Around Aston, Staffs

Today, Rosie and I went to Aston Marina near Stone for morning coffee.  This was followed by a walk along the canal and a cross country walk back to Aston.

Just near the marina exit to the canal was a swans nest and two mute swans in attendance.  The swans have nested on the canal side, just over the bank from the marina quayside.

A little further down the canal we came across a thrush, singing melodiously in a tree at the towpath side.

We were startled at one point by a large flock of rock doves flying along the canal.  I cannot remember the last time I have seen so many rock doves in open countryside.  There must have been more than 80 birds.

A small buzzard was cruising across the fields.  Not nearly as big as the birds we are used to seeing around about.  We also saw quite a few skylarks above the fields but they were too high to be able to take a decent photograph of them.

Towards the end of our walk we saw the Goodyear Blimp "Spirit of Safety" fly past.  It is over from the USA doing a tour of the UK.  I entered this picture in their "spot the blimp" competition.