April 12th Norwich

Woodpigeon

My dad had to go to hospital earlier this week. He had caught an infection in his hand and it led to blood poisoning that was starting to spread into his arm. His hand was not a pretty sight. Thankfully, after two nights at the hospital on a drip, he is a lot better. We were planning to go out birdwatching somewhere today, but as he has to keep his arm in a sling, he was unable to drive anywhere this week. So this morning, we ended up going for a walk along part of the River Wensum not far from where I live. It was like an urban expedition, navigating through streets full of houses and businesses to get to a small area of parkland that hugs a good chunk of the river before it flows into Norwich's city centre.

Catkins

Daffodils

This section of the river is part of a long-distance footpath called the Marriot's Way, which connects Norwich to Aylsham, a total length of 24.6 miles (39.5 km). This stretch of pathway was once a railway line, however, those days are long gone and now it is a place for nature to cling to in this world of urbanisation. It is a place where you can connect to both history and the natural world at the same time. And though it is not exactly the most wildest of landscapes I've ever been to compared to the Broads or the North Norfolk coastline, it still has its moments of beauty. Right now, a band of daffodils cover a small area of the park. Their yellow heads loom out of today's dull murky conditions. A couple of cherry trees were in bloom with its pink blossom making them appear as if the branches were covered in candy floss.



Cherry Tree



Ash?

Primroses

Green Alkanet

Greenfinch

Greenfinches, chiffchaffs, robins, wrens, blackbirds, great tits, blue tits, magpies and a host of gulls drown out the sound of traffic with their voices. The urban bird chorus was still underway. We walk through a canopy of bare branches and a ground covered in mud with the river as our companion. Experiencing nature all around us, while the chaos of city life continues nearby. It feels like this place puts the jungle in the urban jungle at times. And then the path ends and you re-enter the reality of the city with the sound of traffic and city life drowning out the natural sounds you were just enjoying. Pavement replaces mud and the buildings tower over the trees. Only the river continues onwards.

Robin

Mallard



Mute Swan, Herring Gull and Greylags

Mute Swan

Egyptian Goose

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Mating Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Herring Gull