Pauls Pond and Golden Acre (My Patch Part 2)

Went for a walk today with my friend and Sparky.  Across Cookridge Golf course and on to Paul’s Pond, Breary Marsh and Golden Acre Park.  This is Part 2 of “My Patch”.

 

Cookridge Golf Course

Cookridge Golf Course

It is pretty good for birds and wildlife
and is well managed.

There are plenty of woodland copses and hedgerows, together with a lake, makes for quite a few different habitats.  There are gulls, blackbirds, crows, rooks, thrushes, redwings, waxwings, great tits, blue tits, coal tits, long tailed tits, greenfinch, goldfinch, bullfinch, house sparrows, dunnocks have all been seen.  the redwings and waxwing only this winter.  There is occasionally a Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

If you walk on the footpath from Holt Farm on Holt Lane, and follow the yellow topped marker posts, you will eventually come to Breary Marsh and Pauls Pond.

 


Breary Marsh

Click on the map to enlarge.  Then click here for a bit more info
It is a beautifully quiet spot normally, but has become busier as the route from Golden Acre has been developed, which makes it suitable for disability scooters.
Path through Breary Marsh

The pond was used for private fishing, not sure if it still is.  Today was iced over which it has been for about a month and there were no signs of any water fowl.
Pauls Pond

Pauls Pond

As you can see, these photos were taken in spring time.  The lillies are beautiful and provide a home for baby coots.
Coot Babies on Lillies

Today is the first time that I saw a nuthatch there.  Loads of chaffinch, blue and great tits and blackbirds.  Its a great walk for dogs too, but have to keep them on the lead over the golf course.  There is a stream running through from the pond to Golden Acre.  The trees around the pond are mainly mature deciduous trees.  those further on are alder, birch and silver birch.
Trees at Pauls Pond

I love trees

I absolutely love trees.  They are so photogenic and the differing light coming through the branches and leaves is quite beautiful.