret. Lots of sunlight and shadows, bright green vegetation, beautiful wildflowers and pretty birds of all kinds. You show us so many fun places you've visited, always very interesting.

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  20. The lush green growth is so beautiful.

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  21. Love that view of Strangford through the trees.

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  22. such a beautiful area. Must have been a very nice day for you all. :)

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  23. This is the time of year for birding! Our horse chestnuts have just about sprouted leaves, but not quite!
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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  24. What a fabulous day you had. I was enchanted by the woods you took a walk in - oh those wildflowers and greenery :D) P.S. I'm glad you included the butterfly photo.

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  25. Looks like a great trip! Love the photos.

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  26. A peaceful spring day in the woods - brill!

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