There’s so much wildlife to see around Ilfracombe, North Devon.
At the moment the foxgloves are just coming into flower up Hillsborough . . .
While conkers are already forming on the horse chestnut trees near the swimming pool . . .
While nearby a starling hopped around on the grass . . .
Over at Bicclescombe Park, a collection of goldfish and other fish have mysteriously appeared in the boating lake. From what I have been told they are not supposed to be there and may be someone’s unwanted fish from a pond . . .
It’s been a glorious spring this year, but I don’t think anything provides as big a lift as the arrival of ducklings.
This morning, in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe in North Devon, I heard ducks squabbling down in the East Wilder Brook as it passes under a small bridge. I looked over the fence and saw a mother duck and her fleet of ducklings. Unfortunately, there were three male ducks trying to mate with her, explaining the noise as she fought them off.
Some blurred photos, taken with zoom lens while hanging over a fence with two spaniels on leads . . .
One of the park-keepers said they were born on Sunday. I counted 12. Before I could take any more photos, they swam under the bridge.
Meanwhile, back on the duck pond, this pair were doing some serious courting and a bit more when they weren’t being interrupted by other jealous suitors . . .
This pigeon landed in a tree in Bicclescombe Park in Ilfracombe, North Devon, looking very pleased with himself. He had a twig or something similar in his beak, possibly nesting material.
He seemed to think he could not be seen, but I had my camera . . .
I think he spotted me and didn’t look very pleased . . .
. . . but he was up in the tree and I was on the ground where no one could reach him.
The recent rains have fuelled the streams and rivers in North Devon. Travelling from Ilfracombe to Barnstaple this past week has involved driving through flooded roads and lanes, whichever route was chosen.
In Bicclescombe Park, the East Wilder Brook is flowing fast and I was reminded of some video footage I took in July 2009. I’ve just looked it out and uploaded it.
The park is always an interesting place at any time of year. Most of the time the brook, the millstream it feeds and the duck pond and boating lake are peaceful and still, but when the torrents rush down from the hills to the sea, the turbulence is impressive.
It is easy to see why the mill, now tea rooms, was built here and I wonder why we no longer use this source of energy.
Later on, as the sun went down, it became chillier and greyer, but still clear enough to snap views of Ilfracombe and the fishing boats in the harbour from up Hillsborough . . .
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