Monday 16 April 2012

A few beers and a few birds

Wheatear, Alvecote Pools, Staffs.WheatearCommon SandpiperWillow warbler
Monday 16th April 2012
Highlight of the weekend was the Thursday Club's annual outing. This year we visited Oakham, Rutland and very pleasant it was to. The day got off to a good start with great views of a Red kite next to the track not far from Melton Mowbray. Our first stop was the Grainstore Brewery tap conveniently located next to the station where I went for Triple Brew. The next stop was the Lord Nelson pub with an impressive array of beers on offer. I tried Sunmarillo from the Hopshackle Brewery and Blackwatch from Harviestoun brewery both very acceptable. After a look in at the Wheatsheaf for a pint of Everards Beacon it was time to stock up for a Pork pie lunch before returning to the Lord Nelson to watch the Grand National with a pint of Harvest Pale from the Castle Rock Brewery. The day concluded with the traditional curry before it was back to the station for the train home.
On Monday it was catch up time as I hadnt had the opportunity to see many migrants over the previous week. The morning was spent in an area between Caldecote and Hartshill. A few Willow warblers were seen and the first Yellow wagtail was in a canalside field. After lunch I looked around the Alvecote pools area which produced another 2 year birds: a pair of Wheatear and a Common Sandpiper at the Pretty Pigs pool.

1 comment:

  1. I visted Oakham Station (and the Grainstore)on my way home from last years Birdfair.
    The signal box was the one Airfix copied and made for Hornby train sets when I was a child (1960's.
    I still have the plastic model and now an image of the original.
    Take care and thanks for the memories.

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