16 Nov 21

Soldiers Ponds

On the way back from a shopping trip at Littlemoor, I parked up in Nightingale Drive, Broadway and took Ted for a walk around the Soldiers Ponds.

The name Soldiers Ponds is what the locals call it, but in fact it is a man-made balancing reservoir for the local roads and housing estates.

No real highlights and the 21 species I recorded here, were our fairly common British species.

Birds Recorded:
20 Mallard (15m, 5f)
1 Water Rail
4 Moorhen
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
10 Long-tailed Tit
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Rook
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
2 Siskin
Goldfinch

Moorhens

Dunnock

Woodpigeon

There was a wandering flock of Long-tailed Tits.................

...............and some in good voice.

The only birds tagging along with the Long-tailed Tits were two Blue Tits and this Great Tit.

The ponds seem to be on the flightpath of several Rooks as they passed overhead.

General Shots:

Soldiers Ponds, though two of the three have almost dried out. It's location is Here.

Two soldiers guarding the entrance to the ponds

From the entrance looking north-west

In the northern most corner is the Queen's Canopy, which I believe is where several trees have been planted by the Woodland Trust!

And from the Queen's Canopy looking South-east back towards the entrance.

Ted:

Despite the light drizzle falling I think Ted enjoyed his walk, especially when he got to meet other dogs on the way round.

Aircraft Today:

Whilst I was walking around the ponds, this Westland Wessex Helicopter flew past. From what I have learnt, since coming home and doing a bit of research. is this helicopter XT761 is the only flying Westland Wessex MK 5 in the world. More on this helicopter Here.