Nature Alive Again - 12th April, 2024

Spring is sprung, and nature has certainly come to life once more after a very wet and windy winter. However, the title of this post refers to a return visit to the small nature reserve, Nature Alive, in the neighbouring town of Coalville - a town which once had a coal mine winding wheel near the centre of the town.

My first visit to Nature Alive, on 17th March, featured in my last blog post. On that day it was partly flooded, but showed great promise, so I was keen to return. A spell of relatively dry weather prompted me to go back for another look on this day - 12th April.

On arrival, I was delighted to find that a dry path was available where, on my previous visit, I had to wade along a torrent of water. It was soon apparent that, in spite of a stiff breeze, there was enough shelter from the surrounding trees, and insects were enjoying the multitude of wildflowers on the reserve. 

I stopped to photograph a hoverfly which I subsequently identified as a Chequered Hoverfly. This was a male, as witnessed by the eyes almost touching in the middle - female hoverflies have eyes that are clearly separated.

Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostomer scalare) (male) - Nature Alive

Wood Anemone is a very common but, in my opinion, very beautiful flower.

Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa) - Nature Alive

At the first small pond, which has a currently closed viewing platform, a pair of Coot wre present. This is one of them.

Coot (Fulica atra) - Nature Alive

Moving on to the largest of the lakes, a heron was on the far side of the lake.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - Nature Alive

A Moorhen was somewhat closer, looking rather splendid with that red and yellow bill.

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) - Nature Alive

On my previous visit, I only covered about half of the reserve. This time, I was determined to cover as much as possible. I set off for the previously unvisited north-west corner of the reserve, finding the path a little difficult with water and a fallen tree. Nothing of real interest was seen at this end, but I did go up onto the footbridge that crosses the railway, just to see what was on the other side. The short answer was 'very little' other than an industrial estate, so I did not bother descending the far side. I found myself surprised that the rails below the bridge were very rusty. This line passes within earshot of our house in Ashby de la Zouch, and it had not dawned on me that I had not heard a train for a long while. This next shot shows you some evidence of the industrial past of this location.

Rail tracks bordering Nature Alive, Coalville

I re-entered the reserve and continued my perambulations in a clockwise direction, seeing nothing of note before I got back to where I started from.  I felt inspired to head back to the large lake, taking some shots of flowers and insects as I did so.

I am not sure if this primula is a cultivar or a natural deviant from the usual yellowish cream of the true Primula. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris) - Nature Alive

There were a few Dog Violets around.

Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana) - Nature Alive

What really surprised me was the huge number of Cowslips there - I believe the most I have ever seen in any location. Foolishly, I only took a shot of a single flower head and omitted to take a photo of the hundreds of blooms in the area.

Cowslip (Primula veris) - Nature Alive

There was one large Gorse bush which was covered in flowers and attracting a few bees and hoverflies.

Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus) - Nature Alive

This hoverfly was rather obliging.

Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) (female) - Nature Alive

I then returned to the largest lake, and found a Buzzard circling around in the distance. It appeared to be in a state of moult.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) - Nature Alive

I was pleased to see two female Mallards, each with three chicks in tow.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (female + chicks) - Nature Alive

Beyond the viewing platform on the large lake, there is a boardwalk which crosses the north-west corner of the lake. I headed back there to assess the potential for dragonfly photography when the season starts, and came to the conclusion that it was good. There were plenty of rushes near to the boardwalk. However, at this time, a large patch of Marsh Marigold looked most attractive. The flowers are beautiful!

 

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) - Nature Alive

As I headed back and approached the viewing platform, a drake Mallard was on the fencing of the platform.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (male) - Nature Alive

Before reaching my car, I photographed a couple of butterflies. The Comma was rather tatty, and probably one of last year's.

Comma (Polygonia c-album) - Nature Alive

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) (male) - Nature Alive

I am looking forward to returning to Nature Alive when the dragonfly season gets started.

 

 

PLEASE NOTE:- I have a rather difficult week or two ahead of me, so please forgive me if I am tardy in publishing or replying to your comments, and in visiting your blogs. It might be a while before my next blog post. In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature - thank you for dropping by - - - Richard