tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31820750076769744362024-03-17T13:21:51.447-07:00Black Audi BirdingBirding into InfinityEwan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.comBlogger982125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-84012617939528947362024-03-16T08:05:00.000-07:002024-03-17T13:21:18.963-07:00Spring has almost Sprung 14th March 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShz_ACzeHfxdL-53UPqROqLM9VyolvNfIYAH_HZEFUkdXdXd_g6bfrbiaLV3VtYLTVLnVulJ24Uho7KrfxJm1BdcU46l5VSEqx00_eP1O6aKVPhGhvIGMH-zgCkveGw7XY1PPWLzmHQLOySId9i9-WGg9UFqvBPz8ijGiAkkoeXrgyGOOKa4DC8qlsWBR/s2045/_J9A7446.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="1913" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShz_ACzeHfxdL-53UPqROqLM9VyolvNfIYAH_HZEFUkdXdXd_g6bfrbiaLV3VtYLTVLnVulJ24Uho7KrfxJm1BdcU46l5VSEqx00_eP1O6aKVPhGhvIGMH-zgCkveGw7XY1PPWLzmHQLOySId9i9-WGg9UFqvBPz8ijGiAkkoeXrgyGOOKa4DC8qlsWBR/w598-h640/_J9A7446.JPG" width="598" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Today I took myself to Greenham Common in the neighbouring county of Berkshire on a cold, blustery morning that had promised sunshine but delivered not exactly rain but grey clouds and a hint of rain in the wind.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was notably unpleasant on the exposed, gorse covered former runway of what used to be an enormous nuclear airbase but has been transformed into an equally enormous (BBOWT) Berk, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust) reserve and amen to that. The weather had put paid to any chance of encountering the Dartford Warblers that reside here, the tiny birds well and truly hidden away from the wind and cold in the dense gorse and unlikely to emerge. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">However all was not lost as the melancholy notes of Woodlarks </span><span style="font-family: times;">came from </span><span style="font-family: times;">the leaden skies above me, </span><span style="font-family: times;">the birds often invisible in a vastness of sky, their song seeming to ebb and flow on the wind. </span><span style="font-family: times;">A song said to be one of the most beautiful and haunting of any of our native birds, a series of wistful liquid notes with a downward lilt. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">There were at least three males singing, all relatively close to where I stood and it was my good fortune to find one of these ethereal songsters in my binoculars, as it cruised the sky overhead. Following its progress I watched as it sank lower and lower towards the ground whilst still producing its beautiful song. It came to rest on the ground and after a brief stationery moment to check all was well commenced to feed on the short grass.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeZgmfKO6BZ6n6Yao0J2wn-tok5E-9HiRcZkd-mw9wCxl_MLtY0v97PhscmF3Bmae6L6aI08UpYO2LQ1XWEhJbkEcFT7c3EL0xmt4lBG2k9Qc5oth2RncQq_2g4C8uB-lSCdLocgnOsn_bL3TnFj_jkfGALrAbUxfVKNr-Dt8UNnw44za2Nhe1GW0jEcY/s1488/_J9A7442.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeZgmfKO6BZ6n6Yao0J2wn-tok5E-9HiRcZkd-mw9wCxl_MLtY0v97PhscmF3Bmae6L6aI08UpYO2LQ1XWEhJbkEcFT7c3EL0xmt4lBG2k9Qc5oth2RncQq_2g4C8uB-lSCdLocgnOsn_bL3TnFj_jkfGALrAbUxfVKNr-Dt8UNnw44za2Nhe1GW0jEcY/w504-h640/_J9A7442.JPG" width="504" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGKzqDHkfBJsgYbiQgWa8mkrT-y9sSTqEPO_HFje-WGOg1b_72zM2kS_KaqULDK-vJRndVN9LpEmpcCVhW3z022QAwDy8mWsH__ZAqy2GDQwutwWZFxlUyAeX6k25FJQI_cBcmjUJjauCzw1jtwHamXvttY3xgI9GAl3690_OaJbvbmLuWljmWHoB7Irt/s2752/_J9A7247.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1775" data-original-width="2752" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGKzqDHkfBJsgYbiQgWa8mkrT-y9sSTqEPO_HFje-WGOg1b_72zM2kS_KaqULDK-vJRndVN9LpEmpcCVhW3z022QAwDy8mWsH__ZAqy2GDQwutwWZFxlUyAeX6k25FJQI_cBcmjUJjauCzw1jtwHamXvttY3xgI9GAl3690_OaJbvbmLuWljmWHoB7Irt/w640-h412/_J9A7247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaEa6r7_0eNix0v7dluVkjaHNaxUhEYFH7t27uMXZ-PAPPvYTq6iC8guejCWwT8fyIePoVDKJx3ROsFIqiPTvd5MbUCLuH7lmpB-Fkn47iRWj1tSMLKmpoJGPKf9J0ZPSG6VTWt686fKBh2k-L_t7YoDnNcS5ig0Lfoov64ZZmzjkbDzpVh6FyVxw8ZK6/s2174/_J9A7249.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="2174" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaEa6r7_0eNix0v7dluVkjaHNaxUhEYFH7t27uMXZ-PAPPvYTq6iC8guejCWwT8fyIePoVDKJx3ROsFIqiPTvd5MbUCLuH7lmpB-Fkn47iRWj1tSMLKmpoJGPKf9J0ZPSG6VTWt686fKBh2k-L_t7YoDnNcS5ig0Lfoov64ZZmzjkbDzpVh6FyVxw8ZK6/w400-h361/_J9A7249.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-4tQDu7OJPoFPdr9NBZHfxqKCjffY9rsl1hdhxjlOfO0mkP2Y7e7dGK25zjKEyg8Zyxcag7ZGzdCjMg1TE4dJw-0RiPvouz0xBM9QVUPXe5sdlx_6eEU2KeOuxvrq5_i6WvJERCfrd1brv06-OnAq8b1OQoPVn35T4XXCCNqR-7odvfEglnfS65wbZlR/s2045/_J9A7446.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="1913" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-4tQDu7OJPoFPdr9NBZHfxqKCjffY9rsl1hdhxjlOfO0mkP2Y7e7dGK25zjKEyg8Zyxcag7ZGzdCjMg1TE4dJw-0RiPvouz0xBM9QVUPXe5sdlx_6eEU2KeOuxvrq5_i6WvJERCfrd1brv06-OnAq8b1OQoPVn35T4XXCCNqR-7odvfEglnfS65wbZlR/w598-h640/_J9A7446.JPG" width="598" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">From past experience I know Woodlarks can be relatively trusting so it was with some confidence I approached it closely, aided by judicious use of the cover provided by the prolific gorse.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxm33RneLgoQL1A3rJ9kWJs1BlSuFCV25UttQQ9FPknaE2CilMpHY3KTp6SHBSX-5nRHke4B2lK5Ua-huDz3nuULcFv2seS7YBUIzPHKb49tqEj-Z4vLdI2tC2Nb92fiihgD8U2QRa0zBIruuBvMC8BCV9dGIgh2YRMSAZnY8cGaJIOnBaiuYzXcGqdIu/s2487/_J9A7169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2235" data-original-width="2487" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxm33RneLgoQL1A3rJ9kWJs1BlSuFCV25UttQQ9FPknaE2CilMpHY3KTp6SHBSX-5nRHke4B2lK5Ua-huDz3nuULcFv2seS7YBUIzPHKb49tqEj-Z4vLdI2tC2Nb92fiihgD8U2QRa0zBIruuBvMC8BCV9dGIgh2YRMSAZnY8cGaJIOnBaiuYzXcGqdIu/w400-h360/_J9A7169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HG_qYvYIrjiyl587VjOfAN_20rqVMKbtpS07TGIs9r-S-Xm_qjR78PFktxnBKd9dAg9lzy3E1A_Z0_NfhQdGV6BqLl5xay8uJBLnZzTH4x02lPO6r8OJMXuW9mhJrnLy5rzcllr8P83lxeKs6fDp2hICPF6HO05fMAd3l2i8KaT1GH6bD3pOk4OOcvWC/s2188/_J9A7202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2037" data-original-width="2188" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HG_qYvYIrjiyl587VjOfAN_20rqVMKbtpS07TGIs9r-S-Xm_qjR78PFktxnBKd9dAg9lzy3E1A_Z0_NfhQdGV6BqLl5xay8uJBLnZzTH4x02lPO6r8OJMXuW9mhJrnLy5rzcllr8P83lxeKs6fDp2hICPF6HO05fMAd3l2i8KaT1GH6bD3pOk4OOcvWC/w640-h596/_J9A7202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Woodlark fed quietly, occasionally singing but after a few minutes rose from the grass to once more commence singing in the sky.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">My phone pinged, signalling an alert from Jason, who runs the Oxon Birding Forum WhatsApp Group, about a Black necked Grebe being found early this morning at Thrupp Lake which is a nature reserve and part of the Radley Gravel Pit complex near Abingdon.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Now I was presented with a dilemna. Do I stop here on the common with the admittedly faint hope of finding an elusive Dartford Warbler or should I go back up the A34 to Radley some thirty minutes drive north? It was a no brainer really and a blast of cold wind at this critical moment proved decisive in convincing me to depart poste haste for Radley..</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thirty minutes later I got to Radley. My phone rang. It was Peter telling me he was already here and looking at the grebe.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I told him I would be with him in a couple of minutes once I had left the car in the parking area. I walked a hundred metres along the track beside the lake to find Peter watching the grebe in his scope.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Black necked Grebes in breeding plumage are immensely attractive and this particular individual was almost in full breeding dress, just a scattering of winter's grey and white plumage remained on its black neck and breast and on its chestnut flanks</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSufu6KkChMOBizeRocLhCvykq8EJT6Jygj9WlOcccg8SH60i_h_RkB3NvS5X8tFvseySU4TWHAIE9vwuuTgR8xwia5n0JsZxajiinmOss4lCSzDiPFnalXVSympR8Ra1eqI9fRf_vJPYSnWMNtb1i7fuqZpWOGoBnTQDrGZzpEq6OT2OXPtzg_eABEAB/s2347/_J9A7716.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2347" data-original-width="1330" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSufu6KkChMOBizeRocLhCvykq8EJT6Jygj9WlOcccg8SH60i_h_RkB3NvS5X8tFvseySU4TWHAIE9vwuuTgR8xwia5n0JsZxajiinmOss4lCSzDiPFnalXVSympR8Ra1eqI9fRf_vJPYSnWMNtb1i7fuqZpWOGoBnTQDrGZzpEq6OT2OXPtzg_eABEAB/w362-h640/_J9A7716.JPG" width="362" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_htOMVTpoNKnbU81KWsFZRZDM7ihXdM0hSD1kRKYqD900Ir3Fa7WNcaBsq7fyL0utQPjCKLo3_WW3yYHvBUTYNThVWYYFzuC77GiY9mEQiI3_D3bS7FNrduPFDhWbKJ91AouGflW4ntPjD7fgxwTTzu3o1zet44gBJKw9Hr_0QZVhQEthr9n7g7xWI_I/s1892/_J9A7816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1892" data-original-width="1415" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_htOMVTpoNKnbU81KWsFZRZDM7ihXdM0hSD1kRKYqD900Ir3Fa7WNcaBsq7fyL0utQPjCKLo3_WW3yYHvBUTYNThVWYYFzuC77GiY9mEQiI3_D3bS7FNrduPFDhWbKJ91AouGflW4ntPjD7fgxwTTzu3o1zet44gBJKw9Hr_0QZVhQEthr9n7g7xWI_I/w478-h640/_J9A7816.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I expected the grebe to be far out in the middle of the lake so was agreeably surprised to find it was relatively close in to the side of the lake we were standing by. The trees growing on the bank helped to disguise our profiles and through gaps in the branches we got some photos as the grebe swam back and fore- looking a little lost and uncertain about its transient home.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NXSQfv5y_MojdYaab2H4zAmqo0XxnDCxwF-x_6ROzC9O_c_5r9-o_qbizuvZZp9oCCXN0hkCrb_Cf9PAjg0W8VMd-Sv20NaEDfvGCxZ7q12TOeORViuQ54QS1xmRRjYqEPJ4hPI2iqjKeff0ttT19wq9npnnl8wco6zwziTAy9EUPa6nFq7HxOa5_EAH/s1795/_J9A7662.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NXSQfv5y_MojdYaab2H4zAmqo0XxnDCxwF-x_6ROzC9O_c_5r9-o_qbizuvZZp9oCCXN0hkCrb_Cf9PAjg0W8VMd-Sv20NaEDfvGCxZ7q12TOeORViuQ54QS1xmRRjYqEPJ4hPI2iqjKeff0ttT19wq9npnnl8wco6zwziTAy9EUPa6nFq7HxOa5_EAH/w540-h640/_J9A7662.JPG" width="540" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3f8h3oaU3alMYisFB4A3BE7qauBWQaUQNp-WNy_t-iahLe7e5YLRe4K7L5rK5rhzciKhJuAXWRgyZDGfbiv79pkxSXUHqtq5kwQrbki2pD4f1CfXWSnxobB8wbaQtGTI0Ytxc-vcpU-c6HBkctc7gK-2QDCGXzsaL1JBPRxDoQLfJ7r43RfWr-FXOFBI-/s640/_J9A7750%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="626" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3f8h3oaU3alMYisFB4A3BE7qauBWQaUQNp-WNy_t-iahLe7e5YLRe4K7L5rK5rhzciKhJuAXWRgyZDGfbiv79pkxSXUHqtq5kwQrbki2pD4f1CfXWSnxobB8wbaQtGTI0Ytxc-vcpU-c6HBkctc7gK-2QDCGXzsaL1JBPRxDoQLfJ7r43RfWr-FXOFBI-/w626-h640/_J9A7750%20(1).JPG" width="626" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We watched it for twenty minutes then lost sight of it only to find it had made its way, unseen by us to the further side of the lake where it was trying to join a small group of Tufted Ducks. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A female Goosander was both a pleasant and surprising addition to the birds on the lake and a pair of Oystercatchers, now almost commonplace in this part of the county flew around calling loudly.They will probably breed somewhere on the adjacent gravel pits.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Common Chiffchaffs were singing in the willows whose furry buds are now turning from silver to golden yellow and pairing Black headed Gulls enlivened the scene with their bickering and endless calling. Spring is not just manifested by signs of growth but sound as well.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">After the early disappointment at Greenham Common I felt much enthused with the successful sighting of the Black necked Grebe. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In fact it called for a mild celebration and I knew just the place to indulge in nearby Kennington.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The place I had in mind is called Proof. It is a social enterprise bakehouse which as its name implies employs prisoners and prison leavers who produce the most wonderful selection of artisan cakes, sour dough bread and pastries.</span><span style="font-family: times;">It is a great idea and apparently is highly successful in re-integrating offenders back into society and preventing them re-offending- so it is a win all round.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Proof is open to the public from Thursday to Sunday so I was fortunate that today was Thursday. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">What better way to end my morning than to sit watching the staff baking whilst drinking a coffee and scoffing one of their,</span><span style="font-family: times;"> as they like to say, <i>criminally good</i> </span><span style="font-family: times;">doughnuts. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwPoDi4ftGMS_F7EkreC8eZo9OkXQRQCz43s4RUHYa3NsCsZb7qp4zSzGuVX1BfvajaWR2twM5sLgPnlNFeJhtJkMsJf9haukVx1hcDnF7Z_lGEAXwiAHTwqCJ5k0XbrWH6QdmWfXJZZVLG7eC55_Y_3Jv4XA2HeRC4UoPk-K8y23SUsiyfSV2QX8HRB0/s2544/IMG_5231%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="2544" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwPoDi4ftGMS_F7EkreC8eZo9OkXQRQCz43s4RUHYa3NsCsZb7qp4zSzGuVX1BfvajaWR2twM5sLgPnlNFeJhtJkMsJf9haukVx1hcDnF7Z_lGEAXwiAHTwqCJ5k0XbrWH6QdmWfXJZZVLG7eC55_Y_3Jv4XA2HeRC4UoPk-K8y23SUsiyfSV2QX8HRB0/w400-h366/IMG_5231%20(002).jpg" width="400" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Apricot Jam Doughnut</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-89776741230202644172024-03-07T00:05:00.000-08:002024-03-13T11:43:10.459-07:00A Date with Myrtle 5th March 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVXZPPVN_e3v4pNf6lQAvhsetkV-oMLUcAdZRoTXF9D0T_s0Eqy8vpafPL1mg4ndmkMOLIeYdTtSd2lW9EUdrzOj9yiZ0zQYSSVD2cGjJg718BoIYvGWbZ28sea9kOm8fDpKt2OaaRMHV2DzgSDOcruUOQKCXvB4h-G6VzBe8bTp-ogC7dgzdyDXwZSGx/s3008/_J9A4978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="3008" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVXZPPVN_e3v4pNf6lQAvhsetkV-oMLUcAdZRoTXF9D0T_s0Eqy8vpafPL1mg4ndmkMOLIeYdTtSd2lW9EUdrzOj9yiZ0zQYSSVD2cGjJg718BoIYvGWbZ28sea9kOm8fDpKt2OaaRMHV2DzgSDOcruUOQKCXvB4h-G6VzBe8bTp-ogC7dgzdyDXwZSGx/w640-h620/_J9A4978.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Up until today I have been able to reflect on the pleasure of having seen three Myrtle Warblers in Britain or as they are now alternatively called, Yellow rumped Warblers. They are a small bird from North America and not native to here so obviously are very rare ( t</span><span style="font-family: times;">his bird at Kilwinning is only the 28th to be found in Britain) </span><span style="font-family: times;">and the arrival of one on these shores is inevitably of much interest to birders such as myself.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">My first one was a wintering bird at High Shincliffe in Co Durham during February 2014<a href="https://blackaudibirding.blogspot.com/2014/02/in-search-of-myrtle-11th-february-2014.html">see here</a>, followed eighteen years later</span><span style="font-family: times;"> by my seeing two within a mile of each other on Shetland during early October 2022<a href="https://blackaudibirding.blogspot.com/2022/10/superb-shetland-myrtle-warblers.html">see here</a>. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The latest report of another, frequenting a very small and unremarkable garden at Kilwinning in Ayrshire for the last two weeks was, in the light of my having already seen three, hardly going to find me rushing to see it.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In fact precisely the opposite as Kilwinning, situated </span><span style="font-family: times;">to the southwest of Glasgow,</span><span style="font-family: times;"> is about six hours drive from Oxfordshire and frankly I was not willing to endure the effort of a long tedious overnight drive north to Kilwinning, especially having seen the two on Shetland so well.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I did discuss its remarkable discovery with Mark my longstanding twitching pal who has recently moved to North Yorkshire but he was similarly unenthusiastic so we left it there and contented ourselves with keeping an eye on the daily reports of the warbler's continued presence in its unlikely garden home.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Just as with this January's discovery in Essex of another American warbler, a Northern Waterthrush <a href="https://blackaudibirding.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-northern-waterthrush-revisited-17th.html">see here</a> many rushed to see this Myrtle Warbler during its first days in the garden, which resulted in</span><span style="font-family: times;"> a predictably unsatisfactory outcome</span><span style="font-family: times;"> as large crowds tried to fit into a very small garden with limited viewing but as the days passed and more and more people saw it the numbers visiting dwindled until there was sometimes only one or two birders in the garden.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Justin, another birding pal and not averse to a twitch when possible and with whom I have shared a number of memorable such escapades called me last week on another matter and in passing mentioned he was minded to go for the warbler as the last one he had seen was almost thirty years ago. He told me he could not go until Tuesday of next week due to work and family commitments.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This prompted me to suggest that if he wanted company I would be happy to come along for the ride.Well why not? A chance to see a rare American bird and to visit Scotland, my ancestral home, was too good an opportunity to pass on. We agreed to leave any firm decision until the following week and if the warbler was still being reported on Monday the 4th, drive overnight to arrive at Kilwinning around 7am on Tuesday. Due to Justin's domestic and work commitments we would have to leave Kilwinning at around 11am and drive back to Oxfordshire that same morning with a planned arrival back at Justin's house at 5pm</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Monday came and a text from Justin appeared on my phone.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>'Trip on'</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The warbler was still there and I would drive to Justin's house at 1am on Tuesday morning.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">So it was that at midnight I left home and drove down various of Oxfordshire's rural lanes, populated by just me, a couple of Barn Owls, a Tawny Owl and sundry Muntjac's to arrive at Bicester at the appointed time.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I left my car at Justin's and we set off into the night.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I rather like driving to destinations at night as the roads are quieter, even the motorways. There is a perverse romance in heading off under cover of darkness to an unknown destination with an unkown outcome. </span><span style="font-family: times;">The only problem is that often there are diversions for nightime road works on the motorways with the result that timings and pre arranged plans can go awry but we were lucky this time and nothing untoward came to trouble us. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Five hours of driving meant we had plenty of time to talk. Even as a passenger I do not like to sleep but prefer to chat away and we reprised various rare birds we had twitched in the past, swapping stories of eccentic behaviour and extreme situations we had found ourselves in as a result of our obsession with birds.We examined why we twitch and agreed it was the release from the mundane realities of life that was the main attraction, a chance to metaphorically jump the fence of normality and embark on something out of the ordinary.Everyone needs some excitement, some extra stimulation and this is what twitching rare birds does for us.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The hours passed and we made a stop at an eerily deserted Tebay Services a favourite of both of us but at 4.30am not how I recalled it on other trips north during less unsociable hours.We were the only two people in the entire building apart from a man behind a counter who served Justin with a coffee.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99v7RJwSTtkrhFsYOivFly4H_1-w8ogzO9P32zmVn4cprepTYK3B-XRNkVEPOyj2m6QjAQ9WLI4lgLcyTOboQp9x-Thj8mWQXwTkKTrVgTT5qadyKU126RG3ew2Zhx6dJkVt4mDx0Zx4zTcRhLuF_AHEzX1tyE-DxQZa6FUwD5ZopXLj8zp7Ch7nOyFTN/s4032/IMG_7021%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99v7RJwSTtkrhFsYOivFly4H_1-w8ogzO9P32zmVn4cprepTYK3B-XRNkVEPOyj2m6QjAQ9WLI4lgLcyTOboQp9x-Thj8mWQXwTkKTrVgTT5qadyKU126RG3ew2Zhx6dJkVt4mDx0Zx4zTcRhLuF_AHEzX1tyE-DxQZa6FUwD5ZopXLj8zp7Ch7nOyFTN/w400-h300/IMG_7021%20(002).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We stood, slightly dazed in the normally bustling cafe area surrounded by empty tables, chairs and silence. It was good to be able to stand and stretch our legs for twenty minutes but our tight schedule meant we needed to head north without further delay.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Back in the car we drove on over Shap Fell as the first intimations of daylight began to part the night sky. Approaching Glasgow the roads became much busier with great lorries thundering along in convoys and commuting cars rushing past. A cold grey dawn revealed an awakening Glasgow as we followed the instructions of the satnav that was taking us around the city to the southwest.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We were soon back in rural surroundings and passed through various unremarkable villages before the first sign for Kilwinning appeared. Eleven miles later at Kilwinning it looked like the morning was set fair to live up to a forecast of light cloud followed by sun.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We parked, as instructed, in one of the free car parks and made a refreshingly short walk to a row of terraced houses where the warbler was to be found. The finder of the warbler, Jimmy,<span> had kindly arranged free access to the communal back garden, which lay next to his garden, via a lobby that bisected the row of houses of which his was one.The garden was tiny, in the middle of six similar gardens filled with feeders, nest boxes, garden ornaments, wheelie bins and washing lines.</span><span>A wooden fence at the end of the gardens marked the boundary from a footpath that ran along behind the gardens with a row of trees on the other side.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrU06jJLLJtCgQEDRvZ_iv597-gnCZCCiNR_SZOsHNfvJ_MgXh2_eddmK7M1bAIdNmnL10wRMEssUjuBywbvExgBWlz4gMhgrsyc4wW4fgOIuWcEfhiauA8CccyaLO3OS3nonk8cTVDVbITgb2_xp-6xveApDrvBHZ0F-05mLQKTQvUTcMAJSAjYQgDNg/s4032/IMG_7024%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrU06jJLLJtCgQEDRvZ_iv597-gnCZCCiNR_SZOsHNfvJ_MgXh2_eddmK7M1bAIdNmnL10wRMEssUjuBywbvExgBWlz4gMhgrsyc4wW4fgOIuWcEfhiauA8CccyaLO3OS3nonk8cTVDVbITgb2_xp-6xveApDrvBHZ0F-05mLQKTQvUTcMAJSAjYQgDNg/w640-h480/IMG_7024%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuX9-NDDwme25yqFRjzjLQG3ReOFJCEUooSFFI6w8G8hrrq2JkWpHjQfrqCsGE3M3WsvCyojM8zRKczr8M_OZJNIXcQ_ooxDxlZpeVy13_kglRJWcKPTppo3_jSoPIOan4c4-vSZOiRaWgr8UlanGkDbC3LB6SI3NLyQzxN-yRqvctyCXHeO0xhmdRbt0/s4032/IMG_7026%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuX9-NDDwme25yqFRjzjLQG3ReOFJCEUooSFFI6w8G8hrrq2JkWpHjQfrqCsGE3M3WsvCyojM8zRKczr8M_OZJNIXcQ_ooxDxlZpeVy13_kglRJWcKPTppo3_jSoPIOan4c4-vSZOiRaWgr8UlanGkDbC3LB6SI3NLyQzxN-yRqvctyCXHeO0xhmdRbt0/w640-h480/IMG_7026%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The Comunal Garden</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We opened a glass door set between two of the houses that gave access into a short lobby and then opened another door at the other side of the lobby that gave us immediate access to the tiny communal garden. We stood and looked the few yards to the bottom of the garden.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>There it is</i> said Justin</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Where?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>On the top of the fence.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">And indeed it was. The Yellow rumped Warbler. It was as simple and instantaneous as that.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjCZpHsxpViEHY0mzcXS10jMY5J6BBc3LzBvwPazJXDNYTi8ZAPaox2ZnDVySXntmiLLpTm4ytKRjE84uV7saWJIyD_-c9ZF3xVi0jekfdEokPslIz-cT8lPYGwrun5HCo-up34XMZ5l5KG2SkGPsfeWDwT3GK-jqAAFlbSs5UM6AJwQHne-Z56GNEKOv/s2933/_J9A3809.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjCZpHsxpViEHY0mzcXS10jMY5J6BBc3LzBvwPazJXDNYTi8ZAPaox2ZnDVySXntmiLLpTm4ytKRjE84uV7saWJIyD_-c9ZF3xVi0jekfdEokPslIz-cT8lPYGwrun5HCo-up34XMZ5l5KG2SkGPsfeWDwT3GK-jqAAFlbSs5UM6AJwQHne-Z56GNEKOv/w494-h640/_J9A3809.JPG" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;">We were the only two persons in the garden. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The warbler was on show for most of the two hours we would spend here, energetically flying from garden to garden and helping itself to the food put out for the other regular garden birds, flycatching from the trees, feeding on dried mealworms that had been placed on the boundary fence and picking off invertebrates from the bare branches of the surrounding trees.As a point of interest this is the only American warbler to winter regularly in the northern USA where it is said to take advantage of bird feeders.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtlznC9iP6A_tmFeWbRrUKECyALXqvbzxS4CTwhyphenhyphen4svJ54LGSyAC5HKotUTSCYHsNQkapfBUoTqC6esIkA8jiGM0I-t6iBoiUPWANCGBEpm-RKm3VadWj5TajcqLiRHnX51cPCUZu4CGv5rBJHVpuQy4zVeq4S_wgIKNIQyh7bZ1px90qbDEU1qp1G6hb/s3700/_J9A6099.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3700" data-original-width="3630" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtlznC9iP6A_tmFeWbRrUKECyALXqvbzxS4CTwhyphenhyphen4svJ54LGSyAC5HKotUTSCYHsNQkapfBUoTqC6esIkA8jiGM0I-t6iBoiUPWANCGBEpm-RKm3VadWj5TajcqLiRHnX51cPCUZu4CGv5rBJHVpuQy4zVeq4S_wgIKNIQyh7bZ1px90qbDEU1qp1G6hb/w628-h640/_J9A6099.JPG" width="628" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAfORcrBjLcygtk9prxhEPq6WHf4QekIZNUT-pm1YNxnWE8opvh67HC0ZzQrE_Udd9tG2lBySqV63u1Ap48UGs6TU0exPqwgTbIg3M-fFL2megRlgI-9t3ouXJ5F3uisqVfY42P11jAbmWbZflgIaNr2DAYsQgFjXgcr1y8qpKJWh0gVa2SFH41rw4KHm/s4248/_J9A6339.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3730" data-original-width="4248" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAfORcrBjLcygtk9prxhEPq6WHf4QekIZNUT-pm1YNxnWE8opvh67HC0ZzQrE_Udd9tG2lBySqV63u1Ap48UGs6TU0exPqwgTbIg3M-fFL2megRlgI-9t3ouXJ5F3uisqVfY42P11jAbmWbZflgIaNr2DAYsQgFjXgcr1y8qpKJWh0gVa2SFH41rw4KHm/w400-h351/_J9A6339.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEEDXH19IOZc6N7lfPTbzZujruk5ceGXOwx0j7xcpVU-InhA40cyWqDoPFGS-zFBUSesbO2KNW1m-OBGN5sxLEGzm4-ELgDbv18PCe38v_GpVumTQPHb-30yilnYZfCZzBrE8b_pBukkOdnb6KO2HeEmjIMPm9qXoEcPsL3tzbFKxayLMLXi_eQmzE1KB/s2886/_J9A3699.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2743" data-original-width="2886" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEEDXH19IOZc6N7lfPTbzZujruk5ceGXOwx0j7xcpVU-InhA40cyWqDoPFGS-zFBUSesbO2KNW1m-OBGN5sxLEGzm4-ELgDbv18PCe38v_GpVumTQPHb-30yilnYZfCZzBrE8b_pBukkOdnb6KO2HeEmjIMPm9qXoEcPsL3tzbFKxayLMLXi_eQmzE1KB/w400-h380/_J9A3699.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0goOgopJWHZRRIXgKAFK8lSXDf61RGbQrTtTWPrSSlMKvKIzpbqdm_dYjkGKcBKQ08OWgcNsDnxLuwsOmYMeJ1Lhyphenhyphen-_i1VAK0Q-YhGjijsgFxvdi1jjLNo0ByV5Y51aM6YprvSzYRtoKqdTMqIfi0N2xeW3Ycq_UQJ-QIdYWk3a9N6nfHOqT7mftR5Yeo/s3098/_J9A6060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3098" data-original-width="2556" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0goOgopJWHZRRIXgKAFK8lSXDf61RGbQrTtTWPrSSlMKvKIzpbqdm_dYjkGKcBKQ08OWgcNsDnxLuwsOmYMeJ1Lhyphenhyphen-_i1VAK0Q-YhGjijsgFxvdi1jjLNo0ByV5Y51aM6YprvSzYRtoKqdTMqIfi0N2xeW3Ycq_UQJ-QIdYWk3a9N6nfHOqT7mftR5Yeo/w330-h400/_J9A6060.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFE1xBHrQa4kWsuVjWs8DgzktmrTbvwsTwmKUhQbi1xH8flNLHMgx2lbdkhoC9lmfJCZylIpkhfSE5ZucV0xPB0caJw5Pt2c-RspY8EwqNUvWPp-DhWnbBIpv_W-sDJCnzcP7xB89n_4z8rN-K2KxxI3aX0RqkJ4c-4owrkTmmWbCAGKDnaxbXAW72KFpg/s3008/_J9A4978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="3008" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFE1xBHrQa4kWsuVjWs8DgzktmrTbvwsTwmKUhQbi1xH8flNLHMgx2lbdkhoC9lmfJCZylIpkhfSE5ZucV0xPB0caJw5Pt2c-RspY8EwqNUvWPp-DhWnbBIpv_W-sDJCnzcP7xB89n_4z8rN-K2KxxI3aX0RqkJ4c-4owrkTmmWbCAGKDnaxbXAW72KFpg/w640-h620/_J9A4978.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8TlT6_jTqEVY8BQVnO5hL-qgv1Pw4O5w2csVojCnRwCS4jTGEBTvQvhxnI5wtL7sBHR4O4stO3uiTsC2rsryTQaaAS_hhtKbEIkEcTZPZZ0h3-m-kINpfG8C0g76uEjfiBVxQ-y1Ay3vH7i5wjLuiHF46GJe5Yjsa7w0UFXb0xovJiFyg_Rkvhh9mp-w/s2275/_J9A3755.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2275" data-original-width="1397" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8TlT6_jTqEVY8BQVnO5hL-qgv1Pw4O5w2csVojCnRwCS4jTGEBTvQvhxnI5wtL7sBHR4O4stO3uiTsC2rsryTQaaAS_hhtKbEIkEcTZPZZ0h3-m-kINpfG8C0g76uEjfiBVxQ-y1Ay3vH7i5wjLuiHF46GJe5Yjsa7w0UFXb0xovJiFyg_Rkvhh9mp-w/w246-h400/_J9A3755.JPG" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6M4JhdYF68pTRR2e1THXvNz73cx5G_tmW5bgodTtRqaNplJCn_shpflNlCHFZexgSWuJfK7gFSoC8s9PKXgkLd-MoV4v15UOm6-1ZlEHbSoGMQLRPybthJosbzqnnJjYlXeFHO840fOxqRPYT9Tcl_yOzkWA67XYl8YCm5ECWDkTtR0wVFdEacSuqKQH/s3080/_J9A3696.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="3080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6M4JhdYF68pTRR2e1THXvNz73cx5G_tmW5bgodTtRqaNplJCn_shpflNlCHFZexgSWuJfK7gFSoC8s9PKXgkLd-MoV4v15UOm6-1ZlEHbSoGMQLRPybthJosbzqnnJjYlXeFHO840fOxqRPYT9Tcl_yOzkWA67XYl8YCm5ECWDkTtR0wVFdEacSuqKQH/w640-h428/_J9A3696.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">When not in plain view it could be located by it commencing to call, a hard, persistent </span><i>tchek tchek tchek</i><span style="font-family: times;"> before it would invariably reveal itself. It roved from high in the trees to right down to the ground - the latter behaviour a noted trait of this species. </span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhol1bwyyhaJVjRsFMe1BELN4lVfIV36YROxomfia3E4DCFU3OvGKcElOcEDEMwLg6mSTJ3AyOv-3Gf5PC8v6x9fXHT3W1YtnLfSXnylu4rjPV7W-M3d9sleXMCEKBh6WqjbRWHKCFF6W0C6APhghlZSUM_qlwaOslxSkzNYjhxZPkCRKicbtxVUPIX6nE/s6432/_J9A6987.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6432" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhol1bwyyhaJVjRsFMe1BELN4lVfIV36YROxomfia3E4DCFU3OvGKcElOcEDEMwLg6mSTJ3AyOv-3Gf5PC8v6x9fXHT3W1YtnLfSXnylu4rjPV7W-M3d9sleXMCEKBh6WqjbRWHKCFF6W0C6APhghlZSUM_qlwaOslxSkzNYjhxZPkCRKicbtxVUPIX6nE/w640-h462/_J9A6987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJlYCQWQyKM_zxczuGG5op9WsBHfLIzPPbf0kSgLrvb_eXvwtVkuU_5JJlBDaMxoR_Zbxh5VQmjxJwIQxDJKFI6LcP0OaF7xfK7mBLtMRMXL5XfefvSYccijCYGI-c9dwPgbD16BhbwtkEnn3REBvt2PNhi1yYEcd3Ee-aXYo5gYglrIwlsNc9P3zHjCK/s4640/_J9A6967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="4260" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJlYCQWQyKM_zxczuGG5op9WsBHfLIzPPbf0kSgLrvb_eXvwtVkuU_5JJlBDaMxoR_Zbxh5VQmjxJwIQxDJKFI6LcP0OaF7xfK7mBLtMRMXL5XfefvSYccijCYGI-c9dwPgbD16BhbwtkEnn3REBvt2PNhi1yYEcd3Ee-aXYo5gYglrIwlsNc9P3zHjCK/w368-h400/_J9A6967.JPG" width="368" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nZf8sDVt4R100LN5UtLwMyQysJCwGSN-BShrS_olD5OoTHIULPCFQ4e4W0I0cpKcb-1nbAmQxQnZ72G0EX0YbeXC67n_1i3RfmOtyeoG0aQgIML1v-mwvTN4lTs-JBa-Ia7B6gRo0O0oYv5nhEB1q81_Qs5bFmY0Ywvs6K3pntWjbLLfUitZFgKQpxJ3/s4467/_J9A7077%20(002)-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="4467" data-original-width="4161" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nZf8sDVt4R100LN5UtLwMyQysJCwGSN-BShrS_olD5OoTHIULPCFQ4e4W0I0cpKcb-1nbAmQxQnZ72G0EX0YbeXC67n_1i3RfmOtyeoG0aQgIML1v-mwvTN4lTs-JBa-Ia7B6gRo0O0oYv5nhEB1q81_Qs5bFmY0Ywvs6K3pntWjbLLfUitZFgKQpxJ3/w596-h640/_J9A7077%20(002)-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise.JPG" width="596" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The warbler seemed to have established a territory based around the gardens of Jimmy and his immediate neighbour and would drive off other visiting garden birds such as Blue Tits and even a Robin, with some vigour and much calling.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfSouTyHxetmIG3ypUsn_KvKdHw12ouOjunGUxUPaMbnX5-1CsohyphenhyphenUPm0SHIf9ltWj2mTHQbUdUikR7v2FAAqkrj27uVXto9d-K2YOOuY7in6BE-Y8Akuw3EfXxcQYahAVI79HVK-R3uTD36Ci8sYDMxmJZMK5RBRE0F0djqYvvVgUkqkr1udCGqYr4xV/s3183/_J9A6960.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3183" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfSouTyHxetmIG3ypUsn_KvKdHw12ouOjunGUxUPaMbnX5-1CsohyphenhyphenUPm0SHIf9ltWj2mTHQbUdUikR7v2FAAqkrj27uVXto9d-K2YOOuY7in6BE-Y8Akuw3EfXxcQYahAVI79HVK-R3uTD36Ci8sYDMxmJZMK5RBRE0F0djqYvvVgUkqkr1udCGqYr4xV/w628-h640/_J9A6960.JPG" width="628" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This particular individual could well have been part of the unprecedented influx of American warblers that arrived in Britain during September and October of last year. Its plumage is said to identify it as a first year male. with yellow patches on its fore flanks and a bright, lemon yellow rump, particularly noticeable when it flew. Its plumage was a drab pale brown with darker streaks on the upperparts and off white with black streaks on breast and flanks with a noticeable pale throat. The flight feathers and tail were grey and there was just the slightest intimation of its grey and black summer plumage emerging.</div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The wings also had prominent white, double wing bars and the tail when spread in flight showed large white windows on the outer feathers.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWB_Bh1H3cejwKFz9_QZddZBrjHQ-wqhuBWoYZAwsP36anrzbCqGDtUL7bZxoxqFf-12-ChBxiCrypBXtMNFoIhJvBrSURvc3NsKTdikA2CUK5iFr3o2kobqDTASimI5OKGE5_h1WdR-7jrG2sO_QefQIGfDBqkPMkz_DHVvKAY3-_AXetdbpiFYMqwnW/s6592/_J9A5905.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6592" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWB_Bh1H3cejwKFz9_QZddZBrjHQ-wqhuBWoYZAwsP36anrzbCqGDtUL7bZxoxqFf-12-ChBxiCrypBXtMNFoIhJvBrSURvc3NsKTdikA2CUK5iFr3o2kobqDTASimI5OKGE5_h1WdR-7jrG2sO_QefQIGfDBqkPMkz_DHVvKAY3-_AXetdbpiFYMqwnW/w640-h450/_J9A5905.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Following a brief greeting from Jimmy before he took his dogs for a walk, about an hour later we were joined by two other birders, both from England, one having travelled by train from London overnight. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No one else came. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu6rjJ_nXSnXw10ZaOM8HkWiSnMDGKqeICfiI1hs4uy2QW0Kmcj7f_xTIvf8zBEe0Wl7oQd3jpu0A0dpEh5-b6S_Yvz8ZMNzqBm0EjfIKxTpEYtpw5l-6ZO7uGl5W5eGofgQUoxJrImrZWzSFT0QWFblQolSSGm5fKKJN-O-khpK8RqmtWA0rc9bhyphenhyphen_EV/s4032/_J9A5891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3158" data-original-width="4032" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu6rjJ_nXSnXw10ZaOM8HkWiSnMDGKqeICfiI1hs4uy2QW0Kmcj7f_xTIvf8zBEe0Wl7oQd3jpu0A0dpEh5-b6S_Yvz8ZMNzqBm0EjfIKxTpEYtpw5l-6ZO7uGl5W5eGofgQUoxJrImrZWzSFT0QWFblQolSSGm5fKKJN-O-khpK8RqmtWA0rc9bhyphenhyphen_EV/w640-h502/_J9A5891.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">After two hours of communing with the warbler we decided to go to nearby Saltcoats on the coast. </span><span style="font-family: times;">Justin having never seen The Isle of Arran wanted to see it which you can from Saltcoats that lies by the Firth of Clyde.We took Marco, the birder from London, with us and after a short drive parked by the harbour wall at Saltcoats.</span></div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Justin got to see Arran, an indistinct blue mass looming in the distance across the firth as I stared wistfully at the island which might well be my home eventually. A bitter sweet moment of longing for something close to my heart. So near and yet so far. One day maybe.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I shook myself out of maudlin sentimentality and we birded the harbour for</span><span style="font-family: times;"> half an hour </span><span style="font-family: times;">as a forceful and very cold wind blew onshore We found three summer plumaged Black Guillemots by the concrete walls of the harbour and a twenty strong mixed flock of Purple Sandpipers and Dunlin feeding in a shallow rocky lagoon.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">On the seaward side of the seawall were a pair of Common Eider bouncing in the waves, some Shags fishing and a Rock Pipit which flew from us. Justin's year list was advancing by leaps and bounds with the addition of these coastal birds.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I could have remained for a while longer but time had run out and we needed to go if we were to get back to Oxfordshire on time.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">One final stop at Greggs for my vegan sausage rolls and a baguette for Justin then it was full speed south.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I closed my eyes. Had I really been in my beloved Scotland? It was like a pleasant dream that I did not want to awaken from but I knew in five or six hours we would be back in Oxfordshire.and the adventure would be over.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A toast attributed to Robert Burns came to mind. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It could just as well apply to us and our twitching obsessiveness</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-family: times;">Here's tae us</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Wha's like us?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Gey few </i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>And they're all deid</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Robert Burns</span></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-21035438014958797762024-02-29T01:01:00.000-08:002024-03-02T02:18:15.957-08:00Mandarins in The Forest 27th February 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRMhHWnk5z70Qx0wxLv0dsGMVOvs6jRWDDYGLaczeWhapDbJqYh_4iw0SNYymQ-MQqntwzwOmUXmQjA0zhIFYI9U2RU4gPy9K3GEymW_ltZaNOkDEr976Ewg_Qi789xiawokWf63DP9EgO69oBHNvjhQSEyb-59rjqO3ng0cbvsTd6mCIqXCrHOLdqoXx/s3487/_J9A3028.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3487" data-original-width="3391" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRMhHWnk5z70Qx0wxLv0dsGMVOvs6jRWDDYGLaczeWhapDbJqYh_4iw0SNYymQ-MQqntwzwOmUXmQjA0zhIFYI9U2RU4gPy9K3GEymW_ltZaNOkDEr976Ewg_Qi789xiawokWf63DP9EgO69oBHNvjhQSEyb-59rjqO3ng0cbvsTd6mCIqXCrHOLdqoXx/w622-h640/_J9A3028.JPG" width="622" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">On a dismal day of grey and cold, a trip to the Forest of Dean, primarily to see the Hawfinches at Parkend was further enlivened by a subsequent visit later in the morning to nearby Cannop Ponds to see the incredible Mandarin Ducks that are such a well known feature of this small and popular lake in the heart of the forest.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Mandarin Ducks are natives of China and Japan but after being</span><span style="font-family: times;"> imported into Britain in the eighteenth century to be kept in various wildfowl collections, some birds escaped from the collection of one Alfred Ezra at Foxwarren Park near Cobham in Surrey around 1930,</span><span style="font-family: times;"> got it together to commence breeding. and now their descendants are to be found in most of the Home Counties especially at Virginia Water in Surrey and Windsor Great Park in Berkshire, two traditional strongholds. Still increasing but only slowly, Mandarins can also be found in Hampshire, Dorset, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire with even a population as far north as Perthshire in Scotland and others in Co Down in Northern Ireland</span><span style="font-family: times;">. Their current population numbers around 7000 individuals in the wild and, having long since become naturalised, they are now</span><span style="font-family: times;"> arguably the most spectacular and beautiful of our native avifauna. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgbDjjgdSu9skbkkXfjZ8-N_fELcTxU0AZvkcw4jxc1C0LLjJ4RZWJDJka8UHzUQybTge3q2w75kbOhPdX5CSoSV1ulSJYH-aaXuN8fWgSPjuZHm4QZE-JAnHE8F-XT2EHydg-c8dba8YQIj3eBMq_uYKMDH_O8U-XtH37BEN4lqHyNmOBh_JQhgywkbD/s6484/_J9A3108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4406" data-original-width="6484" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgbDjjgdSu9skbkkXfjZ8-N_fELcTxU0AZvkcw4jxc1C0LLjJ4RZWJDJka8UHzUQybTge3q2w75kbOhPdX5CSoSV1ulSJYH-aaXuN8fWgSPjuZHm4QZE-JAnHE8F-XT2EHydg-c8dba8YQIj3eBMq_uYKMDH_O8U-XtH37BEN4lqHyNmOBh_JQhgywkbD/w640-h434/_J9A3108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Today there were a dozen swimming around the lake's margins or loafing, as they are wont to do, beneath the overhanging branches of the many trees bordering the lake.The drake's plumage is almost beyond belief, multi coloured and forming complex patterns, its head an</span><span style="font-family: times;"> exuberant conglomeration of bright chestnut, emerald and white with a ruff of orange part overlaying a breast of iridescent purple.Two orange sails sit proud as </span><span style="font-family: times;">the drakes drift like some fantastical discarded toy over the grey green water of the lake, each drake squiring his dull coloured mate wherever she goes.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNkwkQd1CNiMO5xPH-fEQavz1bM32A2Mkf5iVqk8P8l5SLmf_Dm4B9yoO48cefRKqr8sZDPnhGM0XwpJgmNZALws0IXGSdF5o6rNXzyYQGwVXmK0xViZn3JhUCtAhz7RvzZIMDo3GLdI_jpGBQz2YOaBKWhvXxLbJvwmf0UTJWSa9QQza5Xnb9dG_2zf2/s3487/_J9A3028.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3487" data-original-width="3391" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNkwkQd1CNiMO5xPH-fEQavz1bM32A2Mkf5iVqk8P8l5SLmf_Dm4B9yoO48cefRKqr8sZDPnhGM0XwpJgmNZALws0IXGSdF5o6rNXzyYQGwVXmK0xViZn3JhUCtAhz7RvzZIMDo3GLdI_jpGBQz2YOaBKWhvXxLbJvwmf0UTJWSa9QQza5Xnb9dG_2zf2/w622-h640/_J9A3028.JPG" width="622" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t22Q0R4rTzE5G1SHCzWxWc0HUXJb9qBQ_Nz8GEZTx4A2BIPTjJW_GhrslfbiJkUcVBBhbqaBqfQk5QdAr8nUka-GLKnA4ddnRvKGm0BFo9aq9RNInZifmQcz6X3pUWiLglIPMOOcLE7Yu9JOfM_fKA7vJAUNWqpnX3SSBtjPaDYDT57z4s7tJFkcW0h4/s4146/_J9A2969.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3589" data-original-width="4146" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t22Q0R4rTzE5G1SHCzWxWc0HUXJb9qBQ_Nz8GEZTx4A2BIPTjJW_GhrslfbiJkUcVBBhbqaBqfQk5QdAr8nUka-GLKnA4ddnRvKGm0BFo9aq9RNInZifmQcz6X3pUWiLglIPMOOcLE7Yu9JOfM_fKA7vJAUNWqpnX3SSBtjPaDYDT57z4s7tJFkcW0h4/w640-h554/_J9A2969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most were paired but were still content to associate with the small majority of unattached males.They show a marked preference for wooded ponds and lakes, liking to lurk, semi concealed under the overhanging branches of trees and vegetation around the lake and although venturing onto the open water of the lake when disturbed, soon gravitate back to a bank below the trees where they can be surprisingly hard to see. </div></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu00hew_cANKtEb0BITOOCZYMwElwucgGZvN0vF8iD8WTNigafOQz5n48PkslscOl16yK-Nd1WcqwjTQbCdLzLmfqwoR0VFmFNuD-8MjVIXO_V1oBY5SFRrbPwB0pTYdh48M_nSQP5i6Vu0NcZrbwXXv-DTI6J4VX4OMm94S2-IItgege07boRosTPJpi/s4948/_J9A3097.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3958" data-original-width="4948" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu00hew_cANKtEb0BITOOCZYMwElwucgGZvN0vF8iD8WTNigafOQz5n48PkslscOl16yK-Nd1WcqwjTQbCdLzLmfqwoR0VFmFNuD-8MjVIXO_V1oBY5SFRrbPwB0pTYdh48M_nSQP5i6Vu0NcZrbwXXv-DTI6J4VX4OMm94S2-IItgege07boRosTPJpi/w640-h512/_J9A3097.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B_DbpGkfv4LQZViULZk3HiXvwndgAgYEhRcUS8mppgYNGjYsJ5XYr0XBmTzd1y1GT9hIXDIGaPeTejZRKqc0gmAYxAViIqdU-G-VsTRA-cLoeUvOWIU82roCAxjPKc4_qzbGq1RiLSzfJ4VpatStTLW7oHELEtnVWw6emtMP4joKQYQrstQQnfZQBSEr/s5184/_J9A3045.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4565" data-original-width="5184" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B_DbpGkfv4LQZViULZk3HiXvwndgAgYEhRcUS8mppgYNGjYsJ5XYr0XBmTzd1y1GT9hIXDIGaPeTejZRKqc0gmAYxAViIqdU-G-VsTRA-cLoeUvOWIU82roCAxjPKc4_qzbGq1RiLSzfJ4VpatStTLW7oHELEtnVWw6emtMP4joKQYQrstQQnfZQBSEr/w400-h353/_J9A3045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBMX9PfEZNhU0kcFEII58S5medq323JfHmE4fgqp3bHLW4FnWY57UasCYKXtV1Hfxfj6Xin7F6fqKTRlbYMoGtGOPO5zP-vKTcU1XnnQuhBASclFOAjAL85Ygde9uRqKgF2YijjL3O2IKDLoxsvi2MLql2G1GNtYVFpiYRSdDBquX_vMULcNXuVdwMt13/s4473/_J9A3040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3956" data-original-width="4473" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBMX9PfEZNhU0kcFEII58S5medq323JfHmE4fgqp3bHLW4FnWY57UasCYKXtV1Hfxfj6Xin7F6fqKTRlbYMoGtGOPO5zP-vKTcU1XnnQuhBASclFOAjAL85Ygde9uRqKgF2YijjL3O2IKDLoxsvi2MLql2G1GNtYVFpiYRSdDBquX_vMULcNXuVdwMt13/w640-h566/_J9A3040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Mandarin's are closely related to the American Wood Duck.</span><span style="font-family: times;">Though this is hard to believe as the drakes of each species appear so very different when in their plumage finery.However the females of both species look remarkably similar.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Their success in establishing themselves in the wild is due to their occupying a vacant ecological niche in southern England. Unlike another import to our native avifauna, the rapidly increasing Rose Ringed Parakeet, the Mandarin is </span><span style="font-family: times;">unlikely to present a similar ecological problem and prompt suggestions of population control, as their numbers currently remain low. The fact they only nest in holes in trees which brings them into conflict with both Jackdaws and Grey Squirrels for nest sites. undoubtedly contributes to keeping their numbers down.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The slowly growing British population of Mandarins was once thought to be of international conservation importance due to a population decline in its native China but the discovery of a previously unknown population of 60,000 birds in China has made this less significant.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Despite an ongoing threat to the future of Cannop Ponds by Forestry England the Mandarins that live and breed around there</span><span style="font-family: times;"> look set to continue to delight both birders and the general public for the foreseeable future and on a dull, slow winter day in the Forest of Dean provided a welcome exotic, oriental diversion. </span></p></div>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-87891215766773323412024-02-26T01:29:00.000-08:002024-03-09T14:12:33.057-08:00Nine Waxwings in Abingdon 25th February 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hhVONUD5ewJ5wnEjXaf76Y327S614-fIDDHMDncej6Qz0S5Oy6Hdu5knjnq2Pfe40Ybqldnt3PvBwIWxaY6ufdkTRYGWCxGEY1DFgY-ITJhVThcZTKuzE5xse0hUiPReSyW9MrNu9Dxum8AvuaFN97LIx74m5zM9r-sAP1lUkjhH5YEEyRq85-J_laVd/s3973/Waxwing-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3973" data-original-width="3681" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hhVONUD5ewJ5wnEjXaf76Y327S614-fIDDHMDncej6Qz0S5Oy6Hdu5knjnq2Pfe40Ybqldnt3PvBwIWxaY6ufdkTRYGWCxGEY1DFgY-ITJhVThcZTKuzE5xse0hUiPReSyW9MrNu9Dxum8AvuaFN97LIx74m5zM9r-sAP1lUkjhH5YEEyRq85-J_laVd/w592-h640/Waxwing-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" width="592" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Nine Waxwings have been doing the rounds in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon for a number of days now and so have I looking for them, but until today I had failed to intercept them. I was always just too late to get to where they had been seen or, after waiting for some time at the location and then giving up on them, mortified to see they had returned once I had departed.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Such are the highs and more often lows, of chasing after Waxwings.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Today Peter called me at just after 9am, himself having already dipped the Abingdon Waxwings a couple of times in the past, to tell me he had at last connected with them and was watching them on the corner of Dunmore Road and Parson's Mead </span><span style="font-family: times;">which are on the north western side of Abingdon. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">At first reluctant to make the half hour drive from my home, in the end I thought to give it one more go, rationalising that if I failed again to see them I could go birding at Farmoor Reservoir which lay on my route back home.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">On a pleasant, sunny but chilly morning I arrived at around 1030 to find no sign of any Waxwings.</span><span style="font-family: times;">The hawthorn hedge with sparse berries by the busy Dunmore Road where Peter had seen them earlier was devoid of the Scandinavian invaders.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> A call to Peter informed me that he had left when the birds had flown off across a playing field towards a newly built housing estate that lay beyond the hedge.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I parked the car in a convenient layby almost opposite the hedge and stood </span><span style="font-family: times;">by the road </span><span style="font-family: times;">with my bins to see if the Waxwings might return. </span><span style="font-family: times;">Predictably they didn't.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> I was joined by a small number of other Waxwing seekers, who on learning from me that I was not watching the Waxwings wandered off in search of them. Bored with waiting I walked across the playing field opposite to the newly built houses on the far side to check if they might be there but drew another blank.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Waxwings, in between eating berries like to perch high in large trees where they doubtless feel secure.I checked all the large trees both distant and near and eventually located some likely looking silhouettes perched high in one of the more distant trees. Aha!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span>This was possibly the Waxwings but they were so distant I would have to get closer to be sure. As I watched in my bins </span><span> one bird flew up from the tree to flycatch, a known trait of Waxwings. Making haste </span> to the distant tree and feeling increasingly confident I was mortified, on getting closer, to find they were in fact Starlings.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I returned to my car and stood looking across to the large trees that bordered the far side of the playing field. At the top of the largest tree, a Poplar, I saw a distinctive shape that was not black but tawny and with a crest - a Waxwing!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYV30BVneTpmxrEIcfUQtzlNn7x13N8EIIo4fU18JctVmbsWDdPG1s2s-NOnjeMgsjMricf161prDh-iDFd5QMgVOrqyanYqbCCqImtC4LP4ppkzB7x34xiwrVNy4E360Jo2sOXbPSM2L4lv83tt3p0agfPMvs2qCuPTil8J6rvlUQ-FXGpzA73wfYE27/s4731/_J9A0584.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4219" data-original-width="4731" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYV30BVneTpmxrEIcfUQtzlNn7x13N8EIIo4fU18JctVmbsWDdPG1s2s-NOnjeMgsjMricf161prDh-iDFd5QMgVOrqyanYqbCCqImtC4LP4ppkzB7x34xiwrVNy4E360Jo2sOXbPSM2L4lv83tt3p0agfPMvs2qCuPTil8J6rvlUQ-FXGpzA73wfYE27/w640-h570/_J9A0584.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;">Where had it come from? </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It must have just flown in as it certainly was not there when I checked that tree earlier. I looked harder and found a scatter of another eight perched high in the branches with a small flock of Starlings just to confuse matters, although the Waxwings kept to themselves in a small discrete group.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I went through a gap in the fence on the other side of the road and walked a hundred yards to stand below the Poplar tree.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Waxwings were feeding on emerging catkins high up on the outer branches but gradually dropped lower down. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0t95Cs9atZE3Cb-dJ_w0sTBnV7JonjEd1HQvmZ20EjrvLJrzUKRisOQYys57Vy081b7yctpb3q9B74W5jCmthk3n-QSOuxDpK6ZK_N0gl9JJe89rFZ-rZl3wtumDU56d4ERtyiRlXg_rdG1IHjwoII3r3DKGRGZPg_M0mB1O3TBZTeV-Xalhy72X6tMu/s6960/_J9A0379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0t95Cs9atZE3Cb-dJ_w0sTBnV7JonjEd1HQvmZ20EjrvLJrzUKRisOQYys57Vy081b7yctpb3q9B74W5jCmthk3n-QSOuxDpK6ZK_N0gl9JJe89rFZ-rZl3wtumDU56d4ERtyiRlXg_rdG1IHjwoII3r3DKGRGZPg_M0mB1O3TBZTeV-Xalhy72X6tMu/w640-h426/_J9A0379.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Being in a housing estate on a sunny Sunday morning and near an Aldi superstore, the footpath below the tree was being used regularly by various passers by </span><span style="font-family: times;">but the Waxwings didn't mind. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r2tlClMCEWllDUqGBowGOS76Al05jv2mB4r9ynv5tmx-yQaXxEEV-2ox1CPI04lV2iFo4RVM1RvmHGJzH7tOz0Am9KN2c2w8rInl7PtsP1cB1wQaxxp8zUvXfS0sxI9vXJEAW9UP89-jX1LoyNWIJnWg4aVMHBeoMCuJQSj7rumI8MHdKAReRND9NhXp/s4032/IMG_7009%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r2tlClMCEWllDUqGBowGOS76Al05jv2mB4r9ynv5tmx-yQaXxEEV-2ox1CPI04lV2iFo4RVM1RvmHGJzH7tOz0Am9KN2c2w8rInl7PtsP1cB1wQaxxp8zUvXfS0sxI9vXJEAW9UP89-jX1LoyNWIJnWg4aVMHBeoMCuJQSj7rumI8MHdKAReRND9NhXp/w480-h640/IMG_7009%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The Poplar tree favoured by the Waxwings and the rosa bush they fed from <br />by the lamp post</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It always strikes me as such a contradiction that these confiding birds coming from the vast forests of Scandinavia and Russia where q</span><span style="font-family: times;">uite possibly they have never encountered human beings choose to</span><span style="font-family: times;"> frequent the most suburban and populated of areas when they arrive here. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The other question that I always find myself speculating on is how do they decide which berry source to favour and how do they find it? Do they see a particular tree as they fly past in the sky and descend to investigate or do they perch somewhere on high to scan the surrounding landscape? Do they decide in unison to descend to one tree or is there a leader, maybe an adult in the flock that the others follow or do different individuals make the decision on separate occasions?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Also what prompts them to fly off for no reason from an adequate berry source and again is this the decision of one particular adult bird in the flock or not and how do they communicate the decision, by a certain call or stimulating an instantaneous response from the others as one bird decides to depart?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">So many questions that remain unanswered.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For twenty minutes I watched as they nibbled at the catkins and then three birds dropped down even lower to a small dog rose bush with a few very tired looking, unappetising berries clinging to it. The bare bush was so inconsequential </span><span style="font-family: times;">and the berries so sparse</span><span style="font-family: times;"> I had hardly noticed it but the Waxwings had.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7j4HdRexmQi6mbm_rsvQeLL9NBQTQp0jMjF62g5bhGHnNMzVJrpcFlwYYvi4DKGCym-eQcGv-Wkd-5ElvYNTTs8d-zS25DmnecH9XXtmla_9bS0YhgsALmP0caeSxhvyO5WwBMjpcBaU64ZiykBjYn3-TJaHfNXFzwk08Iy1AJ_eYhAV9WByy692Cptv/s4386/_J9A1777.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4386" data-original-width="3225" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7j4HdRexmQi6mbm_rsvQeLL9NBQTQp0jMjF62g5bhGHnNMzVJrpcFlwYYvi4DKGCym-eQcGv-Wkd-5ElvYNTTs8d-zS25DmnecH9XXtmla_9bS0YhgsALmP0caeSxhvyO5WwBMjpcBaU64ZiykBjYn3-TJaHfNXFzwk08Iy1AJ_eYhAV9WByy692Cptv/w470-h640/_J9A1777.JPG" width="470" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKoDswF1SDNTjAYS3LLO1iZ-vn-0p2C3RR20p6FStlYdIi9_0GZbpcUUGjeatwdlKM6yEDs-dqPJrVIFhjQjSJPxJVxfJZKlnkgbqFcQqyIgpLitX10IDjDRp-EN8Hx1Wph3tR2h3HahJNpoYdQGLVeFGi3HGrjHS_8iza7VfujkldkiUReDIHY6llB23/s3269/_J9A2400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3269" data-original-width="2313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKoDswF1SDNTjAYS3LLO1iZ-vn-0p2C3RR20p6FStlYdIi9_0GZbpcUUGjeatwdlKM6yEDs-dqPJrVIFhjQjSJPxJVxfJZKlnkgbqFcQqyIgpLitX10IDjDRp-EN8Hx1Wph3tR2h3HahJNpoYdQGLVeFGi3HGrjHS_8iza7VfujkldkiUReDIHY6llB23/w283-h400/_J9A2400.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOIzJJ5BvcAOoX659d8XYJY7Rw3A_30jBnG50cjIiLO3TYxId1He8qa92hxdFmteQUUoI80ODYIu6BtKSGur0Zhfy_Qxp7F9lrwhU5EpgomFIAIZhw5FFhA-CzAsIIRa9tMYPeOBZC1RgCMiOzh_KE4eOejZDDVPVJUa-f4Q3_zKH4DNOvnz8ZuJiU7sW/s6960/_J9A2312.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOIzJJ5BvcAOoX659d8XYJY7Rw3A_30jBnG50cjIiLO3TYxId1He8qa92hxdFmteQUUoI80ODYIu6BtKSGur0Zhfy_Qxp7F9lrwhU5EpgomFIAIZhw5FFhA-CzAsIIRa9tMYPeOBZC1RgCMiOzh_KE4eOejZDDVPVJUa-f4Q3_zKH4DNOvnz8ZuJiU7sW/w640-h426/_J9A2312.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Here was an unexpected and welcome opportunity to photograph the Waxwings as they gobbled the berries in their customary frenzied fashion.There is no subtlety about their feeding but rather a hasty scramble amongst the thin twigs to wrench a berry off its stalk, hold it triumphantly for a moment between their mandibles before swallowing it whole.</span></div><div style="font-family: times; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: times; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AZfCHIpMxqQ4WFODLkREBCXhLpDr_nlq0cowzJhhFQIO9zQdIa77b3Rx1MKn-_0v9QLYB_uWoqLDSuaoCajqFBosUZov2WebnPRoUF-BbWD37bX8ZhJ4FdfnmWj3Dfh9M3MmuqGN_E_bGG18qjWLhqJ7VV4kGCI8H05jLBCruJJjL6HCbJE8YL6x3UDR/s3255/_J9A2293.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3255" data-original-width="2720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AZfCHIpMxqQ4WFODLkREBCXhLpDr_nlq0cowzJhhFQIO9zQdIa77b3Rx1MKn-_0v9QLYB_uWoqLDSuaoCajqFBosUZov2WebnPRoUF-BbWD37bX8ZhJ4FdfnmWj3Dfh9M3MmuqGN_E_bGG18qjWLhqJ7VV4kGCI8H05jLBCruJJjL6HCbJE8YL6x3UDR/w534-h640/_J9A2293.JPG" width="534" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I can only suppose the haste is because they feel both vulnerable near the ground and do not want one of their companions to beat them to that particular berry they have chosen.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJErIF635GAd7DGXuJI-T5HOwWksRuLKHt3CNXmlRcu54eaOoDCI7ZnzLdRVULs8sNSPHEtc-dZpGhQ95op48AwLRuxw59mwqwN7lSgrLYGVdCKuNHmNIidwTSIfoySJJNq2HubZXV4zN_V3fbr8H14f1IFhAgX-b4dxcGsoVfgmP-k04G-22FohTM-zC0/s4534/_J9A2248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4534" data-original-width="4188" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJErIF635GAd7DGXuJI-T5HOwWksRuLKHt3CNXmlRcu54eaOoDCI7ZnzLdRVULs8sNSPHEtc-dZpGhQ95op48AwLRuxw59mwqwN7lSgrLYGVdCKuNHmNIidwTSIfoySJJNq2HubZXV4zN_V3fbr8H14f1IFhAgX-b4dxcGsoVfgmP-k04G-22FohTM-zC0/w370-h400/_J9A2248.JPG" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eiX4GgJWvq1cptid_Exi_7ttN8d6RYAogPxW1Wy3rdh8cjUA5ecWW6z7VadsJvVKkQvELisSme1Hjqn7qnJkrrsjigzW_GRSMtH-hSiOFvGXo4PVMCPU7CHKoMgq-DYLGTrjUcBkXGiR7kvpwm3GJPvLXMb95pLLyrm4VgyOS3K-EaBWIVSnJijcrqZn/s4146/_J9A2291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4146" data-original-width="3978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eiX4GgJWvq1cptid_Exi_7ttN8d6RYAogPxW1Wy3rdh8cjUA5ecWW6z7VadsJvVKkQvELisSme1Hjqn7qnJkrrsjigzW_GRSMtH-hSiOFvGXo4PVMCPU7CHKoMgq-DYLGTrjUcBkXGiR7kvpwm3GJPvLXMb95pLLyrm4VgyOS3K-EaBWIVSnJijcrqZn/w614-h640/_J9A2291.JPG" width="614" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2rIKZB5KaYYksQWYiquuqi7LKdVTgMZ4fCRSYC0n8w28TZQ4dHsWYOevxOT9UpexMLNtXaMzcTV1RliXGIY6gzJ_OZg46gMo1XFB8od0jUY6CNPrmT6LgGZo1XCVzEMM7S5WkfkanHS-l_F2d53lylRMx6X-O9pl9Skq3ZP4728_5xt_gtQCxtnDHsTD/s4306/_J9A2292.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4306" data-original-width="4024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2rIKZB5KaYYksQWYiquuqi7LKdVTgMZ4fCRSYC0n8w28TZQ4dHsWYOevxOT9UpexMLNtXaMzcTV1RliXGIY6gzJ_OZg46gMo1XFB8od0jUY6CNPrmT6LgGZo1XCVzEMM7S5WkfkanHS-l_F2d53lylRMx6X-O9pl9Skq3ZP4728_5xt_gtQCxtnDHsTD/s320/_J9A2292.JPG" width="299" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ9pq8RJgQaszJ5d8mkHlbB0nHBMWIghd6JCoNoptyhzx1nOgbMfYXvsK4cH4pMjMtNE2uTqn_VQHGqIjbXvYqdyW1q3Dfhtvm_Hj1F3Xr9ypnvjl03rwzRnZ12wNmoUxvkvVOeTrstmNFZ5s1_qOgKX8yEN0NgtjwZXB0fiEs7mi4tp1eArmIH6BcpAN/s4808/_J9A2277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4024" data-original-width="4808" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ9pq8RJgQaszJ5d8mkHlbB0nHBMWIghd6JCoNoptyhzx1nOgbMfYXvsK4cH4pMjMtNE2uTqn_VQHGqIjbXvYqdyW1q3Dfhtvm_Hj1F3Xr9ypnvjl03rwzRnZ12wNmoUxvkvVOeTrstmNFZ5s1_qOgKX8yEN0NgtjwZXB0fiEs7mi4tp1eArmIH6BcpAN/w640-h536/_J9A2277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6P_KK0jaLUs8-4rzxV_r_zCl_3AJvzRLby7aBPthKgwEemSKmFTBw-M-NGLoXuxNi9DQTk_3FMzsDcSB5AE7m2WVkxTPM_ttXTye6Bl5b8mH7zcelqERArZZd3zD-aQVexa4C62sMphqKyax1nVirxVhYxCru1JfAWjL6BZGiMCv_8H1qwQN4zZgVZ1l/s5202/_J9A2280.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4592" data-original-width="5202" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6P_KK0jaLUs8-4rzxV_r_zCl_3AJvzRLby7aBPthKgwEemSKmFTBw-M-NGLoXuxNi9DQTk_3FMzsDcSB5AE7m2WVkxTPM_ttXTye6Bl5b8mH7zcelqERArZZd3zD-aQVexa4C62sMphqKyax1nVirxVhYxCru1JfAWjL6BZGiMCv_8H1qwQN4zZgVZ1l/w400-h353/_J9A2280.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFUTjDPS8bG_uPpDLcMWLAw2bXWLgt9fdiYB2IRyuIkorLD31jJKhV2_Gtl0YlXk5d4sCG0ZMK6BP1Asxlo3eJxKfJGiYd-xBpSjLmTRPVpkEEdUKSUz975mUPmFk6-mzm-lmVv5t0yYFIFPwOjjfPs7wcGxBC5YBeb36XxZDRdVDECgFVEVm4P-XKkmt/s4210/_J9A2349.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4210" data-original-width="3621" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFUTjDPS8bG_uPpDLcMWLAw2bXWLgt9fdiYB2IRyuIkorLD31jJKhV2_Gtl0YlXk5d4sCG0ZMK6BP1Asxlo3eJxKfJGiYd-xBpSjLmTRPVpkEEdUKSUz975mUPmFk6-mzm-lmVv5t0yYFIFPwOjjfPs7wcGxBC5YBeb36XxZDRdVDECgFVEVm4P-XKkmt/w550-h640/_J9A2349.JPG" width="550" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Five minutes more or less was all the time they granted before they ascended back into the Poplar to perch quietly and wait before making another sortie.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was unfortunate t</span><span style="font-family: times;">he footpath below the tree was </span><span style="font-family: times;">being regularly used by people passing, mums with prams or kids, dog walkers, shoppers, men on bikes, you name it, as annoyingly the birds would fly out of the bush back up into the tree whenever someone approached resulting in another frustrating wait but it was a residential estate and one had to accept this situation. Most of the people passing did show an </span><span style="font-family: times;">interest in w</span><span style="font-family: times;">hat was happening so I told them about the Waxwings.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70yDHyMlyT4GQzCd72BLd7GmsicFAVwygREiA-WBbkHrExgo3HQ0qZutoygHbn1bLaDeG0IqG_VrMmIxWDC35n88eJgjTP28CLm9hu2_3m7um0wIZb_XEsJ26AA0qvacsp2jwAHPmDENuRS4bMVko7T9rIJbz0aIEl8hew2DJSlVuHoUGv3mjdFAtBcjZ/s6708/_J9A2254.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6708" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70yDHyMlyT4GQzCd72BLd7GmsicFAVwygREiA-WBbkHrExgo3HQ0qZutoygHbn1bLaDeG0IqG_VrMmIxWDC35n88eJgjTP28CLm9hu2_3m7um0wIZb_XEsJ26AA0qvacsp2jwAHPmDENuRS4bMVko7T9rIJbz0aIEl8hew2DJSlVuHoUGv3mjdFAtBcjZ/w640-h442/_J9A2254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I stood, for a final time, waiting for the birds to make another descent to the bush. A small flock of Starlings flew into the top of the Poplar and after a few minutes left and the Waxwings went with them, in a compact and separate group, flying at great speed, rising high in the sky and away over the surrounding rooftops. I spent another hour hoping they might return but my wait was in vain.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I think I am done with Waxwings now although I can hardly believe I am saying this about such a charismatic bird. This winter that has witnessed their exceptional irruption into Britain has resulted in my seeing in excess of a hundred, ranging from locations in Norfolk <a href="https://blackaudibirding.blogspot.com/2023/12/aerial-waxwings-29th-november-2023.html">see here</a> to Gloucestershire <a href="https://blackaudibirding.blogspot.com/2024/02/more-waxwings-1st-february-2024.html">see here</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Those that have survived the winter in Britain will soon be on their way north to their true home in Scandinavia and western Russia and reports of them are now much less than when they first arrived here.We are fortunate to currently still have these birds in Abingdon and maybe they will remain for a few more days yet but for me it is time to move on.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-1877320679059006602024-02-21T14:31:00.000-08:002024-03-17T04:11:34.047-07:00The Giant Orchids in Oxfordshire Revisited 20th February 2024<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79ntqNl4EzCHbCNZWiBkyrhJxqqWbzPtIoO1KGpAwBgB90xIFwgRMNLTq64STa_em1Vwy5Rxxp3Ym-PPJvCgFRnUQdnaQTU5bBmuTDQd-J4gpDEx99NvjK-PVnas06ixvcXdf-AMVytlxmbFc-ToVYdyAv_Qcl3LT6w2uQjOM1cOqIqrX6srv07MjPoMB/s6960/_J9A9669.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6960" data-original-width="4224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79ntqNl4EzCHbCNZWiBkyrhJxqqWbzPtIoO1KGpAwBgB90xIFwgRMNLTq64STa_em1Vwy5Rxxp3Ym-PPJvCgFRnUQdnaQTU5bBmuTDQd-J4gpDEx99NvjK-PVnas06ixvcXdf-AMVytlxmbFc-ToVYdyAv_Qcl3LT6w2uQjOM1cOqIqrX6srv07MjPoMB/w388-h640/_J9A9669.JPG" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Last year on the 23rd March I went to see some Giant Orchids growing on a steep bank near to the border of Oxfordshire and Berkshire </span><a href="https://blackaudibirding.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-giant-orchids-of-oxfordshire-23rd.html">see here</a><span style="font-family: times;"> </span>They had been found by chance the year before (2021) and it was the first time they had been recorded growing in Britain.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The secret location is, as far as anyone knows, the only place they grow in Britain although they are plentiful in southern Europe. How they came to be in such an unlikely and un prepossessing location in England is anyone's guess. It could be entirely natural or, as has been suggested the result of human intervention.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not that it really matters to orchid afficionados.They are delighted to see them whatever their provenance and news about them and where they are to be found has rapidly spread via whispers and covert emails to anyone desiring to come and see them. Such is the world we now live in it is considered prudent to still keep quiet about the orchids and where specifically they grow for fear the plants will be uprooted or otherwise subject to interference by unscrupulous collectors. Sadly this has already happened to other rare orchids in Britain.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Giant Orchids are the earliest orchids </span><span style="font-family: times;">to bloom</span><span style="font-family: times;"> so to see them out in March last year was not a surprise. They can emerge as early as January in southern Europe and this year the Oxfordshire ones have excelled themselves as, by the middle of this month, two flower spikes are well on the way to coming into full bloom.There are also another three plants but they are what is called blind in that they have no flower spike.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I gave Peter, who accompanied me on my visit last year, a call to alert him to their premature emergence and suggested we go to see them as soon as possible.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Arriving at the site on a grey and raw mid morning of strong wind and waterlogged ground, armed with stout sticks to assist us remaining upright on the very steep embankment where the orchids grow, we walked until we found them in very much the same place as they were last year although slightly less in number. This year they had been afforded some extra protection, as persons unknown had encircled each of the flower spikes with chicken wire to prevent rabbits nibbling them or persons inadvertently treading on them.Not that anyone in their right mind who values life and limb would venture down the precipitous bank unless they were intent on viewing the orchids. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5LlB__CHgEdmDUbcIMrJksz63-6MRCqsW-B9wE6g6CYOimxwrhTCsqmRE1liYiZtzUCLK7Gd1pFFQC6gPcIpeqWHfs62TAdhYQqfOfFPqMio46DtB1AzLAdgJW99jZIc1YwuUzqlTeejkuzgZAGtbsT5yoUhbwzBHnBKeQJDJIJ4Xz-QzEEsCk2Auf9K/s4130/_J9A9621.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4130" data-original-width="2580" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5LlB__CHgEdmDUbcIMrJksz63-6MRCqsW-B9wE6g6CYOimxwrhTCsqmRE1liYiZtzUCLK7Gd1pFFQC6gPcIpeqWHfs62TAdhYQqfOfFPqMio46DtB1AzLAdgJW99jZIc1YwuUzqlTeejkuzgZAGtbsT5yoUhbwzBHnBKeQJDJIJ4Xz-QzEEsCk2Auf9K/w250-h400/_J9A9621.JPG" width="250" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">They were not in full bloom but well on the way, so we photographed each flower spike, one more advanced than the other, and vowed to return later when both had fully emerged.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwonWjDRqf5hVcfZf4r0XBhYInYwOMHrzdD_YifHQ6UheFusPkz1NIrreel3CeFtz-vpw52dgafbrSxJGARXB6lUVcXF_CQuy81nAM7UdAtV1gAPbZsjVOQkufjcmUaYSMUZCsnTnRudpxps5oLR3oIdl9l_vY5zO7T-9rVU1hpeCtm5lWAmhRbUQ1q3z/s6960/_J9A9667.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6960" data-original-width="4640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwonWjDRqf5hVcfZf4r0XBhYInYwOMHrzdD_YifHQ6UheFusPkz1NIrreel3CeFtz-vpw52dgafbrSxJGARXB6lUVcXF_CQuy81nAM7UdAtV1gAPbZsjVOQkufjcmUaYSMUZCsnTnRudpxps5oLR3oIdl9l_vY5zO7T-9rVU1hpeCtm5lWAmhRbUQ1q3z/w426-h640/_J9A9667.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RZAGFegwZrNOtNPLI_HTEQG0aUojaPU9vIjmN3oilZHivcsc0T2kqao61ys-Eh0zUiDTWwLYKGN96Cnj5Pkae7bE5qsM2MkVMYMx7H8sTtwFZBJrDzu0HosqGSIfJzk4Q0bbTnLfDzbiQNWaE8uDcwiCxgkAH9iG4PziOLecv6yOUtRsmNN79cvZ9mRC/s6960/_J9A9700.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6960" data-original-width="4640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RZAGFegwZrNOtNPLI_HTEQG0aUojaPU9vIjmN3oilZHivcsc0T2kqao61ys-Eh0zUiDTWwLYKGN96Cnj5Pkae7bE5qsM2MkVMYMx7H8sTtwFZBJrDzu0HosqGSIfJzk4Q0bbTnLfDzbiQNWaE8uDcwiCxgkAH9iG4PziOLecv6yOUtRsmNN79cvZ9mRC/w426-h640/_J9A9700.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was not a day for hanging about as the wind on the exposed bank was both strong and cold, the sky overhead an unremitting grey and the ground wet and muddy which it seems to have been for weeks now.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4U-qI-JFiFecanb3dDIfBOhIzxt_PocgLFrluDPTAE4aocrX7DXYygjJRbO7Iq-GrS_QxEBvX03pPmrXKRWfyU8TqpjlZfA-tjrbPU47MBLCAsGQb4lkg5bYl3OzcPL2jPRAsKM40SHdbjmYyumhgzyldrW9G9DF5lqYZL9KQ7Ty7naaVkSt95npDAJb/s6306/_J9A9634.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6306" data-original-width="3794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4U-qI-JFiFecanb3dDIfBOhIzxt_PocgLFrluDPTAE4aocrX7DXYygjJRbO7Iq-GrS_QxEBvX03pPmrXKRWfyU8TqpjlZfA-tjrbPU47MBLCAsGQb4lkg5bYl3OzcPL2jPRAsKM40SHdbjmYyumhgzyldrW9G9DF5lqYZL9KQ7Ty7naaVkSt95npDAJb/w386-h640/_J9A9634.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3xrCSrpwwiPL6XG3OxvTDld6-8gJQwTmWpy3pdQZ6H62K2dq7YVjocyfkmVCu9_svXNsFM7wf9rURQzFUeD9QISp-D47lhiighv2ozowEEDX2eY_iVk-8hBQRMsm56u-kBi22Zlgc_IhScEaiDJ9dzKi4c5JPXsAOnrbOzar4h4faIiVE2bpYmusMxD1/s3117/_J9A9666.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3117" data-original-width="2476" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3xrCSrpwwiPL6XG3OxvTDld6-8gJQwTmWpy3pdQZ6H62K2dq7YVjocyfkmVCu9_svXNsFM7wf9rURQzFUeD9QISp-D47lhiighv2ozowEEDX2eY_iVk-8hBQRMsm56u-kBi22Zlgc_IhScEaiDJ9dzKi4c5JPXsAOnrbOzar4h4faIiVE2bpYmusMxD1/w508-h640/_J9A9666.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-qzcX_5gnoqXLzbEhQkNaTGtJHamYbIZxfQfFXLuhZm5qMMdRCUPM-1wcrMMd0-4u-nAQ86oZJYy9YzSQsb9Pn-I9HHK42zF0QoCcpIGu5T-x6S1LHShavwAKnAifYh5Hk-u4CKxjJrRUvdN_k0Z4wCjFt-PYHHu4kN_hBOsTVrLmw5devmROd6PmKIN/s6960/_J9A9680.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6960" data-original-width="4640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-qzcX_5gnoqXLzbEhQkNaTGtJHamYbIZxfQfFXLuhZm5qMMdRCUPM-1wcrMMd0-4u-nAQ86oZJYy9YzSQsb9Pn-I9HHK42zF0QoCcpIGu5T-x6S1LHShavwAKnAifYh5Hk-u4CKxjJrRUvdN_k0Z4wCjFt-PYHHu4kN_hBOsTVrLmw5devmROd6PmKIN/w426-h640/_J9A9680.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bMIY9inqwJXETfG9TONrhESChBOxptMZk-3yPpnO5FnkEn9629l753f185i99lJSop7zGbIJbfuz8se8Qjbc-QZUFWpur3fnhSCe_Bp6zSzyYPmCAEpdDwgN-T7NnoXIOS-shx3K9-nXcW7prNJejsRXs3mRJrM_COu9N6zC8A3dL7_t7UrOI6rU2dNU/s6720/_J9A9695.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6720" data-original-width="4640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bMIY9inqwJXETfG9TONrhESChBOxptMZk-3yPpnO5FnkEn9629l753f185i99lJSop7zGbIJbfuz8se8Qjbc-QZUFWpur3fnhSCe_Bp6zSzyYPmCAEpdDwgN-T7NnoXIOS-shx3K9-nXcW7prNJejsRXs3mRJrM_COu9N6zC8A3dL7_t7UrOI6rU2dNU/w442-h640/_J9A9695.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dK2xfJoFnqEO5de6nicigaczi86f73EFuigD5MiuaxfGfxcuK2DOS_jhz5c3RRJ_jhim1j-mATlVaEixdW28-0xK1KBXwhfW4iB10ySlD1CIe0bVpocvsfnXtGvcdVqrxTsYrxN0SIElzJtNuEkdjr9kGJDv83ZhvvAMzkB7vEvSNCnQAnLMP9ebgEx0/s6960/_J9A9700.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6960" data-original-width="4640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dK2xfJoFnqEO5de6nicigaczi86f73EFuigD5MiuaxfGfxcuK2DOS_jhz5c3RRJ_jhim1j-mATlVaEixdW28-0xK1KBXwhfW4iB10ySlD1CIe0bVpocvsfnXtGvcdVqrxTsYrxN0SIElzJtNuEkdjr9kGJDv83ZhvvAMzkB7vEvSNCnQAnLMP9ebgEx0/w266-h400/_J9A9700.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWWa0Elx2vrENSEOZoLEVsuRoPxa1u4TxT_LGEoXM0M61xlnl0wKZJsIhyr4mfA49BrdEMcMuKMLD51N2AEvoVlKDyHceEdqepN0EAhyphenhyphenf40c3ZG00vO5a-omMmqvOIt00aub1oHVvsixN8X25rldCWPcBe83ZUG_BTdVqPoX3QYlXV3kIVYFzEEOXCOpA/s2214/_J9A9713.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2214" data-original-width="1372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWWa0Elx2vrENSEOZoLEVsuRoPxa1u4TxT_LGEoXM0M61xlnl0wKZJsIhyr4mfA49BrdEMcMuKMLD51N2AEvoVlKDyHceEdqepN0EAhyphenhyphenf40c3ZG00vO5a-omMmqvOIt00aub1oHVvsixN8X25rldCWPcBe83ZUG_BTdVqPoX3QYlXV3kIVYFzEEOXCOpA/w396-h640/_J9A9713.JPG" width="396" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSgWLcuA5EMGkMJcpVPc0SCzRSnyg3liMtnG2gpKjE-CvNk7UM4z1mgID7c2-ib2032yQKNFT8CAKlOnEv7BthzK65qmNhHFFktt9DMPK-bq6nXcSwVg-MeQs5ULx4eFwDn0gMIBOAvwTqzpqG_3rvPhiqs8NzEic4_ji3GqQNbZvl-ttP9YtP94ii3JA/s4833/_J9A9720.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4612" data-original-width="4833" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSgWLcuA5EMGkMJcpVPc0SCzRSnyg3liMtnG2gpKjE-CvNk7UM4z1mgID7c2-ib2032yQKNFT8CAKlOnEv7BthzK65qmNhHFFktt9DMPK-bq6nXcSwVg-MeQs5ULx4eFwDn0gMIBOAvwTqzpqG_3rvPhiqs8NzEic4_ji3GqQNbZvl-ttP9YtP94ii3JA/w640-h610/_J9A9720.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The colourless wintery landscape and the rank withered grass amongst which the orchids grow rendered the pink of the emergent flower spikes almost un-</span>noticeable which may be no bad thing for their own protection.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ld1Wi_xnRt9tIT_aOnicRlPUTo-xKJYg4PvxsgxJNn8zESAFwDj4jdDg7tddW2UHK6gqMunFJKiRscZlZyGcxzvC7NmToV_oHmeoCk5RfwsfX934Qwi3uPUXvvRYwTqurBCEQDoUrjkmyXJ8yt-14Q2cvMGhRcR5gWa7h2-V1xqs9RD9EpmViPviAw2x/s6960/_J9A9644.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ld1Wi_xnRt9tIT_aOnicRlPUTo-xKJYg4PvxsgxJNn8zESAFwDj4jdDg7tddW2UHK6gqMunFJKiRscZlZyGcxzvC7NmToV_oHmeoCk5RfwsfX934Qwi3uPUXvvRYwTqurBCEQDoUrjkmyXJ8yt-14Q2cvMGhRcR5gWa7h2-V1xqs9RD9EpmViPviAw2x/w400-h266/_J9A9644.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those that know will be able to find them.</div></span><div><p><br /></p></div>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-63633295181307038242024-02-16T05:16:00.000-08:002024-03-17T04:26:28.981-07:00Frampton's Lesser Yellowlegs 14th February 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq-1b31EBeI6H-3ALETrD4eNKMPO2ZWsu47xIutzoC4Yts6puj2b-byMi_GQRs5fUqvFwJs1oRgXJlVLqedesiJkDJrqLBpyZ1IJDAKV0Wj6Z7-0ZAW5FmFBTVnRrZnasJb5ZQ_pxw5Zd7I0u0BxGhS3__E3JiWUNklhKmPGAUZ_cEc1zwQZX1ni2YNY2/s4096/_J9A6861.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3563" data-original-width="4096" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq-1b31EBeI6H-3ALETrD4eNKMPO2ZWsu47xIutzoC4Yts6puj2b-byMi_GQRs5fUqvFwJs1oRgXJlVLqedesiJkDJrqLBpyZ1IJDAKV0Wj6Z7-0ZAW5FmFBTVnRrZnasJb5ZQ_pxw5Zd7I0u0BxGhS3__E3JiWUNklhKmPGAUZ_cEc1zwQZX1ni2YNY2/w640-h556/_J9A6861.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A Lesser Yellowlegs, a North American wader superficially similar to our Common Redshank which arrived </span><span style="font-family: times;">at the RSPB's Frampton Marsh reserve in Lincolnshire last September </span><span style="font-family: times;">has remained there for the winter. </span></div><div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It has provided very good views lately having chosen to spend time resting and feeding on a flash of floodwater close to and adjacent to the reserve's small car park and Visitor Centre and shows little fear of the comings and goings of both cars and birders. Indeed on recent occasions it has frequented the flooded areas of the car park itself.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Lesser Yellowlegs are reasonably frequent vagrants to western Europe with around five per year being found in Britain, mainly between August and October.Wintering birds are less usual. They breed in the boreal forest regions of North America from Alaska to Quebec and spend the winter on the Gulf Coast of the USA, the Caribbean and South America. I have seen them on birding trips to both Ecuador and Colombia and have seen eight in various parts of Britain.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">February can be a dull month for birding although this winter has been much enlivened by the invasion of Waxwings. However there are only so many Waxwings to see before the novelty begins to fade. Mark rang me earlier in the week and suggested we find a day when it was not raining and go to Frampton to photograph the Lesser Yellowlegs (<i>The Legs</i>) and do some general birding at what is by mutual consent one of our favourite reserves.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Checking the weather forecast I suggested Wednesday (Valentines Day) that promised light cloud and no rain which would be ideal. Mark volunteered to drive, so early on Wednesday morning I made my way to his house in Bedfordshire for a not too onerous 8am rendezvous.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's two hours to Frampton from Mark's house and making one stop for his obligatory double espresso and my latte we eventually entered into the flat, featureless landscape of Lincolnshire with its vast, bare acres, stretching away on either side of the straight monotonous roads that bisect this part of eastern England. Like a giant lid</span><span style="font-family: times;"> clamped firmly over the flat landscape t</span><span style="font-family: times;">he lowering, unbroken grey cloud possibly foretold rain but it came to nothing as, at the end of a narrow lane, we left the car in a very wet and muddy car park by the RSPB's small Visitor Centre and Cafe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>The Legs</i> was not hard to find as we could see several birders that were obviously looking at it from the wire fence that separated the car park from a flash of shallow water. On the other side of the water was a protective bund that currently provided a buffer from the strong but mild southwest wind and in the lee of which not only <i>The Legs</i> but various ducks such as </span><span style="font-family: times;">Wigeon, </span><span style="font-family: times;">Teal </span><span style="font-family: times;">and </span><span style="font-family: times;">Shoveler found shelter.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Initial impressions of <i>The Legs</i> were of a bird with an ash grey head tucked into similar coloured upperparts, </span><span style="font-family: times;">asleep and</span><span style="font-family: times;"> standing on one long, bright yellow leg.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQXv9gLAJkxaAPs8ayiGfofXnR9BFen4_Tw_DbAX3iKvGvz001UPh0pbAXG-Q9OymuBQx-1BOB6uz6QYizgpbWdnAuk-_eQ4gX80TdAkNTm1PhINUCTANY7-sC-6gxIccVwY7HEk3Zb6c8K-nsOCVuvHDtHHP6xLzFQ2OXNG_08tXU061A7ECOd1EFCe-/s2795/_J9A5264.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="2758" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQXv9gLAJkxaAPs8ayiGfofXnR9BFen4_Tw_DbAX3iKvGvz001UPh0pbAXG-Q9OymuBQx-1BOB6uz6QYizgpbWdnAuk-_eQ4gX80TdAkNTm1PhINUCTANY7-sC-6gxIccVwY7HEk3Zb6c8K-nsOCVuvHDtHHP6xLzFQ2OXNG_08tXU061A7ECOd1EFCe-/w632-h640/_J9A5264.JPG" width="632" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div>Beyond the bund lay yet more flooded fields and marshland populated by many Lapwings, round shouldered in repose, hunched silently and stoically against the wind, the distance and low light rendering them as a line of black silhouettes.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8i3TbV55s0CLLhFf3XFsOQ9A4AM1Ii2zUzweGuF6iQDbkBHPpqatjY2eS2CM-CaCIg3yNwD4p7gyL7fh5LuCiKPQvbnVmN_qHTQoFD41UwIb_lg85J5AwK7U3M00fbvzU7dBUC4amdA9ymatYxRG_D1LGRhbgmDOYD4tt18GEr3Rd8RapMJnkDw4jRlD/s6316/_J9A5312.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4685" data-original-width="6316" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8i3TbV55s0CLLhFf3XFsOQ9A4AM1Ii2zUzweGuF6iQDbkBHPpqatjY2eS2CM-CaCIg3yNwD4p7gyL7fh5LuCiKPQvbnVmN_qHTQoFD41UwIb_lg85J5AwK7U3M00fbvzU7dBUC4amdA9ymatYxRG_D1LGRhbgmDOYD4tt18GEr3Rd8RapMJnkDw4jRlD/w640-h474/_J9A5312.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The reserve is large, </span><span style="font-family: times;">a benign desolation of </span><span style="font-family: times;">partially flooded </span><span style="font-family: times;">flat fields and lagoons of shallow water </span><span style="font-family: times;">and for me at least was a welcome wild and natural place to visit after the earlier drudgery of driving on busy roads to get here. </span><span style="font-family: times;"> The fields, today were populated by huge numbers of Golden Plover and yet more Lapwings, the goldies flying in one flock, thousands strong, a starburst of feathered beings like a ghost moving at great height across the grey skies, while the less aerial Lapwings regularly took to the air in false alarm, their peevish cries borne away on the wind before gently returning to earth, in an alternation of black and white.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was not a cold wind that blew into our faces thus making it bearable to remain standing out in the open. We stood awaiting <i>The Legs</i> to rouse itself but apart from awaking with a start to briefly indulge in nibbling at an irritating feather or moving out of the way of a blundering Wigeon or clumsy Shoveler, it remained steadfastly asleep </span><span style="font-family: times;">at the water's edge</span><span style="font-family: times;"> below the bund. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT6SCxqZeaYkKh5xPFOdf7bOUtxhmYHOzQ9R0YBlpuxjjc_NUJBM-fjB7z5pxaWdw451PwmYA0UkRZphETHAW3ysbJHZ1k03fXyXDEEk8b-XTt6vnn03Ehhk3SVps7Ax2N9tdFRPadfftoc63DcZLnsttdPyYeyVcH0-QgyYSOc7ke2sf3M1OkdS9nuvS/s2856/_J9A6290.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="2856" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT6SCxqZeaYkKh5xPFOdf7bOUtxhmYHOzQ9R0YBlpuxjjc_NUJBM-fjB7z5pxaWdw451PwmYA0UkRZphETHAW3ysbJHZ1k03fXyXDEEk8b-XTt6vnn03Ehhk3SVps7Ax2N9tdFRPadfftoc63DcZLnsttdPyYeyVcH0-QgyYSOc7ke2sf3M1OkdS9nuvS/w640-h562/_J9A6290.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">To while away the time I admired the ducks swimming about on the flash. Remarkably confiding for truly wild birds, they seem to know they are safe from human threat here and consequently show relatively little fear. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Handsome Wigeon drakes, sumptuous in their pastel colours, punctuated the air with loud whistles while pocket sized Teal, squat, rotund and equally colourful, contributed their peculiar cricket like calls. I reflected on how few ducks actually quack. Only female Mallards and Gadwalls indulge in the traditional loud 'quack'</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMhWbAEIWynHRPyYd2gKd0Dtw3jTLKGiogrJOzlfJ928jx55CzZ3d_EUfwNksspvyb9MJeytldAIJIQYQNAgjws6Zb7gxh0QnCiofIOCGu8ibbgzTGcz06k3AL3sxBWnAdsbP6Dz3VqHdj2mkzA1-V-qQeKQHMyYwriJQF_n9k37yk92Myi1uuCWP1V7Q/s3408/_J9A6174.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="3408" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMhWbAEIWynHRPyYd2gKd0Dtw3jTLKGiogrJOzlfJ928jx55CzZ3d_EUfwNksspvyb9MJeytldAIJIQYQNAgjws6Zb7gxh0QnCiofIOCGu8ibbgzTGcz06k3AL3sxBWnAdsbP6Dz3VqHdj2mkzA1-V-qQeKQHMyYwriJQF_n9k37yk92Myi1uuCWP1V7Q/w640-h520/_J9A6174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3ih3OV0LJIHE-ZEUz2853S6J5b0-72ZOe54IwdMks1mabZzoSLrEI1a1jwkmHTv0MzjoDJVNtn2DXt7fFEcv0AfB08Zx5SMn9NwwhE_E6qpQt_qGbhNAlRGMYs6qp4vfn_k1GKtEXzMkOaEtPR6m2u-uZbbsOe8uIa1MA4mWqHTaWo9nGlN1QSzZbbw1/s2047/_J9A5328.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="1970" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3ih3OV0LJIHE-ZEUz2853S6J5b0-72ZOe54IwdMks1mabZzoSLrEI1a1jwkmHTv0MzjoDJVNtn2DXt7fFEcv0AfB08Zx5SMn9NwwhE_E6qpQt_qGbhNAlRGMYs6qp4vfn_k1GKtEXzMkOaEtPR6m2u-uZbbsOe8uIa1MA4mWqHTaWo9nGlN1QSzZbbw1/w385-h400/_J9A5328.JPG" width="385" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57QOnJrcBK0px9KbNvF9SEJlJlD4MYf79j04EQoz6Twewt7y8e9k-KzoENvQjo3_zYbQE7bsKR21bpVmleoLsJXEoZgCYiAQ5PAUpcyGHxaoOqiXQLaGAc4KB0MH95wIg8NN_rGWSWmCCNn-qKyepwv_TZ6dxiIbo-UzfSHYUC68uW7pMY6aViDYDPEbE/s4269/_J9A5326.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3100" data-original-width="4269" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57QOnJrcBK0px9KbNvF9SEJlJlD4MYf79j04EQoz6Twewt7y8e9k-KzoENvQjo3_zYbQE7bsKR21bpVmleoLsJXEoZgCYiAQ5PAUpcyGHxaoOqiXQLaGAc4KB0MH95wIg8NN_rGWSWmCCNn-qKyepwv_TZ6dxiIbo-UzfSHYUC68uW7pMY6aViDYDPEbE/w400-h290/_J9A5326.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TKCYRnN5JHEStb8AGkFPfcjlLxTH4YcCSaGE8Jb1uQmrPGvQ5LP7wt3kK2J6DibieoA8XiqnvXFHFJq4oPokxRbh5chYv0pON4Hb4hY4eoCKq7iyIiQbixodglwV6lVVDaWKtpXEBQg39FP-VqgUwu1fphwXfzc4zpDxVyiszed1A_Sk1YNmasxdJW2z/s4306/_J9A6354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3415" data-original-width="4306" height="509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TKCYRnN5JHEStb8AGkFPfcjlLxTH4YcCSaGE8Jb1uQmrPGvQ5LP7wt3kK2J6DibieoA8XiqnvXFHFJq4oPokxRbh5chYv0pON4Hb4hY4eoCKq7iyIiQbixodglwV6lVVDaWKtpXEBQg39FP-VqgUwu1fphwXfzc4zpDxVyiszed1A_Sk1YNmasxdJW2z/w640-h509/_J9A6354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Shovelers, the males fabulously coloured, you could almost call them exotic, and with an enormous black spatulate bill, rarely make a sound but when the drakes fly their wings produce a distinct loud whirring or humming sound, more so than other duck species.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmM4AOTjTXOTlIIwsi74pdlCrEIepKJG3y8A5tWsoIQmUxwKdHLr2xSJ0mGP-q2EffkVB2vA_kVVh_JIy7tDaCvddzCZYqoYL1s-r0dTK7NIHhmuEBo5ljHiG3lGYlB02sw-XSaq_qyc8kJ_2ZF9B05OGPbOWiZ3Mkrqkl-gkrc_GUoVEsLqwma99iUox/s5564/_J9A6443.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4469" data-original-width="5564" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmM4AOTjTXOTlIIwsi74pdlCrEIepKJG3y8A5tWsoIQmUxwKdHLr2xSJ0mGP-q2EffkVB2vA_kVVh_JIy7tDaCvddzCZYqoYL1s-r0dTK7NIHhmuEBo5ljHiG3lGYlB02sw-XSaq_qyc8kJ_2ZF9B05OGPbOWiZ3Mkrqkl-gkrc_GUoVEsLqwma99iUox/w400-h321/_J9A6443.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-HoMSUgfEH4aWCuRze0lePbWTne0oq4AczuPRyqmoJHQZv7jfWnaI4S3nei4e5oU2a758KSP-18z_VOQ7FIo7zwPkDe1q0mkH4PXPDlTcAOK1mHp-TSpg6vgBrZjfo-I7TEMe8n8m0pLq6sTbcHAkHXfdG3vRzIncV5tiJXJNmvZS5rm9IA1FEfGeXiY/s4665/_J9A6542.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3862" data-original-width="4665" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-HoMSUgfEH4aWCuRze0lePbWTne0oq4AczuPRyqmoJHQZv7jfWnaI4S3nei4e5oU2a758KSP-18z_VOQ7FIo7zwPkDe1q0mkH4PXPDlTcAOK1mHp-TSpg6vgBrZjfo-I7TEMe8n8m0pLq6sTbcHAkHXfdG3vRzIncV5tiJXJNmvZS5rm9IA1FEfGeXiY/w640-h530/_J9A6542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span>After an hour and with no indication <i>The Legs</i> was about to leave the land of nod we thought better of it and retired to the Cafe for a coffee. A sensible move as it was possible to sit inside by a window and keep an eye on <i>The Legs</i> in case it woke up and started moving about. Half an hour later w</span><span>e returned outside to resume looking longingly at the sleeping bird, willing it to move but it showed no indication it was about to co-operate.</span></span></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The ducks, in the meantime provided endless entertainment, a support act if you like but the star turn was still not ready to participate. We returned to the Cafe for another coffee. It was now approaching three hours that<i> The Legs</i> had been, for the most part asleep.Would it ever wake up?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">A RSPB volunteer cheerily told us how well it had been showing earlier in the morning prior to our arrival. Birders are used to this, it happens all too often and I have even done it myself. We try to put on a brave face but it can be very annoying. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sat in the Cafe, Mark for the umpteenth time checked on<i> The Legs</i> with his bins. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was not under the bund!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A quick scan revealed it was feeding very close to the car park fence and here was our opportunity to make our long wait a successful one. A mild panic ensued as I endeavoured to finish my soup and roll as fast as possible. Mark grabbed his camera and bins and made for the door with me following in some disarray. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A volunteer laughed as we made haste for the door, having obviously seen this behaviour before</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Yellowlegs woken up has it lads</i>?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Outside we quickly crossed the few yards to the fence and there in all its loveliness was <i>The Legs</i> wandering across the flooded grass picking items from the waterlogged ground. '<i>Legs</i>' is an apposite nickname as its bright yellow legs are what catch your eye. Long, both above and below the knee with thin delicate toes they supported a slim tapered body that made its way </span><span style="font-family: times;">through the water </span><span style="font-family: times;">with no little</span><span style="font-family: times;"> grace and poise as it searched for food.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A supremely elegant bird that from a distance appeared ash grey above and white below but when seen closer, the intricate patterning on its upperparts and the thin black bars on its white tail became readily apparent. Its movements were almost balletic at times as it extended its legs, even crossing them as it pirouetted to snatch a morsel from the water. Slimmer than a Redshank it was the long legs that imparted that extra refinement.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihF9HgnCW5zlDl8q7aa-nxyVvB_b-r4jkZAdd9mIkAqSUT7Ox6AuuDhz4-PWHsKOWfdi0TfKGCtepsaF7oqzWhJ5JQna_aPdhJApju_nhxAhRUrJ_gtAUgXLBNWKb1qEly3G8lxd7d_cq74XDgh3U16ZokB6eCBla67N40NB3vibf_edwolB9yBK8GKvrG/s4096/_J9A6861.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3563" data-original-width="4096" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihF9HgnCW5zlDl8q7aa-nxyVvB_b-r4jkZAdd9mIkAqSUT7Ox6AuuDhz4-PWHsKOWfdi0TfKGCtepsaF7oqzWhJ5JQna_aPdhJApju_nhxAhRUrJ_gtAUgXLBNWKb1qEly3G8lxd7d_cq74XDgh3U16ZokB6eCBla67N40NB3vibf_edwolB9yBK8GKvrG/w400-h348/_J9A6861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKoVnaMZ4B8jLShEWgsA6QA3ui1VcI2fCSRZVm7n4dqRHrindwGfgaXsmRNhAe2r__ln_m-9WRBU6re66HYwd5wHNOAvpIC3D-gxrIy-hylqJSlt26KAaEzRaxlEwNYb47CwUi_mhUXT9W2VVI_t0vBsfeRW-QRHYxEV1W1lord-82jDuVPoU1SNjYXD8/s6732/_J9A6870.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4376" data-original-width="6732" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKoVnaMZ4B8jLShEWgsA6QA3ui1VcI2fCSRZVm7n4dqRHrindwGfgaXsmRNhAe2r__ln_m-9WRBU6re66HYwd5wHNOAvpIC3D-gxrIy-hylqJSlt26KAaEzRaxlEwNYb47CwUi_mhUXT9W2VVI_t0vBsfeRW-QRHYxEV1W1lord-82jDuVPoU1SNjYXD8/w640-h416/_J9A6870.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPC3RtVVOmXq-JlClfrmTGG_b4IVyXhVdWBqX5hB7QUAwYE_RonuV8Oqbngx2xXMTFeXj7IURa0i_F86UMKFX9ntG3PUDtNNdMw0lE7fGi0kdS-qllL0hUOqcWqAsPRVe44DpKVjfzNkq10gOAw2B0lTEdHMEcN7abL0IDWx0kfWMXNV4IxuBg7pYo02f/s4640/_J9A6881.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="3420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPC3RtVVOmXq-JlClfrmTGG_b4IVyXhVdWBqX5hB7QUAwYE_RonuV8Oqbngx2xXMTFeXj7IURa0i_F86UMKFX9ntG3PUDtNNdMw0lE7fGi0kdS-qllL0hUOqcWqAsPRVe44DpKVjfzNkq10gOAw2B0lTEdHMEcN7abL0IDWx0kfWMXNV4IxuBg7pYo02f/w472-h640/_J9A6881.JPG" width="472" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNBBx5oazqiRszUpuLE9jAqy_J7rzcfyKFa_pLNTL_I5GgR9lg1meuTtD_XbTR1i7dvNFm0McAQnJW9_oxyYpfqhrVHX7rpIHvVl_g5gcGrR9ZSRYXGY3o0xbE-2qwWZQIwBe9G6vvuMB9IrnkYHxtAIOYl3ExZWywVwKnjzaLOPe15sV1Z7S487Sg6Ji/s6960/_J9A6893.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNBBx5oazqiRszUpuLE9jAqy_J7rzcfyKFa_pLNTL_I5GgR9lg1meuTtD_XbTR1i7dvNFm0McAQnJW9_oxyYpfqhrVHX7rpIHvVl_g5gcGrR9ZSRYXGY3o0xbE-2qwWZQIwBe9G6vvuMB9IrnkYHxtAIOYl3ExZWywVwKnjzaLOPe15sV1Z7S487Sg6Ji/w400-h266/_J9A6893.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qxQviB1Kp4QHR8JmpKS6P3tqvUA_aKgAZP0ywY4agYxiHLX6P4Fh8SayDmLLOWtQSBVwcJzvzfqV2R7QMdP9KVKC9mLOV3SX9m1vtHN6PEHdboOGv3aJMjGPMv0858zkPfVJtsSz7KK_zYNu_e3Mb2M42z3AKnZj7J2MfF6T-aXHjkxR-ca6Pcyw99fs/s4596/_J9A6894.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4094" data-original-width="4596" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qxQviB1Kp4QHR8JmpKS6P3tqvUA_aKgAZP0ywY4agYxiHLX6P4Fh8SayDmLLOWtQSBVwcJzvzfqV2R7QMdP9KVKC9mLOV3SX9m1vtHN6PEHdboOGv3aJMjGPMv0858zkPfVJtsSz7KK_zYNu_e3Mb2M42z3AKnZj7J2MfF6T-aXHjkxR-ca6Pcyw99fs/w400-h356/_J9A6894.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtPn8i-iFWjs4ay9AhNYGeExl8aVj8MYTwwh-fCsQLdr4gqNORY2mo4Z9KIzhv2-gfzuwtiVPKySujmnwnHaaKXEKH9JmMGJHooRsTd3zY8VFPJO9aDiCABFs6C5wGNI5ks_HkdN7oi61YR_we_2QDelzXNWjQNRk6-LjX-bmbkN-gxyQP9UpomvuOAGd/s6960/_J9A6916.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtPn8i-iFWjs4ay9AhNYGeExl8aVj8MYTwwh-fCsQLdr4gqNORY2mo4Z9KIzhv2-gfzuwtiVPKySujmnwnHaaKXEKH9JmMGJHooRsTd3zY8VFPJO9aDiCABFs6C5wGNI5ks_HkdN7oi61YR_we_2QDelzXNWjQNRk6-LjX-bmbkN-gxyQP9UpomvuOAGd/w640-h426/_J9A6916.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimA7f69SZv6dTPE4WtIEjDAA5U_Ht1PlOridRt8e7eidsFCaku2BHVq0EMpGDAi2biXXH0FMBYBKDWvDyZ-ORZ2EY_OQFiqX-iKHZpDrn0Zr27TsmD5NOI9PuPKjnQFd2geinLYCCLQ_dE0NV-a3U4izcUs3aiCLjy9JXnfGfdkKECACi2_EUqszb3Jfi3/s4640/_J9A6941.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="4300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimA7f69SZv6dTPE4WtIEjDAA5U_Ht1PlOridRt8e7eidsFCaku2BHVq0EMpGDAi2biXXH0FMBYBKDWvDyZ-ORZ2EY_OQFiqX-iKHZpDrn0Zr27TsmD5NOI9PuPKjnQFd2geinLYCCLQ_dE0NV-a3U4izcUs3aiCLjy9JXnfGfdkKECACi2_EUqszb3Jfi3/w594-h640/_J9A6941.JPG" width="594" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Others joined us but we were never more than half a dozen in number, watching and photographing. It has been here so long that most people with a mind to see it have already done so. A grey, inauspicious Wednesday probably also helped to quell the numbers of visitors too.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For ten maybe fifteen minutes it held the stage as it paraded before us, so very close at times and apparently not bothered by us edging even closer to it. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVq_i5-haFU4-2vbvN81A6mbtQfJzUGooWCYWYhHG3Ku_QnylJx0gTKeIcZBsVUqvOzWhOfzxM2gVpXxUyz-VNG6MBZsZ0x76NSJDee_kDrzCuxceoEi45pWaoSUngVqFzQsnFP_PfpiGieGzlA4KTJL814nf1uLCQdIgSH3a_pNa8ExrwZQoXHvixXbo/s5712/_J9A7106.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5712" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVq_i5-haFU4-2vbvN81A6mbtQfJzUGooWCYWYhHG3Ku_QnylJx0gTKeIcZBsVUqvOzWhOfzxM2gVpXxUyz-VNG6MBZsZ0x76NSJDee_kDrzCuxceoEi45pWaoSUngVqFzQsnFP_PfpiGieGzlA4KTJL814nf1uLCQdIgSH3a_pNa8ExrwZQoXHvixXbo/w640-h520/_J9A7106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo4AFXsdMVqGP-P8-KdX7eyOeYMYKdXzApgH5um8IbNwhl6iMuK3TPZGzxzDiFMjjum1vy1I-kgGu5DHC3hs7GjgZBcKpzlQ1zJ6gLxOWjUEpQW3Q-g24uWzdzLlDaN50i3yNZEucX-8L1VyYcV6HlQyY5xL4XIV_0ixKTTMjFS8cc2Er7ooQerOuNhd2/s6240/_J9A7118.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6240" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo4AFXsdMVqGP-P8-KdX7eyOeYMYKdXzApgH5um8IbNwhl6iMuK3TPZGzxzDiFMjjum1vy1I-kgGu5DHC3hs7GjgZBcKpzlQ1zJ6gLxOWjUEpQW3Q-g24uWzdzLlDaN50i3yNZEucX-8L1VyYcV6HlQyY5xL4XIV_0ixKTTMjFS8cc2Er7ooQerOuNhd2/w400-h297/_J9A7118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7jBrS8qQL0mnY37GPvrx7g1L4Dk9V2I-KlMpTZTZHghVsC9WKHm7vPDZWdXpMP4dKDGyRcbNXI1bY0jSwCXcekyxZIuCl2MjgigIj-lG6NRV6nI224e2Uy3OiX4NROAGKBwrKytFLirqp67OzfTD-cJWV17IgB4Hh-UNBRlRAbrof6OVJawRO3CkIubj/s4447/_J9A7175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4372" data-original-width="4447" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7jBrS8qQL0mnY37GPvrx7g1L4Dk9V2I-KlMpTZTZHghVsC9WKHm7vPDZWdXpMP4dKDGyRcbNXI1bY0jSwCXcekyxZIuCl2MjgigIj-lG6NRV6nI224e2Uy3OiX4NROAGKBwrKytFLirqp67OzfTD-cJWV17IgB4Hh-UNBRlRAbrof6OVJawRO3CkIubj/w640-h630/_J9A7175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDktkmDLHmDNtTbhembRCn_VCnlfqiWXI5gieyO4n4R9aufZElEhjK8f6RtR5KFkH3o75Tvz10LAdEMvdEn7n5SEen962KrvQWayx2OR1wyKy2AZXclKziep44qsIov_oKf8Cd3gNfTmKmB_kps3rwA5vNAiDq1ESkTypirTinWxugZFrd60SPnxAEBht/s4504/_J9A7214.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4504" data-original-width="4368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDktkmDLHmDNtTbhembRCn_VCnlfqiWXI5gieyO4n4R9aufZElEhjK8f6RtR5KFkH3o75Tvz10LAdEMvdEn7n5SEen962KrvQWayx2OR1wyKy2AZXclKziep44qsIov_oKf8Cd3gNfTmKmB_kps3rwA5vNAiDq1ESkTypirTinWxugZFrd60SPnxAEBht/w388-h400/_J9A7214.JPG" width="388" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDHgDCQkanlrRzNod_TNlm0DCDD531AAazr6ebs9zrvwydYl6c5PYASnikQ2mISHbIRz2cnRKsEfZyTtdx0J1QmbzwOQVy0utNUYhyphenhyphenfa3-malpz68V1Y3SnnXVtDwo1xk3dSFwwlN2hxNsHNH3NHb7auO6hnr05KuQxV1vUsB9Jc7nbNviIix7an-WhSN/s3207/_J9A7320.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2894" data-original-width="3207" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDHgDCQkanlrRzNod_TNlm0DCDD531AAazr6ebs9zrvwydYl6c5PYASnikQ2mISHbIRz2cnRKsEfZyTtdx0J1QmbzwOQVy0utNUYhyphenhyphenfa3-malpz68V1Y3SnnXVtDwo1xk3dSFwwlN2hxNsHNH3NHb7auO6hnr05KuQxV1vUsB9Jc7nbNviIix7an-WhSN/w640-h578/_J9A7320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5l5t_NUXEJNPV5aaY-19QZCP5SHH5iBuKt0qne3IfXUkadkDIG3EmT7k9tiky0C_JwjrvTu9SW-4hEAPE2B7Muo7zDfOxgCC0Wk6exTi9RmCfBFlcT_2cThWT2wwXtVGmdnqXg5fRcQ_SB2r3evG967rrpuIjsAtdsSPKJ_ccxXKARqbIn7TNDzb2IcGR/s3155/_J9A7491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3155" data-original-width="2219" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5l5t_NUXEJNPV5aaY-19QZCP5SHH5iBuKt0qne3IfXUkadkDIG3EmT7k9tiky0C_JwjrvTu9SW-4hEAPE2B7Muo7zDfOxgCC0Wk6exTi9RmCfBFlcT_2cThWT2wwXtVGmdnqXg5fRcQ_SB2r3evG967rrpuIjsAtdsSPKJ_ccxXKARqbIn7TNDzb2IcGR/w281-h400/_J9A7491.JPG" width="281" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRXlPxgICYJevX0jYuBC5XrIYEyEOLs4hSa2mCMyCRdvxMjts7vvywkGe6roqOW3HlUHvbzeNE1BVkM37QxLfOlUnzcshP1k3NSEFZus-hIHHNVOSLz17J9FWSTPVF6B4IXlsB0mHB5eP39il-HKq8lstRJrJJuDwuZXnvMN5lTABCoPDHgOI1JmKYPF0/s4182/_J9A7514.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2383" data-original-width="4182" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRXlPxgICYJevX0jYuBC5XrIYEyEOLs4hSa2mCMyCRdvxMjts7vvywkGe6roqOW3HlUHvbzeNE1BVkM37QxLfOlUnzcshP1k3NSEFZus-hIHHNVOSLz17J9FWSTPVF6B4IXlsB0mHB5eP39il-HKq8lstRJrJJuDwuZXnvMN5lTABCoPDHgOI1JmKYPF0/w400-h228/_J9A7514.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlPzG32PPOXmnYVAbm5BUXD0narjH61tMNLJwSi9Q43Pmwtobu_1c4J2hz1KhtbjcGOFyb1LqyVJ-qOE133dmQsIoR6jRfo7LUeSaWXQ5DZPzADZm0GWEQsAJQdP9rTy8emcPrqCVkhwQ_EMZpKFIk1ut6dlcz2ZuhKXVa294DqBF0DNJm1sh595Scuga/s5064/_J9A7576.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4162" data-original-width="5064" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlPzG32PPOXmnYVAbm5BUXD0narjH61tMNLJwSi9Q43Pmwtobu_1c4J2hz1KhtbjcGOFyb1LqyVJ-qOE133dmQsIoR6jRfo7LUeSaWXQ5DZPzADZm0GWEQsAJQdP9rTy8emcPrqCVkhwQ_EMZpKFIk1ut6dlcz2ZuhKXVa294DqBF0DNJm1sh595Scuga/w640-h526/_J9A7576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8J-_BYDJ0mcNE5Yja6PevjxNNbJDzsv_blrHhmlFb7rhrbtO8rU2HKrAR1mPJeYODkSTDlJrv27IIFcL9UNToGsyXMyqfhC_CU4zEgNvuOpO5X6awts9cWHRVYZmnKBWxryfcGuPhPODrFnI69De7O3MqsJm1BSTk79-5_IJp7CFwn4yczgX_1A-vWLQ/s2328/_J9A7707.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2243" data-original-width="2328" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8J-_BYDJ0mcNE5Yja6PevjxNNbJDzsv_blrHhmlFb7rhrbtO8rU2HKrAR1mPJeYODkSTDlJrv27IIFcL9UNToGsyXMyqfhC_CU4zEgNvuOpO5X6awts9cWHRVYZmnKBWxryfcGuPhPODrFnI69De7O3MqsJm1BSTk79-5_IJp7CFwn4yczgX_1A-vWLQ/w400-h385/_J9A7707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJEDEwOD3J3n7cj7MoEyBKYjGEK7HKXQKkyX1F-pJtwU0ihVckNPXOB03hHxZpQ9EgBtzHJoJb69YGIyYRgXczfcvS3U5JFOdh0fDbKkbjsf979CI25y5WAVTyVc6Sx6_dsUoREZeMKRW2G3gtlUJeQB9YwGN26C-JPKER1ZWRVyl5tq2Ep-ECTD2Oyy7/s2776/_J9A7731.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2654" data-original-width="2776" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJEDEwOD3J3n7cj7MoEyBKYjGEK7HKXQKkyX1F-pJtwU0ihVckNPXOB03hHxZpQ9EgBtzHJoJb69YGIyYRgXczfcvS3U5JFOdh0fDbKkbjsf979CI25y5WAVTyVc6Sx6_dsUoREZeMKRW2G3gtlUJeQB9YwGN26C-JPKER1ZWRVyl5tq2Ep-ECTD2Oyy7/w400-h383/_J9A7731.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrC_lfvpMSOIacfdrVq_4-Ch6PFT8BJRWMq5b4QZdPhHy5M3OMS6IM8bGK_ZVpRdY37F7P3bwdtnWgE7kgiAVYItqb49jHl8njWR0dXC8V25ZJrGikLVSWz8xvEx04T8KIrhxxGRPyQXjrLspxmD3NapT_HRQX1G0pocdq-erFsq8qxsQISxIRU8CthE1/s3114/_J9A7748.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2872" data-original-width="3114" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrC_lfvpMSOIacfdrVq_4-Ch6PFT8BJRWMq5b4QZdPhHy5M3OMS6IM8bGK_ZVpRdY37F7P3bwdtnWgE7kgiAVYItqb49jHl8njWR0dXC8V25ZJrGikLVSWz8xvEx04T8KIrhxxGRPyQXjrLspxmD3NapT_HRQX1G0pocdq-erFsq8qxsQISxIRU8CthE1/w640-h590/_J9A7748.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLMgysa0E8a74qgrnWVAp9a4J1kuwfVNiA8CRBHGCQyypCFxT6iEto2_VPUPDBSw9mXIG5HqxmWFu2jesxXC5iMfpfr3q85BvTcW1d0pbsZsvjyoT2silE0iIzcZnjj7aqG6NdjHdp6raRYFwSeZp5LFGZ95Ar9xm5G8tRaZ-HbzXXDrVrSwpKZl1lS8v/s2738/_J9A7782.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2738" data-original-width="1378" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLMgysa0E8a74qgrnWVAp9a4J1kuwfVNiA8CRBHGCQyypCFxT6iEto2_VPUPDBSw9mXIG5HqxmWFu2jesxXC5iMfpfr3q85BvTcW1d0pbsZsvjyoT2silE0iIzcZnjj7aqG6NdjHdp6raRYFwSeZp5LFGZ95Ar9xm5G8tRaZ-HbzXXDrVrSwpKZl1lS8v/w322-h640/_J9A7782.JPG" width="322" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoDpP3QxHAxjXO1huwJ-XFxF8sQX8vJGB4ztaCdUKkgqQJXCpmskrf0G1h0iJd8t5Po5N6FhP8xFUApctK11hxHWtjI_HjJsEWeHlOnNOrDzx2MZLRWSroiEkL8JUUFkWQWHu9UyFAiNGqAwzG3SKAVnD6w4txiVvdrnZbor-7NNuGWV5TVY0uVaqQlO5/s2339/_J9A7989.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="2181" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoDpP3QxHAxjXO1huwJ-XFxF8sQX8vJGB4ztaCdUKkgqQJXCpmskrf0G1h0iJd8t5Po5N6FhP8xFUApctK11hxHWtjI_HjJsEWeHlOnNOrDzx2MZLRWSroiEkL8JUUFkWQWHu9UyFAiNGqAwzG3SKAVnD6w4txiVvdrnZbor-7NNuGWV5TVY0uVaqQlO5/w373-h400/_J9A7989.JPG" width="373" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianzW0lkFiCb3XShGHD5H7AoRe468kTrKYzW_DRldeuvDc0xm2HWRuPQ6jygxb2Pmin4oLvm-ESjM7FTHplOUqKa7b8xlSizsBAgIyFTlLhmGEtgP2dLogrRueV6az_n2VMTM6-UejHmE0IKjWAIUaeNbWvBYp7QDPi8vOE-pGpzjz8T6prBE2Z-8knxo2/s3294/_J9A8236.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1689" data-original-width="3294" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianzW0lkFiCb3XShGHD5H7AoRe468kTrKYzW_DRldeuvDc0xm2HWRuPQ6jygxb2Pmin4oLvm-ESjM7FTHplOUqKa7b8xlSizsBAgIyFTlLhmGEtgP2dLogrRueV6az_n2VMTM6-UejHmE0IKjWAIUaeNbWvBYp7QDPi8vOE-pGpzjz8T6prBE2Z-8knxo2/w640-h328/_J9A8236.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was joined by a Ruff, dumpier in form, appearing slighty hunch backed, shorter and thicker legged it was no contest as to which was the belle of the ball. <i>The Legs</i> eventually flew further out onto the flooded fields but soon returned to go to sleep by its favourite bund.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFevod6WUexOvMEeors8RorexXvJlTAMlrh58_ERAtwr2lCyo-CTh1bJQbEdv5k45guFAcM72TllpfpyPkVAMRs7JrKFVR1oOj6vwbC7hyphenhyphen1i_ZCu19rPZ4NX3XbiBd4DfbUEeZD0I7S9oZ3iH_4zqcU804JX9FUJmiIUF6joBhdc-7ACXyMwbP8r1w-qHA/s2950/_J9A8412.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="2950" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFevod6WUexOvMEeors8RorexXvJlTAMlrh58_ERAtwr2lCyo-CTh1bJQbEdv5k45guFAcM72TllpfpyPkVAMRs7JrKFVR1oOj6vwbC7hyphenhyphen1i_ZCu19rPZ4NX3XbiBd4DfbUEeZD0I7S9oZ3iH_4zqcU804JX9FUJmiIUF6joBhdc-7ACXyMwbP8r1w-qHA/w400-h391/_J9A8412.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwWYoTb0rBhx2eQFhHqEMJC0r_2McisvxCLBMGF3D5CVhdtUPOaz15GKBYlDaC2gww_79r01Hqp-Wqwbn8YL12eaFR-RBYca96QaBICFvNeE311dBYgqor5nhibihnrOJWW7WXLigMMytv-dePYcAOyLpFPButuKydfJs3laxhPc8KOxYpsi8rwIqceA/s3053/_J9A8740.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2345" data-original-width="3053" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwWYoTb0rBhx2eQFhHqEMJC0r_2McisvxCLBMGF3D5CVhdtUPOaz15GKBYlDaC2gww_79r01Hqp-Wqwbn8YL12eaFR-RBYca96QaBICFvNeE311dBYgqor5nhibihnrOJWW7WXLigMMytv-dePYcAOyLpFPButuKydfJs3laxhPc8KOxYpsi8rwIqceA/w640-h492/_J9A8740.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The Lesser Yellowlegs and a Ruff</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We waited another hour for it to wake up which it eventually did but after a vigorous and extended session of bathing and preening, a panicked flock of Wigeon that had so recently been cropping the grass nearby took fright and.</span><span style="font-family: times;">flew further out onto the reserve taking <i>The Legs</i> with them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonPyu6-tA8TYCLlchjzkxmTQDrSpZvfBWCvHbvFxoPWZjd2c9d-DCTSgM7K1MXzS0NZgPuBqr0IRsDqKdsC_zjyz4cUZqRvX4SEqvYQW76HNaeKiLN5tH5iktC855GvYSLayj9uQWKtYCkUqIQeqLT45kkOMFad7YEtX-h6q4OHdP0QBNDeddd4wzukZz/s4530/_J9A8837.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4530" data-original-width="4402" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonPyu6-tA8TYCLlchjzkxmTQDrSpZvfBWCvHbvFxoPWZjd2c9d-DCTSgM7K1MXzS0NZgPuBqr0IRsDqKdsC_zjyz4cUZqRvX4SEqvYQW76HNaeKiLN5tH5iktC855GvYSLayj9uQWKtYCkUqIQeqLT45kkOMFad7YEtX-h6q4OHdP0QBNDeddd4wzukZz/w389-h400/_J9A8837.JPG" width="389" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was three in the afternoon and clouds were gathering so we reluctantly took our leave of <i>The Legs</i> and the pleasant reserve it currently graces.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br />Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-76568243246246315642024-02-04T15:36:00.000-08:002024-02-27T11:29:31.338-08:00My Local Stonechats 3rd February 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHJAsL7ysf3RcpqCZwjgwmX9FNH9eoDTQB4peJk18dyUIA-opfsBbRIa8QN09ZkfG5ifZTYh1Ug8SJwTFle1ksQlB-L8vdjG3bzeU1bMBPIcZHvBDixT_cns1e2zTQgq4etvueVNSvaMpNw0BHdHSZt0AhNIV1aT8t8_nngITbuGsmQJWtVbrJDjdFfBL/s1799/_J9A2995.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHJAsL7ysf3RcpqCZwjgwmX9FNH9eoDTQB4peJk18dyUIA-opfsBbRIa8QN09ZkfG5ifZTYh1Ug8SJwTFle1ksQlB-L8vdjG3bzeU1bMBPIcZHvBDixT_cns1e2zTQgq4etvueVNSvaMpNw0BHdHSZt0AhNIV1aT8t8_nngITbuGsmQJWtVbrJDjdFfBL/w524-h640/_J9A2995.JPG" width="524" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Saturday. A sunny but blustery Saturday morning. Another visit to my local Farmoor Reservoir. Eschewing the normal entrance to the reservoir that grants access to the main car park I drove up a lane at the back of the reservoir and left my car in a small discrete layby.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">From here I walked through a small wood, following a narrow footpath that wound its way outside but close to the perimeter of the reservoir. It felt almost Spring like here, sheltered as it was from the wind and under blue skies with the calls of Great Tits chiming through the sunlit bare trees.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I had chosen to leave the car here as I knew that a combination of good weather and it being a Saturday would render the reservoir busy as both fishermen and the yacht club took to the water while, by way of relaxation many people would be walking the perimeter track that encircles the reservoir's two basins then maybe paying a visit to the popular Waterside Cafe at the yachting marina.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It is rare for anyone apart from birders to choose to divert from the perceived security and convenience of the tarmac perimeter track and take to the more scenic but so much muddier Thames Path that lies adjacent and below the reservoir's retaining banks. Not that I am complaining as it is </span><span style="font-family: times;">in such undisturbed areas</span><span style="font-family: times;"> one has a much better chance to find birds. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Contrarily a pair of European Stonechats have decided to spend their winter in an unprepossessing neglected area very close to the reservoir's perimeter track but as far as suffering from any disturbance from those walking the reservoir goes may as well be a mile away. It is an unlikely looking place, a mown hay meadow that slopes down to the Thames from a. plastic coated chain link fence that once served as a barrier to the reservoir but is now bent and twisted and in severe need of repair or replacement, demonstrating yet more evidence of the neglect that a cash strapped Thames Water shows (apart to shareholders) towards both the infrastructure and natural environment for which they are responsible.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniYk5s_80yV8Zm0hy7HJbSMyQ71c1YJoarAbme2C4VqEpmAVPLHFAQMXsXoVKt33c1yMjhx1twE35gUZAhxu_2SQRIKIwTJ4ToXw3Zdy1-HYEpckBFVS_hOGPDEOzZ-mvrfE4jHUD9H2OGjVSF3iEZHTTGXTwrnFzBTJjozhAkWlfQXY8ZXOmW9a4LJOr/s3735/_J9A2227.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2919" data-original-width="3735" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniYk5s_80yV8Zm0hy7HJbSMyQ71c1YJoarAbme2C4VqEpmAVPLHFAQMXsXoVKt33c1yMjhx1twE35gUZAhxu_2SQRIKIwTJ4ToXw3Zdy1-HYEpckBFVS_hOGPDEOzZ-mvrfE4jHUD9H2OGjVSF3iEZHTTGXTwrnFzBTJjozhAkWlfQXY8ZXOmW9a4LJOr/w400-h313/_J9A2227.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The stonechats spend most of their time perched on the top of the fence, dropping down a few feet to seize their invertebrate prey from the ground below and then returning to the fence for further surveillance. It makes sense as with the lack of any tall vegetation on which to perch, they have, in the elevated vantage point of the fence a substitute vantage point that affords them a better opportunity of sighting their prey of ants, spiders, caterpillars and the like.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHx1_jt43SvsLw4i0J658Dj0A1NsbEZYIlh9dmuX9W7xrtHsTVmN4Qx-fZ1OvCIJUl7iiPaPGCSHpAWarmTTkUtYwp6dbKmiJwmYj9HXtTVweB1SERxzDCtvvj-K53RjtdQdyBXaHbUpdoiwEjQZyWSB7tUHLBU_oKP6ogX_uElojUbgAgLDZdTUH1WUbt/s5730/_J9A2893.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2991" data-original-width="5730" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHx1_jt43SvsLw4i0J658Dj0A1NsbEZYIlh9dmuX9W7xrtHsTVmN4Qx-fZ1OvCIJUl7iiPaPGCSHpAWarmTTkUtYwp6dbKmiJwmYj9HXtTVweB1SERxzDCtvvj-K53RjtdQdyBXaHbUpdoiwEjQZyWSB7tUHLBU_oKP6ogX_uElojUbgAgLDZdTUH1WUbt/w640-h334/_J9A2893.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The pair of European Stonechats - female left and male right</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The wind was uncomfortably strong as I approached the fence, sweeping in from the southwest across the water meadows, so recently flooded by the swollen, fast running River Thames that flows through them. I was expecting the stonechats to have abandoned the exposed fence in favour of somewhere more sheltered as the force of the wind would surely make life very uncomfortable for such small birds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I should have known better as they are tough and well capable of withstanding most extremes of our capricious winter weather.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I surveyed the fence with my binoculars and felt a surge of pleasure as I found the male perched face on into the wind and showing no ill effect from its bluster. The female soon joined him on the fence a few metres further along. I walked slowly towards them but they were having none of it and moved further down the fence when I was still distant.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The male disappeared but the female dropped down to use a couple of ventilation pipes as a hunting perch.I took a couple of images and then she too flew I knew not where, certainly not back to the fence.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8UeFDal7YcywS-VBq5LSRAra2Yy0UC0H81BIiF1JHvLodC9zHqLDJvI0d6WdjW7XrpFBjR453wPZ6hywDh1fEO8eDnNgL-oiqzdB-YEQtoseUdaSBgwT2UQYpG5D5VkZhu_I6toQkqpkvfCmzAQ6s9wTk2zQnPG03J79tEwfJ5u0QuLzLk88sQjDO4VN/s3740/_J9A2242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3740" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8UeFDal7YcywS-VBq5LSRAra2Yy0UC0H81BIiF1JHvLodC9zHqLDJvI0d6WdjW7XrpFBjR453wPZ6hywDh1fEO8eDnNgL-oiqzdB-YEQtoseUdaSBgwT2UQYpG5D5VkZhu_I6toQkqpkvfCmzAQ6s9wTk2zQnPG03J79tEwfJ5u0QuLzLk88sQjDO4VN/w640-h334/_J9A2242.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I gave up looking for them and decided to go to the bird hide at the nearby Pinkhill Reserve to see what if anything might be on the marsh and water in front of it.There had been the excitement of a Great White Egret yesterday but today it was predictably absent. A couple of Little Grebes have adopted the pond in front of the hide and maybe will remain to breed when the rushes and sedge grow up further.The two seem to be a pair, snuggling close to one another, their buff and brown winter colours rendering them almost invisible against the dead reedmace.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Another sure sign of the approaching Spring, which comes ever earlier as our climate warms, is the presence of a pair of Gadwall.Where they come from I do not know but certainly they are absent from the reservoir and its surrounds from late autumn until now. I watched them idly feeding on the wind rippled sunlit water. The drake, superficially dull but on closer inspection a masterpiece of understated beauty, the female similar to a female Mallard but with a distinctive orange band running along the edge of her bill. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw5mgJ6SbJhb2AHcxiKv3NWlSiPPLAvVWsyauW05UPugYTBiKg0w0ZjRH704GwTlIWxDhvSC0kDte-HtC7J1oLQKOlFX_qFYulDYw1uTwQKcfPW4d4VeyKDTVRWtZzuWBDgKMnoT67wrXfC3wuZCeHbk_pm01mZ6BD5RK1fo81izWC5Ua4C2VhsX-tgtx/s3724/_J9A2476.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3724" data-original-width="3624" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw5mgJ6SbJhb2AHcxiKv3NWlSiPPLAvVWsyauW05UPugYTBiKg0w0ZjRH704GwTlIWxDhvSC0kDte-HtC7J1oLQKOlFX_qFYulDYw1uTwQKcfPW4d4VeyKDTVRWtZzuWBDgKMnoT67wrXfC3wuZCeHbk_pm01mZ6BD5RK1fo81izWC5Ua4C2VhsX-tgtx/w389-h400/_J9A2476.JPG" width="389" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30e9N1QFjqztskyblswLNTGewaMD06IA7_usJbkbxYsyhDPAGwHf1o1hCpqtIKupSmM8A07uVjXJkw2N252qMmYcrfjCm338lInV48Z9qK0U9MeWmoLcr1x9SJUETgmYQA2uzj9t03zNGtoF2E7HlNYRycgFwwJii_sEMEZ3PH4eo0hCg7PCZMLr_T4Kk/s2908/_J9A2403.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="2908" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30e9N1QFjqztskyblswLNTGewaMD06IA7_usJbkbxYsyhDPAGwHf1o1hCpqtIKupSmM8A07uVjXJkw2N252qMmYcrfjCm338lInV48Z9qK0U9MeWmoLcr1x9SJUETgmYQA2uzj9t03zNGtoF2E7HlNYRycgFwwJii_sEMEZ3PH4eo0hCg7PCZMLr_T4Kk/w640-h598/_J9A2403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Gadwall</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Teal have also arrived, the drakes, tiny busybodies that fussily swim in circles around the females, before convulsing in display with bowed heads and uplifting of tails, accompanied by musical, cricket like calls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Suddenly there was a panic and scattering of the ducks as a Sparrowhawk flew across the marsh in a slow motion fluttering, swaying flight so different to the usual high speed, low level dash they normally employ when hunting. It was weaving in and out of the bare trunks and branches of the willows and alders at the water's edge, keeping low to the ground, obviously searching for any hiding bird on which to pounce.Maybe a Common Snipe which love to conceal themselves in the waterside sedge below the trees? Unsuccessful in its search it pitched into an Alder, drawing a small gathering of concerned Mallard that congregated on the water in front of it and kept vigil until they saw it depart in that same slow and uncertain flight. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Common Chiffchaff, normally a summer migrant but which has spent the winter around the reserve commenced calling anxiously from the trees on the far bank, possibly alarmed by the recent presence of the Sparrowhawk.</div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I sat alone in the hide for a while. At a loss as to what to do. Unwilling to walk up to the reservoir proper and its over populated perimeter track I took to the lower Thames Path that runs by the river and eventually returned to the stonechats and their favoured fence and meadow. I was now at the bottom of the hay meadow as opposed to the top. Looking up and across the meadow I could see no sign of the stonechats perched on the fence where they would be silhouetted on the skyline.They betray their presence by appearing at distance as distinctive tiny aberrations on the top of the fence, popping up and down as they drop to the ground and back up again. Walking along the lower path and towards the far end of the fence I was expecting nothing but there was a familiar tiny outline. Bins up and I found myself looking at the female stonechat and seconds later the male. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Feeling I had little chance of getting close to them as there was nowhere to conceal myself on such open terrain I considered my options.The birds were at the far end of the fence, close to a copse. Maybe I could walk up at the side of the meadow by the copse as this would to a certain exent conceal my profile although they would undoubtedly be aware of me. I commenced walking very slowly up the slope, praying they remained on the fence. As I got closer the thrill and adrenalin rush of the moment took hold. I was gambling. How close could I get? Could I get a few steps nearer or would they take fright? Slowly I moved ever closer but still they remained on the fence, no longer feeding and now obviously watching me. Closer and closer until I felt one more step would be too much for them.Slowly raising the camera I took as many images as I wanted of the male which was facing me, head on, his fragile body buffeted by each gust of wind, bracing himself to withstand its force by gripping the fence tightly until the gust abated. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuspZ0smpMag1yRx82JqdEW4vJIawXAYGlkqidSktrkGMnhBO5-Sg0vYt4XbNdVYV1pfZbonx2DxTmomjTZ-MDYxAm3kZ0yzIDcCEJgF54a9R4rLO_PmBhLE4WxjLMP7Ppq0ejNkB3SbY2tJSgFiVp1FWpC7Z1VTFWnHKIut-JKdLhw61LtDujv1CXnd0/s1616/_J9A2786.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1330" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuspZ0smpMag1yRx82JqdEW4vJIawXAYGlkqidSktrkGMnhBO5-Sg0vYt4XbNdVYV1pfZbonx2DxTmomjTZ-MDYxAm3kZ0yzIDcCEJgF54a9R4rLO_PmBhLE4WxjLMP7Ppq0ejNkB3SbY2tJSgFiVp1FWpC7Z1VTFWnHKIut-JKdLhw61LtDujv1CXnd0/w526-h640/_J9A2786.JPG" width="526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Male European Stonechat</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1FL_nLz-GY4DDIqsQ9mA8MDKlW8RnREGZswEhaDvs3ro43tDmM0pqSZOPaqso2iq9fc4VjlJ3JjNrCOywUifbM-oMevJ_3-dy5F_pGw42wSfxgputq3KpZR_sS6fCbPkDFHbhpHbCqJ29meRPSuDIsTijZKbpNupB0NKM7syyVt87Sg0zc4nT6gEJJC8/s2296/_J9A3460.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="1746" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1FL_nLz-GY4DDIqsQ9mA8MDKlW8RnREGZswEhaDvs3ro43tDmM0pqSZOPaqso2iq9fc4VjlJ3JjNrCOywUifbM-oMevJ_3-dy5F_pGw42wSfxgputq3KpZR_sS6fCbPkDFHbhpHbCqJ29meRPSuDIsTijZKbpNupB0NKM7syyVt87Sg0zc4nT6gEJJC8/w486-h640/_J9A3460.JPG" width="486" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Female European Stonechat</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01cfkoJ-kVb0K0xZ8NE2QkM2avvq8exzbICPM3VbThDsoR_-4chyphenhyphenL3vRquoYcywqeBOeWH0ikmfV4uSGh33RrtK_7T0UQ46E-k2WcuARZqSA3gVX8JzCIbE-orjBfTUnta6bqiYqJaf9fxeNBG-1_1SZ2fhRqW47JsU2bNAaRh46nqDl3B9Ivvmkohr8z/s1681/_J9A2677.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="1328" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01cfkoJ-kVb0K0xZ8NE2QkM2avvq8exzbICPM3VbThDsoR_-4chyphenhyphenL3vRquoYcywqeBOeWH0ikmfV4uSGh33RrtK_7T0UQ46E-k2WcuARZqSA3gVX8JzCIbE-orjBfTUnta6bqiYqJaf9fxeNBG-1_1SZ2fhRqW47JsU2bNAaRh46nqDl3B9Ivvmkohr8z/w506-h640/_J9A2677.JPG" width="506" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Emboldened by my success I took one step further and it was one step too far and they flew further along the line of the fence. Enough.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">However this is not the end of my story for I decided to go up onto the perimeter track via an access gate and try my luck from the other side of the fence.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The birds were still on the fence as I arrived opposite them on the track and I commenced to walk across the small expanse of grass that separated the track from the fence. </span><span style="font-family: times;">The stonechats were now facing away from me into the wind. </span><span style="font-family: times;">Conscious of curious passersby wondering what I was doing I found the birds allowed me to get as close if not closer to them than before.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8Q7Qk2H-opXxzPkhAAEWvZLJottX5UBULdxlhFF7gm7yDKJul6NipbIV3oXqquABkw8y8TjTa4Lnb12snFY_7FWWoYUnkJjHYk97JZZ_iY30fZTdkOaVdlDemHWmzhXTddm759O9oiDKYEyRT6IcrZBewRmA3AyQ5Lj6CjAHQ_wTzh_zeIPYL3df-Ndi/s1840/_J9A2996b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1458" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8Q7Qk2H-opXxzPkhAAEWvZLJottX5UBULdxlhFF7gm7yDKJul6NipbIV3oXqquABkw8y8TjTa4Lnb12snFY_7FWWoYUnkJjHYk97JZZ_iY30fZTdkOaVdlDemHWmzhXTddm759O9oiDKYEyRT6IcrZBewRmA3AyQ5Lj6CjAHQ_wTzh_zeIPYL3df-Ndi/w508-h640/_J9A2996b.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vBz59owQAbU0m2qc9sbDldy4wtp3UI6AQRCVjjs9537g4pRr2QJlGPYUw9IBYwyHiciVRm-vZ_Js77Xh2IWmb1VG6nPT5iSmLAkgtvvsrZV7kPozCbleGPNHyQHGdqwAe7rMeiuXecXMDgzSAoKS8xmHv3as0GpNAf-g0NbT2cKxwEJZrQwjGFMP5jI3/s1954/_J9A3420.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="1675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vBz59owQAbU0m2qc9sbDldy4wtp3UI6AQRCVjjs9537g4pRr2QJlGPYUw9IBYwyHiciVRm-vZ_Js77Xh2IWmb1VG6nPT5iSmLAkgtvvsrZV7kPozCbleGPNHyQHGdqwAe7rMeiuXecXMDgzSAoKS8xmHv3as0GpNAf-g0NbT2cKxwEJZrQwjGFMP5jI3/w548-h640/_J9A3420.JPG" width="548" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYA-7kUkXuGkHQEa_NOefaQ4e7rzYwPMzDlrq6FtCFPldOyd8LPQkxvALa289UdDMAnN_ohhzlORvDcUYI2mB9xJ1y8LWJcGMtR5KWCvzBnKFqP64r5GExfunYvmvRit9k1u1Gcn4iZH6oOdJi0dF9dmqkgBTlXtYTWA-X5tzZGr_7TuhygHqhyphenhyphentIU308/s2710/_J9A3432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="1812" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYA-7kUkXuGkHQEa_NOefaQ4e7rzYwPMzDlrq6FtCFPldOyd8LPQkxvALa289UdDMAnN_ohhzlORvDcUYI2mB9xJ1y8LWJcGMtR5KWCvzBnKFqP64r5GExfunYvmvRit9k1u1Gcn4iZH6oOdJi0dF9dmqkgBTlXtYTWA-X5tzZGr_7TuhygHqhyphenhyphentIU308/w428-h640/_J9A3432.JPG" width="428" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The two birds eventually flew further along the fence and I left them in peace as there was nothing more to be gained. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I rather like stonechats and know quite a lot about them, so much so I was invited to write a book about them and all their close relatives that comprise the genus Saxicola ( </span><i>Stonechats.A Guide to the</i><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><i>Genus Saxicola 2002</i><span style="font-family: times;">). In my opinion it is impossible not to like a stonechat. Perky and with a knowing look, they are much like a Robin but much scarcer, full of character, self publicists as they flirt their tails and flick their wings from a prominent perch, they are the very essence of nervous energy, the male colourful and beautifully patterned. </span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">So, on every coming visit to the reservoir I will look forward to enjoying the presence of this pair of stonechats. I know that one day soon I will find them gone as they do not breed at Farmoor and that will be a sad day but until then........................ </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-41725593592467647982024-02-02T07:43:00.000-08:002024-03-08T09:47:15.163-08:00More Waxwings 1st February 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxyRgX7L093L7_-Nh1jpO748rqtQEOe4jMC32CTqwj6fqAwu1Ky8ugS8yYcuPw_hCJ4iyp5nBcqiWbppTqFWj3p8xRsMDHUi9XlE2kJTAOIPRt-cW5MNsjVH1XwQcLnR8FJ5uIL8-jHttfOdZ3P889B6iWh05HYv5o4Gf3RGW6XdLJjamxKx0Z5qPStIt/s3766/_J9A1778.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3766" data-original-width="3202" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxyRgX7L093L7_-Nh1jpO748rqtQEOe4jMC32CTqwj6fqAwu1Ky8ugS8yYcuPw_hCJ4iyp5nBcqiWbppTqFWj3p8xRsMDHUi9XlE2kJTAOIPRt-cW5MNsjVH1XwQcLnR8FJ5uIL8-jHttfOdZ3P889B6iWh05HYv5o4Gf3RGW6XdLJjamxKx0Z5qPStIt/w544-h640/_J9A1778.JPG" width="544" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Birders are by nature obsessives so it will come as no surprise that I have made yet another excursion to take advantage of this exceptional Waxwing winter of irruption. This time I travelled to Longlevens in the City of Gloucester where fourteen are periodically guzzling pinkish white berries from an ornamental rowan tree situated in a suburban front garden on the city's outskirts. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The birds spent most of their time perched, in typical fashion, high in a very tall tree a short flying distance from the berry tree in question and about every half hour they would fly down to the berry tree and frantically gobble as many berries as they could before flying at great speed back to their favourite tall tree.They rarely lingered in the berry tree for more than a few minutes so you had to be quick and lucky if you wanted to get anything resembling a decent photo of them.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The berry tree did not help aesthetically as it was a complex mix of berries, stems, twigs and branches so getting a decent shot was often not possible. Only if the Waxwings perched openly, such as on a television aerial or telephone wire prior to descending to feed on the berries did you have a chance to get an unobstructed image.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSs413JNfEi8YiBwjznReS_XABXnIXNS5WrR04JI6P01rRYEJ1suML2GzPIyQOGm7_VyaIBD3KyO9D6eHuzg8eD8A35P4yZ-9_35zoXgj9Uf1Aa1so59ANwxgCBV8NOh8X0tuKGFfuYo5HGVLjAGLjzRUtw1AWG18BIex7mPb3ERgOnmUEKJXAkByo3ie/s2608/_J9A1140.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2608" data-original-width="2049" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSs413JNfEi8YiBwjznReS_XABXnIXNS5WrR04JI6P01rRYEJ1suML2GzPIyQOGm7_VyaIBD3KyO9D6eHuzg8eD8A35P4yZ-9_35zoXgj9Uf1Aa1so59ANwxgCBV8NOh8X0tuKGFfuYo5HGVLjAGLjzRUtw1AWG18BIex7mPb3ERgOnmUEKJXAkByo3ie/w502-h640/_J9A1140.JPG" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgA7vTGgbOq5CbGlHfd-E5hT2zFoElOS0cd_zAgLqBmd_QMRMqHsXCYB9ixRnaMQTPYf7hMXf3ZqbWLmwtQxgmP2Oy2IRoK2On1SkGM4VjPWzD_MGNvpyn9YZASoVlnu3ByRFQK8-SRCCCUAevkk38B6jUDVExbRwbspo9_C_RRhge1Rb43iWo0EuqyY6/s4311/_J9A1939.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4311" data-original-width="3496" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgA7vTGgbOq5CbGlHfd-E5hT2zFoElOS0cd_zAgLqBmd_QMRMqHsXCYB9ixRnaMQTPYf7hMXf3ZqbWLmwtQxgmP2Oy2IRoK2On1SkGM4VjPWzD_MGNvpyn9YZASoVlnu3ByRFQK8-SRCCCUAevkk38B6jUDVExbRwbspo9_C_RRhge1Rb43iWo0EuqyY6/w325-h400/_J9A1939.JPG" width="325" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPUFveQVLwDVB-FzTqGHdTk8FfKlbGmSsCsrOenRKAL6eNZDJxWZRo3vS9urqKInt_f4xD-A7ClRaFOBqx9QoCxYCgT-piWAZn3EWG4aOKdzImA8GmejvwO1jhoz8Q6zciyU2kOiTABLXntt2E5d5MaLL2Wsvd-mX_BhiWrbEjenFnwa6uaes0Abc3ulJ/s2426/_J9A2042.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2332" data-original-width="2426" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPUFveQVLwDVB-FzTqGHdTk8FfKlbGmSsCsrOenRKAL6eNZDJxWZRo3vS9urqKInt_f4xD-A7ClRaFOBqx9QoCxYCgT-piWAZn3EWG4aOKdzImA8GmejvwO1jhoz8Q6zciyU2kOiTABLXntt2E5d5MaLL2Wsvd-mX_BhiWrbEjenFnwa6uaes0Abc3ulJ/w640-h616/_J9A2042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In the end I grew weary of attempting to get that classic side on pose of a Waxwing. I have plenty already, so opted for something more avant garde. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HAS45KXRQ9MjHsy6jIw7ckPXzuZwB4uT-OPqDzCTXM-3pFX15RnDtt-_Fygg3GGHkSGiCUnFT7fFa0dTrv_vb0LhMkqfZcaQx6MA_ObgCxVsYFZf9YHp-Xf0lhvDaURJjisSVD4PBgScAMUbk5dZWZOhAkV_0eyHEWaZXTpQEXkpRzJOsoicUs71IjzG/s3712/_J9A1087.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3288" data-original-width="3712" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HAS45KXRQ9MjHsy6jIw7ckPXzuZwB4uT-OPqDzCTXM-3pFX15RnDtt-_Fygg3GGHkSGiCUnFT7fFa0dTrv_vb0LhMkqfZcaQx6MA_ObgCxVsYFZf9YHp-Xf0lhvDaURJjisSVD4PBgScAMUbk5dZWZOhAkV_0eyHEWaZXTpQEXkpRzJOsoicUs71IjzG/w640-h566/_J9A1087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">My alternative was to try and get action shots of the birds as they fed on the berries. I noticed that when the birds settled in the rowan tree they seemed to show a preference for those berries at the extremity of the branches, presumably as that was where the largest bunches remained, most of the other more accessible berries in the centre of the tree already having been plundered. A Waxwing would land on a small branch and then tentatively edge right to the end of the branch where the berries hung in clusters from thin red stems.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The weight of the bird would cause the berries to droop even more than normal on their stems so the Waxwing then had to acrobatically contort itself, completely inverting its body at times, to gobble the berries whilst hanging downwards.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQA6WO7qXKrJJoCMRoXxkJW_hx8sXtzJ8CegIEsFr0RccwuQ8nlug6lQSuwlhrs_GgoELGQy4y4CYircgW9wphs22yIswFjba1dupz3HL8MdZofleSylOl3OZv1ezJqkXP0ur-MGwVv374snYtav4e-vgVPacS51B56REJfUU5AydsxgB2qnzTrDEXz-5/s4872/_J9A1500.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4011" data-original-width="4872" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQA6WO7qXKrJJoCMRoXxkJW_hx8sXtzJ8CegIEsFr0RccwuQ8nlug6lQSuwlhrs_GgoELGQy4y4CYircgW9wphs22yIswFjba1dupz3HL8MdZofleSylOl3OZv1ezJqkXP0ur-MGwVv374snYtav4e-vgVPacS51B56REJfUU5AydsxgB2qnzTrDEXz-5/w640-h526/_J9A1500.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOs2Pt-DAVHoKUPiLI_SnKHE3y8xb2nP8W-9a5fFkZKeGhRHuTMubht3RBQ7FfMMB3kfL4Ba8B2IGviHssFgfjy27P_mLQDgrMVzUUsy3Pl4T734ZrpWYSGRhyCGmeuLLWjsm6TnqTRZe6nP5C3-edqW2KzrCSllbu8tIQhm6d_AavZfH65XPZgosJAwU/s4122/_J9A1502.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4038" data-original-width="4122" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOs2Pt-DAVHoKUPiLI_SnKHE3y8xb2nP8W-9a5fFkZKeGhRHuTMubht3RBQ7FfMMB3kfL4Ba8B2IGviHssFgfjy27P_mLQDgrMVzUUsy3Pl4T734ZrpWYSGRhyCGmeuLLWjsm6TnqTRZe6nP5C3-edqW2KzrCSllbu8tIQhm6d_AavZfH65XPZgosJAwU/w640-h626/_J9A1502.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdvqU0CQ-MInGzCR7uejh0BMrfDzM3ivo50o4UL1lmHn5kISUWD21a2POGOECD8wAf9U3096sHPpHSMz_bPzlfLp4t1_ztL0PjD1AEOWIJIL976g1geiQ3jDwvPjV5tImBB5m2JWc1wAk36EghPRujoIIa11uvAzZEq67y2SQCL5Vg-O4EC0BaIrIKL5O/s4307/_J9A1503.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4307" data-original-width="4137" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdvqU0CQ-MInGzCR7uejh0BMrfDzM3ivo50o4UL1lmHn5kISUWD21a2POGOECD8wAf9U3096sHPpHSMz_bPzlfLp4t1_ztL0PjD1AEOWIJIL976g1geiQ3jDwvPjV5tImBB5m2JWc1wAk36EghPRujoIIa11uvAzZEq67y2SQCL5Vg-O4EC0BaIrIKL5O/w614-h640/_J9A1503.JPG" width="614" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRJz-WVNud-5E57PPq8mjtXAIrKW3IXjMoOMaFBR3qYrm3YzzlpnenpJNLor3zBbQ0gnEjJGp2vwn2b8tCNyNXl50qpNnEbzGsJfD6zZ4Gwf8zE9Q64xp5zJuzjZ1k9Y5WfyRYaZwPcjUmOu9-goI3RQEt7RlCIgIbfvDYOxGQWWi4RiL927bO5HsULcQ/s4152/_J9A1477.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3930" data-original-width="4152" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRJz-WVNud-5E57PPq8mjtXAIrKW3IXjMoOMaFBR3qYrm3YzzlpnenpJNLor3zBbQ0gnEjJGp2vwn2b8tCNyNXl50qpNnEbzGsJfD6zZ4Gwf8zE9Q64xp5zJuzjZ1k9Y5WfyRYaZwPcjUmOu9-goI3RQEt7RlCIgIbfvDYOxGQWWi4RiL927bO5HsULcQ/w640-h606/_J9A1477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi3zE_pxHFSphoSvIAHIA5YK8Ij_5uZaBRj9t92SBMLLh_h5VoeUHfE1A-LdlCquXIJXCWeL2q7eKimPVnC0R0kuBAzBqgk-frAFyTrW47ZBXJ9oWWMMHjQecZdmXWzw48vWAEaUBaHNsUXTaQrgURC32saGWIuqhvtFh_id2Mj2oKeHsmZrCJZV2czCV/s4640/_J9A1720.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="4432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi3zE_pxHFSphoSvIAHIA5YK8Ij_5uZaBRj9t92SBMLLh_h5VoeUHfE1A-LdlCquXIJXCWeL2q7eKimPVnC0R0kuBAzBqgk-frAFyTrW47ZBXJ9oWWMMHjQecZdmXWzw48vWAEaUBaHNsUXTaQrgURC32saGWIuqhvtFh_id2Mj2oKeHsmZrCJZV2czCV/w613-h640/_J9A1720.JPG" width="613" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1j-yiLcEZdFZ0p6qOYlZJj5lEFTEis7mMExsieMFP5_VsADKjLRuC67Em9-q6ioZ1NyOtlbxv8r8xzIJ4xYkCBrIcPheclHucgnXfQwKA18y8EOfUQp36CGgsVw3vSYoAfuK6HHIhh6Yv-27noeDVEH-Kq9NQBFilIw2Qvq4oyNl5HkjbLcGL9Z4n4B3/s4594/_J9A1734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4594" data-original-width="3826" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1j-yiLcEZdFZ0p6qOYlZJj5lEFTEis7mMExsieMFP5_VsADKjLRuC67Em9-q6ioZ1NyOtlbxv8r8xzIJ4xYkCBrIcPheclHucgnXfQwKA18y8EOfUQp36CGgsVw3vSYoAfuK6HHIhh6Yv-27noeDVEH-Kq9NQBFilIw2Qvq4oyNl5HkjbLcGL9Z4n4B3/w334-h400/_J9A1734.JPG" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvXcqhYdiYGgEIAdutDsPC9x7Rd_4esmhiMq7fMvFnvFz6x0CAIbhC6xAskdNasaenOLHoZZbZwQybf2AsTCerLiEOzCVrnLHfJEUJrb2k62gUwdp0d_N1EHHwNXZT1A9-SUWlkKBuBkPF7Va8WywB0jB1jYfuR8P7eXFzl3b57RX02D4oXpHsEOhmZNn/s3163/_J9A1772.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3163" data-original-width="2888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvXcqhYdiYGgEIAdutDsPC9x7Rd_4esmhiMq7fMvFnvFz6x0CAIbhC6xAskdNasaenOLHoZZbZwQybf2AsTCerLiEOzCVrnLHfJEUJrb2k62gUwdp0d_N1EHHwNXZT1A9-SUWlkKBuBkPF7Va8WywB0jB1jYfuR8P7eXFzl3b57RX02D4oXpHsEOhmZNn/w584-h640/_J9A1772.JPG" width="584" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr5y7TxYwFobRHIMSNxe1LPjIGDY0-KBQ5qDeaTkT_haT0GgPu1v-hrLixuoF0zb30hbOl3s6TS-y8gSO4Q30vNywUnauZ3rIc1wt489cHV7lB0A1nUXj0bXsHbabaHQlEaWHM2Wcg96Alpbv9ytoYUnCgOe0KptafwogEyOPh1JORMMh9KDgfooq2TdB/s5120/_J9A1643.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4143" data-original-width="5120" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr5y7TxYwFobRHIMSNxe1LPjIGDY0-KBQ5qDeaTkT_haT0GgPu1v-hrLixuoF0zb30hbOl3s6TS-y8gSO4Q30vNywUnauZ3rIc1wt489cHV7lB0A1nUXj0bXsHbabaHQlEaWHM2Wcg96Alpbv9ytoYUnCgOe0KptafwogEyOPh1JORMMh9KDgfooq2TdB/w400-h324/_J9A1643.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9WZlFrxcxHAqzXm0qh8QWe0n-K1SuNj7_9Szp_8GL5SBJ-mT20hfJxhqBLb0GRARjuvKinu2cesTMD9C6oX6SQfUpb3TvaZhoTNy4mIqbSCZjDpBDy2usQMzeKh7kzmhrhCgfqf5k23RTrNBG-hG-j4ShMVLJPUJErm0JfsoiZS9MdhBr36_t5NW2edq/s4056/_J9A1557.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3417" data-original-width="4056" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9WZlFrxcxHAqzXm0qh8QWe0n-K1SuNj7_9Szp_8GL5SBJ-mT20hfJxhqBLb0GRARjuvKinu2cesTMD9C6oX6SQfUpb3TvaZhoTNy4mIqbSCZjDpBDy2usQMzeKh7kzmhrhCgfqf5k23RTrNBG-hG-j4ShMVLJPUJErm0JfsoiZS9MdhBr36_t5NW2edq/w640-h540/_J9A1557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It made for some interesting and to my mind less usual images of these birds. It also highlighted some of the Waxwings behaviour you would not necessarily notice.For instance when they fly off they sometimes have a berry still firmly clasped in their bill.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I spent a couple of hours here, not entirely comfortable at standing by a front garden in a busy housing estate but the residents remained sanguine about my mild intrusion so hopefully no offence was caused.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Waxwings often move on well before a source of berries is depleted. It seems to be in their genetic nature to continue roving even when there are plenty of berries available where they already are.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Let's hope they remain for a little longer.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-34915207148728268302024-01-29T14:22:00.000-08:002024-03-09T11:53:49.136-08:00Double Gloucester 28th January 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OY02IMGPQLicvFDIhrFlWifQllNFuKVama_0-N7I63mW59ArgEW1sD57LozQqcYPCfHnxXQg-OJsCpL5kq6CVoKNGcXvoig-Sa2noJtDRqziTPyySLFe9W8Eu6iYtBxPo1wd5NFbQCQJmz9PNKhZlkV8dZrMWm8tJUNA6jt_DfzzMrA9pWQyAS5gd3wP/s1614/_J9A9823-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1614" data-original-width="1433" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OY02IMGPQLicvFDIhrFlWifQllNFuKVama_0-N7I63mW59ArgEW1sD57LozQqcYPCfHnxXQg-OJsCpL5kq6CVoKNGcXvoig-Sa2noJtDRqziTPyySLFe9W8Eu6iYtBxPo1wd5NFbQCQJmz9PNKhZlkV8dZrMWm8tJUNA6jt_DfzzMrA9pWQyAS5gd3wP/w568-h640/_J9A9823-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" width="568" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sunday. Its been a bit of a week. My birthday was yesterday. Surely there is some mistake. That number does not look right. Can I really be that old?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0auZjDYfIWB_30hYaG0fCtIxT5QMjzFmqmb7tDiF6uGMQp4zzYiggzDl7mbUBij2IJ-q0HpE3g15d9GPbm3I9b3SFiNUCUEE1gA2OewJTu56UXukoKEfXHF0QSBZmcngsDwfy9jY1zKJ_vj3XB3YFvPisTpKt6_GrrZXRTf_e293fL6IByFi0dDsdreV9/s1596/ewan%2076.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1122" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0auZjDYfIWB_30hYaG0fCtIxT5QMjzFmqmb7tDiF6uGMQp4zzYiggzDl7mbUBij2IJ-q0HpE3g15d9GPbm3I9b3SFiNUCUEE1gA2OewJTu56UXukoKEfXHF0QSBZmcngsDwfy9jY1zKJ_vj3XB3YFvPisTpKt6_GrrZXRTf_e293fL6IByFi0dDsdreV9/w281-h400/ewan%2076.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">January always gets to me. The dark, the grey, the short days and still with February to come and likely to bring yet more gloom..</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">However the sun was shining this morning and there were Waxwings in nearby Cheltenham to delight and inspire.They had arrived yesterday in that part of the town, that was a former village called Charlton Kings, feeding on mistletoe that covered a large tree by the road. A half hour drive would get me there and then another short drive would take me on to Rodborough Common near Stroud where another thirty or more of the Scandinavian invaders were still, by all reports, delighting one and all. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A double dose of Gloucestershire Waxwings would be the ideal antidote to any low spirits.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I set off from home at just after eight and half an hour later drove down a narrow lane to find the mistletoe tree. I found it on the right, you could hardly miss it, a very obvious large tree completely swamped by mistletoe, so much so it looked as if it was in full leaf. Great bunches of mistletoe obscured every branch. I have never seen the like before. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I stood on a narrow footpath feeling a tad conspicuous and self conscious as the houses were very close to the narrow lane and I felt sure the residents would be scrutinising this strange possibly suspicious person with a camera shivering in the cold wind and looking - well for what exactly?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Waxwings had only been discovered yesterday so possibly the residents were unaware of their presence.At this precise moment there was no sign of them. Certainly not in the mistletoe tree for a couple of aggressive Mistle Thrushes were currently commandeering the tree and were undoubtedly the reason for the absence of the Waxwings. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I sighed. Just my luck. As long as the truculent Mistle Thrushes were around there would be no Waxwings.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I would have to wait and hope. I scanned the surrounding larger trees, visible at the backs of the houses, and behind the house on the opposite side of the lane to me, what did I discover but eighteeen starling sized silhouettes with crests, high in the bare branches of a large tree. I had found the Waxwings.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDyuIOZynTqbc_mDleqSC1kT_1AwMk-UtsrKvp5ktlpJcqu8tmT0TDpmehob3BDIxm1T6hC4NZXm4pMt-6l9cPePu2_MZhnfL7UrCLJb-vvnoTJinHhJf62iUrR_x9-uXBkkBfdc2ec0nWyr-W1HNyNbWVvFHHLhPLHsl61tSSCeIUCS7migJEhxxEI3q/s5920/_J9A5932.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4499" data-original-width="5920" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDyuIOZynTqbc_mDleqSC1kT_1AwMk-UtsrKvp5ktlpJcqu8tmT0TDpmehob3BDIxm1T6hC4NZXm4pMt-6l9cPePu2_MZhnfL7UrCLJb-vvnoTJinHhJf62iUrR_x9-uXBkkBfdc2ec0nWyr-W1HNyNbWVvFHHLhPLHsl61tSSCeIUCS7migJEhxxEI3q/w640-h486/_J9A5932.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I stood waiting for them to make a move toward the mistletoe and as I did a lady jogger came up the lane and stopped by her drive. She enquired what I was looking for. I told her about the Waxwings and pointed to the tree opposite but they were no longer there! They had flown while I was briefly distracted by her arrival.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Never mind. We chatted about the Waxwings and then she asked if I would care for a coffee or tea.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">That would be lovely. Thank you. Coffee with milk please.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">She disappeared and returned with a mug of coffee.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Just leave the cup on the wall when you have finished</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">She went back indoors.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The man in the house opposite came out to ask me what I was looking for and I told him about the Waxwings that had been in the tree in his back garden.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Sadly they are not there now but they should return and feed on those mistletoe berries. </span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I pointed to the tree. He was amazed and went back indoors.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A car came past and slowed, the driver asked me what I was looking for. I told him </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Oh! </i>he said. <i>I thought there was someone famous and you were a paparazzi.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>There's no money in Waxwings</i>. I said</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We laughed and he drove off.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Waxwings returned, circled the tree and flew off again.The Mistle Thrushes were still in the tree.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I waited for another ten minutes and with rattling calls the two Mistle Thrushes departed the tree and flew far away. Twenty minutes later the Waxwings tried again and this time settled high in the mistletoe tree and commenced scoffing the white berries of the mistletoe. I rang the man's doorbell in the house opposite to tell him about the Waxwings and.he came to see as did his wife.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp5p82X8bP0pAE4UA79CUll5xcGXM8_u02yAOdPS9xTMj2XXaorjKfKP3Y6Df_PAV0wa-3EJ2pDIkGcN_nc1KH1tWMwUp6p_BCIp3jWzr3lW8MI-kafbsXlEasKQCV8jAXqV0Iq0ETlquncW6_XpPrLugKA42LXMUWrGbDlDHIEGhJNNNGbrYmsf6BFt4/s2637/_J9A6457.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="2086" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp5p82X8bP0pAE4UA79CUll5xcGXM8_u02yAOdPS9xTMj2XXaorjKfKP3Y6Df_PAV0wa-3EJ2pDIkGcN_nc1KH1tWMwUp6p_BCIp3jWzr3lW8MI-kafbsXlEasKQCV8jAXqV0Iq0ETlquncW6_XpPrLugKA42LXMUWrGbDlDHIEGhJNNNGbrYmsf6BFt4/w506-h640/_J9A6457.JPG" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivufIG7GVulVVmOvA0iU7jq_wSe4bMYIAwXWNHUcqYxPVofX5BJ7l_zfsRYthUkDDQKjJfIiOBeGGiXydbvevWcewCv9j-fx7CnDucdEI-B2BYE8ZD0fzsidI3UfBZBNCcqAuNxXkaQJUFizwXNizTodu7qvaWuN_ljtFP1d40Z1_fIGRMko5y6oqS2iOs/s4640/_J9A6599.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="4158" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivufIG7GVulVVmOvA0iU7jq_wSe4bMYIAwXWNHUcqYxPVofX5BJ7l_zfsRYthUkDDQKjJfIiOBeGGiXydbvevWcewCv9j-fx7CnDucdEI-B2BYE8ZD0fzsidI3UfBZBNCcqAuNxXkaQJUFizwXNizTodu7qvaWuN_ljtFP1d40Z1_fIGRMko5y6oqS2iOs/w359-h400/_J9A6599.JPG" width="359" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Ten minutes of intense, chaotic Waxwing action continued and then for no accountable reason they departed.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I gave it another fifteen minutes and with faith restored in humanity by the good residents of this part of Charlton Kings I headed for Rodborough Common.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">After my visit there last week <a href="https://blackaudibirding.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-waxwings-of-rodborough-common-20th.html">see here</a> I was anticipating a similar experience this time but I was to be disappointed.Unlike last week, on arriving at the Common there was no sign of any Waxwings, just a lot of people standing about waiting. The birds had been here yesterday and showing very well but today for reasons unknown were much more elusive and had only been seen once when they came briefly to feed on the hawthorn berries, drink from a puddle and then promptly disappear. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I saw Mark, a fellow Oxonbirder, approaching and joining him learned that despite his searching the Common the Waxwings could not be found anywhere. Oh dear, this was not looking good. Shortly afterwards they did return, to land in a large tree. People rushed towards the tree with cameras but a minute later the birds departed and were gone again. Based on my experience from last week I considered they would return but it was a very long time before they did. Without doubt they were feeding somewhere else, maybe on Minchinhampton Common that lies adjacent and to the southeast of Rodborough Common.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Eventually they flew in, as usual in a tight flock and circled in front of us before landing in a bare tree.They appeared settled and looked like they wanted to come down to a low hawthorn bush to feed but there were so many people anxiously taking their photograph and standing so close they remained where they were. I decided that rather than wait and hope the Waxwings might fly to one of the hawthorn bushes, the best course of action was to join the crowd who were currently taking as many images as they could of the birds in the tree. One birder sensibly tried to get everyone to move back but he had more chance of winning the Lottery. For fifteen minutes the Waxwings perched in the tree and then departed and were lost from sight.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEjJMxLR8qbeFeIEHLERPilLlxPvGVvqUmiNucym5vh4w4LdZl8qvRtsrypvYAlo7IRHTnV1zW3zOxxjfUW9Kix3LWwvlDGxWfAwm7ajfGPjxDbUR1mVhfc8ekdiX97iRTgORRtadN26gGqNM7gxunF36sOdSRdZdMt-lfs1LXyokHcsduLzGNRcp8i4t/s6052/_J9A7745.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6052" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEjJMxLR8qbeFeIEHLERPilLlxPvGVvqUmiNucym5vh4w4LdZl8qvRtsrypvYAlo7IRHTnV1zW3zOxxjfUW9Kix3LWwvlDGxWfAwm7ajfGPjxDbUR1mVhfc8ekdiX97iRTgORRtadN26gGqNM7gxunF36sOdSRdZdMt-lfs1LXyokHcsduLzGNRcp8i4t/w640-h490/_J9A7745.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHgbxpI7phu6fQ783vRf1adcgP-zXP0R7MxXztU7LkTClbsVXiAdj9-TrMT88Pr0NSrc-FpxzWYhKfp91jYHabU6KvoFypwOm84uf32WZ9QLDhrGkCDbFb_ejinZPdt4be4H66vOHevF5UDs0qxWJa_UQtB-yvfUTtkGyBm55o6jJk_iTiW2XNTKMDJeG/s2377/_J9A7917.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2377" data-original-width="2140" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHgbxpI7phu6fQ783vRf1adcgP-zXP0R7MxXztU7LkTClbsVXiAdj9-TrMT88Pr0NSrc-FpxzWYhKfp91jYHabU6KvoFypwOm84uf32WZ9QLDhrGkCDbFb_ejinZPdt4be4H66vOHevF5UDs0qxWJa_UQtB-yvfUTtkGyBm55o6jJk_iTiW2XNTKMDJeG/w576-h640/_J9A7917.JPG" width="576" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj088a0oTyHjTlhGGK98u_XZIsNOtZ8MxOIyRl71O3AeeukrVaycnMOzg71EVVBFfCDaa7oIPKZzAluDdXP8CbSx39YaE1KufznWf8iTBEVO0E8rfVKw_VzkUfIeAD9as_nofMrAHYzmTYbhH6CAkqcsTTtIdmNhfKown4Dk6sOllctoTPrZW4Z7cFSo9Fk/s5532/_J9A8021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4545" data-original-width="5532" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj088a0oTyHjTlhGGK98u_XZIsNOtZ8MxOIyRl71O3AeeukrVaycnMOzg71EVVBFfCDaa7oIPKZzAluDdXP8CbSx39YaE1KufznWf8iTBEVO0E8rfVKw_VzkUfIeAD9as_nofMrAHYzmTYbhH6CAkqcsTTtIdmNhfKown4Dk6sOllctoTPrZW4Z7cFSo9Fk/w400-h329/_J9A8021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqHe-IMlutnVKEE5l89mdSkDI_kR0CB-KVdoJ-Dxnr1ZsmrYt8_3fYKYOeoW0H_KJEXRCI_l-SCJAKPHTZaN9-o7tMSyTaJSr7LfAKS2jFT6Rri-28kg2p8VaZHpxF3xCVFgZAD9oTDTMmIuLnTJkg7E2bzx_0T1qLTHidhUw6Olxs0jHKlAwFMpsaNC2/s2066/_J9A7358.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2066" data-original-width="1537" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqHe-IMlutnVKEE5l89mdSkDI_kR0CB-KVdoJ-Dxnr1ZsmrYt8_3fYKYOeoW0H_KJEXRCI_l-SCJAKPHTZaN9-o7tMSyTaJSr7LfAKS2jFT6Rri-28kg2p8VaZHpxF3xCVFgZAD9oTDTMmIuLnTJkg7E2bzx_0T1qLTHidhUw6Olxs0jHKlAwFMpsaNC2/w476-h640/_J9A7358.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCeoTrN465CZM_Y7HdWPv_yvXYp59MzfWpz2hcVj3rai9VMmwsZ19ZMkUQkAoKZN527W4k6d6mtY5ds9B5z_CS9UcjWe_vDGQADFfULp3nCIuzjbSx27RBv5KVDMAM1Dlw5AEL9uNvDDhxhkQJUiX2LHfmDhP4df6QhkrMrWh7kWF1Xv4vZisD49HkksM/s5298/_J9A8029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4199" data-original-width="5298" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCeoTrN465CZM_Y7HdWPv_yvXYp59MzfWpz2hcVj3rai9VMmwsZ19ZMkUQkAoKZN527W4k6d6mtY5ds9B5z_CS9UcjWe_vDGQADFfULp3nCIuzjbSx27RBv5KVDMAM1Dlw5AEL9uNvDDhxhkQJUiX2LHfmDhP4df6QhkrMrWh7kWF1Xv4vZisD49HkksM/w640-h508/_J9A8029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJb3ARkavgKb7l-fivUkfyS0TDfvy55DKO8UJHNK1JF6J8ItO162PTKfA6psHEPaCkNDQ_bzJFrupdgz7Kt1Fg2IIUGvNt_4MGJeRM4C86Qzaa6GyTaR3uCg3LrHYR3nT5FHk5C7PAKe8Tz8W6amt5GYh6HjsD9nrw__P_hkI_QCLii4XKsr7J7ms9Cn_g/s1204/_J9A6634.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1094" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJb3ARkavgKb7l-fivUkfyS0TDfvy55DKO8UJHNK1JF6J8ItO162PTKfA6psHEPaCkNDQ_bzJFrupdgz7Kt1Fg2IIUGvNt_4MGJeRM4C86Qzaa6GyTaR3uCg3LrHYR3nT5FHk5C7PAKe8Tz8W6amt5GYh6HjsD9nrw__P_hkI_QCLii4XKsr7J7ms9Cn_g/w582-h640/_J9A6634.JPG" width="582" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXODgfDzqVSj6UAAZK9hywpxyO0o0PoIqJkkfChr11d8o3jmndTmbJptQVasioR0w7xxWnuZv2cYA4okiv1qlyf-mGWQIC6RRvh1ZAis003opIb4TFV0tW_lP-OhPtjsmRh1tJbu508hvgB7cBZQggnR8uB79cILhUqgb9YEaID1VCY5fpxUDwgcwZM24Y/s4293/_J9A6703.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3858" data-original-width="4293" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXODgfDzqVSj6UAAZK9hywpxyO0o0PoIqJkkfChr11d8o3jmndTmbJptQVasioR0w7xxWnuZv2cYA4okiv1qlyf-mGWQIC6RRvh1ZAis003opIb4TFV0tW_lP-OhPtjsmRh1tJbu508hvgB7cBZQggnR8uB79cILhUqgb9YEaID1VCY5fpxUDwgcwZM24Y/w640-h576/_J9A6703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8nziNaLL154ITxi4_f_gsr9yismjxDPzf-yF2JYgccYjy8h2Znle8NSglIxyxWlMeK8btf_5GqGgp_lmW36oOZd1O0BronGiUTQNsjInCZnlsBvXzpKaPrt7_yUE8rPXYGuyjoVId6B5IeLtxN2VCXM2ARRqV_EDwchPj5MA0mJ9dKRx1P0q8iDnRK3m/s2411/_J9A7424.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2411" data-original-width="2103" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8nziNaLL154ITxi4_f_gsr9yismjxDPzf-yF2JYgccYjy8h2Znle8NSglIxyxWlMeK8btf_5GqGgp_lmW36oOZd1O0BronGiUTQNsjInCZnlsBvXzpKaPrt7_yUE8rPXYGuyjoVId6B5IeLtxN2VCXM2ARRqV_EDwchPj5MA0mJ9dKRx1P0q8iDnRK3m/w558-h640/_J9A7424.JPG" width="558" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnokwfEuLbkXatY0gpJ7wyUrg-yCIE2FvWc5jxqdYuwIa4FEkIa3pAovv_A49dvHTE-UxIbY5R3ZkqX8c46d9bAtkYqk4Sxks0yVy44u1kUHJxGn8Sg0z6QjWKHdncgRoQIm314F5N8_elPtN5TpsUQ4MsSlN_paVzVhwRQ2PX5cO73e5d0iz2G1MgbBaR/s2892/_J9A7118.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2892" data-original-width="2824" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnokwfEuLbkXatY0gpJ7wyUrg-yCIE2FvWc5jxqdYuwIa4FEkIa3pAovv_A49dvHTE-UxIbY5R3ZkqX8c46d9bAtkYqk4Sxks0yVy44u1kUHJxGn8Sg0z6QjWKHdncgRoQIm314F5N8_elPtN5TpsUQ4MsSlN_paVzVhwRQ2PX5cO73e5d0iz2G1MgbBaR/w624-h640/_J9A7118.JPG" width="624" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We stood chatting and waiting but the Waxwings did not return. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I felt somewhat at a loose end standing on Rodborough Common with not a Waxwing in sight and very little prospect, in my opinion, of them returning imminently. Even if they did return the numbers of people still hanging around on this part of the Common in the hope they would re-appear was sure to prevent them, as with their last visit, from having the confidence to come down to feed on the still abundant hawthorn berries. It was obvious from the long periods of absence that they had found another place to feed nearby that presumably was less disturbed. Nevertheless the sun shone and the Common's elevated, windy location with a spectacular view away over the valley to Stroud made the Common a not unpleasant place to be but having stood around chatting to Mark and his friends for the best part of an hour I was getting fretful and wanted away.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">My mind was set on going to a location east of Cheltenham which conveniently was only a very slight deviation from my route home. It was familiar to me from previous visits some years ago to see Short eared Owls but lately I had been deterred by its growing popularity with birders and toggers alike and reports that it now had become a bit of a circus. Maybe that is harsh but ideally it is not my kind of birding where the pleasure of communing with nature and one's own sensibilities is overwhelmed by sheer numbers of people and the inevitable encroachment on one's emotional privacy, however benign. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">But everyone is entitled to come and see the owls and provided the fields they inhabit remain sacrosanct and are only viewed from the adjacent narrow by-road that bisects the rolling countryside on this western extremity of the Cotswolds. there is no real harm.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It took forty minutes drive to my destination and turning off onto a similar by-road I parked around the corner from the road in question.Well I had no real choice as that road was lined with over thirty cars. Leaving my car I walked fifty yards to turn onto the by-road where I was fortunate that there was a large gap between the first two cars I encountered, where I could stand behind the dry stone wall that forms a boundary between road and field and look out onto the large field of rank, dead, winter grass that gently sloped upwards and away from me.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was approaching 2pm and the sun was still pleasantly bright, casting a benign light across the road and surrounding countryside.Behind me, on the other side of the road, was a smaller field of hawthorn scrub and beyond, the road I had driven up and that led to a busier road that when my visit was over would take me in the direction of home. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I stood in quiet contemplation, looking out across the grass field. No owls yet but that did not matter I was withdrawing into my inner self and a thousand thoughts passed through my head but ask me what they were and I would be unable to tell you.Maybe reflections on the day so far, maybe anticipation of things to come in the future, maybe dealing with the anxiety that is currently my unwanted companion. Birding for me at times like this is a cerebral washing and rinsing of my emotional tangles and putting them out to dry, a process for coming to terms with whatever currently troubles me.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">My concentration became focused on the matter in hand as a Short eared Owl took a brief flight and pitched onto a tussock where it remained clearly visible, although at some distance, stood in the grass at the top of the field.It remained there for the next twenty minutes and I grew weary of looking at it and willing it to fly.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was almost 3pm and the light would linger for another hour and then it would be too dark for photos.The field remained stubbornly free of owls so turning to look across the hawthorn field, a sliver of white amongst the tangles of hawthorn branches was revealed through my bins to be a perched Barn Owl which soon commenced flying in its soft winged manner up, down and across the field of hawthorn scrub and the one beyond. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A shock of white against the dark, bare winter trees. A front heavy looking owl due to its large bulbous head and slim tapered body supported by broad rounded wings of palest buff.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL64Sgpa9bW4pkmdAhCa_yb5zk3nM4PzIuD2lnriAKqC8wR-EKolmTRq-ThCPnDJhFJCEM5IbY2__QNU28G-3IxAwxLJ-KJyul9A2bqVJJH9XiPgFIRH9vYmWquOyJ5tCrbyRruiVnTvJ1m49M8Ip5aGYLabxjc6xgq4bLSCV_6Id5EGiUD5ViAboVCiHv/s2108/_J9A8053.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2108" data-original-width="1752" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL64Sgpa9bW4pkmdAhCa_yb5zk3nM4PzIuD2lnriAKqC8wR-EKolmTRq-ThCPnDJhFJCEM5IbY2__QNU28G-3IxAwxLJ-KJyul9A2bqVJJH9XiPgFIRH9vYmWquOyJ5tCrbyRruiVnTvJ1m49M8Ip5aGYLabxjc6xgq4bLSCV_6Id5EGiUD5ViAboVCiHv/w532-h640/_J9A8053.JPG" width="532" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivXzRXYM-UGj1rkiYnQyU9AfCmE5TRvtseFmpia9r_r8SAUEWiDdfgIgwlLOC5S9oNFft2aFNlKNDYmCTYVhoe3JH33kbDqQOwtY6PzyIdi_zRHkJWi-Ct5lXqMMaPvVFikTfkWRGY0m7TCMZ7NYfg0EnVSXRgo6XFUsdFAMsFFDQMyj6OoqdU3tTkahO/s2021/_J9A8056.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2021" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivXzRXYM-UGj1rkiYnQyU9AfCmE5TRvtseFmpia9r_r8SAUEWiDdfgIgwlLOC5S9oNFft2aFNlKNDYmCTYVhoe3JH33kbDqQOwtY6PzyIdi_zRHkJWi-Ct5lXqMMaPvVFikTfkWRGY0m7TCMZ7NYfg0EnVSXRgo6XFUsdFAMsFFDQMyj6OoqdU3tTkahO/w400-h396/_J9A8056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRWWP-okJ2planGVfUiFB2Ao52pXjfsP9hJbw38WXAPiEAh1xCYbxCwgvsZAuPHkNAA526OhIOYSR2mxyARDwloPYUsDJwIjB37gpQMe8RS4udUj2zu7bogmXqIseUVN7aq3WF3gp6-qBYZMf_XaMdBrDu7uESvM6qA0rhTgb1NteRaH-s4qSKlI-qJX6/s1313/_J9A8066.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1274" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRWWP-okJ2planGVfUiFB2Ao52pXjfsP9hJbw38WXAPiEAh1xCYbxCwgvsZAuPHkNAA526OhIOYSR2mxyARDwloPYUsDJwIjB37gpQMe8RS4udUj2zu7bogmXqIseUVN7aq3WF3gp6-qBYZMf_XaMdBrDu7uESvM6qA0rhTgb1NteRaH-s4qSKlI-qJX6/w620-h640/_J9A8066.JPG" width="620" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">My relatively deserted end of the by-road suddenly became rather more populated as others from further up the road who had also noted the owl's presence came at a fast walk to this end to take their photos.The owl continued its hunting, sweeping downwind before turning and flying back, scrutinising the ground all the while, stalling, </span><span style="font-family: times;">hanging in the wind, </span><span style="font-family: times;">slipping sideways, hovering to check on something then dropping to fly low in a halting haphazard progress but ensuring everywhere in the field was thoroughly checked at least once.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RlihjFHMEqkesFJbwg4WvZ-iuLvD1zxXCHtGvoVlfM1uptiX7Fx0gv-GMmIogU96qDk6DStV1nER_P390EyODY1DQ4lcurGFwZtf3yM9T3oVnrNLLMGHBYOEr9Wopscv0JWVz4Bd7eEm3U53TVk7_7i326OWKDwh4H5ZFyKg8vBT4mDKbP_4_UBGD56I/s2192/_J9A8264.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="2192" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RlihjFHMEqkesFJbwg4WvZ-iuLvD1zxXCHtGvoVlfM1uptiX7Fx0gv-GMmIogU96qDk6DStV1nER_P390EyODY1DQ4lcurGFwZtf3yM9T3oVnrNLLMGHBYOEr9Wopscv0JWVz4Bd7eEm3U53TVk7_7i326OWKDwh4H5ZFyKg8vBT4mDKbP_4_UBGD56I/w640-h600/_J9A8264.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCXz5UmqulH-43bVvRIw-0MOHfyrsAbWFjJb2WrOIRHcL-5J0joPZUI2LkpJ6BNiHsBsZDOT_FVZRxFMtUDKA9iNnUtpMc80fJp-oO2pu0iVkTYO5lGEvNyTjWv7Ftcx3oJhWWGLIle2WULFFGs9nUTW35AWDkxVRV-qzcqnim2VnWno-lCHgyn7isqO7/s2369/_J9A8274.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2369" data-original-width="1986" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCXz5UmqulH-43bVvRIw-0MOHfyrsAbWFjJb2WrOIRHcL-5J0joPZUI2LkpJ6BNiHsBsZDOT_FVZRxFMtUDKA9iNnUtpMc80fJp-oO2pu0iVkTYO5lGEvNyTjWv7Ftcx3oJhWWGLIle2WULFFGs9nUTW35AWDkxVRV-qzcqnim2VnWno-lCHgyn7isqO7/w335-h400/_J9A8274.JPG" width="335" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__L6ne-FNKkp2xKsvCQ98gqG9i5CdL124qRJMRRw0zsQQw1MGbOLm-c30OtJ_VRnXDLLUzW2jf0UGXGNBMQCVmneiEK8fObALt5jDjb724j_SXYlLMu8Fd1LmKGZQB75eZ3Q7UPB27eot1JpNO9Y0LqOIv11CDcfNQA78-0TXjspjqwKg0hy7eD7oQp8b/s3990/_J9A9141.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3692" data-original-width="3990" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__L6ne-FNKkp2xKsvCQ98gqG9i5CdL124qRJMRRw0zsQQw1MGbOLm-c30OtJ_VRnXDLLUzW2jf0UGXGNBMQCVmneiEK8fObALt5jDjb724j_SXYlLMu8Fd1LmKGZQB75eZ3Q7UPB27eot1JpNO9Y0LqOIv11CDcfNQA78-0TXjspjqwKg0hy7eD7oQp8b/w400-h370/_J9A9141.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PufJPlUx5Xj59YxkmoHwn671bzsrmp7HoskQCqtCKbRjuGU4z0LowkCTcis5IMMRv9Eob14xMbkjKSf_GiAVtENoIIFbcKjjKC46bAu9klgCEokrbXx8kelsSQ5zbgzz9ZaJhlCvYN_BiALP5vBJ-VH7iM1LsA9WcUIwNDxRnkJf0MhQjrzmnSET2Gn1/s1583/_J9A8266a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="1461" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PufJPlUx5Xj59YxkmoHwn671bzsrmp7HoskQCqtCKbRjuGU4z0LowkCTcis5IMMRv9Eob14xMbkjKSf_GiAVtENoIIFbcKjjKC46bAu9klgCEokrbXx8kelsSQ5zbgzz9ZaJhlCvYN_BiALP5vBJ-VH7iM1LsA9WcUIwNDxRnkJf0MhQjrzmnSET2Gn1/w590-h640/_J9A8266a.JPG" width="590" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Occasionally it would ascend higher, perhaps for a more panoramic view and then drop lower, flickering beats of silent wings carrying it relentlessly back and fore. Sometimes so low it was lost amongst the hawthorns or appearing like some half seen ghostly apparition moving through them, teasingly visible and then not.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdDpF814B5rD6A6UTjWY7ZkKdK9puqjXynaujB89p7aPYZRpOw8Xi1f8US4KacRyV_BkOgCOMD8JQT4-O7ul-U822vFMqOZp58mzY2xupLQnPVcIPqMIoZHi0dzztFh_joWQ1QDInOfOnpk5LHrcyxd6mJuVVPEpDrQe1EOKxsOBg_DzQW6Lw1DtzVBHY/s1896/_J9A8348.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1896" data-original-width="1279" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdDpF814B5rD6A6UTjWY7ZkKdK9puqjXynaujB89p7aPYZRpOw8Xi1f8US4KacRyV_BkOgCOMD8JQT4-O7ul-U822vFMqOZp58mzY2xupLQnPVcIPqMIoZHi0dzztFh_joWQ1QDInOfOnpk5LHrcyxd6mJuVVPEpDrQe1EOKxsOBg_DzQW6Lw1DtzVBHY/w432-h640/_J9A8348.JPG" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsDPs9cB09pzFRqnBfZil6mCs6TyQXSYhH09SJIHmNpQ8JUCzgMhT9-s8GrzLsI3YRosBAUGuKryXynZBAkcU6tTunAbLBgjedETGPqcSwXXHsEAogFXmO8BwoHSL43HLsQQTfxatxOcUL2nwPL97wlPAjJeivr0NMJYKvKdaV59DhdbVXJMexF7rBeGG/s3285/_J9A8440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3285" data-original-width="2179" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsDPs9cB09pzFRqnBfZil6mCs6TyQXSYhH09SJIHmNpQ8JUCzgMhT9-s8GrzLsI3YRosBAUGuKryXynZBAkcU6tTunAbLBgjedETGPqcSwXXHsEAogFXmO8BwoHSL43HLsQQTfxatxOcUL2nwPL97wlPAjJeivr0NMJYKvKdaV59DhdbVXJMexF7rBeGG/w424-h640/_J9A8440.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GIDHsxh4TdzqjGKPdSffl7bMfYm-ujmoxyQ_GxRrFk5KOd3raHujOVYuSsDbuQw-jpm3zb-NvorYct1-Uar1AL5k9gIc1n5hlSNOshnWNFyzi75MvamKTp_we6pt0ErMkN2Q0NopsHme898QyuW0H68mcZ6Z__20XSk2YrW1QwqPlsjSUdz8OmRnholB/s1633/_J9A8562.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="1481" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GIDHsxh4TdzqjGKPdSffl7bMfYm-ujmoxyQ_GxRrFk5KOd3raHujOVYuSsDbuQw-jpm3zb-NvorYct1-Uar1AL5k9gIc1n5hlSNOshnWNFyzi75MvamKTp_we6pt0ErMkN2Q0NopsHme898QyuW0H68mcZ6Z__20XSk2YrW1QwqPlsjSUdz8OmRnholB/w580-h640/_J9A8562.JPG" width="580" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLvC7wjYwcVyoHb-LSa6nrSy5ChtrC9anhH8MdncRJuKnKKkupwUrF82z3BjziUgEc8MakglyalmAR7uKz8gHyZJRtjCxMyYJVRybBN_4NdLwyyGxNeB5b5oXSlbUXEoUSKwwudUBEknU58duhMArwZv46omokzm4NvLRiSXjo8ZwzFmZeMZnpd8qSMqv/s2386/_J9A8566.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2386" data-original-width="2020" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLvC7wjYwcVyoHb-LSa6nrSy5ChtrC9anhH8MdncRJuKnKKkupwUrF82z3BjziUgEc8MakglyalmAR7uKz8gHyZJRtjCxMyYJVRybBN_4NdLwyyGxNeB5b5oXSlbUXEoUSKwwudUBEknU58duhMArwZv46omokzm4NvLRiSXjo8ZwzFmZeMZnpd8qSMqv/w542-h640/_J9A8566.JPG" width="542" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Eventually it landed clumsily on a small hawthorn, hardly substantial enough to support it, so that it had to use its wings for support and to balance on the thin perch it had chosen. Redwings fussed around it, instinctively startled into watchfulness although they had nothing to fear. It looked around as if in surprise, its large dark eyes a contrast to the surrounding white feathering on a face the shape of a heart.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SBI5V_rNP660jWMVKQIe8VUJ26XhkRWok_s_zKLlrSTVi-6fFUqO5v9TCdUhut1tJU6A40DmI3UQK94rqoXPVOfwzS0zD_Dn3Ejld3vRUxBjBovFX21PYSOKi3Q96u6_eXTLN3g5T5GNbJZwflGPUL4JCRvs4USPinHPpT2tpboF_7LhQjhXZ_vcXASo/s1463/_J9A8738.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1212" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SBI5V_rNP660jWMVKQIe8VUJ26XhkRWok_s_zKLlrSTVi-6fFUqO5v9TCdUhut1tJU6A40DmI3UQK94rqoXPVOfwzS0zD_Dn3Ejld3vRUxBjBovFX21PYSOKi3Q96u6_eXTLN3g5T5GNbJZwflGPUL4JCRvs4USPinHPpT2tpboF_7LhQjhXZ_vcXASo/w530-h640/_J9A8738.JPG" width="530" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was no good, the perch proved too insecure, the owl lost its balance, returned to flight and was finally gone.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I reverted to scanning the original grass field and a Short eared Owl was flying over where the sloping field rose to a gentle summit.The owl hunted along the ridge, the sun turning its plumage to the colour of old gold, its upperparts profusely chequered with brown and buff. Tilting in flight it dropped a wing to reveal a pale cream underside which on catching the sun became even paler, a dark semi circular mark at the bend of the wing the only blemish. It cruised along in a flight that once known is uttely distinctive, its long wings carrying it in glides that swing and sway its body from side to side as it passes low over the grass, persistently and diligently seeking its vole prey. Disconcertingly unblinking yellow eyes, the epitomy of concentration and intent stared straight ahead as it flew, the bright sun now low in the sky having no discernible effect on its sight.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKNI-me6tMeDGuKTy2E6Ug5yfCpdX6Y1lcV6tF13kc5XhAck9xGPZvz5wkPUfCAPba3tWaULQdvT4abHxTnQ-3Ue7SDtmtUQ3GN_2KM2vG45hZq7ChMNsdZwstlD_Aq3YSnrlQNvBbYwU9QPE9DSjbOPN9tfOVpejoOsIQuOnoDFZDlmRajdW4YVN6bDT/s1614/_J9A9823-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1614" data-original-width="1433" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKNI-me6tMeDGuKTy2E6Ug5yfCpdX6Y1lcV6tF13kc5XhAck9xGPZvz5wkPUfCAPba3tWaULQdvT4abHxTnQ-3Ue7SDtmtUQ3GN_2KM2vG45hZq7ChMNsdZwstlD_Aq3YSnrlQNvBbYwU9QPE9DSjbOPN9tfOVpejoOsIQuOnoDFZDlmRajdW4YVN6bDT/w568-h640/_J9A9823-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4c1L5XDvnxvG9nAeupPyqpiAaGOzstNqd9LqlgbSamdYyP-kLNC8OlY12djKXax7nvzs4GdUxdscAhcZG1Xkqrw4ujkO-MxzhWsXqgNMum9lDPnhnbbB-dPSztCnQiJD8YDhs5wjmw2pwgaeg3qTogZPuoSfZeC_4CmlWOJbRth298e2j5iSfZk__Usu/s2107/_J9A9824.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2107" data-original-width="1891" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4c1L5XDvnxvG9nAeupPyqpiAaGOzstNqd9LqlgbSamdYyP-kLNC8OlY12djKXax7nvzs4GdUxdscAhcZG1Xkqrw4ujkO-MxzhWsXqgNMum9lDPnhnbbB-dPSztCnQiJD8YDhs5wjmw2pwgaeg3qTogZPuoSfZeC_4CmlWOJbRth298e2j5iSfZk__Usu/w574-h640/_J9A9824.JPG" width="574" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPpmdShXCuQql3bkUHUtLCfydF6qfjWU_HWSEYwujb3H5p_PjDlyz0nLKtaoTVPVpx2OrpIyBhcylitQi2fS3ZJfI77D3EGMYpU5Z0oFIOV4mQd4XU8dIJGT-d-Bg-oKtsFGjgbskNMjXYVW4DfaVkEilEVPJAff3Errh2tTDWaS4ofZnk4LAfso-xgsU/s2642/_J9A0028.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1265" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPpmdShXCuQql3bkUHUtLCfydF6qfjWU_HWSEYwujb3H5p_PjDlyz0nLKtaoTVPVpx2OrpIyBhcylitQi2fS3ZJfI77D3EGMYpU5Z0oFIOV4mQd4XU8dIJGT-d-Bg-oKtsFGjgbskNMjXYVW4DfaVkEilEVPJAff3Errh2tTDWaS4ofZnk4LAfso-xgsU/w306-h640/_J9A0028.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNuEv3ll3pioxI3WrbsCB7Mj9ncwUVu-9NvzpAnosPSrnoOVbHexsRpSuaWYhuTlyD5o6nSs4kuSb-HD3wa986vfQeNAvbv4IYBYO4NXAB2nVNt3M-GJtR9FpjcaTmUEoDHFEUTxByhUY4cYrvokICnonrUY8aZsCD928v5XdQauN8v7SD9T3gFQa69iu/s1466/_J9A0005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="1330" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNuEv3ll3pioxI3WrbsCB7Mj9ncwUVu-9NvzpAnosPSrnoOVbHexsRpSuaWYhuTlyD5o6nSs4kuSb-HD3wa986vfQeNAvbv4IYBYO4NXAB2nVNt3M-GJtR9FpjcaTmUEoDHFEUTxByhUY4cYrvokICnonrUY8aZsCD928v5XdQauN8v7SD9T3gFQa69iu/w363-h400/_J9A0005.JPG" width="363" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ0OZIyD9F8hkg3xMnGnnyMbNX8jShxD590c5KuMF9HM_1FlMRBDeY73ZrTce_H3XuGCeEp8DEhaKuMr9OudoaL3SzEShwyQ819mLugqrsHOFriVTaL1fsP5O7DotnMEaCksbY3W2fGJGlRp_vvt9UzfJeUAun0ApkeFcZt7ERLXT-nN72fUGBcsWny3O/s1335/_J9A0018.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1335" height="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ0OZIyD9F8hkg3xMnGnnyMbNX8jShxD590c5KuMF9HM_1FlMRBDeY73ZrTce_H3XuGCeEp8DEhaKuMr9OudoaL3SzEShwyQ819mLugqrsHOFriVTaL1fsP5O7DotnMEaCksbY3W2fGJGlRp_vvt9UzfJeUAun0ApkeFcZt7ERLXT-nN72fUGBcsWny3O/w640-h629/_J9A0018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FMPj4_9iIHekWy_QwupuisySB0w143sq2QQX7rXIvYEh2QQNV8DZd0dHT1_j8gg7Ewa67gWQ7cGgw4aYonEYzgl4-aQ8thOlQtaKpGkg8AjIcwh9ZaJeXsXL_WBJhZRrJ0whjwkUoDMERzWHBpQjpmDrFpZ3Vlv05xhNzI-nwqyDt4sSwKPWD07mHa1r/s1504/_J9A9826.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1308" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FMPj4_9iIHekWy_QwupuisySB0w143sq2QQX7rXIvYEh2QQNV8DZd0dHT1_j8gg7Ewa67gWQ7cGgw4aYonEYzgl4-aQ8thOlQtaKpGkg8AjIcwh9ZaJeXsXL_WBJhZRrJ0whjwkUoDMERzWHBpQjpmDrFpZ3Vlv05xhNzI-nwqyDt4sSwKPWD07mHa1r/w348-h400/_J9A9826.JPG" width="348" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRfeF-VtsMu28Gpl1Ztu3WTt_JBAqCfBNfnCJxv0Jhf-rHYvjR_yd-tKsMrADvH2IJ4tnBfR_SmT0Irf7yaidcy1SAbIhwUwZVGVQ6atLiXMvVnMOCve3v9UUWeQ1iSNNHO9YxSKZ4B-Oa1aW4gGnO3g5k7vS0yhfcRtEAUDvzSYTKU3HwLXQvAEQsYki/s1707/_J9A9830.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="1295" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRfeF-VtsMu28Gpl1Ztu3WTt_JBAqCfBNfnCJxv0Jhf-rHYvjR_yd-tKsMrADvH2IJ4tnBfR_SmT0Irf7yaidcy1SAbIhwUwZVGVQ6atLiXMvVnMOCve3v9UUWeQ1iSNNHO9YxSKZ4B-Oa1aW4gGnO3g5k7vS0yhfcRtEAUDvzSYTKU3HwLXQvAEQsYki/w486-h640/_J9A9830.JPG" width="486" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYG9pDfqdch6XsNg-_FqLFqQJ5mdV89CL9kkM2H4tVdlDTGiJTW_MeiO3L5y_f8NuzK0aL_lerYuklaoCgG3adHjCgplJf0x3bFJ7WMQZ3YVfR3YvgzMWVwMpEggVeUjd64Pj6E1xb8QReIHzajYjG09JgfctY5GS7MkqVW7MnfNwuHhTft9MBNwCODUPK/s1615/_J9A9827.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="1404" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYG9pDfqdch6XsNg-_FqLFqQJ5mdV89CL9kkM2H4tVdlDTGiJTW_MeiO3L5y_f8NuzK0aL_lerYuklaoCgG3adHjCgplJf0x3bFJ7WMQZ3YVfR3YvgzMWVwMpEggVeUjd64Pj6E1xb8QReIHzajYjG09JgfctY5GS7MkqVW7MnfNwuHhTft9MBNwCODUPK/w556-h640/_J9A9827.JPG" width="556" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBf1kKswjaFqx4Kf6m-lDPh4goXaS88CGOUR4anAMUfnk98MtYlbHzCt9vErNWRltSF5huePlF46vNWYgyRLReySATV0ROUfuKgEI06qYiDGkNpDH-gwIsMEcaqIcUECno1040hZUQeGUMJGIIGLKNpiWLtELE3mSRJcTHMW046lrm1UxcT06e2o-l6pel/s1407/_J9A9860.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBf1kKswjaFqx4Kf6m-lDPh4goXaS88CGOUR4anAMUfnk98MtYlbHzCt9vErNWRltSF5huePlF46vNWYgyRLReySATV0ROUfuKgEI06qYiDGkNpDH-gwIsMEcaqIcUECno1040hZUQeGUMJGIIGLKNpiWLtELE3mSRJcTHMW046lrm1UxcT06e2o-l6pel/w628-h640/_J9A9860.JPG" width="628" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">They never come really close, doubtless with their acute senses they are fully aware of us stood behind the low wall and the coloured shining metal of the many cars parked along the road. Cock Pheasants crowed as they blundered across the road in laboured flight, then to land heavily in the field and hide in the long grass. A Skylark sang, persuaded into an evensong by the sun slowly sinking in the west, casting a soft gentle light that infused the owl's plumage. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQs2praP1LuhSwiBknLglFlk0ziZ0WPllmAqS6B6hZ1FyNMxof0AGEmC2ZH2nXjW8sUBMnVQFqQy6PEJmnBfiGl9yWD5s3jO6L-AojW3VDTf1vXjoOgG14dbJQyA2xC-4gQ-kqChtyXSfs_JsKmv-C7R_nWjBQv7rmV9Q0YNABbPIG2jgRgiOYTfTVBpGz/s1146/_J9A9935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1146" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQs2praP1LuhSwiBknLglFlk0ziZ0WPllmAqS6B6hZ1FyNMxof0AGEmC2ZH2nXjW8sUBMnVQFqQy6PEJmnBfiGl9yWD5s3jO6L-AojW3VDTf1vXjoOgG14dbJQyA2xC-4gQ-kqChtyXSfs_JsKmv-C7R_nWjBQv7rmV9Q0YNABbPIG2jgRgiOYTfTVBpGz/w640-h586/_J9A9935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEDSMdrj8wnbKqQ8jXxVABYAl9qnwLZV51So0y7zOULdAsZzA_kFDr3CS5rqdAQHM38DKL-_uCUXwfMS_gAVmzov3kxu8qZyHhvZnUaqTAeielIDytH2F99oG1b8F5F8prO4K3Mdak2JesWkqsr4GIrlcU2yPSZbRaMBgvlU8ouNFWIXmOu7NizlKCGRF/s1709/_J9A9939.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1709" data-original-width="1501" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEDSMdrj8wnbKqQ8jXxVABYAl9qnwLZV51So0y7zOULdAsZzA_kFDr3CS5rqdAQHM38DKL-_uCUXwfMS_gAVmzov3kxu8qZyHhvZnUaqTAeielIDytH2F99oG1b8F5F8prO4K3Mdak2JesWkqsr4GIrlcU2yPSZbRaMBgvlU8ouNFWIXmOu7NizlKCGRF/w562-h640/_J9A9939.JPG" width="562" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWc0CgTc7bZ5zGwyXICu98pnenu4lIfeZhJzviHKu8ecAuaFNbxdivcEhnknOfIFx7kjZ5pwFpL_1JY-1-ONvzYC9t2Zm5fe3G_FE2RLhgYdWZCdGi6wloC81NM0862zl7r73vIaOUxbhkDO_kbkOAG95SCwEkCzHDZXfjVoSfcfr_93bPDGqLEKe5iWb/s1476/_J9A9940.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1378" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWc0CgTc7bZ5zGwyXICu98pnenu4lIfeZhJzviHKu8ecAuaFNbxdivcEhnknOfIFx7kjZ5pwFpL_1JY-1-ONvzYC9t2Zm5fe3G_FE2RLhgYdWZCdGi6wloC81NM0862zl7r73vIaOUxbhkDO_kbkOAG95SCwEkCzHDZXfjVoSfcfr_93bPDGqLEKe5iWb/w598-h640/_J9A9940.JPG" width="598" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAijlD8mMHoA-RKdqNu4HvuYACP2RKXe-Qx63k7rd4QlpIWoeDrccYPGTGHrMSxUdPjBVoeTzQETrJ9Rb91-K5gsKQGOWOenb5GY2ah6bT70xEHMPHyJzVv8BU_mJ7SDJaVQ9MOyHFoD0hhcrAoduUXS2EFmqT7Ub4aJsfzECl9UxxeWwjqj5IeI8WsXQt/s1496/_J9A9942.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="1496" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAijlD8mMHoA-RKdqNu4HvuYACP2RKXe-Qx63k7rd4QlpIWoeDrccYPGTGHrMSxUdPjBVoeTzQETrJ9Rb91-K5gsKQGOWOenb5GY2ah6bT70xEHMPHyJzVv8BU_mJ7SDJaVQ9MOyHFoD0hhcrAoduUXS2EFmqT7Ub4aJsfzECl9UxxeWwjqj5IeI8WsXQt/w640-h600/_J9A9942.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGODg34Oe-S-ap3FrkvDrivL_ZjiNGCu6o8YHtm4jaa600bBL2yd8jKVr-2OHPsMjuAtTSl6MIZ8p70Yg0Il5XH1OjeEeiTACJvRvIGM55EMyLnZ8r_18Ivp-L7ph_npaOq75VF74_-OGFyfqEtBdYmPNWpNtVxuLNZLGOoeLWJPxrxEep_6QRIPlXC61z/s1332/_J9A9945.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGODg34Oe-S-ap3FrkvDrivL_ZjiNGCu6o8YHtm4jaa600bBL2yd8jKVr-2OHPsMjuAtTSl6MIZ8p70Yg0Il5XH1OjeEeiTACJvRvIGM55EMyLnZ8r_18Ivp-L7ph_npaOq75VF74_-OGFyfqEtBdYmPNWpNtVxuLNZLGOoeLWJPxrxEep_6QRIPlXC61z/w602-h640/_J9A9945.JPG" width="602" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Another owl commenced flying and possibly a third, always remaining at a distance that was just beyond my camera and lens's comfort zone but I clicked away regardless and hoped. I was determined to enjoy myself regardless of the result.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uy5RJVAdryUI_ab9U8c_3-aewqhvhUSWTHbvvJkZsoI0iz9ELrazBeOd0ZU0MfIVxRjlelOJY4LsDLzuFP6AqUBRiCFLiSvXjXgK2LmVtkqH8WYjrKR-uLvyZH_f5mW8EbET-szteGkGJWHFuyV-rgIABn55RfYevhBLfgxmyj90NTcxpvGFQRwYqfJx/s2494/_J9A9734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2494" data-original-width="1971" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uy5RJVAdryUI_ab9U8c_3-aewqhvhUSWTHbvvJkZsoI0iz9ELrazBeOd0ZU0MfIVxRjlelOJY4LsDLzuFP6AqUBRiCFLiSvXjXgK2LmVtkqH8WYjrKR-uLvyZH_f5mW8EbET-szteGkGJWHFuyV-rgIABn55RfYevhBLfgxmyj90NTcxpvGFQRwYqfJx/w506-h640/_J9A9734.JPG" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yw8SlPmD5cpwF57ZxknrKtpD2v6fQXsSYZjl2h7lVVuJALO5OJMK9i7oRWRAMrsQDqtZOqFPBha2yT8xdbHnACzKjQ3TYaHeXCoJAFxTGxPKlnZlC5X62j8MMOqSJA4rniTboaoCvo8SkWCsCcDV86srhEA4071nNHu6zsGUzq1iH33L2IHDo7LyqcNn/s2220/_J9A9760.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="2220" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yw8SlPmD5cpwF57ZxknrKtpD2v6fQXsSYZjl2h7lVVuJALO5OJMK9i7oRWRAMrsQDqtZOqFPBha2yT8xdbHnACzKjQ3TYaHeXCoJAFxTGxPKlnZlC5X62j8MMOqSJA4rniTboaoCvo8SkWCsCcDV86srhEA4071nNHu6zsGUzq1iH33L2IHDo7LyqcNn/w640-h630/_J9A9760.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KPmlH4QuLbHWMXdn9Eg2N1F8Cnbr0gQhRmnfHgZLLSm0zpclgyu51jy8eikXoXMwhYhNSEAEVliTcnlFAiT1b6oFRI8FLqRkZ-onJJhm3wGshRO596lZx5i67woysW1pLiMpbNjMlWr3NJIcvw-qXAh0R1trXAX68yt4VWBpkhcYhFLXi5KASattdCsa/s1514/_J9A9785.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1514" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KPmlH4QuLbHWMXdn9Eg2N1F8Cnbr0gQhRmnfHgZLLSm0zpclgyu51jy8eikXoXMwhYhNSEAEVliTcnlFAiT1b6oFRI8FLqRkZ-onJJhm3wGshRO596lZx5i67woysW1pLiMpbNjMlWr3NJIcvw-qXAh0R1trXAX68yt4VWBpkhcYhFLXi5KASattdCsa/w400-h339/_J9A9785.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yUDjhIacaFpgm4TEDcVyfgCGJp7pR1dAUID9Jv0YLavNLZLbKVFq3ZT5RvzKl592sw3q3QpE46-qspLXcHekNKAADYYdz-Y3xRVTCPdl6GKy7tRLHcFdcUFQ6zqWO9wT_8ADALOzcHSuyfnZIX4isE3kUqC5GwqjHraa7z_6x7pSP0pgqdGuUO3jn7xO/s1490/_J9A9800.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1490" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yUDjhIacaFpgm4TEDcVyfgCGJp7pR1dAUID9Jv0YLavNLZLbKVFq3ZT5RvzKl592sw3q3QpE46-qspLXcHekNKAADYYdz-Y3xRVTCPdl6GKy7tRLHcFdcUFQ6zqWO9wT_8ADALOzcHSuyfnZIX4isE3kUqC5GwqjHraa7z_6x7pSP0pgqdGuUO3jn7xO/w400-h328/_J9A9800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4JVjdkcJ-Z-anEu2ntE_ia_nFH-ikhxbTzN59NGyEa8Sj9RtOgKtevKigyYYkXiI-_Ar02UviPBy_kJN12kpTC-pqawGRsczYVwmuya4sRRULHgD7Qnpftbjqd4llRad0SUbNQdsluI_JTlyZWRWSRABEw2JDPwV70C7-8n3XVgeY_ZBxRefLMITHbj4/s1601/_J9A9389.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="1424" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4JVjdkcJ-Z-anEu2ntE_ia_nFH-ikhxbTzN59NGyEa8Sj9RtOgKtevKigyYYkXiI-_Ar02UviPBy_kJN12kpTC-pqawGRsczYVwmuya4sRRULHgD7Qnpftbjqd4llRad0SUbNQdsluI_JTlyZWRWSRABEw2JDPwV70C7-8n3XVgeY_ZBxRefLMITHbj4/w570-h640/_J9A9389.JPG" width="570" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfNKpas7pnztfoFC0kNio8I5l_M2GbjDVDGmIXwLgxdn4NBmPGkZcbEd5QS6DZxDxtGAKp2tDjzIP3WpU3FOEGsSVTu6gnKTwjwlxxjJdBM451spNKSH7Ref8kuCAv_Y_TILtTZpDsGgfBLbVzAnYHJBeGjfGRNEANZRhyGtSLslQgLOzxRk8fIuDf-5M/s1401/_J9A9381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1401" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfNKpas7pnztfoFC0kNio8I5l_M2GbjDVDGmIXwLgxdn4NBmPGkZcbEd5QS6DZxDxtGAKp2tDjzIP3WpU3FOEGsSVTu6gnKTwjwlxxjJdBM451spNKSH7Ref8kuCAv_Y_TILtTZpDsGgfBLbVzAnYHJBeGjfGRNEANZRhyGtSLslQgLOzxRk8fIuDf-5M/w400-h378/_J9A9381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJhNthkwXSZHaHWQyTShok2bYUwlB5Kpqtci6RyZ3Lz4He0FHKEGVDZovt3zaAQNfFowZ5ZXlJnK5dcM2l0YO0kN9OQLDUkESBt18ChpN2iHXEdyq3bBl22u_umy6LhNddkUJwrFWHwO7GjCHUHgGDULaFrwq0gBzeVo6K14fwVWZWLJ0oV2jSEHoRtlK/s3280/_J9A8864.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3280" data-original-width="3044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJhNthkwXSZHaHWQyTShok2bYUwlB5Kpqtci6RyZ3Lz4He0FHKEGVDZovt3zaAQNfFowZ5ZXlJnK5dcM2l0YO0kN9OQLDUkESBt18ChpN2iHXEdyq3bBl22u_umy6LhNddkUJwrFWHwO7GjCHUHgGDULaFrwq0gBzeVo6K14fwVWZWLJ0oV2jSEHoRtlK/w594-h640/_J9A8864.JPG" width="594" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y1gzWezxNRCMuBYbn7JDGlEehvYnAgOuNZ21T3k_yhzTHDEIQLq8uGkDwqvzkng86Zxx8R-EJ8gdNF_Pe5jWoTdXpN9FJrlL2eDY6pQedDVpEt1Q3N-SLQVsUA3hhxU9KwXXuiqevmJ_RrmIvFP2t4F9dPT9ok_Qf1OtYIouZJDG8Iw1T-fGCPpu-Z03/s1332/_J9A9217.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1332" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y1gzWezxNRCMuBYbn7JDGlEehvYnAgOuNZ21T3k_yhzTHDEIQLq8uGkDwqvzkng86Zxx8R-EJ8gdNF_Pe5jWoTdXpN9FJrlL2eDY6pQedDVpEt1Q3N-SLQVsUA3hhxU9KwXXuiqevmJ_RrmIvFP2t4F9dPT9ok_Qf1OtYIouZJDG8Iw1T-fGCPpu-Z03/w400-h371/_J9A9217.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBroh01RN_mh19p7-67nC6OAJsikhrgRzUhpvzmkFg93OFYRaCX4LHKSN3LIlzFSLiwe-_bxWhztTOL6RYI-RacacsKbydc89An3hlZz_EPK2gVOPcMTyNaZn4ZBqA72p55vIOQTNogdvklv4_1X3bN8_Eaf-ZPTNwr8zZ5idzsczIVg3aZ9vczr1dkSj2/s1341/_J9A9299.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBroh01RN_mh19p7-67nC6OAJsikhrgRzUhpvzmkFg93OFYRaCX4LHKSN3LIlzFSLiwe-_bxWhztTOL6RYI-RacacsKbydc89An3hlZz_EPK2gVOPcMTyNaZn4ZBqA72p55vIOQTNogdvklv4_1X3bN8_Eaf-ZPTNwr8zZ5idzsczIVg3aZ9vczr1dkSj2/w550-h640/_J9A9299.JPG" width="550" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A pre-dusk hush settled on the land, the sun now so low it was invisible behind the hawthorns. A Fieldfare, chackering in alarm, flew high overhead, making its way across the slowly darkening sky to its roost. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I set course for home my anxieties banished.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-25506213342711102172024-01-21T12:46:00.000-08:002024-01-30T05:05:20.468-08:00The Waxwings of Rodborough Common 20th January 2024<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5sWsLYmuKXhc5S-3GrHYdtiBKjDhmZ3Uw_uH_SlmuBXvmDqZFiW9KbYSU130t4Gff9cUL76EO4bKY_TmBC5-LGvO55-FRATSPneWpDO_bxJIK6DGr1kCpF79gHRewGfWVETL-k1NtK7t1QXTHP4La8zYd-9Llx9WJPv4_3RFSg-najxku-6dHqncpM6K/s3811/_J9A5724-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3811" data-original-width="3047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5sWsLYmuKXhc5S-3GrHYdtiBKjDhmZ3Uw_uH_SlmuBXvmDqZFiW9KbYSU130t4Gff9cUL76EO4bKY_TmBC5-LGvO55-FRATSPneWpDO_bxJIK6DGr1kCpF79gHRewGfWVETL-k1NtK7t1QXTHP4La8zYd-9Llx9WJPv4_3RFSg-najxku-6dHqncpM6K/w512-h640/_J9A5724-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">There is only one thing better than a Waxwing and that is a flock of them. Fortunately for me a flock of between thirty and forty have been frequenting Rodborough Common near Stroud in Gloucestershire which is less than an hour's drive from my home.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Waxwings, present for over a week now have been creating quite a sensation with birders and public alike, as Rodborough Common is a site of biological and geological interest as well as a popular place for recreation with the wider public.It is bisected by a busy road with two small car parks right by the road and as luck would have it exactly where the waxwings have chosen to feed on some scattered windswept hawthorn bushes that lie alongside the road on the opposite side to the car parks.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRU92s5T7cXgELQJ0Tku8jrOiS647aqxkGvZajnSCPx630hp6RCNINU8a5z4sLcw_DQN2kgT3hMHTTvt9Rn61NWW3Y2zCKiBRDijVWF-sYJEtcqNhMeA4an_9KUXSm1UosQobQr0aIErsAAkDA_vdahfRy2l4gD-Xy-KpoULpMPC2rGwbSrt3xXaIrJPV/s4032/IMG_6873%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRU92s5T7cXgELQJ0Tku8jrOiS647aqxkGvZajnSCPx630hp6RCNINU8a5z4sLcw_DQN2kgT3hMHTTvt9Rn61NWW3Y2zCKiBRDijVWF-sYJEtcqNhMeA4an_9KUXSm1UosQobQr0aIErsAAkDA_vdahfRy2l4gD-Xy-KpoULpMPC2rGwbSrt3xXaIrJPV/w640-h480/IMG_6873%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The Waxwings fed on the two small hawthorn bushes right by the road</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I was unsure what to expect as this would be a first visit to Rodborough Common for me. I found an open, windswept area of grassland situated at some elevation. All very pleasant but </span><span style="font-family: times;">would I know where to go to see the birds? I need not have worried as on arriving there was no mistaking where the waxwings were. Right by the road!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIeFmoDKIH9KA8Zhq4qN_usBrtGL3l5FJbmITfZMq8Tf_RHyamYMu5PvHzRTuvO5kcfr5xXTwl6fy29R4KOL9Vx2FyP-zjjCc90Q5ozpev702QDCPw5Ncu9Nna8PA2yDzDa7h-ZcmzqmtKigDNFxwqoeQGv0iM8wFG6_cCcVWgCoMGGmZwa_Mhyphenhyphenq-P_C4/s6960/_J9A4724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIeFmoDKIH9KA8Zhq4qN_usBrtGL3l5FJbmITfZMq8Tf_RHyamYMu5PvHzRTuvO5kcfr5xXTwl6fy29R4KOL9Vx2FyP-zjjCc90Q5ozpev702QDCPw5Ncu9Nna8PA2yDzDa7h-ZcmzqmtKigDNFxwqoeQGv0iM8wFG6_cCcVWgCoMGGmZwa_Mhyphenhyphenq-P_C4/w640-h426/_J9A4724.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just in case I was in any doubt a line of people were stood on the verge by the road pointing cameras at a hawthorn bush festooned with waxwings. </div></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBtVSXybT1fiDqO_HNxWY08eoJgzbEfzJ5XGv4z2BxehkgSL8hUN1B3VmMGSqhTJpSKlaueYOOOVS1w1FV6Ai_z8mklJpJ93O1cKu0KOrIxSQlbgEd1Wggka0TtPU3S3ATax4ozzRNfagJn2laS_mWTkqqG8CAV0AE-PkUvvweY5wY6jQCQpf2MkzUnHz/s4032/IMG_6869%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBtVSXybT1fiDqO_HNxWY08eoJgzbEfzJ5XGv4z2BxehkgSL8hUN1B3VmMGSqhTJpSKlaueYOOOVS1w1FV6Ai_z8mklJpJ93O1cKu0KOrIxSQlbgEd1Wggka0TtPU3S3ATax4ozzRNfagJn2laS_mWTkqqG8CAV0AE-PkUvvweY5wY6jQCQpf2MkzUnHz/w640-h480/IMG_6869%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOekilYLwJ1TZSG9bad4fwlctLEDI-jvOSX3xrngoGX4z49Ins-kJ-JjmWuUGwWgvvUU7DzVSF8iqHQMRVj624QjIXByESIyXM_7A3YPa9uYqqwWAXtqxlpimUUzP4NoUzIp_NYMtgcE4n7sw4J_PslTnM2U3BB6CDQwtrGqjgLktBcscHbUQO_BtMBcE/s4032/IMG_6880%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOekilYLwJ1TZSG9bad4fwlctLEDI-jvOSX3xrngoGX4z49Ins-kJ-JjmWuUGwWgvvUU7DzVSF8iqHQMRVj624QjIXByESIyXM_7A3YPa9uYqqwWAXtqxlpimUUzP4NoUzIp_NYMtgcE4n7sw4J_PslTnM2U3BB6CDQwtrGqjgLktBcscHbUQO_BtMBcE/w480-h640/IMG_6880%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;">I hastily parked the car, grabbed camera and bins, hat and gloves and made my way to join the throng.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWvalAjyOSbxevqbvWVJttsY7oj8g1xGEe_YLOiFmLpbZHZb_MD7LIk843cHcJZbua6doNBG3fGn6u0WSvLQlsTITYFV6j9WrGHRBZhlNmz71JBKkQQWkskIoZtcRRhWSFDqmqVOchNWIkIjEwVzzfCtevR3MoNYAsdhNPGcuI6hYSnNEzuziDLelHFz0/s5890/_J9A1213.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5890" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWvalAjyOSbxevqbvWVJttsY7oj8g1xGEe_YLOiFmLpbZHZb_MD7LIk843cHcJZbua6doNBG3fGn6u0WSvLQlsTITYFV6j9WrGHRBZhlNmz71JBKkQQWkskIoZtcRRhWSFDqmqVOchNWIkIjEwVzzfCtevR3MoNYAsdhNPGcuI6hYSnNEzuziDLelHFz0/w640-h504/_J9A1213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Waxwings retreated to a larger hawthorn behind the car park and then flew across the road to a tall tree about a hundred metres from the road, settling right at the top but soon flew back to the hawthorn bushes.Unfortunately with the bushes being so close to the road they were constantly disturbed by passing cars so never remained for more than a minute before fleeing but they </span><span style="font-family: times;">always</span><span style="font-family: times;"> eventually returned. In the meantime they would perch in any one of a number of large trees. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcnjYPA_tAKbHuC1MkRCbMIKFEn6yis3EMnr58jG87mMZafiivCeoHQqEnJmZS4KAPZszfbEdrcldslcd-mLnb_DF-o88MJ4SfsvdPm4-TUdpRbOjwLsbBxjjt2eK8FidlB7xgco_Qv-tDX5sVePJvSNI_6e2NhzWDqDPsL2Mi_j5r8J3eXVssGEc8RC_/s4298/_J9A3020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4149" data-original-width="4298" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcnjYPA_tAKbHuC1MkRCbMIKFEn6yis3EMnr58jG87mMZafiivCeoHQqEnJmZS4KAPZszfbEdrcldslcd-mLnb_DF-o88MJ4SfsvdPm4-TUdpRbOjwLsbBxjjt2eK8FidlB7xgco_Qv-tDX5sVePJvSNI_6e2NhzWDqDPsL2Mi_j5r8J3eXVssGEc8RC_/w640-h618/_J9A3020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For the next two hours I watched and photographed them flying back and fore from whatever large tree they chose to perch in to whatever hawthorn they decided to feed on. Compared to rowan and cotoneaster berries the hawthorn berries looked past their best and far less appetising but the Waxwings fed on them voraciously</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGS48f8jka9la5cvLN2-Y-qxf548Lh_64_wQj1Mrz3yGu5aFP6HqOCekcwGIowNRdnbYbJGmxSp45y41Ws9jxEVgKA7nTUBQ-HOzKKmf24TYZWatfrcL39HqS2m9suu2j6g9KGpNF08hOs4nIc8nGK920XmnvgWF9k02QQLnyYRPw8sCAHJMRENtGYCbfH/s2673/_J9A1429.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2673" data-original-width="1895" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGS48f8jka9la5cvLN2-Y-qxf548Lh_64_wQj1Mrz3yGu5aFP6HqOCekcwGIowNRdnbYbJGmxSp45y41Ws9jxEVgKA7nTUBQ-HOzKKmf24TYZWatfrcL39HqS2m9suu2j6g9KGpNF08hOs4nIc8nGK920XmnvgWF9k02QQLnyYRPw8sCAHJMRENtGYCbfH/w454-h640/_J9A1429.JPG" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhkHU0Xnhd6XFYV1VlU5s7OPfZCRBOZkgh4f9xYq7dCs-xPdv7ed1iKbRpzL8MoSHRZjx6_Ey_AjDjIjstgUZywsw_8KVsF2cESB3FNDtIqIMEIWzDcmjlcX1ewKaHZipdMiq08g-XrSrI_y_AH-uGOReFgeOonU3ra6JbRw9yUbQAvTR5902TuorpsiH/s4214/_J9A2220.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4214" data-original-width="3567" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhkHU0Xnhd6XFYV1VlU5s7OPfZCRBOZkgh4f9xYq7dCs-xPdv7ed1iKbRpzL8MoSHRZjx6_Ey_AjDjIjstgUZywsw_8KVsF2cESB3FNDtIqIMEIWzDcmjlcX1ewKaHZipdMiq08g-XrSrI_y_AH-uGOReFgeOonU3ra6JbRw9yUbQAvTR5902TuorpsiH/w542-h640/_J9A2220.JPG" width="542" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHcZisxyfHPTyiJ8m0H48__j1WcXsIyv_140dBsuKRMSa96UzbaI0a8TkHaDcDNw99i4w1QRnZWMwwU1NuvhuwMUSGjvLpC1o3jZQnaXbqB-7_e6pxN_QEYDSLHlNfl0_qfE8lhPfrGRiH2_I5uD_UyKu-QzWV5cEX9TWJ2yAmn-IjsBGsssNXDT4Yi9P/s6372/_J9A2370.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4580" data-original-width="6372" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHcZisxyfHPTyiJ8m0H48__j1WcXsIyv_140dBsuKRMSa96UzbaI0a8TkHaDcDNw99i4w1QRnZWMwwU1NuvhuwMUSGjvLpC1o3jZQnaXbqB-7_e6pxN_QEYDSLHlNfl0_qfE8lhPfrGRiH2_I5uD_UyKu-QzWV5cEX9TWJ2yAmn-IjsBGsssNXDT4Yi9P/w400-h288/_J9A2370.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudy11mgNqLJl2JmRX4tPETTEJX8SWf8ai6dPcb4obsEO3LqhsQvG2ndw1NrIk4Nn5Wi5qJiV19J2VloGr2B6qwSri6DZrPvQD5LSMQPFZmJre07eiXBiE5okR5JqXXwTnQgfyuoQYrKsWcYQhAek_IVgmF7pGWKihrVNrpcKNUhfTBhERmF87ZhDD_n1f/s2763/_J9A1530.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2763" data-original-width="2709" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudy11mgNqLJl2JmRX4tPETTEJX8SWf8ai6dPcb4obsEO3LqhsQvG2ndw1NrIk4Nn5Wi5qJiV19J2VloGr2B6qwSri6DZrPvQD5LSMQPFZmJre07eiXBiE5okR5JqXXwTnQgfyuoQYrKsWcYQhAek_IVgmF7pGWKihrVNrpcKNUhfTBhERmF87ZhDD_n1f/w628-h640/_J9A1530.JPG" width="628" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_i2qbyogmf0AJv0C_cU7XBIhXDP4aeZPa8UoB2N1skkgs56UDMYkNy8l7SA-pbIB12MfRqgtW7l_vBXEZkkCqwUPRHMSJ8W79MEh32p3lmKFw6iNnwKSjsl1cajZJKjYMn-7KJeyL4mEqSLljuxTwzrewxVBFXxvOkP817xo_Py-8H-uE9shgVd4lnn1/s4824/_J9A2197.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4395" data-original-width="4824" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_i2qbyogmf0AJv0C_cU7XBIhXDP4aeZPa8UoB2N1skkgs56UDMYkNy8l7SA-pbIB12MfRqgtW7l_vBXEZkkCqwUPRHMSJ8W79MEh32p3lmKFw6iNnwKSjsl1cajZJKjYMn-7KJeyL4mEqSLljuxTwzrewxVBFXxvOkP817xo_Py-8H-uE9shgVd4lnn1/w400-h365/_J9A2197.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7CssSe-sjHy3VuXGPfFz0AorXAxaxz-I__MxSRqqikYzpE0iVgUxCDT1GPhgTBg1SmWTWWEJHYio3JiHPdzIv6ELgB5TNun01_A1Sn1_tq4qc-FYJf2ngRntQ8PI6-iAub-XoIXT3h74Dv9CDz1v_BKiMq2H6wTAKpJhFICmE2vbjnJeKRAoCivl_wkS/s4341/_J9A2160.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4341" data-original-width="4095" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7CssSe-sjHy3VuXGPfFz0AorXAxaxz-I__MxSRqqikYzpE0iVgUxCDT1GPhgTBg1SmWTWWEJHYio3JiHPdzIv6ELgB5TNun01_A1Sn1_tq4qc-FYJf2ngRntQ8PI6-iAub-XoIXT3h74Dv9CDz1v_BKiMq2H6wTAKpJhFICmE2vbjnJeKRAoCivl_wkS/w604-h640/_J9A2160.JPG" width="604" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7u1YPRptcqXR0bSmI5yXCKc5V87kHwZMoarJN8bGHeJLpuADQPH1PA12AXWFK_S8gsgbePJPU9sE1V-exB2XmmSQ43iGFEeuQ6-TG5tAv2-dYjq0bLIx2swUmXlwXl8OUh6DmyhEdWyGvibkWfnpO7pjReBSMDoZQJ0FnbL6pXgE4pRUg9Ne7GI4cKrk/s3664/_J9A2644.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3570" data-original-width="3664" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7u1YPRptcqXR0bSmI5yXCKc5V87kHwZMoarJN8bGHeJLpuADQPH1PA12AXWFK_S8gsgbePJPU9sE1V-exB2XmmSQ43iGFEeuQ6-TG5tAv2-dYjq0bLIx2swUmXlwXl8OUh6DmyhEdWyGvibkWfnpO7pjReBSMDoZQJ0FnbL6pXgE4pRUg9Ne7GI4cKrk/w640-h624/_J9A2644.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG2qxGuQEhpHgxB4mdudnYCr65qcfsBOPTKBd5xccxA0Kcsl4Wz5u4zgIAyiUfb9WmslBOGesUBcyfxywccsa8HEC_Xw2pjyZIrByYPcdq1Br7oLU4KqnSAzPesKhNaJoqUoOMofZ1k8LuJZx_50uRwfDXQO12WYif_UPW0zV6OYwNw18rFeMzhS02XCS/s5864/_J9A2942.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5864" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG2qxGuQEhpHgxB4mdudnYCr65qcfsBOPTKBd5xccxA0Kcsl4Wz5u4zgIAyiUfb9WmslBOGesUBcyfxywccsa8HEC_Xw2pjyZIrByYPcdq1Br7oLU4KqnSAzPesKhNaJoqUoOMofZ1k8LuJZx_50uRwfDXQO12WYif_UPW0zV6OYwNw18rFeMzhS02XCS/w640-h506/_J9A2942.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k5EqOCtjdfpFJOEj7CIsN26SzhVsTLIta7c0MkPITmylqBpmsK0EQOso2JpIlZH1KgSXAsb1BC3Sh8v3Wn75XO-klqDcf2pi8FqRGr2dqxdXMP3-_MmuKm97asKG1f2Fi3diejMUwXwyvAyxt6Hwy7vIlO2BGlBf6SciT7-kI2hP0pmLPxlSkGn-nQGa/s3405/_J9A3669.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3405" data-original-width="2670" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k5EqOCtjdfpFJOEj7CIsN26SzhVsTLIta7c0MkPITmylqBpmsK0EQOso2JpIlZH1KgSXAsb1BC3Sh8v3Wn75XO-klqDcf2pi8FqRGr2dqxdXMP3-_MmuKm97asKG1f2Fi3diejMUwXwyvAyxt6Hwy7vIlO2BGlBf6SciT7-kI2hP0pmLPxlSkGn-nQGa/w502-h640/_J9A3669.JPG" width="502" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoy5hM-LRSxBVTsmvpKq-wcG-V5ZxZPvT_Q5cxI07Nr0QGX-d9qzqA5nGlmYrpyUaXgWuupBZQl8Fa1mzdoChKADCfM2JRH7oupVAK2QMBHpmCOdnRM5Ofb9FRd4-Jz_aQNIDPelfF_4aQpERGnpyUSTCfpa2UL_m6wob3TxidNSpKG6rg9sBDxewedpA/s2396/_J9A3797.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2396" data-original-width="2119" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoy5hM-LRSxBVTsmvpKq-wcG-V5ZxZPvT_Q5cxI07Nr0QGX-d9qzqA5nGlmYrpyUaXgWuupBZQl8Fa1mzdoChKADCfM2JRH7oupVAK2QMBHpmCOdnRM5Ofb9FRd4-Jz_aQNIDPelfF_4aQpERGnpyUSTCfpa2UL_m6wob3TxidNSpKG6rg9sBDxewedpA/s320/_J9A3797.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYTkYZkewCnsO2jQdb0g5d7shAme4T5Ysut5dgpAwkx8s-vOYEEd7I9x7s-GNMw2eX2jPM1XG-qeGQM9CW2HttCc7jYchVkLhq2ySGF4mo8aFSX3sjhsEMF1_RzVEeOnpxqe1wNybNA1UdrJWufAgcUR2saCZ8HeqxB9jMqNG-GY_SoCxbMsbqo_hgFKS/s2307/_J9A5866.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="1882" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYTkYZkewCnsO2jQdb0g5d7shAme4T5Ysut5dgpAwkx8s-vOYEEd7I9x7s-GNMw2eX2jPM1XG-qeGQM9CW2HttCc7jYchVkLhq2ySGF4mo8aFSX3sjhsEMF1_RzVEeOnpxqe1wNybNA1UdrJWufAgcUR2saCZ8HeqxB9jMqNG-GY_SoCxbMsbqo_hgFKS/w326-h400/_J9A5866.JPG" width="326" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghprp9v6IkXZZctahEHG82uDJ8je7VdVDbhbxSN6EHYkjuNyz1bcnUAedFp0bwbeXMq_6EXQWuNhY3mEiMXZ0VnAPY7sP2H57SN8J4HZMk0QCxtbD0qTYKuWHiuKFin_5_jltLxfdNuZvP0KBGiioqu1_rIwELFwQa-ZVLaieKgFDRjXtw4yDFXTbXwFr/s2827/_J9A3946.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2827" data-original-width="2641" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghprp9v6IkXZZctahEHG82uDJ8je7VdVDbhbxSN6EHYkjuNyz1bcnUAedFp0bwbeXMq_6EXQWuNhY3mEiMXZ0VnAPY7sP2H57SN8J4HZMk0QCxtbD0qTYKuWHiuKFin_5_jltLxfdNuZvP0KBGiioqu1_rIwELFwQa-ZVLaieKgFDRjXtw4yDFXTbXwFr/w598-h640/_J9A3946.JPG" width="598" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDqH8g0fOYE5oMKxuUHcCHnhku5b8a2lPlJfs37BGdKlWWg04lcuSa5E47zix1HRCKgnGOjURFvb00m0n6r5JrCD6Yy2BBMmkMfY2ZHmx9DHwfvCBa7tVUsDb8HFBng3Y_om_2OEow9hpr9WThvRQ0RpDG-yCLIZJTsSPxjaHmknPp2tkalztcDIGeLc0/s3582/_J9A4138.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3582" data-original-width="3255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDqH8g0fOYE5oMKxuUHcCHnhku5b8a2lPlJfs37BGdKlWWg04lcuSa5E47zix1HRCKgnGOjURFvb00m0n6r5JrCD6Yy2BBMmkMfY2ZHmx9DHwfvCBa7tVUsDb8HFBng3Y_om_2OEow9hpr9WThvRQ0RpDG-yCLIZJTsSPxjaHmknPp2tkalztcDIGeLc0/w364-h400/_J9A4138.JPG" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKee99wxOIT9w0xodGAdM-iyOESvFqgyQR3sV2YQ54Y-IHYrDiYDV2B5mZw1wyEnImlqcN7v3bQyMfP3E9dpyHN6YjekhgchMimvUOde689GtuhtW8ILP9Y2REmZMm9H0_jqc7O1dvIUQWFBMFPoM7dH4DjEInhfgSTUkQ8jVwb-I4sdoaUdNgi0taQKsX/s3089/_J9A5737.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3089" data-original-width="2831" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKee99wxOIT9w0xodGAdM-iyOESvFqgyQR3sV2YQ54Y-IHYrDiYDV2B5mZw1wyEnImlqcN7v3bQyMfP3E9dpyHN6YjekhgchMimvUOde689GtuhtW8ILP9Y2REmZMm9H0_jqc7O1dvIUQWFBMFPoM7dH4DjEInhfgSTUkQ8jVwb-I4sdoaUdNgi0taQKsX/w586-h640/_J9A5737.JPG" width="586" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NuLVSxuRiMbdh4b0yZMbgxnZKFLhYDjTlx6pfYykgjaYka3A30NVsgwJKtuJdDnUEZbHQOoeN38td2YbAtvXLN71ZsgqxJipQ5ft2zOar-Y73mjI-_pZCnXOdzMxgstgc9yhHSr16eHVaHHF2KaT9q_hyTb-bVS1fghezfDxqgubTpV4nfxZufwu5Qsr/s4528/_J9A5129.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4397" data-original-width="4528" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NuLVSxuRiMbdh4b0yZMbgxnZKFLhYDjTlx6pfYykgjaYka3A30NVsgwJKtuJdDnUEZbHQOoeN38td2YbAtvXLN71ZsgqxJipQ5ft2zOar-Y73mjI-_pZCnXOdzMxgstgc9yhHSr16eHVaHHF2KaT9q_hyTb-bVS1fghezfDxqgubTpV4nfxZufwu5Qsr/w400-h389/_J9A5129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrCQpPm-bQ5NFAEuSAWDUQQF-Nykt3tJ6bNyhikCEZkNvXrOpoBpvRBZ939lULnAKr8D9xxCl0iM3EiIMUQBJA8iTnkDAZklVxpBaGWiiPuMdc5ZnokQiC-Ol8GKz3xopec6BWLjWpO3owB4cD_Imb83Std1Xph3A03IlX3Mx3gUxj2luFFZyQQ3XJzb-/s3811/_J9A5724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3811" data-original-width="3047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrCQpPm-bQ5NFAEuSAWDUQQF-Nykt3tJ6bNyhikCEZkNvXrOpoBpvRBZ939lULnAKr8D9xxCl0iM3EiIMUQBJA8iTnkDAZklVxpBaGWiiPuMdc5ZnokQiC-Ol8GKz3xopec6BWLjWpO3owB4cD_Imb83Std1Xph3A03IlX3Mx3gUxj2luFFZyQQ3XJzb-/w512-h640/_J9A5724.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjtzQK_yliraN846ao6xPAmZuVsm-ZfdF2I_Z6bNr2dOno5mecqsmi_YYKmi7kWk2T0BniamNSlJdtOpVW-YYnUO4E4uXyy3WoA4ZvaKdFOSmdbIwNwP7V9sJ5QoP9hmQyccfU9tYnmVAXQoPw0wCUEkzvJiBBxsacXRdtwUDlFlnBn__DNRtklm1JChY/s4640/_J9A5740.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="4330" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjtzQK_yliraN846ao6xPAmZuVsm-ZfdF2I_Z6bNr2dOno5mecqsmi_YYKmi7kWk2T0BniamNSlJdtOpVW-YYnUO4E4uXyy3WoA4ZvaKdFOSmdbIwNwP7V9sJ5QoP9hmQyccfU9tYnmVAXQoPw0wCUEkzvJiBBxsacXRdtwUDlFlnBn__DNRtklm1JChY/w374-h400/_J9A5740.JPG" width="374" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YoQ0xuzywXBK1JTx48hcJBZDahcFtyi2mGTRJgCcVuDzXPU3WPNjnD1LmJ3xQvD4oIOF3-jDWtc8Jn5gP8ePWvpwr4Vk1FsRTuCljpkgiozh5cHqz4Pd8y83DUgFaOXhLG2CtkcdbV4ucG9kuBO0vurbzBVz6VUTFFLw05rQgE5tJ5eKmttR6CD4j-Bp/s4106/_J9A5756.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4106" data-original-width="3005" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YoQ0xuzywXBK1JTx48hcJBZDahcFtyi2mGTRJgCcVuDzXPU3WPNjnD1LmJ3xQvD4oIOF3-jDWtc8Jn5gP8ePWvpwr4Vk1FsRTuCljpkgiozh5cHqz4Pd8y83DUgFaOXhLG2CtkcdbV4ucG9kuBO0vurbzBVz6VUTFFLw05rQgE5tJ5eKmttR6CD4j-Bp/w468-h640/_J9A5756.JPG" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC5JZJwfBE-7Zq5UXwvxbM-hc97aXfY7C3P3f4V_KJ8ZfbMBraZFM8A4vHgzo8K3DQFy5YmLFmWlRQm5bYjaKOPgIS6sg9Ok2u7DvnfO_2jsjF9kg5nn9OomMdlzPJLWadeKNzMQh3fsPJ7I9Epfq2m9r5pkIDqueh5PMGIIHNaSNMEXiP28th4ZJ5lU7/s3271/_J9A5815.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3079" data-original-width="3271" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC5JZJwfBE-7Zq5UXwvxbM-hc97aXfY7C3P3f4V_KJ8ZfbMBraZFM8A4vHgzo8K3DQFy5YmLFmWlRQm5bYjaKOPgIS6sg9Ok2u7DvnfO_2jsjF9kg5nn9OomMdlzPJLWadeKNzMQh3fsPJ7I9Epfq2m9r5pkIDqueh5PMGIIHNaSNMEXiP28th4ZJ5lU7/w640-h602/_J9A5815.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Occasionally they would descend into the car park and drink from a very muddy area of floodwater, sinking their bills into what appeared to be more mud than water before flying off back to the trees.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXbb-frikseUUbfDGkIzBs0a_co9aSt-IeS-uNWylr1CzpgLZ5busiJBU_yhvRKF6WL3qTxmVi2gbcf3I2TqZ6e-xIvbKttRibwprzcVERP-ucHdfcLlqOk76owKIMdKPI4uJBqHP4RiwbYJb3CAMivZZZ5y1uh0RXoQ1OSmd6jNd2lCO97xe6DewfRB2/s3065/_J9A1246-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2983" data-original-width="3065" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXbb-frikseUUbfDGkIzBs0a_co9aSt-IeS-uNWylr1CzpgLZ5busiJBU_yhvRKF6WL3qTxmVi2gbcf3I2TqZ6e-xIvbKttRibwprzcVERP-ucHdfcLlqOk76owKIMdKPI4uJBqHP4RiwbYJb3CAMivZZZ5y1uh0RXoQ1OSmd6jNd2lCO97xe6DewfRB2/w400-h389/_J9A1246-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4BcwmBsHd84o6e-v_OkLz7BL-9V9CufyVyudzJoz_mSWOVjsfCuCc0A2_6TmG3h8QPayfoh2dIfKNd2jQINSnNxroyVQ6SS-3n2Il3m-n8YUfPnNDgSg5uHIWrDO_6ltNzjsG3cTR-jGFzpFKJazFmSAa0HfArmXcfvuIZ6cNYBPJ_vOPFZ0G1IqHR_5/s3137/_J9A1312-DeNoiseAI-standard%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="3137" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4BcwmBsHd84o6e-v_OkLz7BL-9V9CufyVyudzJoz_mSWOVjsfCuCc0A2_6TmG3h8QPayfoh2dIfKNd2jQINSnNxroyVQ6SS-3n2Il3m-n8YUfPnNDgSg5uHIWrDO_6ltNzjsG3cTR-jGFzpFKJazFmSAa0HfArmXcfvuIZ6cNYBPJ_vOPFZ0G1IqHR_5/w640-h564/_J9A1312-DeNoiseAI-standard%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxNnKblRNxR8jISM26edh-Fs44Cw83q0B6yLLu-dAHS4uFu_eH34lJZNDiKdgg9-U12AgWZBM9Ga9oU6bfuctrLbCC-C3yFEgtc6Gz7V4hbvcB3BwkhaChQzUqNQIiYYqyuSonL5NDcHSEgMz8l8qZl1ArH9SQHmYmFUoBJN-eczxJ5BJayz5Flov84Zg/s3538/_J9A1313-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3436" data-original-width="3538" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxNnKblRNxR8jISM26edh-Fs44Cw83q0B6yLLu-dAHS4uFu_eH34lJZNDiKdgg9-U12AgWZBM9Ga9oU6bfuctrLbCC-C3yFEgtc6Gz7V4hbvcB3BwkhaChQzUqNQIiYYqyuSonL5NDcHSEgMz8l8qZl1ArH9SQHmYmFUoBJN-eczxJ5BJayz5Flov84Zg/w400-h389/_J9A1313-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMhgYU2-M2B2YvmX9IZKMSFn3toUgv-xjZPJ1whkVGt2P6bOsmhY7HwA2ShrBYNqsGwlHDWJPPynhxdaDT90qDcUVl2vaF2gcQrFc3Hfnn7hoZpPmYhuY5gl2pU3hps5tyhXsr44Z0IFdJlZjhFG0k5DOYF9O0HEHnp33TLDrP8D-dMK0xoylvxmsRWzm/s2450/_J9A4810.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2450" data-original-width="2147" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMhgYU2-M2B2YvmX9IZKMSFn3toUgv-xjZPJ1whkVGt2P6bOsmhY7HwA2ShrBYNqsGwlHDWJPPynhxdaDT90qDcUVl2vaF2gcQrFc3Hfnn7hoZpPmYhuY5gl2pU3hps5tyhXsr44Z0IFdJlZjhFG0k5DOYF9O0HEHnp33TLDrP8D-dMK0xoylvxmsRWzm/w350-h400/_J9A4810.JPG" width="350" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1JNMNSoMTNWVtT6GKQ4z0UaZxlQ7vb2dUKKtfq9DeiQAJhkvzExzPfjXA0kwuk381GWLpkUhg02J_YJN9NpgKHmM4do6k4HUnFlLVI6BvXyZmvQouOnfK9ZIBnl0rLR3wLZL9xvvCDlH-GFHbbIJdPrfdlAyyZQBSYcpPMaTTlP4eJlCIK2sSXjYv_j6/s6960/_J9A2471.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3350" data-original-width="6960" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1JNMNSoMTNWVtT6GKQ4z0UaZxlQ7vb2dUKKtfq9DeiQAJhkvzExzPfjXA0kwuk381GWLpkUhg02J_YJN9NpgKHmM4do6k4HUnFlLVI6BvXyZmvQouOnfK9ZIBnl0rLR3wLZL9xvvCDlH-GFHbbIJdPrfdlAyyZQBSYcpPMaTTlP4eJlCIK2sSXjYv_j6/w640-h308/_J9A2471.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">One bird I saw had coloured rings on its legs - blue on the right and green, yellow and white on the left -which identified it as a juvenile male having been ringed by the Grampian Ringing Group at New Elgin in Scotland on 13th of November 2023. It was then seen in a flock of 250+ birds at Hassop Station in Derbyshire between the 29th of December 2023 and the 5th of January 2024 before being seen at Rodborough Common on the 16th of January 2024 where it has been reported daily up to now.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffn9fvyI0iPmPEmUkxLUukCgzyPeqme1ajYw19g62Gtb7EpHp5_5ZgSjXNMDY5IHWcUECclWEI5Rz8i3DF6c2xz1QT6lUE3RkOqsYBSkzvuWlA_nAeU-MpvcSxxpeubDzpemZM2WWf0-Cc4vEfygn_2hPbgI-binnOwmjhnVILX16_NzdbkjmdmzPunQV/s2631/_J9A0647.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2631" data-original-width="2192" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffn9fvyI0iPmPEmUkxLUukCgzyPeqme1ajYw19g62Gtb7EpHp5_5ZgSjXNMDY5IHWcUECclWEI5Rz8i3DF6c2xz1QT6lUE3RkOqsYBSkzvuWlA_nAeU-MpvcSxxpeubDzpemZM2WWf0-Cc4vEfygn_2hPbgI-binnOwmjhnVILX16_NzdbkjmdmzPunQV/w534-h640/_J9A0647.JPG" width="534" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Note the blue ring on the bird's right leg.The other coloured rings on the left leg <br />are obscured by feathers</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Two hours passed very quickly, testing my camera against the varying light and erratic behaviour of the waxwings but it was immensely enjoyable.I was reluctant to leave as such an event is unlikely to happen again for some years. As I drove off the flock circled over my car as if in a farewell flypast.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I think I will be back.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">There are still plenty of berries left.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-30225327731167909342024-01-18T13:31:00.000-08:002024-01-29T15:11:49.102-08:00The Northern Waterthrush Revisited 17th January 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6H6FXMljODO5yfu9KjmVhec8g-FakyWVRSTV_VQBasSWeGElbWXdspBmDkOfJ86nEU4rtSRmzGNhx2873ZzBTY_J8rFIWzCisM2L5TZWoepINnKrrWJOAF-KedTT0SMWu0d62Z00RXCxgSel4Zc3DOj3Zg3GdsQYpY3yE8fgcGz4-U1AQBbKkwdmBt_r/s2449/_J9A9264%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="2237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6H6FXMljODO5yfu9KjmVhec8g-FakyWVRSTV_VQBasSWeGElbWXdspBmDkOfJ86nEU4rtSRmzGNhx2873ZzBTY_J8rFIWzCisM2L5TZWoepINnKrrWJOAF-KedTT0SMWu0d62Z00RXCxgSel4Zc3DOj3Zg3GdsQYpY3yE8fgcGz4-U1AQBbKkwdmBt_r/w584-h640/_J9A9264%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="584" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">An unexpected business meeting in Chelmsford, Essex gave me an opportunity to reprise my visit of last week to the wintering Northern Waterthrush at nearby Heybridge.</span></div><div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This was welcome as I considered that the views and photos achieved on my first visit left room for improvement. I formed a plan. On Wednesday I would leave my home in Oxfordshire early and drive to Heybridge and hope to view the waterthrush. Then stay overnight with my sister nearby and go to my business meeting on Thursday before returning to my sister.s home on Thursday night and if my encounter with the waterthrush on Wednesday had proved unsatisfactory then give it another go on Friday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Checking the daily reports of the waterthrush sightings since my first visit it looked like the bird only reliably appeared in its favourite creek at dawn each day, remained for around thirty minutes and then departed. Subsequent visits during the day looked to be a bit of a lottery with one or two brief random appearances of the bird if you were lucky, before a final one at dusk when presumably it went to roost nearby.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">With this in mind I decided to give myself a break and forgo the dawn view which would be of the bird as a silhouette only and schedule my arrival for 9.00am. Mind you this still required my leaving home at 6.30am in order to make the two and a half hour journey to Heybridge.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Another bitterly cold -6 celsius outside temperature greeted me as I got into my car and headed off into the darkness of the country lanes around our village. The interior of the car was on a par with a refridgerator and it took several minutes for the car to warm up so my fingers on the steering wheel no longer tingled with the cold but soon all was well.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Driving along I reflected on the contrast of my human existence with that of the waterthrush. Warm and snug in the car I thought of the waterthrush roosting in some bramble clump or bush, legs and feet locked onto a tiny twig, head tucked into fluffed feathers providing its only protection against the vicious cold. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A small bird's heart rate is much higher than ours, on average 500 beats per minute as opposed to 100 and this keeps them warm to a degree but at the price of burning energy at a prodigious rate especially in very cold weather. </span><span style="font-family: times;">First thing each morning the waterthrush will have to commence feeding and continue all day if it is to survive. Normally it would be in a far warmer climate in South America with plenty of food and not having to cope with cold temperatures but </span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">remarkably </span><span style="font-family: times;">this bird has survived at least a week of sub zero temperatures with no apparent ill effects. The creek for now remains unfrozen apart from at the edges where ice platforms have formed and despite this less than ideal environment there is apparently enough to sustain it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4f8hG3fdG89OivkZJcZYS_Mp7zKbSXPQFmLDnUfjCRkjAE1vgPcYL0j2g32bbehKrJFs5FoXUXGWq6tV2ysnyp6gN4Ce1k8t4vxFlsugGOKME5gTaFe0b4XU-mLmgYQyvi6izdh4ljCZQfxrawoKRJNohLsYEe7rMyddTSAPbVWOFMs_10J-gS37eLmZA/s4032/IMG_6856%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4f8hG3fdG89OivkZJcZYS_Mp7zKbSXPQFmLDnUfjCRkjAE1vgPcYL0j2g32bbehKrJFs5FoXUXGWq6tV2ysnyp6gN4Ce1k8t4vxFlsugGOKME5gTaFe0b4XU-mLmgYQyvi6izdh4ljCZQfxrawoKRJNohLsYEe7rMyddTSAPbVWOFMs_10J-gS37eLmZA/w640-h480/IMG_6856%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The Creek</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was a grey, dull morning when I arrived at Heybridge with for once no wind to chill my bones. I parked in an adjacent industrial estate and walked for ten minutes to the bank overlooking the head of the small creek. I was pleasantly surprised to see only half a dozen birders standing there. Such a change from the multitudes on my last visit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjOiedFDk0vRoiFFIewUNK_GbHqftF48-4z0EAkEFW2dSg36DgyZVjdtxpfKq-e8vPervT_JwcDvQa-tRayHB4adinZOH-OEdO466oYDU9oBtxFPxz6uT4qZuTl0PTLWxTBD-6IibI12kXN-XMIXb_adtFSus4A5ntAo3ug6F1KZ1f6wyTh0Tn-8GEFvW/s4032/IMG_6862%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjOiedFDk0vRoiFFIewUNK_GbHqftF48-4z0EAkEFW2dSg36DgyZVjdtxpfKq-e8vPervT_JwcDvQa-tRayHB4adinZOH-OEdO466oYDU9oBtxFPxz6uT4qZuTl0PTLWxTBD-6IibI12kXN-XMIXb_adtFSus4A5ntAo3ug6F1KZ1f6wyTh0Tn-8GEFvW/w640-h480/IMG_6862%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I chatted briefly with one or two of those present who told me they had seen the waterthrush at just after 7.30am but were waiting for a better view in daylight. For twenty minutes I stood slightly apart from my fellow birders, fending off the inevitable anxiety by fiddling with my camera settings. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A stirring amongst my companions and raising of binoculars signified the arrival of the waterthrush which typically hugged the edge of the creek,which in reality is no more than a large waterfilled ditch.It worked its way towards us and flitted up and down across the water and mats of dead reeds.It was present for no more than five minutes before, with a loud <i>tchick</i> call, it flew off pursued by a Robin into some adjacent bushes and that was that. Gone.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXQI7wo5mvSbyPQjkQ2tZtZ7KGeSAC_3uDFWhtQvQOmqho4owl2JUvw5W5rjlsg2BUQMbytIqeoCc8GkV1qzwoHJs6k5oAhZuE-MGVVwLnrBybarJVG3YyVIXzUHwMD7e0OtnJucJp4sS8M0L-u4KHukQTaUIixOCWOuKPh7jA2PUhPm1A0ecUqo0usYS/s3776/_J9A9510.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3321" data-original-width="3776" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXQI7wo5mvSbyPQjkQ2tZtZ7KGeSAC_3uDFWhtQvQOmqho4owl2JUvw5W5rjlsg2BUQMbytIqeoCc8GkV1qzwoHJs6k5oAhZuE-MGVVwLnrBybarJVG3YyVIXzUHwMD7e0OtnJucJp4sS8M0L-u4KHukQTaUIixOCWOuKPh7jA2PUhPm1A0ecUqo0usYS/w640-h562/_J9A9510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBrgN4GjgiYKmXeNJHNNJeZsiTeoQx9_dKVdGlAyCtB9amWE0gLMk-RuQmCvC3Ls2JYAKqZH-iahkffIlVqwdr9VhDyt_PjovhXurqwL0_rDPOezFVlVbF9dTdfgGn_01UInidaeMQ1n7IVSGo3wUzpJkiqzxrPAR6GHTpDg88vT-jF14rxtTVB2Cc0w_/s3145/_J9A9570.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="3145" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBrgN4GjgiYKmXeNJHNNJeZsiTeoQx9_dKVdGlAyCtB9amWE0gLMk-RuQmCvC3Ls2JYAKqZH-iahkffIlVqwdr9VhDyt_PjovhXurqwL0_rDPOezFVlVbF9dTdfgGn_01UInidaeMQ1n7IVSGo3wUzpJkiqzxrPAR6GHTpDg88vT-jF14rxtTVB2Cc0w_/w640-h518/_J9A9570.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfmXu3kJvrog6iNzt_5H2pes0xFn_uCxnA5imaRUFPJvbFjPVL8F82VoGVqJmWP-E-rwTgRgzP5Cl5idzI41sYQBJmGqHiIakz7HiW3yD85gsSw-qE2wszvoLdIqB0iqnRFiBlgucmFbXHbHEV4S2OBsy94q4GegTPEB-y5TLZs_T9gc_pRX0vheDpLCy/s3159/_J9A9393.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1787" data-original-width="3159" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfmXu3kJvrog6iNzt_5H2pes0xFn_uCxnA5imaRUFPJvbFjPVL8F82VoGVqJmWP-E-rwTgRgzP5Cl5idzI41sYQBJmGqHiIakz7HiW3yD85gsSw-qE2wszvoLdIqB0iqnRFiBlgucmFbXHbHEV4S2OBsy94q4GegTPEB-y5TLZs_T9gc_pRX0vheDpLCy/w640-h362/_J9A9393.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not very satisfactory. In fact very disappointing. I had hoped for better. Mark arrived just after it had flown off so we settled to wait in the hope it would return. For an hour little troubled us. Gulls squabbled on the warehouse roof tops of the adjacent industrial estate, Dunnocks sang quietly in the brambles and indulged in their <i>menage a trois</i> courtship rituals, a Wren periodically scuttled like a mouse through the rank grass and a Little Egret flew in and then promptly out, obviously thinking better of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Riveting stuff but then an explosive call heralded the return of the much desired star turn as it landed on the concrete wall of the culvert at the bottom of the bank before dropping down to the water's edge.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EBBdZXN8I_E3pOj8NppQMpLMxlXmUDXV1Ae_45gwsGRVc15prU9A54GMpQYJuzNs0nzqiqWnRwU6Ily-W-X375llKz5ptmeEkY0eKgRHNfzKLPRGjC4TV5VeCYlzssm_5We_oqn2jgTExngGlV4nfqQyhV__a-Jde7C1X1MVLlsINEhaq9_9CfTy3dZf/s3086/_J9A0100.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3086" data-original-width="3007" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EBBdZXN8I_E3pOj8NppQMpLMxlXmUDXV1Ae_45gwsGRVc15prU9A54GMpQYJuzNs0nzqiqWnRwU6Ily-W-X375llKz5ptmeEkY0eKgRHNfzKLPRGjC4TV5VeCYlzssm_5We_oqn2jgTExngGlV4nfqQyhV__a-Jde7C1X1MVLlsINEhaq9_9CfTy3dZf/w624-h640/_J9A0100.JPG" width="624" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgdB_66gc6ZNlWA51FLqx94tEDg9PS6Aq5u_3hxU79NiJmOdc2ZiUSMx7d7B1JBvG1kjvcUPZgdS58p9vNJiWrKKh8FJgbVBOeo9p_aL-gU6zwU-IlkqpZef90JZBoVYbuqLFnVj8iNXqrQLBTo3pOZ9vtW5EosDPV2-TjtweFFsQNo6ZT3WC1FkInTUj/s3087/_J9A0067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3011" data-original-width="3087" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgdB_66gc6ZNlWA51FLqx94tEDg9PS6Aq5u_3hxU79NiJmOdc2ZiUSMx7d7B1JBvG1kjvcUPZgdS58p9vNJiWrKKh8FJgbVBOeo9p_aL-gU6zwU-IlkqpZef90JZBoVYbuqLFnVj8iNXqrQLBTo3pOZ9vtW5EosDPV2-TjtweFFsQNo6ZT3WC1FkInTUj/w400-h390/_J9A0067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWPm1dnYCyshrqr4B_hjprB-CJrWa_rGAd9EbsvVL2e7xmTqoyJwaKWo7g_eZ_3I9_zXGGpV1HLScWQcr0zaMY5DUlXqu97e_dNZib0F5ZGntVx5_MmswA_C450cKkEyEbksVp_ngumGSaH51KX70XJu2baoan89bUGsOcA3WsxonIiKDbPzayeJ57cur/s2867/_J9A0105.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2755" data-original-width="2867" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWPm1dnYCyshrqr4B_hjprB-CJrWa_rGAd9EbsvVL2e7xmTqoyJwaKWo7g_eZ_3I9_zXGGpV1HLScWQcr0zaMY5DUlXqu97e_dNZib0F5ZGntVx5_MmswA_C450cKkEyEbksVp_ngumGSaH51KX70XJu2baoan89bUGsOcA3WsxonIiKDbPzayeJ57cur/w640-h614/_J9A0105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This time the waterthrush was more settled and threaded its way through and over the dead reeds, sometimes ankle deep in the water or flying out over the water to perch on some protuberance to pick at something minute and unidentifiable. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOC5vrq-h-53KFLhhr8cCVW36ykOypX6mAuCtShB99HqgR5YAi20hLGaDwtpTKuod0C_ZtquTwKDhkukz_EoJwwZX9aAerrQUwt6MPWDWY-oJ9K73CXAIwNOwVLJzODQ3LImhORI48cebiVxTyp-peTCZKyTSOa9pmBEF6H58IYjhJTTG9uGcOpMZoXvl/s3686/_J9A9264.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="3686" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOC5vrq-h-53KFLhhr8cCVW36ykOypX6mAuCtShB99HqgR5YAi20hLGaDwtpTKuod0C_ZtquTwKDhkukz_EoJwwZX9aAerrQUwt6MPWDWY-oJ9K73CXAIwNOwVLJzODQ3LImhORI48cebiVxTyp-peTCZKyTSOa9pmBEF6H58IYjhJTTG9uGcOpMZoXvl/w640-h486/_J9A9264.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It wandered along, tail slowly wagging, crossing small plateaux of ice that had formed at the edge of the creek, perching on dead stems to look down into the shallow water. I made the most of this heaven sent opportunity as it performed its by now familiar feeding ritual of searching each side of the creek near to the concrete culvert. Then, as before it flew off calling loudly, this time crossing the path at the top of the bank and disappearing into the hinterland of scrub and reeds behind.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYENCS18bWFTeNFNnJydiiquT_lruWWQkNy4xHF2q7aqayq2aNcOscwwVrIoQQVCXLbyGNWcCZe75DmjjQJzmtZuxucwSHQmW0JQdjwWwW7sj0vqXEycFvtHnZIn7kkqihJ-oXfrtpTPOh3sM7rKQFYhozXQty716MsATlQCM6I5mLNj1YYt6cYCibUBq/s2945/_J9A9248%20-%20Copy-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2564" data-original-width="2945" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYENCS18bWFTeNFNnJydiiquT_lruWWQkNy4xHF2q7aqayq2aNcOscwwVrIoQQVCXLbyGNWcCZe75DmjjQJzmtZuxucwSHQmW0JQdjwWwW7sj0vqXEycFvtHnZIn7kkqihJ-oXfrtpTPOh3sM7rKQFYhozXQty716MsATlQCM6I5mLNj1YYt6cYCibUBq/w640-h558/_J9A9248%20-%20Copy-DeNoiseAI-standard.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8EPrA6BMZm0xlMWY1Bt9U4J6_0UZoN5h4gPC0Cg1TFSVjYsFFw-W61DdAdBlHfO7C8kEEhvmxPIs61k47he4oMyYs4kxTXa-K1Iy_w7Tpn3zvo3TF38cP3Do4jtVHtYsNNbtbf6SvZNMDUQo1RnE5EBm9O_kqvNhjevzW5kp5puIa7myeGh3DIbmIkZA/s6417/_J9A9430.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6417" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8EPrA6BMZm0xlMWY1Bt9U4J6_0UZoN5h4gPC0Cg1TFSVjYsFFw-W61DdAdBlHfO7C8kEEhvmxPIs61k47he4oMyYs4kxTXa-K1Iy_w7Tpn3zvo3TF38cP3Do4jtVHtYsNNbtbf6SvZNMDUQo1RnE5EBm9O_kqvNhjevzW5kp5puIa7myeGh3DIbmIkZA/w640-h462/_J9A9430.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_BV2Gk_ECxZNF7Anbfj381Xuay_8jMidvP0vJSngMKzpsMvWCiPDiurdnEzLsCiRPZT8VXZuWyox4lUUBVxynhj7xniyhzcisEBvdmFOLoMuE8JR6c6fAAZspxrQQ0HuicarB7huHDKbHOBzBVDjgb6ANJw6DMGmPaK65ggG6m-qX_wjMaV_2t4V0iRn/s3235/_J9A9561.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="2457" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_BV2Gk_ECxZNF7Anbfj381Xuay_8jMidvP0vJSngMKzpsMvWCiPDiurdnEzLsCiRPZT8VXZuWyox4lUUBVxynhj7xniyhzcisEBvdmFOLoMuE8JR6c6fAAZspxrQQ0HuicarB7huHDKbHOBzBVDjgb6ANJw6DMGmPaK65ggG6m-qX_wjMaV_2t4V0iRn/w486-h640/_J9A9561.JPG" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Should we wait? Would it return yet again? These were the questions we asked ourselves.Up to now the elusive bird had only ever returned twice in a day. Sometimes not at all. It was tempting to leave as both of us were now feeling the cold which insiduously had permeated through our protective layers of clothing to reach our skin.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was just before 11am.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Let's give it to noon Mark then we go.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">So we stood and remarkably the waterthrush returned twice more, announcing its arrival each time with its characteristic <i>tchick tchick</i> call. As before the visits lasted for little more than ten minutes but the close views it granted were exceptional.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuORGwfOn79ES4qPo0RQXpxTSkIaGcFCcrfiBijUcJOLnstxfckBrLCBLclZEgLoxGG1Hri11IRDEMxZ8NRSQ3PYwlrMVsqUJrah6qT00Ap8HX3Dd2RGfrlZXCsj-RVpRppdPxUlyvkEyeEctdvHJRDGsyRy7dhjJIkswyCIXZMgykR2t1_tG6rIgcVnu/s3228/waterthrushedit2-topaz-denoise%20(002).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2900" data-original-width="3228" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuORGwfOn79ES4qPo0RQXpxTSkIaGcFCcrfiBijUcJOLnstxfckBrLCBLclZEgLoxGG1Hri11IRDEMxZ8NRSQ3PYwlrMVsqUJrah6qT00Ap8HX3Dd2RGfrlZXCsj-RVpRppdPxUlyvkEyeEctdvHJRDGsyRy7dhjJIkswyCIXZMgykR2t1_tG6rIgcVnu/w640-h574/waterthrushedit2-topaz-denoise%20(002).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRS1ClXOzZfsreLWOO9duyezpYgOwDmJ5q6BkA3MMhn8XZn_N3HZbpiBrq3Nr1xVU3vjUH5roEmWyskrs9oCp_gPICYNG0bm59N2b0dR2KD5988_dp-djEc0K50v48vaEjquOLkQAs8dgTLosGNCDqqUSusb8efTr5ddkZjrVm7GTTCMFDv_XfT-VkvGj/s3617/Waterthrushedit-topaz-denoise%20(002).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="3617" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRS1ClXOzZfsreLWOO9duyezpYgOwDmJ5q6BkA3MMhn8XZn_N3HZbpiBrq3Nr1xVU3vjUH5roEmWyskrs9oCp_gPICYNG0bm59N2b0dR2KD5988_dp-djEc0K50v48vaEjquOLkQAs8dgTLosGNCDqqUSusb8efTr5ddkZjrVm7GTTCMFDv_XfT-VkvGj/w510-h640/Waterthrushedit-topaz-denoise%20(002).JPG" width="510" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>c.Mark</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p_zjNEhhHn_zM3h7v-IWu0r5OQXyzZU-AUcIFjQYrrWncxuwMZDVsBMAdgWG_0_-f6LjXnlk6enVGD3BjLkiAC8tDY0y5G4w8tvFJMXgpBzNsdG6-y1xT4sIY_sA6PdNVtkYPIJ51wc3HP3S-3YeqtlOG215gENZMgRKpq8I7c6Ket5yLvYgJ_ZzMl7h/s2699/_J9A9611.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="2699" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p_zjNEhhHn_zM3h7v-IWu0r5OQXyzZU-AUcIFjQYrrWncxuwMZDVsBMAdgWG_0_-f6LjXnlk6enVGD3BjLkiAC8tDY0y5G4w8tvFJMXgpBzNsdG6-y1xT4sIY_sA6PdNVtkYPIJ51wc3HP3S-3YeqtlOG215gENZMgRKpq8I7c6Ket5yLvYgJ_ZzMl7h/w640-h590/_J9A9611.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HMhDtCY0zYOmHEG-KvE14Bq5XklbttDhDH9zqo7ENckWjB_InzH469TQVbEXBrn-3qEv9nbDWrF8Cf0BemJxgej72SUbxQmX9GLc818HHVaJRYKs-Y88TzQ0n2ouvdJkFqR8k8QYvRtJxGydYnj3KaOJvsLYsEwcjw1XZ-BGmRnyLqfkXZSSQc5CK5Tv/s5347/_J9A9771.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4077" data-original-width="5347" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HMhDtCY0zYOmHEG-KvE14Bq5XklbttDhDH9zqo7ENckWjB_InzH469TQVbEXBrn-3qEv9nbDWrF8Cf0BemJxgej72SUbxQmX9GLc818HHVaJRYKs-Y88TzQ0n2ouvdJkFqR8k8QYvRtJxGydYnj3KaOJvsLYsEwcjw1XZ-BGmRnyLqfkXZSSQc5CK5Tv/w640-h488/_J9A9771.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq8MDCRwu_odlknp6DmVOMkw-kSyd11TeD8mCq7OOxpk2m0x-sDddrOHhNbkV4KCQbeFSZB6bG0GPKypXX5Kwm7wPRtRvFMIvFrIJnGbN1Y0T46Hz4G7yACpnIoZOjqeZEyqB_dvweZBd0085iHCVjP3CMOJGiSbeUHGUHqrOG3FlfAH0bGLkySnHubhQ/s4213/_J9A9800.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3846" data-original-width="4213" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq8MDCRwu_odlknp6DmVOMkw-kSyd11TeD8mCq7OOxpk2m0x-sDddrOHhNbkV4KCQbeFSZB6bG0GPKypXX5Kwm7wPRtRvFMIvFrIJnGbN1Y0T46Hz4G7yACpnIoZOjqeZEyqB_dvweZBd0085iHCVjP3CMOJGiSbeUHGUHqrOG3FlfAH0bGLkySnHubhQ/w640-h584/_J9A9800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv_oqtJHsSBMuv96Whdd0eEApTpxbhK68yM0wu9MSvXQvVsYq5c5wAtfbzdsbFlTY7dzjMMGb-f6FAbTH9b9k5wlqkSlSmkhK848yN2cqXY-Drb_LohWhh4ExyXkFJoXL6pmQzQDysmoy-t52bjx5YnCyfmMdPs1NoJlUo2ciMIR02uHDKhpEldU9UcmC/s3222/_J9A9848.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3222" data-original-width="2603" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv_oqtJHsSBMuv96Whdd0eEApTpxbhK68yM0wu9MSvXQvVsYq5c5wAtfbzdsbFlTY7dzjMMGb-f6FAbTH9b9k5wlqkSlSmkhK848yN2cqXY-Drb_LohWhh4ExyXkFJoXL6pmQzQDysmoy-t52bjx5YnCyfmMdPs1NoJlUo2ciMIR02uHDKhpEldU9UcmC/w518-h640/_J9A9848.JPG" width="518" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-FXT_3M1_n4xme2vcFpdWSvk5O9Yo0bzOPkSWVqC2TYTl3KI1x6-4Plbn1uKSkipCwKB8C1F9bvuGuHAT1PabPdPDsqbzNDgz4IN3GT6Mm37nqMFF45af7zUFyleRsDiup0j1i_pZU_XeWWPM0_tn2lRM3MsHjMofwzir122xjQQqL_0jXCXMLTcpZ62/s2189/_J9A9575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2189" data-original-width="2116" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-FXT_3M1_n4xme2vcFpdWSvk5O9Yo0bzOPkSWVqC2TYTl3KI1x6-4Plbn1uKSkipCwKB8C1F9bvuGuHAT1PabPdPDsqbzNDgz4IN3GT6Mm37nqMFF45af7zUFyleRsDiup0j1i_pZU_XeWWPM0_tn2lRM3MsHjMofwzir122xjQQqL_0jXCXMLTcpZ62/w618-h640/_J9A9575.JPG" width="618" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">At noon, having enjoyed an exceptional five visits to the creek by the waterthrush in the space of three hours, we departed, as agreed, for a coffee and somethimg to eat at the Crispy Bacon Cafe handily situated just around the corner. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was done. </span></div>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-33448584747708329792024-01-11T13:20:00.000-08:002024-01-24T07:10:03.614-08:00The Northern Waterthrush in Essex 10th January 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs2tyr2eerjrx5CDwwofTkWET4KtMrRf6pS_zkI6LP7k9Zmd6HtDuroTPGdxWz_n3GoZQLkG9h_90GM2AW0Vc8eG1Ss1J_ezRbT0OrUKYRNy5T3rTjjl4SJ36FILy8LEMZ5Ib8_c_nHlQXmYS4vGUwWzd4H7diVqWjbeRd7ptH7p3T2RilbXgASWB1I7Z/s1993/_J9A6362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1858" data-original-width="1993" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs2tyr2eerjrx5CDwwofTkWET4KtMrRf6pS_zkI6LP7k9Zmd6HtDuroTPGdxWz_n3GoZQLkG9h_90GM2AW0Vc8eG1Ss1J_ezRbT0OrUKYRNy5T3rTjjl4SJ36FILy8LEMZ5Ib8_c_nHlQXmYS4vGUwWzd4H7diVqWjbeRd7ptH7p3T2RilbXgASWB1I7Z/w640-h596/_J9A6362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">On a wet Tuesday afternoon by Higgo's pool at Lower Moors Reserve on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, way back in October 2011, I stood with Badger and Richard and watched a Northern Waterthrush. We were very lucky as it had been highly elusive since its arrival in mid September and it was by sheer luck we saw it and really well too. It was the seventh ever to be seen in Britain and although it remained until the 4th of April 2012 it continued to be elusive and many birders who travelled to see it failed. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Fast forward twelve years to the present and the eighth Northern Waterthrush to be seen in Britain was discovered by a birder in his garden at Heybridge which lies in the parish of Maldon in the county of Essex. Twelve years of waiting for another waterthrush to arrive was now over, which meant that the Heybridge bird was going to be immensely popular and many people would travel to see it as it was easily accessible, being on the mainland and not as all bar two have been in the past, on The Isles of Scilly.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The seven currently accepted records of Northern Waterthrush in Britain are as follows:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">1958 St Agnes Isles of Scilly 30th September-12th October</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">1968 Tresco Isles of Scilly 3rd -7th October</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">1982 Bryher Isles of Scilly 20th September- 4th October</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">1988 Gibralter Point Lincolnshire 22nd-23rd October</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">1989 St Agnes Isles of Scilly 29th-30th August</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">1996 Portland Bird Observatory Dorset 14th -17th October</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">2011 St Mary's Isles of Scilly 16th September- 4th April 2012</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">They are not a thrush as we know it but </span><span style="font-family: times;">a warbler,</span><span style="font-family: times;"> marginally larger than a Willow Warbler. The only connection to a thrush is its streaked underparts reminiscent of the spotting on a Song Thrush's breast. They</span><span style="font-family: times;"> breed from west and central Alaska across Canada to the Atlantic coast and the northwest and northeast of the USA and winter from Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela, northern Brazil, northern Ecuador and northeast Peru.Some also winter in Bermuda and The Caribbean.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Following the unprecedented influx </span><span style="font-family: times;">of North American warblers</span><span style="font-family: times;"> into Britain in late September of last year, Mark my twitching pal has been telling me <i>ad infinitum</i> that he is convinced there would be other rare American birds subsequently found in Britain and he has been proved right.This bird could quite easily have been here since last September, undiscovered until now.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This latest New World warbler to be found here, having been seen and photographed briefly on the 3rd of January, then promptly disappeared only to be rediscovered at a small creek in the adjacent Heybridge Marshes. It appeared to have set up a winter territory based around the creek and the surrounding scrub of reeds, brambles and hawthorn bushes. In North America they normally inhabit thickets near to water and have a preference to feed on the ground by streams so the creek at Heybridge and surrounding marshland has obviously proved ideal.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I spoke to Mark and we both agreed that as we had already each seen a Northern Waterthrush in Britain we would leave going to see this one at Heybridge until the inevitable excitement and large crowds died down. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Various comments from birders we know who had gone to see the waterthrush suggested that it was not a particularly pleasant experience viewing the bird due to noisy crowds, restricted viewing and residents of the adjacent housing estate being hostile about birders parking their cars outside their houses and alledgedly causing congestion. None of this is new these days and is accepted as part and parcel of any large twitch, especially on the mainland.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reports following the bird's discovery indicated it was proving to be typically elusive and it required much patience and stoicism in order to see it. Many who travelled to see it did not succeed at their first attempt and there seemed no routine to or guarantee of the bird's appearance at the creek but gradually over the subsequent days it became apparent that the bird could be best seen at dawn, albeit in near darkness when it came to feed along the edges of the creek. It would remain here for up to half an hour and then disappear before randomly returning, maybe once or twice during the day. It would then re-appear at the creek at dusk before going to roost.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I spoke to Mark and suggested we go sometime in the week as the crowd might be less than on a weekend and we settled on Wednesday the 10th of January but as is the way of things an unforeseen commitment for Mark meant we could not go together so I made the trip on my own.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I knew I had to be at the creek before dawn to secure a good position on the bank where you stand to overlook the creek. This required me to leave my home at no later than 4.00am in the morning to make the two and a half hour journey to Heybridge. Dawn being around 7am. I had done some revision about where to park in Heybridge due to the repeated requests to not park in any of the residential roads which are adjacent to the creek. I found an industrial estate nearby where parking would not be a problem.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">More than a little bleary I set off from home. An ice cold blast of wind hitting my face as I left the house set me to wondering if this was really such a good idea. All went well until the curse of a nightime motorway closure, of which many a twitcher is now all too familiar, reared its unwelcome head.The M25 was closed between two junctions on my route to Essex so I had to make a diversion via the North Circular with all its confusing speed restrictions, average speed checks and plethora of speed cameras.Somehow I emerged from it all, well as far as I know, having not transgressed the law and proceeded east towards Heybridge.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I had targetted Bates Road on Quayside Industrial Estate as a place to park.Tired and weary after the drive it was a bit of a nightmare in the dark locating precisely where to leave the car and then where to go to find the creek but salvation was at hand as, while standing on a corner wondering which direction to take, a birder's car drew up.I enquired if he knew where to go and thankfully he did as he was making a second trip to see the Northern Waterthrush having failed to see it yesterday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I waited for him to get his gear together and we walked a short way to turn off onto a track of no more than fifty metres that brought us to the top of a bank where we could stand and once dawn arose hopefully see the Northern Waterthrush in the small creek that lay in front of us.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We were the first to arrive which was not surpriisng as it was only 6.15 am and totally dark apart from the lights from the Quayside Industrial Estate away to our left where I had parked.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We whiled away the time chatting or at least my new found colleague did. He told me he was an amateur astronomer and pointed out various constellations and planets in the night sky as I tried to keep awake, struggling with the sub zero temperature and wondering just what I was doing here.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">By 7am we had been joined by others, not many, and stood in silent expectation as the light slowly permeated the night sky and the waters of the creek became more apparent. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wX_vSP0zn9WA5zwR6jWai2od3XJTlRf-pWgZvSZHFNPzEUqPxnCSLZoBJOEaR8f0WyHIGQvhTvoLdM22iGxTf_iw7LwWVnAgsWYTIoIBIS1OPkPJPlEZoV6GPKJXo2ED94dEerNkkCjeB0QA9sAi2Jv9BLWxekqPfG8H7f0-I01n5vZ8YeFo4ym21x4Y/s4032/IMG_6840%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wX_vSP0zn9WA5zwR6jWai2od3XJTlRf-pWgZvSZHFNPzEUqPxnCSLZoBJOEaR8f0WyHIGQvhTvoLdM22iGxTf_iw7LwWVnAgsWYTIoIBIS1OPkPJPlEZoV6GPKJXo2ED94dEerNkkCjeB0QA9sAi2Jv9BLWxekqPfG8H7f0-I01n5vZ8YeFo4ym21x4Y/w480-h640/IMG_6840%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The small creek favoured by the waterthrush in the early morning</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">There was no sign of the waterthrush but Robins were now ticking in the brambles or singing under the streetlights while a couple of Mallard swam in the creek. Around ten minutes after seven someone to our left saw a brief movement, on the left side of the creek, right down by the water's edge. A tiny dark bird was restlessly moving around and fluttering above the water's edge and dead reed matter. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It had to be and it was. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Northern Waterthrush!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was endlessly active, perching on half submerged vegetation or flicking over the water picking minute items from it.The long creamy supercilia and pale, heavily streaked underparts were just about visible in my bins and slowly more detail of its plumage became visible as the light improved.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNChHNi05W3GRAywMnBSZ3uvouMyQNiG2HpswG4f0ucBflV-xjqugGwtdwzYlcr-EGfPVtlyQwCoBSA-rNI2VvW3Pex_ZfAoMAtURE6XZnJKj39y_34dBymEnvmpwOrj8gdrkQfAg3PF9Nx_jN_P-Ku3HVxxcbGclK6wZpj66bZ9Bnb58d_jfoFvzBbV5/s2724/_J9A7185.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2724" data-original-width="2619" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNChHNi05W3GRAywMnBSZ3uvouMyQNiG2HpswG4f0ucBflV-xjqugGwtdwzYlcr-EGfPVtlyQwCoBSA-rNI2VvW3Pex_ZfAoMAtURE6XZnJKj39y_34dBymEnvmpwOrj8gdrkQfAg3PF9Nx_jN_P-Ku3HVxxcbGclK6wZpj66bZ9Bnb58d_jfoFvzBbV5/w616-h640/_J9A7185.JPG" width="616" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The Northern Waterthrush in the half light of dawn</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It spent about thirty minutes checking each side of the creek by the sluice, hovering over the water and perching on semi submerged roots and sticks to look for food, coming very close, right up to the concrete wall at the bottom of the slope we were stood upon. We had great views although somewhat blurry due to the dull light. It then flew up onto the top of the wall, cocked its tail, called once, a sharp <i>tchick</i> and then was gone, flying off into the thick brambles to our right.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In fifteen minutes it returned, calling persistently and proceeded to feed along both edges of the creek moving further away along the water's edge towards a road that crossed the creek in the near distance. Then it was gone.The continuing dull light had precluded any decent images so I had mainly watched it in my bins.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">While the bird was showing I forgot about the cold but once it was gone the numbness in my toes and fingers re-asserted itself with a vengeance. The temperature felt below zero and a bitter northeast wind blew in my face. Hunkered down in multiple layers of clothes I was still uncomfortably cold but consoled myself that it would be just a matter of time before the waterthrush returned and in better light I might get an image or two, especailly if it came as close as before.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Of course it did not work out as I hoped. Two and a half hours of sheer misery passed with not a sign of the bird and now with a crowd of in excess of sixty birders lined either side of me along the bank and overlooking the creek. The wait was attritional, no amount of stamping of feet and stuffing of gloved hands in pockets to alleviate the icy grip of the sub arctic conditions could make it better. I morosely sunk into my down jacket and scarf.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUNYUcinjZ3m5gv8RUZSWAOTkUoTIcFBW1Zeutky5ICybb4Uf6OmxX7eOlL8CJBBF6SKW_wRuGznOZlEcCxtCYir42Qw9shFlbHt3-ZYbY-VZSiJmjOhJLJKovIF-dQjOBKTQdJj0nGxMNmglN8WgobLEpXiqspF3Me-7RF9yQQNwhbYxnRjQZNyRArvQ/s4032/IMG_6836%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUNYUcinjZ3m5gv8RUZSWAOTkUoTIcFBW1Zeutky5ICybb4Uf6OmxX7eOlL8CJBBF6SKW_wRuGznOZlEcCxtCYir42Qw9shFlbHt3-ZYbY-VZSiJmjOhJLJKovIF-dQjOBKTQdJj0nGxMNmglN8WgobLEpXiqspF3Me-7RF9yQQNwhbYxnRjQZNyRArvQ/w640-h480/IMG_6836%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnVT4YgxLueGMbxLol7EODZ_WXMktT1m7eSd37kwREJd2nfzvQs3OtlyvtRSB_i2pXSZIRVlLGTGqFGi0PC_2MSf5ONWImJgRzoTnBxRWVYXqSF1tTYutpev_A8CiFiJuNQ-t3Pfzl2B2txTHG_X0-rKZa5t_3kqldBAxrx6VLO1lN0zmRXcwUmlmTD2R/s4032/IMG_6841%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnVT4YgxLueGMbxLol7EODZ_WXMktT1m7eSd37kwREJd2nfzvQs3OtlyvtRSB_i2pXSZIRVlLGTGqFGi0PC_2MSf5ONWImJgRzoTnBxRWVYXqSF1tTYutpev_A8CiFiJuNQ-t3Pfzl2B2txTHG_X0-rKZa5t_3kqldBAxrx6VLO1lN0zmRXcwUmlmTD2R/w480-h640/IMG_6841%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div>An inner voice told me I could go to a nearby cafe to warm up but then I would lose my place and worse maybe miss the waterthrush's return. I had no choice but to tough it out.Tiredness and cold do not make for pleasant companions but I stood there with my fellow birders suffering silently, no one prepared to concede to the cold.Well not just yet. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was 1030am and I set myself a deadline of noon. After that I would leave for home.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A lady from over the road came to complain about a white car blocking her drive and asked whoever had inconvenienced her to move it but no one stirred so maybe it was not a birder's car after all.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Slowly the sun crept round from the east and bathed half the creek in sunshine.Many had by now conceded to the weather but were replaced by just as many others. Suddenly, unexpectedly and thrillingly the waterthrush flew in to settle at the water's edge on the sunlit side of the creek.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The numbing grip of cold and boredom were instantly forgotten. It was all action now. All conversation ceased as everyone concentrated on the waterthrush. Here was the chance we had all been waiting and suffering for. Fumbling to remove my gloves, flexing my fingers to get some circulation going I instinctively searched for the camera buttons. The icy air gripping my fingertips was excruciating but there was no choice. This was it. This was my chance. This was why I had stuck it out and suffered for the previous two and a half hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT9YV3c3RaGsJgh9EknMlHvzRZVJ0q49z26qvbbUnLLAfI16WYriT5Y-MP_3bfeMScGDDMVlr8No4C2UhbAnvNOhCCRaHgatkc5n9aedw2TOdM0IhQ-TbppptpTfFZ_aQpXwiZomlWYRzoJfsg6wS0Hx_HFT2CTlKE5RH5-1dMbKFzFRscWX9NAAw0YKq/s2072/_J9A6167.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="1910" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT9YV3c3RaGsJgh9EknMlHvzRZVJ0q49z26qvbbUnLLAfI16WYriT5Y-MP_3bfeMScGDDMVlr8No4C2UhbAnvNOhCCRaHgatkc5n9aedw2TOdM0IhQ-TbppptpTfFZ_aQpXwiZomlWYRzoJfsg6wS0Hx_HFT2CTlKE5RH5-1dMbKFzFRscWX9NAAw0YKq/w590-h640/_J9A6167.JPG" width="590" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR8rGENLmdc3l1DUleiU7L7_PCTRczLL9JKJ_YBwcKzkofUxYKMxZNl0Cx_EEoera2VyIJV9SEJiG5xNImpSN1yZh65ZPO5tK5PD8kUqe00sMTjg7qrkurazpm6utJe5QrYweb_2FibE5TPw1KikmQkb393HVaPKUCmmvGg7WVdalxad46gpD26vJ9W-M/s2018/_J9A6350.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="1782" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR8rGENLmdc3l1DUleiU7L7_PCTRczLL9JKJ_YBwcKzkofUxYKMxZNl0Cx_EEoera2VyIJV9SEJiG5xNImpSN1yZh65ZPO5tK5PD8kUqe00sMTjg7qrkurazpm6utJe5QrYweb_2FibE5TPw1KikmQkb393HVaPKUCmmvGg7WVdalxad46gpD26vJ9W-M/w566-h640/_J9A6350.JPG" width="566" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm-IPfRyzoJn1lrbrNtTR-HpIlq_Zu4RdlQw5e5gC_4zyT9b_9mif2dRy6ya_uv-gwf39nGQCQ0Y-cq4zw6m9i6BSqs_UaVE52WAej777rz48vi8odRpCbr7ryVp1CGunfh7PbC6AzWYMMaMLK1QDNyOi_xLcU4Gd78t8P0gXGmGCzZwBzWixnrCvcqA-/s2048/_J9A6191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm-IPfRyzoJn1lrbrNtTR-HpIlq_Zu4RdlQw5e5gC_4zyT9b_9mif2dRy6ya_uv-gwf39nGQCQ0Y-cq4zw6m9i6BSqs_UaVE52WAej777rz48vi8odRpCbr7ryVp1CGunfh7PbC6AzWYMMaMLK1QDNyOi_xLcU4Gd78t8P0gXGmGCzZwBzWixnrCvcqA-/w478-h640/_J9A6191.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uHT5xx7oVWSw1AqH7bAgdgq6uJmgU0ecgStJSlSR6h_jNzPerxh-1mY0tb0WlfKXJL_4yWqDb5l1rLlz-2WMDmVU1HuEe20ZE3jNmhYz21vpC6MBNM8-zbcvKw1Omcdr54WRXvUC_sfqfP9KAGOZGVZa3F7GokB4RI2s8ij0LpjK9rTETenrwI4Wyyze/s2024/_J9A6213.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2024" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uHT5xx7oVWSw1AqH7bAgdgq6uJmgU0ecgStJSlSR6h_jNzPerxh-1mY0tb0WlfKXJL_4yWqDb5l1rLlz-2WMDmVU1HuEe20ZE3jNmhYz21vpC6MBNM8-zbcvKw1Omcdr54WRXvUC_sfqfP9KAGOZGVZa3F7GokB4RI2s8ij0LpjK9rTETenrwI4Wyyze/w640-h546/_J9A6213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpTRnsOZnBFxJry9liUE0__0lLxQLuvZ7LPeAwPGuW-NPrbHOPVOYPtd8Y-O3swrgry8eEZYu0jt3QIYCTH1-oydHOmSM10uQVzbYk7lpOn7gzz2eLSU7mbgiBjXR8tlQhdr-itB7ANoOocz4T1CFKOE6jjXrPNtjEfnW6Er3M8BARlpypD1WRMkUTb0c/s2505/_J9A6319.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="2215" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpTRnsOZnBFxJry9liUE0__0lLxQLuvZ7LPeAwPGuW-NPrbHOPVOYPtd8Y-O3swrgry8eEZYu0jt3QIYCTH1-oydHOmSM10uQVzbYk7lpOn7gzz2eLSU7mbgiBjXR8tlQhdr-itB7ANoOocz4T1CFKOE6jjXrPNtjEfnW6Er3M8BARlpypD1WRMkUTb0c/w566-h640/_J9A6319.JPG" width="566" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAff0BqVbXKuJxN8JfPqLbicj2BlGi4MPLtDrgz4GLvfoo5P9yTAcUeS3DAC7ZuHZeOlVCQvOWVy0kr904qd80IQVHJJkGdrGUJ3ULgh32VYEQdGb5dHmfv57iI_raySLKV-AH0hlWC6UUl16EBQSPPLTSDFb0vtDZk6Lpx-vypoDYBBU11rTo9YZdYhh/s1870/_J9A6221.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="1564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAff0BqVbXKuJxN8JfPqLbicj2BlGi4MPLtDrgz4GLvfoo5P9yTAcUeS3DAC7ZuHZeOlVCQvOWVy0kr904qd80IQVHJJkGdrGUJ3ULgh32VYEQdGb5dHmfv57iI_raySLKV-AH0hlWC6UUl16EBQSPPLTSDFb0vtDZk6Lpx-vypoDYBBU11rTo9YZdYhh/w536-h640/_J9A6221.JPG" width="536" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The tiny bird hunted for food, half wading along the edges of the creek, delicately picking invisible morsels from the detritus in and around the water, using its wings to balance, its tail moving all the while slowly up and down, like a slow motion wagtail and something I recalled noticing all those years ago when watching the waterthrush on Scilly. It looked so delicate and frail in its icy environment but did not appear to be inconvenienced in any way and full of life.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeyOrDMTacS6X9qDT1I7m3uQeYyU-wfKqqWY8T6drL2VDLlDkd5GPDEg8VWiadgoE-tcGCzQ0VVouwMV9GEUJ1YXFctCboQgg_vS8drBZK-UXmFV0zTAKAa0CCZ3rGNxl_L924FN6lNIihWq3uEFoEjROZ29swWVdPqOUT5yri7QfAXFLQZs33zKBO9DF/s1865/_J9A6357.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1865" data-original-width="1818" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeyOrDMTacS6X9qDT1I7m3uQeYyU-wfKqqWY8T6drL2VDLlDkd5GPDEg8VWiadgoE-tcGCzQ0VVouwMV9GEUJ1YXFctCboQgg_vS8drBZK-UXmFV0zTAKAa0CCZ3rGNxl_L924FN6lNIihWq3uEFoEjROZ29swWVdPqOUT5yri7QfAXFLQZs33zKBO9DF/w624-h640/_J9A6357.JPG" width="624" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMs4R9Ri_4lSP9PpM_FOdXJ4ZqpHjqgqKv9pavH1CCl7PfQbkF4UNc9C0kxKGdNMbSULm_e7BabGaueZ26al697rPltQxM4RmoFyJpcBKRDERzzXgP22OlgH8J-e4LZgt9q7iypYLT082lWlFO6rtJfyzJ-UgN5LxnXpmqPfOHVCMto95jop2R9_Dv4Aj/s1993/_J9A6362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1858" data-original-width="1993" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMs4R9Ri_4lSP9PpM_FOdXJ4ZqpHjqgqKv9pavH1CCl7PfQbkF4UNc9C0kxKGdNMbSULm_e7BabGaueZ26al697rPltQxM4RmoFyJpcBKRDERzzXgP22OlgH8J-e4LZgt9q7iypYLT082lWlFO6rtJfyzJ-UgN5LxnXpmqPfOHVCMto95jop2R9_Dv4Aj/w640-h596/_J9A6362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTjfXRQAgTNQEI-vV6TXac4DQ9twwJbEY9PVRfo4lU-ZUPrbPEv4e_dn45akm9lwyrgU2TF5xBIhrx2duD3AMc9cRTZome260u1tZgyvcXOOjHTn5x5plnDoGlzALSKzXsKMaLXIej_TNq6hLCgRa8hNrFNdyUg1jaX9pXJWWvLMcgHy0JBiFOgsEFogQ/s2576/_J9A6365.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="2081" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTjfXRQAgTNQEI-vV6TXac4DQ9twwJbEY9PVRfo4lU-ZUPrbPEv4e_dn45akm9lwyrgU2TF5xBIhrx2duD3AMc9cRTZome260u1tZgyvcXOOjHTn5x5plnDoGlzALSKzXsKMaLXIej_TNq6hLCgRa8hNrFNdyUg1jaX9pXJWWvLMcgHy0JBiFOgsEFogQ/w518-h640/_J9A6365.JPG" width="518" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrDGXJDS01L865uHMCVG63YOAw8GKKHFm0wr0PJZCxhb_3X8SmrmewEDIMB1EdzhHAcnUrM-8Xt-xa389PcBNua2glCgkLVWeBTskURqMlsnWTxhXTry9EVViCsGkvgQpoyhy00A2AVc3N1DRz9nTUer5AqjNUJPp_AUlyuDU-Y1JoaZr8k26b5Md1PKL/s3452/_J9A6366.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="3452" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrDGXJDS01L865uHMCVG63YOAw8GKKHFm0wr0PJZCxhb_3X8SmrmewEDIMB1EdzhHAcnUrM-8Xt-xa389PcBNua2glCgkLVWeBTskURqMlsnWTxhXTry9EVViCsGkvgQpoyhy00A2AVc3N1DRz9nTUer5AqjNUJPp_AUlyuDU-Y1JoaZr8k26b5Md1PKL/w640-h354/_J9A6366.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaJAappW5fXCcmYVsfjD_3Smmo-GkS4NPGMda-8EtaQKnmj0RcJ7aErsHHnlPxzL_dwjYszGrkBbJiuNVrMnEx-y9k1IPzlka05TaJ8h9ODmSK3ETzdQF52EZsQH2hxWaDLucajq6GUtjywBY5OjjuvGJYbQ-7JhAm9fR7CI6lai0VulWxKUArxbKycvT/s3269/_J9A6364.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3269" data-original-width="2881" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaJAappW5fXCcmYVsfjD_3Smmo-GkS4NPGMda-8EtaQKnmj0RcJ7aErsHHnlPxzL_dwjYszGrkBbJiuNVrMnEx-y9k1IPzlka05TaJ8h9ODmSK3ETzdQF52EZsQH2hxWaDLucajq6GUtjywBY5OjjuvGJYbQ-7JhAm9fR7CI6lai0VulWxKUArxbKycvT/w564-h640/_J9A6364.JPG" width="564" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div>It left after fifteen minutes, calling loudly and flew once more into the nearby brambles. It was just after 11am. The bitter sweet ordeal was over and most of us departed, just about able to get joints moving and some welcome body heat returning as the blood began to once more flow in our veins. Six hours of purgatory but worth every minute.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Returning to my car, half dazed from standing immobile for so long in the cold and pleased to be moving I was accosted by a cheery lady who asked me if I had seen the bird. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I told her I had</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Its been here since last March you know</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I tried to show polite interest</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Really?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Yes, it's been singing in my apple tree. Such a beautiful song. </i><i>There is only one of them though.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I made my escape.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-75060682051072140002024-01-06T15:35:00.000-08:002024-01-19T10:55:45.970-08:00Nine of The Best 5th January 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsehb14N5SowhctIUFsGxT7MZZJfqWqET6a4XxdeJXGpxzDViObGs7f9TDEMZdCmlN_NE17KnLSXx6ZsJsbbMH3RTDkwtQQUFJFOMra_EvoKlTfBjynBfKmhri66wwHRHoeYOaq_gUREg40FhV-rEYa1I4ZV4_846j10yoI6IZICKvMmoRSe5Rsov_dGM/s3649/_J9A0973.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3559" data-original-width="3649" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsehb14N5SowhctIUFsGxT7MZZJfqWqET6a4XxdeJXGpxzDViObGs7f9TDEMZdCmlN_NE17KnLSXx6ZsJsbbMH3RTDkwtQQUFJFOMra_EvoKlTfBjynBfKmhri66wwHRHoeYOaq_gUREg40FhV-rEYa1I4ZV4_846j10yoI6IZICKvMmoRSe5Rsov_dGM/w640-h624/_J9A0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Britain has been subject to a major invasion of Waxwings this winter. The first since the winter of 2016-2017 although not many of those birds penetrated further than northern England. When an irruption occurs it is because their usual food source has failed in Scandinavia and western Russia forcing them to cross the North Sea in search of food in order to survive.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This autumn they arrived in force with flocks exceeding a hundred reaching the coasts of northern Scotland, which slowly worked their way southwards, splitting into smaller flocks as they did so.Like the invading vikings of old these small flocks roved the land, initially to the east, then ranging wider but pillaging only berries, their chosen source of sustenance. These flocks and single birds can turn up randomly, anywhere there are suitable berries - rowan and cotoneaster being most favoured and birders the length of Britain feel a fizz of excitement at the prospect of an unexpected encounter with these charismatic and beautiful birds roaming our countryside.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">'Countryside' is maybe misleading as the Waxwings are more often to be located in urban and suburban locations as this is where the berries are more likely to be found, on trees and bushes planted as landscaping in industrial estates, parks and gardens. The birds, once they locate a suitable berry source, are often loathe to leave and will remain until all the berries are consumed. Being virtually fearless and very obvious when they descend in a fluttering mass onto a berry tree or bush they are invariably noticed and catch the general public's imagination just as much as that of birders.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was only today that I managed to catch up with a group of nine Waxwings that have taken a fancy to some ornamental rowan trees in a small patch of greenery known as Naunton Park in the town of Cheltenham,where they have been present for almost a week, delighting birders, photographers and public alike.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYChlsjLZLUlm2rC-NL40_LxW-v2PCfkYa8fb0K_R_jD8IdQ9EtwIYcT51J8Vx64KGQvirUnNkFN4ET9Yn83ZPoO2FdYoWRqd7iT74wapU3tmHLA3r8THzeNvzXuKUzecQvRZJzteBWBYbdsn3rPZBeRi1PpLlppWJ7P4qvWoctDCYeT3gkPr2SZUqxZG-/s4032/IMG_6823%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYChlsjLZLUlm2rC-NL40_LxW-v2PCfkYa8fb0K_R_jD8IdQ9EtwIYcT51J8Vx64KGQvirUnNkFN4ET9Yn83ZPoO2FdYoWRqd7iT74wapU3tmHLA3r8THzeNvzXuKUzecQvRZJzteBWBYbdsn3rPZBeRi1PpLlppWJ7P4qvWoctDCYeT3gkPr2SZUqxZG-/w640-h480/IMG_6823%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The small park consists of grass and mature trees with a number of flower borders and smaller ornamental trees. Surrounded by housing it is understandably popular with the public who use it for relaxation and dog walking..The Waxwings show no sign of being troubled by the constant passage of humanity, even the dogs fail to trouble them and one can get very close to them at times, even with a dog!</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJPlYHlLbEwBAaHaRwO-vdd5ZLcisgAeeb_xcoO1ZQfgVHndSivDqUVkOZOaWxs_AjeOjrvWFfx1ewTB077UFMIrW7maI2VusdGVcj3Kpygw1A3pbQn0mIvMiVEJBib6VeH2N8ZNGNKARItYLEZadyY3T3H9ep-2i8ENlsqshn8buEU4iToUIxrVsiKuA/s4032/IMG_6819%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJPlYHlLbEwBAaHaRwO-vdd5ZLcisgAeeb_xcoO1ZQfgVHndSivDqUVkOZOaWxs_AjeOjrvWFfx1ewTB077UFMIrW7maI2VusdGVcj3Kpygw1A3pbQn0mIvMiVEJBib6VeH2N8ZNGNKARItYLEZadyY3T3H9ep-2i8ENlsqshn8buEU4iToUIxrVsiKuA/w300-h400/IMG_6819%20(002).jpg" width="300" /></a></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Having returned only yesterday from our usual Christmas and New Year break in Scotland I wasted no time in making a forty minute drive from our home to Naunton Park in Cheltenham.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Crossing a dank and waterlogged Cotswolds on a day which promised alternate cloud and weak spells of sunshine, I encountered only light traffic and duly arrived at Naunton Park at just on nine. I was able to park in a road right next to the park and was surprised to see only two other birders standing near to one of the larger mistletoe festooned trees that guard the perimeter of the park.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EPt4_upRg58O9MvoP0hZJEozbXgIVQCT_vL7SZvu6uFMw1imXMn7pcQuHwEJgcPnwH7varp-lLWZdztEUQa9EY1p93l53BwwPztuTnHt3m3DUwXAczqrVgRH7095BXnhP0wuAIx2P_wJhQs01DcJKKp52HXTbVnjar-9emFj2gpbzcozUAj62teKl87O/s4032/IMG_6831%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EPt4_upRg58O9MvoP0hZJEozbXgIVQCT_vL7SZvu6uFMw1imXMn7pcQuHwEJgcPnwH7varp-lLWZdztEUQa9EY1p93l53BwwPztuTnHt3m3DUwXAczqrVgRH7095BXnhP0wuAIx2P_wJhQs01DcJKKp52HXTbVnjar-9emFj2gpbzcozUAj62teKl87O/w480-h640/IMG_6831%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Joining them they pointed out a group of fifteen birds perched at the very top of another similarly tall tree.Were there more waxwings now than nine? I discovered that the group consisted of mainly Starlings and in amongst them and not looking dissimilar were four Waxwings rather than the expected nine.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I settled into the accepted routine one adopts with Waxwings, whereby you wait while they perch on high well out of harms way until they decide to descend to gobble berries from the berry tree of their choice. The half dozen trees in question, still well laden with pale orange berries rather than the expected red ones, encircled a crossroads of footpaths. .</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuPrnolQKSTkLi_tMRq9ydrZHLaW8YTld_ENXUQAMjVryH2Hmo_EwA85nuouuEFLesyk7FlCdjzjFKFMDkPF_Do2aIHZnxivj4w9FA5hC0-j53oK9f97MVto8wW8Vr3WTuRWswhRfod0ANRTYkXZZfh9OXQZ6RABRXBhHq4QtYaDu7SZyYH6Er3iJ_TU9/s4032/IMG_6813%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuPrnolQKSTkLi_tMRq9ydrZHLaW8YTld_ENXUQAMjVryH2Hmo_EwA85nuouuEFLesyk7FlCdjzjFKFMDkPF_Do2aIHZnxivj4w9FA5hC0-j53oK9f97MVto8wW8Vr3WTuRWswhRfod0ANRTYkXZZfh9OXQZ6RABRXBhHq4QtYaDu7SZyYH6Er3iJ_TU9/w480-h640/IMG_6813%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For twenty or so minutes the Waxwings perched on their lofty perches. The Starlings departed but the Waxwings remained. It was now surely a formality to see when they would come down to feed but it did not quite work out that way. These were wild birds, unpredictable and not guaranteed to perform as expected. </span><span style="font-family: times;">Whilst checking my camera, my attention diverted, they flew off and gave me and my two companions the slip.We had no idea where they had gone but one thing was for certain they were no longer in the park.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This was naturally disappointing, unexpected and concerning but despite checking every large tree in the vicinity there was no sign of them. All I could do was hope they might return and soon.Yesterday there was only one report of them and that said they had flown off at 10am. There were no further reports but that could well have been because no one bothered to report them during the rest of the day. Half an hour later it was not looking good and a creeping doubt began to assert itself.More people arrived and like me stood around, looking rather glum.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzU3qboLRFADnJDJSuZZCujUXm88nzE5Nh0MlLuIFc1To13VtZxSpP5S6TZRZSWarK84SBKjF4Gre0OMORglskCI3bOTVSOFJvhApiU7PPLGjHWfrSTUmBW6Cnpr5lyhiQArj9ZIt8HIt5Q_Eu45Q00KEhyU8dKeK9_jqj8B-H18TbD0ZM66Bogn67MAJ/s4032/IMG_6829%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzU3qboLRFADnJDJSuZZCujUXm88nzE5Nh0MlLuIFc1To13VtZxSpP5S6TZRZSWarK84SBKjF4Gre0OMORglskCI3bOTVSOFJvhApiU7PPLGjHWfrSTUmBW6Cnpr5lyhiQArj9ZIt8HIt5Q_Eu45Q00KEhyU8dKeK9_jqj8B-H18TbD0ZM66Bogn67MAJ/w640-h480/IMG_6829%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was with some relief that on one of my periodic checks of the large trees I discovered they had returned to perch, typically, again at the very top of the largest tree. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">They remained in the tree for another long period and then one flew lower to a smaller tree.I prepared for action and moved towards the berry trees and in a few minutes the remaining three joined their bolder companion and then all four flew to the berries.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The quiet, patient vigil for both photographers and birds now descended into a frenzy.The Waxwings <i>modus operandi</i> was to frantically gobble as many berries as possible in as short a time as possible before fleeing back to the sanctuary of their favourite tall tree. We the assembled photographers and birders, it is hard to differentiate these days, became equally frenzied as we endeavoured to make the most of this all too brief window of opportunity and get that clear shot, unencumbered by twigs and branches, of the restless hyperactive birds which were constantly and frustratingly, forever changing position as they sought that particular berry that took their fancy.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It is all over in less than a couple of minutes.The birds fly back to their tall tree while we check the images taken in that frantic minute or two, hoping one or two may be acceptable but often they are not up to scratch so one settles to await the next assault on the berries by the Waxwings.Sometimes it can be a long wait but they will eventually descend.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q7VS0yPkc_e9AlFhqA-RWfJUVuHyTZyunEQcg_YwYbYhznTfACRR_wvFGTwuFd1_u4ffS_kNQWBZRLj1Xh6XmCE0_oieXFnGyeqLZJ7kku06ZaGled0mdeyWSjIxp0PRTDX5OFwVzkTGdC8FAaDOnCKp_-wjvsvyLW0xZ2JNDYYzZDKsOfsXpXlpiJTt/s4575/_J9A0781.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3651" data-original-width="4575" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q7VS0yPkc_e9AlFhqA-RWfJUVuHyTZyunEQcg_YwYbYhznTfACRR_wvFGTwuFd1_u4ffS_kNQWBZRLj1Xh6XmCE0_oieXFnGyeqLZJ7kku06ZaGled0mdeyWSjIxp0PRTDX5OFwVzkTGdC8FAaDOnCKp_-wjvsvyLW0xZ2JNDYYzZDKsOfsXpXlpiJTt/w640-h510/_J9A0781.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ84ziHr7HOzDSZja7mTv1cfyoAs0WKf5kkVk9B3M6tZu3eqfaFAkdR92mAc_-HshrpQhI7t1OMYYnJW9922vkyRKo99cETUTWqhX7XLKbTj_zwH0uaWpji4MpiwXtZ0qc8uNt0UXg_5TJqQSGNQcFLEygdtj6499F_dpimO86jQqKZBkkVAo4rlaDARfX/s3432/_J9A0791.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2986" data-original-width="3432" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ84ziHr7HOzDSZja7mTv1cfyoAs0WKf5kkVk9B3M6tZu3eqfaFAkdR92mAc_-HshrpQhI7t1OMYYnJW9922vkyRKo99cETUTWqhX7XLKbTj_zwH0uaWpji4MpiwXtZ0qc8uNt0UXg_5TJqQSGNQcFLEygdtj6499F_dpimO86jQqKZBkkVAo4rlaDARfX/w640-h556/_J9A0791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP3M6qSteiz1X5WwHF8kKK5IWSdnf2SWaMuO8_maNli3zvdd2DRtsOEC-Mk6e3NBO0at4WR2C5O2BFJS-UJqOcXSkpiWxEFHOdp8d_oJ374pmrfJpK8OPmlPQlwqU3YA875_z_0lMA0lVtLxaAXNTCHfxjk671oLELQXej_syMf0JZYT5nj6j2myJ3J10/s6903/_J9A0799.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6903" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP3M6qSteiz1X5WwHF8kKK5IWSdnf2SWaMuO8_maNli3zvdd2DRtsOEC-Mk6e3NBO0at4WR2C5O2BFJS-UJqOcXSkpiWxEFHOdp8d_oJ374pmrfJpK8OPmlPQlwqU3YA875_z_0lMA0lVtLxaAXNTCHfxjk671oLELQXej_syMf0JZYT5nj6j2myJ3J10/w640-h430/_J9A0799.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jRDfe7IFIFC-tQ5TsxtTaCYHWVAuoKFRoVENoZSAdhahCotZQKy1hyet1aCQOi6b7d_jbwCpRPHun3dZxzWQWHUWcpmIp909J-mIy2I-9Ytd3EGaIV60bCBsZakn3iEGUOMwldmsKbscNsRkRbfssYIR03rF_r3-HFM52jicHn1_t9dU9DzTe4I6_gvi/s4024/_J9A0802.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="4024" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jRDfe7IFIFC-tQ5TsxtTaCYHWVAuoKFRoVENoZSAdhahCotZQKy1hyet1aCQOi6b7d_jbwCpRPHun3dZxzWQWHUWcpmIp909J-mIy2I-9Ytd3EGaIV60bCBsZakn3iEGUOMwldmsKbscNsRkRbfssYIR03rF_r3-HFM52jicHn1_t9dU9DzTe4I6_gvi/w640-h614/_J9A0802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf3Yt1Aory_acyzDYFHZsU8FuhUzFaEsULLAtAfGh-tHWnV59WXMeo51rTwB14HC4BBdwvkhWtyG4TF0zfOie0JEEvxCu2tZkO1ywtaml1b2qtIbUh67foW3oCHR7crw2CqmV3WA7fX3A0NhMO1-MGl4I61220aKzax7N8y5kIm9DPMykoFwid5z5GiNc/s4116/_J9A0985.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4116" data-original-width="3814" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf3Yt1Aory_acyzDYFHZsU8FuhUzFaEsULLAtAfGh-tHWnV59WXMeo51rTwB14HC4BBdwvkhWtyG4TF0zfOie0JEEvxCu2tZkO1ywtaml1b2qtIbUh67foW3oCHR7crw2CqmV3WA7fX3A0NhMO1-MGl4I61220aKzax7N8y5kIm9DPMykoFwid5z5GiNc/w594-h640/_J9A0985.JPG" width="594" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The four Waxwings having gorged themselves on the berries then spent a very long time sat in a smaller tree right above our heads and seemed in no hurry to revisit and feed on the berries or return to the taller trees.One commenced preening and this proved infectious as soon all four were at it, tweeking flight feathers and digging into soft breast feathers, stretching wings and tails, before they settled to remain quiet but vigilant above us.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-xZaupb-Xw2VOSRLrPYd7bYb1XIA4vFSGCeyFbvHG1hyYFAx2FZWi-TyTOrGMhwVtdI4t-2_caCDjBpYZCVkwNzOCH5TgQhXbOQz4yfTYmFFBwxIuIQY2PBImCqqDZhyphenhyphenYbaxWAqeSJ8KFzGaARUg0Nv8zHGk9FbbKmC9BwXUfZ0j6PXtng-YoxWcbeiL/s3770/_J9A9477.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3770" data-original-width="2602" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-xZaupb-Xw2VOSRLrPYd7bYb1XIA4vFSGCeyFbvHG1hyYFAx2FZWi-TyTOrGMhwVtdI4t-2_caCDjBpYZCVkwNzOCH5TgQhXbOQz4yfTYmFFBwxIuIQY2PBImCqqDZhyphenhyphenYbaxWAqeSJ8KFzGaARUg0Nv8zHGk9FbbKmC9BwXUfZ0j6PXtng-YoxWcbeiL/w442-h640/_J9A9477.JPG" width="442" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfGLzbrWlnUd3ySsoa3RYnE1NVem-yVrolGq9VpWP4lA0KM1TOsGxzjI1AJdp0aAi0jGHZ4VuKIuAGk40cSmzdCWUC9fTpKEMp4Cgaalp8uFHdPpLG3mGO83ILoxAjIXZ2JNu2L3E3890yhkjXfUSAnRNNkAghwqCtdqJihNYdYHIZf7yJqjs-MJ1giEQ/s5608/_J9A9924.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5608" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfGLzbrWlnUd3ySsoa3RYnE1NVem-yVrolGq9VpWP4lA0KM1TOsGxzjI1AJdp0aAi0jGHZ4VuKIuAGk40cSmzdCWUC9fTpKEMp4Cgaalp8uFHdPpLG3mGO83ILoxAjIXZ2JNu2L3E3890yhkjXfUSAnRNNkAghwqCtdqJihNYdYHIZf7yJqjs-MJ1giEQ/w640-h530/_J9A9924.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I looked to the sky and as I did another five Waxwings flew in to join the original four. So now there were the usual nine.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhOsT-b0tF5Xiszo0RBJjChH7Q-W0yMdnttZMpySoMGweifaHFsJ64g-fMsv7Jg72An69L5bCGcE994DinKRrBXIwqNcHTW61VYGC-Ko_gLdZSv1z9xMJ-agEEc6TlZPRrhpX6ay0rtzrdS_a2KiZm6kkTIKPDrjY4-hit-OmvGcnPqfJt3yvuk6c6zL0/s4740/_J9A0372.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="4740" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhOsT-b0tF5Xiszo0RBJjChH7Q-W0yMdnttZMpySoMGweifaHFsJ64g-fMsv7Jg72An69L5bCGcE994DinKRrBXIwqNcHTW61VYGC-Ko_gLdZSv1z9xMJ-agEEc6TlZPRrhpX6ay0rtzrdS_a2KiZm6kkTIKPDrjY4-hit-OmvGcnPqfJt3yvuk6c6zL0/w640-h626/_J9A0372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Where these five had been was anyone's guess, presumably they had found another source of berries but for now they seemed content to rejoin the other four and remain as one flock.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Adam, an Oxonbirder colleague, joined me and we stood and admired the group which then did the decent thing and dropped down onto the berries, precipitating another hectic two minute togging session before the birds flew back up into the smaller tree. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkjtGI42wzi2Ys1b_nDgHMnNO5DPt5MbvrSBHPS4MmMqWJc51l2XMemcqQYtQIeOb8Acis9Ri7nOUaj7rdX40OHLRbch5lL5ltnqOusvrf1FpUg2vd07dMGysAgZFSF1ub60g6xPUxBTPhlVQRx8bOIBXruRwv3om8goXNzzxCqbOW0SgPk1P7nLh_lgM/s5720/_J9A2668.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5720" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkjtGI42wzi2Ys1b_nDgHMnNO5DPt5MbvrSBHPS4MmMqWJc51l2XMemcqQYtQIeOb8Acis9Ri7nOUaj7rdX40OHLRbch5lL5ltnqOusvrf1FpUg2vd07dMGysAgZFSF1ub60g6xPUxBTPhlVQRx8bOIBXruRwv3om8goXNzzxCqbOW0SgPk1P7nLh_lgM/w640-h520/_J9A2668.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMltPb5eI8a5b2GBzsgj9XXZkHxUxoKGmO8P9Bw1QTFyVHY77hSQcvoQcFdla2malXEOa7Lhs-R0qKlotLOdbtQUgJlb0j-yu561s-W8RwGwH_bbez8RWiaM_fCciJU7MoajpFOn0yZmhcJ19kwLXx7ofoqbAlrgiFNU1vkyOq_JCklrrRwKmh__B7K_mH/s6408/_J9A2669.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6408" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMltPb5eI8a5b2GBzsgj9XXZkHxUxoKGmO8P9Bw1QTFyVHY77hSQcvoQcFdla2malXEOa7Lhs-R0qKlotLOdbtQUgJlb0j-yu561s-W8RwGwH_bbez8RWiaM_fCciJU7MoajpFOn0yZmhcJ19kwLXx7ofoqbAlrgiFNU1vkyOq_JCklrrRwKmh__B7K_mH/w640-h464/_J9A2669.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeSMzhOicVSuQ7RxgIjXXbkoBHcu46zKC41EWkwTz2nbmH04Egw5h7Wny_Iwruyoh0hdVkFIyVpqqJcCcJf6OzMJ5x6G6Q2SXyCGBumMqc2kgHjZO5tEV30Uu124kF7ficyU_0FxNitRBdLTknyylZMHYClWh0XOH3mCD-vY1dzsc0naLunXKLZGpDAUr/s4480/_J9A2693.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4328" data-original-width="4480" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeSMzhOicVSuQ7RxgIjXXbkoBHcu46zKC41EWkwTz2nbmH04Egw5h7Wny_Iwruyoh0hdVkFIyVpqqJcCcJf6OzMJ5x6G6Q2SXyCGBumMqc2kgHjZO5tEV30Uu124kF7ficyU_0FxNitRBdLTknyylZMHYClWh0XOH3mCD-vY1dzsc0naLunXKLZGpDAUr/w640-h618/_J9A2693.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Now, their behaviour changed and rather than as one flock, only one or two at a time took it in turns to feed, presenting us with ample opportunities to take photos of them.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2ALumNUoN_rF5qQxPg-mKwZH7YJDGRgU2XHWI121FK9AwH0MU5hpUIDh2QtOaKbFXMGXCZkA5DqOFLgW7T0v28b8rdx5IKzgyFBgKRUEoQBENupqm1c7SisIWd4aBi66hMChkfvfw9vH_iHKd3LLLZ46TkQC7Wj7cTpcwYT8CSU50JpBoymVvDeOUScB/s3845/_J9A9773.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3845" data-original-width="3596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2ALumNUoN_rF5qQxPg-mKwZH7YJDGRgU2XHWI121FK9AwH0MU5hpUIDh2QtOaKbFXMGXCZkA5DqOFLgW7T0v28b8rdx5IKzgyFBgKRUEoQBENupqm1c7SisIWd4aBi66hMChkfvfw9vH_iHKd3LLLZ46TkQC7Wj7cTpcwYT8CSU50JpBoymVvDeOUScB/w598-h640/_J9A9773.JPG" width="598" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCsA5Drm8znKF0ne-ZP1IGYlsSxQweI1vf2X00BaTx8P3nqIKUD3piqVyaZ80EzPN14d9RQWov_sdAPesDxJJ6pQbxfWQLpIx9Ih-dewQ0D16xxflskJdbJF-fa2KIB6aU2UdA2ju3plGqZ7vKIOLDj7xVEjH-Nc_4RZ8tNiXxyR_PUlr7dyMCSiRoiHb/s4039/_J9A9849.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4039" data-original-width="4035" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCsA5Drm8znKF0ne-ZP1IGYlsSxQweI1vf2X00BaTx8P3nqIKUD3piqVyaZ80EzPN14d9RQWov_sdAPesDxJJ6pQbxfWQLpIx9Ih-dewQ0D16xxflskJdbJF-fa2KIB6aU2UdA2ju3plGqZ7vKIOLDj7xVEjH-Nc_4RZ8tNiXxyR_PUlr7dyMCSiRoiHb/w640-h640/_J9A9849.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAXrrwYY5d44DQkzPNYsdIy5NPEebP7DOUbh4ILVeVrWkUZftqVEVy6s0iR9l7vfqdl9QsvKqMcHRlTTPon4Xn6Zx6nuUSkD4XhpYSzjPuvToZhtgWVs5b2hDzRRUM4hwX1YYu35gmGDL3Cs1NBu2PpD2aZ0i80PN2WZnV-2IIm_FB5wvw6JSZRi-5C6R/s4516/_J9A2231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3837" data-original-width="4516" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAXrrwYY5d44DQkzPNYsdIy5NPEebP7DOUbh4ILVeVrWkUZftqVEVy6s0iR9l7vfqdl9QsvKqMcHRlTTPon4Xn6Zx6nuUSkD4XhpYSzjPuvToZhtgWVs5b2hDzRRUM4hwX1YYu35gmGDL3Cs1NBu2PpD2aZ0i80PN2WZnV-2IIm_FB5wvw6JSZRi-5C6R/w640-h544/_J9A2231.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">All nine eventually returned to perch in the large tree and started trilling, a thin sibilant call that often signals the birds impending departure.It went on for a minute and then all the birds flew as a group high and away from the park.They were gone.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A local birder told us they would not be back for an hour as this was what they did yesterday.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Fancy a coffee Adam</i>?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Why not.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We walked down a couple of adjacent streets to arrive on a main thoroughfare where we found a very pleasant cafe which supplied us with coffee for me and tea for Adam.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Suitably refreshed we returned to find the Waxwings had also returned and were being photographed and admired by around twenty people.We joined them and now the birds seemed more hungry and came down to the berries regularly, again never remaining long, a matter of a minute or two but there was a constant '<i>tooing and froing</i>' of Waxwings, so everyone was happy.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gZni8DI-cYiogMxuMFs0q7AruZzu_S_vDodrVKtY5Hex_nA0ZqmSAM1IU0MyhewEVstsL17nxUqcM5IEbrLKQw6LBgCq2oVBBCOqzAA7qhP2Cq3dNsJ88eqtM8sibbRVTLWET7wt0nY6nySUhQhdYn5gxaPIFtSG4fKwyRGeqK5WqJy-MZKOyi0W5QN-/s3870/_J9A1812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3870" data-original-width="2102" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gZni8DI-cYiogMxuMFs0q7AruZzu_S_vDodrVKtY5Hex_nA0ZqmSAM1IU0MyhewEVstsL17nxUqcM5IEbrLKQw6LBgCq2oVBBCOqzAA7qhP2Cq3dNsJ88eqtM8sibbRVTLWET7wt0nY6nySUhQhdYn5gxaPIFtSG4fKwyRGeqK5WqJy-MZKOyi0W5QN-/w348-h640/_J9A1812.JPG" width="348" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdtADrQdJ2yyaEiHaazalLxbNLUQxj2G0wIf_pG9FnkXngwlm7xhgOghbeBpG_WKmjipnHgEqzKNeJmjxuEzuuOLvF3E-oo_xlz2KdryKCE3QDObyE2tACM46Az62BNPdC3-b-bp-bSQizKvrR1u2pHauFWqSLQX4_303CD6WRfAd6ccMgNenP7pb9tUf/s5428/_J9A1046.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5428" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdtADrQdJ2yyaEiHaazalLxbNLUQxj2G0wIf_pG9FnkXngwlm7xhgOghbeBpG_WKmjipnHgEqzKNeJmjxuEzuuOLvF3E-oo_xlz2KdryKCE3QDObyE2tACM46Az62BNPdC3-b-bp-bSQizKvrR1u2pHauFWqSLQX4_303CD6WRfAd6ccMgNenP7pb9tUf/w640-h548/_J9A1046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRMYchavi_o8v9WZCvKUnhJgwZOfQw-IaEBHepQStK31G2DdynvCEXDThxKwV3pqXFcfaWlH_guRLLTBwl6uMusu3YpK5bvyRC9RieByggwDWAjXVdcMLbh9Bwxe-77ciZZl6AKUckuGmyi5gFpmnqHQ4kyLHhTBram-Ef6xiVZ9zXZ9ii9Y8mTdME4aE/s3415/_J9A1059.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3415" data-original-width="2789" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRMYchavi_o8v9WZCvKUnhJgwZOfQw-IaEBHepQStK31G2DdynvCEXDThxKwV3pqXFcfaWlH_guRLLTBwl6uMusu3YpK5bvyRC9RieByggwDWAjXVdcMLbh9Bwxe-77ciZZl6AKUckuGmyi5gFpmnqHQ4kyLHhTBram-Ef6xiVZ9zXZ9ii9Y8mTdME4aE/w522-h640/_J9A1059.JPG" width="522" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldDe-2xvW6xfHgH1qS8m7MQH8IwPbnVOdfVhAEwCTgxaXhAGf-4TlQP7phr5tpeLUIilAZrGXOHGpd8ISO42pHnq-rig718S2DGohhLF8QYjuESfeXZqYS7CEHCYgDdxMFH6sOgSQ3ITMHxCgaYWQfgYWs-X2Y6QN6c9OR7VuH1U70e_pAVYg6VFzHENF/s3519/_J9A1900.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3519" data-original-width="3337" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldDe-2xvW6xfHgH1qS8m7MQH8IwPbnVOdfVhAEwCTgxaXhAGf-4TlQP7phr5tpeLUIilAZrGXOHGpd8ISO42pHnq-rig718S2DGohhLF8QYjuESfeXZqYS7CEHCYgDdxMFH6sOgSQ3ITMHxCgaYWQfgYWs-X2Y6QN6c9OR7VuH1U70e_pAVYg6VFzHENF/w606-h640/_J9A1900.JPG" width="606" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Adam had to return to Oxford so said goodbye and I was on my own again. A couple of Redwings, also from north of our shores but unlike the Waxwings regular winter visitors, commenced visiting the berry trees but always departed when the Waxwings descended.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDluiB0oxUOn6vmHgQ7YRPp7gFapZyww0zPMim9i8nzsuzQkv2tCCTipN8zH0jlJ_c31h-tDQ7mpGA9HqQfcOzT58_bKB0dENdmTuhghyMj5ePhJjve6XxL5DFm_7rSRTZB30YUUMPjl5l_WNGST4gTn5Iae9Prdid4Eh32_smZTQdbR9zZUwlL37_3aBA/s3537/_J9A2326.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3402" data-original-width="3537" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDluiB0oxUOn6vmHgQ7YRPp7gFapZyww0zPMim9i8nzsuzQkv2tCCTipN8zH0jlJ_c31h-tDQ7mpGA9HqQfcOzT58_bKB0dENdmTuhghyMj5ePhJjve6XxL5DFm_7rSRTZB30YUUMPjl5l_WNGST4gTn5Iae9Prdid4Eh32_smZTQdbR9zZUwlL37_3aBA/w400-h385/_J9A2326.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtoLI7ev8dX4N5peDAVQ8jQPO-R1dtgWh29kn-4oPOlcVTljVpUEYft3QrcyOv4X1RW7yqQEPsEYJDQZ5zNv0vbDsT5HlflKI04GqBmaqJdKLmb_8z3pRoX__pNVey-uM4STqND30NG4e11S70uZuKafb_GIYRhfCP1h_uducOwmNG6nJwWZrjatvx92a/s2790/_J9A2334.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2195" data-original-width="2790" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtoLI7ev8dX4N5peDAVQ8jQPO-R1dtgWh29kn-4oPOlcVTljVpUEYft3QrcyOv4X1RW7yqQEPsEYJDQZ5zNv0vbDsT5HlflKI04GqBmaqJdKLmb_8z3pRoX__pNVey-uM4STqND30NG4e11S70uZuKafb_GIYRhfCP1h_uducOwmNG6nJwWZrjatvx92a/w640-h504/_J9A2334.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Waxwings are extremely acrobatic when plucking at the clusters of berries. They cling like feathered baubles to the extremities of the rowans, g</span><span style="font-family: times;">rasping a berry festooned stem, tilting over or hanging downwards, sometimes overbalancing as they stretch to pull off the berries.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7j4h7A_Zjtmk_C2uSk3Wyg0KK_5pVLUygIwdDIKrmTd1HlE_B74yfPkfCcCE5zwjtMCmFTV-a0G78Znai3RutfG97Pxb2o-6RxEcEIdK5qTuEThWitXwSiEAMsgeG2IVY6lClMWkb0zqmXsxNNw9B5UEs3UrvTCDoBv6hpb48PABSgegPzjDaSMP_tjR/s3674/_J9A1660.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3674" data-original-width="3067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7j4h7A_Zjtmk_C2uSk3Wyg0KK_5pVLUygIwdDIKrmTd1HlE_B74yfPkfCcCE5zwjtMCmFTV-a0G78Znai3RutfG97Pxb2o-6RxEcEIdK5qTuEThWitXwSiEAMsgeG2IVY6lClMWkb0zqmXsxNNw9B5UEs3UrvTCDoBv6hpb48PABSgegPzjDaSMP_tjR/w534-h640/_J9A1660.JPG" width="534" /></a></div></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJEPVMx6l95PiXsp9_0oh_4BwlilIdgnCp6myldNZecK5dHvkPMkAMzSHnTNbwQtD6wTJoJP_1ul7MNfcX7z0FHn_Icwmn67U1DzWRX0SEGyP0EP3QJSeWgGydss7vjH7n5Hu3DZ-Lj6sH8M6TjPINLWYoS1l7zin4RMad0wOhyphenhyphenV4MwE3EM7esezjDGVZ/s3044/_J9A1886.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2782" data-original-width="3044" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJEPVMx6l95PiXsp9_0oh_4BwlilIdgnCp6myldNZecK5dHvkPMkAMzSHnTNbwQtD6wTJoJP_1ul7MNfcX7z0FHn_Icwmn67U1DzWRX0SEGyP0EP3QJSeWgGydss7vjH7n5Hu3DZ-Lj6sH8M6TjPINLWYoS1l7zin4RMad0wOhyphenhyphenV4MwE3EM7esezjDGVZ/w400-h365/_J9A1886.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvT8T7p3wJCFoYBxqNz70I5jEiRqjo9roIj9Ov_iliCxXlojZSgEQoGgQ04LmoYCIzRR4aL126Uo0XMKpH3h-rJP2NkROhlc1znxq4rhLMGrOLgj_9wSaDSVjak_Jib5z-No26UFbxrERbeeXNxZ1T3-7m9T0I87tbXBiJ7s1TfuHe21fTlxiodqis1Yk/s4224/_J9A1858.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4224" data-original-width="3576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvT8T7p3wJCFoYBxqNz70I5jEiRqjo9roIj9Ov_iliCxXlojZSgEQoGgQ04LmoYCIzRR4aL126Uo0XMKpH3h-rJP2NkROhlc1znxq4rhLMGrOLgj_9wSaDSVjak_Jib5z-No26UFbxrERbeeXNxZ1T3-7m9T0I87tbXBiJ7s1TfuHe21fTlxiodqis1Yk/w542-h640/_J9A1858.JPG" width="542" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GXRgtign93s5-o9Tp1MNTP-niw04p1MDyeWLalHUW__Cb2uJvPn_piW1FEcWkNm8RNcZAlWDhDwUflJj84fXWA_pcfG9EdkwNQSROhMEItg8q36hIyOBnGc3lFD5qhxnMJKHx6gqiVUy6EyIUJw1gAJxgj5JWWbWnBR-WFgLsYaYwxDeuPWO8yB5fb7r/s4176/_J9A2497.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4176" data-original-width="3816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GXRgtign93s5-o9Tp1MNTP-niw04p1MDyeWLalHUW__Cb2uJvPn_piW1FEcWkNm8RNcZAlWDhDwUflJj84fXWA_pcfG9EdkwNQSROhMEItg8q36hIyOBnGc3lFD5qhxnMJKHx6gqiVUy6EyIUJw1gAJxgj5JWWbWnBR-WFgLsYaYwxDeuPWO8yB5fb7r/w584-h640/_J9A2497.JPG" width="584" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHg6rcZwSVVbwq0vt8fI1i9bVq8bO9TQm4KNcOaq9Zw9xt9J9mYk-eUEEumjT_7vnkiB8DPAtodvrBqwxWBDiE-nzObe_7SJ10Jl6IT58gX2WnKBY9GtLQ09w2jPSIdYd_g8GvIcOrTkIs7t0aXUROfPdqdR0DLdoLAPd1gOdjp6N0S4ldxahkpRHpLGU/s3814/_J9A2513.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3814" data-original-width="3390" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHg6rcZwSVVbwq0vt8fI1i9bVq8bO9TQm4KNcOaq9Zw9xt9J9mYk-eUEEumjT_7vnkiB8DPAtodvrBqwxWBDiE-nzObe_7SJ10Jl6IT58gX2WnKBY9GtLQ09w2jPSIdYd_g8GvIcOrTkIs7t0aXUROfPdqdR0DLdoLAPd1gOdjp6N0S4ldxahkpRHpLGU/w568-h640/_J9A2513.JPG" width="568" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5tBM91CfjIvrdRGRL4RvyFyaTAC0xJV62I0d2tJOAz2Hqkv1WB962a_xT-JNnz6Xwofdsogg9P1i6trfjTXYu7BFRxUsLymxHBJmY4bpm0ewJIfI77cKMzl3G8coW9LefS8sqZQ0YL1hvh9zFBpgxvY7gzVjGv8h7zfuqw4CUWXkv7ZUxkemAPXONOUG/s4550/_J9A1779.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4550" data-original-width="3730" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5tBM91CfjIvrdRGRL4RvyFyaTAC0xJV62I0d2tJOAz2Hqkv1WB962a_xT-JNnz6Xwofdsogg9P1i6trfjTXYu7BFRxUsLymxHBJmY4bpm0ewJIfI77cKMzl3G8coW9LefS8sqZQ0YL1hvh9zFBpgxvY7gzVjGv8h7zfuqw4CUWXkv7ZUxkemAPXONOUG/w524-h640/_J9A1779.JPG" width="524" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR_zxdLuwwWhnEvgAKqFTQ12y9vONgU5viU1Eor3SDMNTBZQ9xoJXKUfodeUK36if9g6NPUijsPSIyGDDzSmbTOQrCwIiJr2vWFlZKcAugqH_KyvRPwJXoF0dZPnyk-uzQR0e_G_ZKwIstNeO4brJzFR1iLD85pSZVxkUEiwNmrKNRN2tuuhcNGTPTdli/s3771/_J9A1003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3771" data-original-width="3301" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR_zxdLuwwWhnEvgAKqFTQ12y9vONgU5viU1Eor3SDMNTBZQ9xoJXKUfodeUK36if9g6NPUijsPSIyGDDzSmbTOQrCwIiJr2vWFlZKcAugqH_KyvRPwJXoF0dZPnyk-uzQR0e_G_ZKwIstNeO4brJzFR1iLD85pSZVxkUEiwNmrKNRN2tuuhcNGTPTdli/w560-h640/_J9A1003.JPG" width="560" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">They do not necessarily swallow all the berries while in the berry tree but sometimes will fly with one in their bill, back to the top of the large tree.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xZF96UayMGnI-E-vuUMlH8fsWYiho3Nbyms4XuWeiWMEHkPYRoKqpMCj2MWS7sx7JhE9DCbzrZr0nwHwM3WVskHw-kqribtACC3LaqjLh-51BNa8WM3Sxla3QC5gnVECT-VbpES30muz-scTNlcjbZUywH1pOGBMRlthe9tiFEKV2hNqcfxV1MHMM1ZW/s5924/_J9A2315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5924" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xZF96UayMGnI-E-vuUMlH8fsWYiho3Nbyms4XuWeiWMEHkPYRoKqpMCj2MWS7sx7JhE9DCbzrZr0nwHwM3WVskHw-kqribtACC3LaqjLh-51BNa8WM3Sxla3QC5gnVECT-VbpES30muz-scTNlcjbZUywH1pOGBMRlthe9tiFEKV2hNqcfxV1MHMM1ZW/w640-h502/_J9A2315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Towards lunchtime the flock was now once again back in their favourite tall tree. The trilling started again just before one o' clock and, as before, the birds flew as a flock high and away out of sight over the surrounding roof tops.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I had thoroughly enjoyed my morning and felt fulfilled by my Waxwing encounter. so decided that now was as good a time as any to leave. It is only January after all and Waxwings will be around for at least three months yet.They are still being reported from widespread locations so there is plenty of time to catch up with some more. Maybe Oxfordshire will be blessed with their presence. A few have been seen in the county but have not remained.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I live in hope.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-36867586436091708292023-12-16T15:04:00.000-08:002024-03-02T02:31:07.215-08:00A Good Week at Farmoor 12th December 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWfdM0wtf96embDZkiJ22kE3VjmkkIrnXdSbNIZe3FmnZh9GUKoRCkGQpfyWX5G3fpkQH9NBDghX4LjR7g6Ona5Zxfbxn8VfTbHVSOiTcIcEBZycH5nKimJCFNFQ3UvKPwpanboDMkNWGr4tWyhIGOIbe3-HDBF36e8bRfNY7lydcvMRQ1rkfFwkTlHRk/s1999/_J9A7187%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="1391" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWfdM0wtf96embDZkiJ22kE3VjmkkIrnXdSbNIZe3FmnZh9GUKoRCkGQpfyWX5G3fpkQH9NBDghX4LjR7g6Ona5Zxfbxn8VfTbHVSOiTcIcEBZycH5nKimJCFNFQ3UvKPwpanboDMkNWGr4tWyhIGOIbe3-HDBF36e8bRfNY7lydcvMRQ1rkfFwkTlHRk/w446-h640/_J9A7187%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">These interminable grey days of December bringing dark mornings and early nightfall are about as welcome as a christmas card from your broadband supplier and enough to test the resolve of even the most optimistic of us. Visits to Farmoor Reservoir are not high on the list of antidotes to the general malaise that besets me at this time of year.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I would be the last person to suggest Farmoor could bring some rare seasonal cheer apart from the fact that there is the opportunity to drink far too much coffee and eat too much cake in the reservoir's Waterside Cafe which under new ownership has blossomed into quite an attraction.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was after having sat far too long with Phil in the cafe talking football and trying to put the world to rights that I learnt of the arrival of a Great Northern Diver on the reservoir. Great Northerns are occasional winter visitors to Farmoor, by no means annual but when one is present, </span><span style="font-family: times;">adding a little bit of birding glamour amongst the usual Tufted Ducks, Great Crested Grebes, Cormorants, belligerent Coots and noisy Greylags. They </span><span style="font-family: times;">can often remain for an extended period and provide some excitement as one tries to relocate it on each visit to the reservoir.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The diver currently gracing Farmoor is a juvenile as are most that arrive here. Initially it preferred to remain relatively well offshore but like the others that have preceded it in years past has become more confiding as it grows used to the human traffic on the causeway and dodging the weekend yachtsmen, windsurfers and paddle boarders on the reservoir.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEeMT_Wozof_MZty5_LNBfMyP_FwKUMOz6-HZgOlJC2VZ_kRxbEJ8KUycmJPZlUIdEdAjKVKBXrJqm-27EI7L0yM18x-mMh5SbSbpnpZdndjUSA0DifnYahBWbHLsf73Kx1Mmd9qUgXEpX8qNi3RpPn1A9nNt1wwjoCIO44A8H6KWFkkopQszalWdmkmI/s1871/_J9A6038.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1871" data-original-width="1719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEeMT_Wozof_MZty5_LNBfMyP_FwKUMOz6-HZgOlJC2VZ_kRxbEJ8KUycmJPZlUIdEdAjKVKBXrJqm-27EI7L0yM18x-mMh5SbSbpnpZdndjUSA0DifnYahBWbHLsf73Kx1Mmd9qUgXEpX8qNi3RpPn1A9nNt1wwjoCIO44A8H6KWFkkopQszalWdmkmI/w588-h640/_J9A6038.JPG" width="588" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">On days when winter's gloom has descended and the reservoir is foresaken by the human race the diver can come reasonably close to the reservoir's causeway or perimeter which allows some photo opportunities and the chance to observe this special bird at close quarters.</div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3LrdIlZQLm2l9UD4OCxg5S_PvFGPbUOjAPI0m_eGZuu2dflqTfX2RQvy6EclznF_LzNnTznuomZiaySk0Atwt4vNJF80WvGpux8DsTgRANCEQnlrClJnBmSpsE2LEtdx6cWvuSnqr8XsqAv-xvbEYbih6_pyq2rU8lFutdRH1_-Qsu0tRwJxZf3RTGsa/s2787/_J9A5901.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="2787" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3LrdIlZQLm2l9UD4OCxg5S_PvFGPbUOjAPI0m_eGZuu2dflqTfX2RQvy6EclznF_LzNnTznuomZiaySk0Atwt4vNJF80WvGpux8DsTgRANCEQnlrClJnBmSpsE2LEtdx6cWvuSnqr8XsqAv-xvbEYbih6_pyq2rU8lFutdRH1_-Qsu0tRwJxZf3RTGsa/w640-h502/_J9A5901.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHxubzBzXAX2pOSS58Rd8yemzjF4xSzy7CADWxyNH0OZRDbC4xtLK-wDHM50ZpOnpk2NgMvlNyIQLnF6MZoedKo4jBdHO0E_mxO8XEDyYdcwF16ypquBS-t2EN_DViPbOkDVhwIsFlD1gzAUWBXwLf0ybuPj_5uJpnVrCg7O81gVuQBky-LQgmMv26ZRc/s1619/_J9A6079.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1619" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHxubzBzXAX2pOSS58Rd8yemzjF4xSzy7CADWxyNH0OZRDbC4xtLK-wDHM50ZpOnpk2NgMvlNyIQLnF6MZoedKo4jBdHO0E_mxO8XEDyYdcwF16ypquBS-t2EN_DViPbOkDVhwIsFlD1gzAUWBXwLf0ybuPj_5uJpnVrCg7O81gVuQBky-LQgmMv26ZRc/w640-h522/_J9A6079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Little Grebes winter in small numbers, up to a dozen, on the reservoir but do not breed here. It always strikes me as strange that such a self effacing bird opts to spend the winter exposed on the open and expansive waters of F2, the larger of the two basins. They are almost never seen on the smaller basin F1. In the breeding season they are absent from Farmoor, leaving to lead a highly secretive existence in the stands of reeds on small ponds and lakes, so why they seek the most exposed habitat available on which to spend the winter at Farmoor is a mystery.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">On the reservoir they prefer to remain close to the shoreline where it is shallower.This is where the small fish such as sticklebacks and minnows on which they feed are to be found and where the grebes can dive to the bottom to catch their prey. Further out seems too deep for them. Often they can be found sheltering in the lee of the various buoys on the reservoir or hiding by the yacht club pontoons in the small marina.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Looking for all the world like circular Yorkshire Puddings and with plumage colours to match they dither around on the water, never straying far from a buoy or structure to cower beside and convince themselves they are secure. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HKMwtUi_2BpJLWoc3D6uh7BsBKnzPvSUHgDGf6SvXh7DFRRL0XfzHNSTV2ZjJZmVHV9o4o1ODMXVkV-3yacnsuOXjDLgo684bFRq_gadSJVPNHYnOEbT13xvUSSn4znM3HT3D40GBGx34FFKqmUjxblhptJPo5Nrk90rqHXYUMM7N4HmipsmOxcQnvf_/s2304/_J9A5865.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="2264" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HKMwtUi_2BpJLWoc3D6uh7BsBKnzPvSUHgDGf6SvXh7DFRRL0XfzHNSTV2ZjJZmVHV9o4o1ODMXVkV-3yacnsuOXjDLgo684bFRq_gadSJVPNHYnOEbT13xvUSSn4znM3HT3D40GBGx34FFKqmUjxblhptJPo5Nrk90rqHXYUMM7N4HmipsmOxcQnvf_/w628-h640/_J9A5865.JPG" width="628" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">An adult female Greater Scaup has been at the reservoir for well over two months now, consorting with the wintering flock of mainly male Tufted Ducks, following the flock as it moves from one basin to the other. It is always in a loose company with 'the tufties' and rarely found on its own.When asleep, which is its default behaviour, and at some distance offshore it can be difficult to separate from other sleeping female Tufted Ducks around it. The diagnostic white circle around its bill is hidden as the bill is tucked into its mantle feathers but careful examination of its plumage reveals an ashy grey wash to the brown upperparts and paler flanks than on a female Tufted. It is also marginally larger and broader in the beam than the Tufteds which is also a giveaway to its identity.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This bird may well be the one which spent last winter here and there is always hope it might attract others. Although unlikely it did happen one year when a male, female and juvenile spent the winter together on the reservoir.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3QLJ3dacm6ZU6iNCqVB1yY9bBKv26TDiH0ffxz0z0SPsfr0XFFoBv62WusZsC-vnsqpUjT6MQppkti3tsZ8m2t2JDSqS5pP5ElrJE2-2gYS4cS4frd1G4jFJMaS3r8wjx7DTvHG7Fc2YIlhntEozyNosor1sEyvmWKvQqmqrHYkIFhLAlBRIXVDjz_lH/s2217/_J9A0527.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="1636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3QLJ3dacm6ZU6iNCqVB1yY9bBKv26TDiH0ffxz0z0SPsfr0XFFoBv62WusZsC-vnsqpUjT6MQppkti3tsZ8m2t2JDSqS5pP5ElrJE2-2gYS4cS4frd1G4jFJMaS3r8wjx7DTvHG7Fc2YIlhntEozyNosor1sEyvmWKvQqmqrHYkIFhLAlBRIXVDjz_lH/w472-h640/_J9A0527.JPG" width="472" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pQHXLxNov3LNUlqAz8MET5H__yS-iIUfvjW8lQg12xJcKn60jIvce_mduXTOw_vDRXGygkplbd40YX45jU0dGKf8ujZNM6IzhC8tA42eD_iKfoXCXDzzABo9YeKGQy4gGEW83yzXkL0GMGOkebp5J0wFRNEsuF5Blmui4w8BIezrkYR-fpwX_-pUKB7l/s3057/_J9A5955.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="3057" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pQHXLxNov3LNUlqAz8MET5H__yS-iIUfvjW8lQg12xJcKn60jIvce_mduXTOw_vDRXGygkplbd40YX45jU0dGKf8ujZNM6IzhC8tA42eD_iKfoXCXDzzABo9YeKGQy4gGEW83yzXkL0GMGOkebp5J0wFRNEsuF5Blmui4w8BIezrkYR-fpwX_-pUKB7l/w640-h402/_J9A5955.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLBNAwom98D8FRfuaufHTi3RfBQJfv48RAHx9QCFwjYtWNTsugcmLZq7fDvDSLDEztc72kgOb3NuNS4ta45RmlS3hh7MnA38GTGPtBjhwymda4jVSXC-bXLnycbp0ZpILIgXs9yo_H-dD4y2gAhxrjhgplU4trNJ6ULHyGogxVFA1hLx5QcD_87Kmno5P/s6960/_J9A5963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLBNAwom98D8FRfuaufHTi3RfBQJfv48RAHx9QCFwjYtWNTsugcmLZq7fDvDSLDEztc72kgOb3NuNS4ta45RmlS3hh7MnA38GTGPtBjhwymda4jVSXC-bXLnycbp0ZpILIgXs9yo_H-dD4y2gAhxrjhgplU4trNJ6ULHyGogxVFA1hLx5QcD_87Kmno5P/w640-h426/_J9A5963.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For the last three years a Common Sandpiper has spent the winter at the reservoir.Normally they head for Africa but possibly the warming climate has allowed a bird that needs winter warmth and a plentiful supply of invertebrates, to tough it out through the worst of our winter. Farmoor is probably as good a bet as any to chance its luck as there are always insects along the water's edge.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I doubt it is the same individual that has been here three years running but who knows. Common Sandpipers at Farmoor on spring and autumn migration are notoriously wary and fly before you can get anywhere near them but this bird allows relatively close approach which may be a sign it is struggling to find food and has not the will to flee but rather concentrate on finding as much sustenance as possible in these short days of winter.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvECfa4LXNw1FU9MMGEwOmssr-q9NAg_fjfAtRIP7pAl99jsIfNCGUYGgpe2Hm2TDjGZVQPmFnBn31UgUPvg8VR5bMVmDZeYtcdCSs8Z1VWDIylAxm36b60yiQJ_upJq0nojxeT9CGmhnBjbGnes9SIIhi9484Ilb5aUG5VO4nk1F8iDU7tG_vnmIr105/s1972/_J9A5833-DeNoiseAI-low-light.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="1817" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvECfa4LXNw1FU9MMGEwOmssr-q9NAg_fjfAtRIP7pAl99jsIfNCGUYGgpe2Hm2TDjGZVQPmFnBn31UgUPvg8VR5bMVmDZeYtcdCSs8Z1VWDIylAxm36b60yiQJ_upJq0nojxeT9CGmhnBjbGnes9SIIhi9484Ilb5aUG5VO4nk1F8iDU7tG_vnmIr105/w590-h640/_J9A5833-DeNoiseAI-low-light.JPG" width="590" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A couple of Common Redshanks have developed a liking for the northern bank of the reservoir causeway. Their prolonged presence for over a week is unusual as this is a bird that does not normally frequent the reservoir in winter and is only occasionally seen on spring and autumn migration.Much more suitable habitat is relatively nearby on the floods at Port Meadow but this pair have stubbornly proved the exception and in constant close company remain faithful to the reservoir and in the process have become quite confiding even when the causeway is well populated by passers by. Their melancholy calls </span><span style="font-family: times;">bring a suggestion of wild lonely places to the prosaic soulless concrete of the reservoir as they mildly protest about being disturbed and fly out over the water, only to return and settle further down the causeway. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpI_aHXp1YiF-i5H9Ij4lCOcpLi96wZ_kb4s-ZNKBE2q0ktw84UL0cap6HSpB5WWbgG2Ca1cB7AYDuLkEUnGgJkn1yYNQ-I0wQhRvKfHYBTYMcjRGTuRlqaBaFAWdXBXXsCJaqb4hh-cRQpqu1YNRP9SYpwiggnFfu9voJFGKsKHQV5O6u7_VYFWk6AiWN/s4114/_J9A8232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4114" data-original-width="4053" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpI_aHXp1YiF-i5H9Ij4lCOcpLi96wZ_kb4s-ZNKBE2q0ktw84UL0cap6HSpB5WWbgG2Ca1cB7AYDuLkEUnGgJkn1yYNQ-I0wQhRvKfHYBTYMcjRGTuRlqaBaFAWdXBXXsCJaqb4hh-cRQpqu1YNRP9SYpwiggnFfu9voJFGKsKHQV5O6u7_VYFWk6AiWN/w630-h640/_J9A8232.JPG" width="630" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTopJugGwcMbECrntNTDDQso0_IUesVO9n4K50Z_q0_6GuIJHlOyzm-t-6J22K6jqNqk22ZNRUYSsdFcerKYqTcSAXu1fYWIhoA-2_U_El6Tb-J0YXezDHGZ5BlSlwNxM6RsGjnbiVfFbpImEKbukAlZf6pnU_vu16_8kDYaczj8msCMdyU9XS-bmgENSa/s2907/_J9A7857.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2907" data-original-width="2720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTopJugGwcMbECrntNTDDQso0_IUesVO9n4K50Z_q0_6GuIJHlOyzm-t-6J22K6jqNqk22ZNRUYSsdFcerKYqTcSAXu1fYWIhoA-2_U_El6Tb-J0YXezDHGZ5BlSlwNxM6RsGjnbiVfFbpImEKbukAlZf6pnU_vu16_8kDYaczj8msCMdyU9XS-bmgENSa/w374-h400/_J9A7857.JPG" width="374" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKjaND8DYMWXO0gY_eSMlWPHRTnukb0dzZc1eF2IG24iJk5H1u3T0W-KeNDiNod1osHoQw531PWhBhPog7IWCMACjCcRm0JQ3iSosydWS0SCUTW9CichAX8LYHk7SnH7YBKQeGzedlQgjWDXQAqc4GuGB2yxkKPcwFFWrDSW19IjUizAKL2rUKlV_hxH_/s5036/_J9A8192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4600" data-original-width="5036" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKjaND8DYMWXO0gY_eSMlWPHRTnukb0dzZc1eF2IG24iJk5H1u3T0W-KeNDiNod1osHoQw531PWhBhPog7IWCMACjCcRm0JQ3iSosydWS0SCUTW9CichAX8LYHk7SnH7YBKQeGzedlQgjWDXQAqc4GuGB2yxkKPcwFFWrDSW19IjUizAKL2rUKlV_hxH_/w640-h584/_J9A8192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Another species that undoubtedly is taking advantage of our warming climate are Cattle Egrets which were formerly a great rarity in the county but in recent years, along with other parts of southern and middle England, have rapidly colonised and now breed as near to Farmoor as Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, only a few miles away.</div></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Near the reservoir, by a busy road running along the north side of Farmoor Village, a flock of no less than twenty one Cattle Egrets have been feeding in the grass fields of a dairy farm for the last two or three days. Like a line of errant washing the egrets spread out across the fields hunting for food in the grass. The whiteness of their plumage gains a luminosity in the sun, possessing a purity and intensity far beyond that of any gull.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0PBSqJDBeoPTZ5JBNpGMGF8pIs2-Ch4VuNOV05CuqX6ddkgwuT72gIg8vL7oKgSl_RpQ_oNDBB3jhZqM7ap99HK_G1wObPdkhOOgJ8sRzIohIIDLj21Qn5BgImA7_KhjRmWenaC8y-tmBEH2Bj76HCcggBvkA_6hojJ1UtV3-u6peLr2hdHpthEbnTXI/s5610/_J9A7594.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="5610" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0PBSqJDBeoPTZ5JBNpGMGF8pIs2-Ch4VuNOV05CuqX6ddkgwuT72gIg8vL7oKgSl_RpQ_oNDBB3jhZqM7ap99HK_G1wObPdkhOOgJ8sRzIohIIDLj21Qn5BgImA7_KhjRmWenaC8y-tmBEH2Bj76HCcggBvkA_6hojJ1UtV3-u6peLr2hdHpthEbnTXI/w640-h232/_J9A7594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;">To view them is a precarious business as there is no footpath or parking place beside the road but I took a chance and walked along the grass verge at the roadside to view them over a hedge. They can in fact be viewed from the reservoir's perimeter track, albeit very distantly and unsatisfactorily.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Ten years ago I would have been dreaming if I thought I would be looking at a flock of Cattle Egrets feeding in a field. in the middle of England. in the depths of winter. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">How times have changed.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmsIp3bLXQYSCLQUqjvIXyru-Erj0gX3Uyv4vUmTBpJHsIT-sAINjFlIHMQ78Fja4i4Zx_gB6tXzsKxuIN6y6d_e8RGOqTOhT4E3LE1Wx1NVZKYg_vWMGeB-v-V7qSZLuszuxcXV6tRX7T0VNHxtE3OIaPQ0ZU8nzhBXT1lqdY52lPwmv85ER4o_R2Zln/s2730/_J9A7519.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2473" data-original-width="2730" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmsIp3bLXQYSCLQUqjvIXyru-Erj0gX3Uyv4vUmTBpJHsIT-sAINjFlIHMQ78Fja4i4Zx_gB6tXzsKxuIN6y6d_e8RGOqTOhT4E3LE1Wx1NVZKYg_vWMGeB-v-V7qSZLuszuxcXV6tRX7T0VNHxtE3OIaPQ0ZU8nzhBXT1lqdY52lPwmv85ER4o_R2Zln/w640-h580/_J9A7519.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xm99WlOz0FOn46TWWBe8lO756UxnByTf0XjH4j6IyV145Jyx4xkDMXJkch6iXmVqOFBd0-On-k5umYHUOHzN-s8kXk-oNcpeqUf8eX6TyFk-6y4jZTNaWMpXrlYuh150yGMud1TaskRMk9VAzvxfFOOYumvJOd-AWnnx949I9BP4YL8itPJ7IqrSMtpS/s1999/_J9A7187%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="1391" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xm99WlOz0FOn46TWWBe8lO756UxnByTf0XjH4j6IyV145Jyx4xkDMXJkch6iXmVqOFBd0-On-k5umYHUOHzN-s8kXk-oNcpeqUf8eX6TyFk-6y4jZTNaWMpXrlYuh150yGMud1TaskRMk9VAzvxfFOOYumvJOd-AWnnx949I9BP4YL8itPJ7IqrSMtpS/w446-h640/_J9A7187%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL2bcwFYm2Usv5UISWjCoQfKSKWvHo9gcNSm938wFTjTiI3GsH3lPxi1vlUIqEa1SMRocCzjPuaeDxEyfBPEE4ukn4_iOGc-z74iZS4DbYtP4Ma234BBqBJVPctjd2zAOI2rxHbCRcgXVP-j7iyU6JjwVDl5YI7QOoeXr3WYfJuDEm0QoRUhJGZUWLhPe/s2162/_J9A7403.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="1659" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL2bcwFYm2Usv5UISWjCoQfKSKWvHo9gcNSm938wFTjTiI3GsH3lPxi1vlUIqEa1SMRocCzjPuaeDxEyfBPEE4ukn4_iOGc-z74iZS4DbYtP4Ma234BBqBJVPctjd2zAOI2rxHbCRcgXVP-j7iyU6JjwVDl5YI7QOoeXr3WYfJuDEm0QoRUhJGZUWLhPe/w492-h640/_J9A7403.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">So this week, by Farmoor's undemanding standards, has proved exceptional and hopefully other 'good' birds may follow in the coming months. Somehow I doubt it but eternal hope and an unflinching optimism goes with the territory at Farmoor Reservoir these days.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Happy Christmas everyone.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-82969327295430549052023-12-13T09:50:00.000-08:002024-02-27T11:36:18.903-08:00A Great Northern Diver visits Farmoor 12th December 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Dp9mBJOaO6YI-UeJf6ijuwOttJlFDtRF0J1mruoElQhs2v_ITj5VPnU5CMlFdxfDGPAnhdKgs1cGoTrVxn_ab1FrWpqTjL9sC2lJXZ_lWqpOCuTNwct6szc637E6kPJh6Wlw5hPDxm22iIk3nlbMm1X2GZWXPuKFnzSfVPpY4m6IdezQuuSoBnQDhWBk/s1466/_J9A4788.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1466" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Dp9mBJOaO6YI-UeJf6ijuwOttJlFDtRF0J1mruoElQhs2v_ITj5VPnU5CMlFdxfDGPAnhdKgs1cGoTrVxn_ab1FrWpqTjL9sC2lJXZ_lWqpOCuTNwct6szc637E6kPJh6Wlw5hPDxm22iIk3nlbMm1X2GZWXPuKFnzSfVPpY4m6IdezQuuSoBnQDhWBk/w640-h538/_J9A4788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">On a Monday, in the late afternoon with the sun just slipping below the trees I left Farmoor Reservoir for my home. Not ten minutes later D rang to tell me about a Great Northern Diver that was out in the middle of the larger basin that is known as Farmoor 2. I had just crossed the toll bridge at nearby Eynsham but fortuitously there is a roundabout a few hundred metres beyond the toll where I was able to about turn the car and head back to the reservoir, while at the same time putting the news out so other birders would be aware of the diver's presence. Sadly this sometimes does not happen at Farmoor for reasons best left unsaid.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Dusk was rapidly approaching and it was by no means certain the light would hold to enable me to find the diver. To attempt to walk around the reservoir at this late hour would guarantee failure so with the kind permission of Mark, one of the Thames Water Rangers, I was able to drive around but even then, stopping at various points, I could not find the diver. It was only, having almost completed the full circuit and returning down the causeway, that I saw two birders obviously looking at something. It had to be the diver. Stopping the car I jumped out and there was the elusive bird swimming not too far out from the causeway.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">There was no chance of a photo as the light had virtually gone but I had at least seen it Remarkably B, another local birder actually made it to the reservoir on his bike just as I was leaving and managed to see it virtually in the dark. Top effort!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I resolved to return to the reservoir the next morning but the weather, unlike yesterday was foul. A pall of grey, wet mist was settled upon the reservoir </span><span style="font-family: times;">creating an overall dankness </span><span style="font-family: times;">but there was cause for optimism as it became obvious there was better weather to come as the light improved and some insipid sunlight began to shine through the dispersing mist and cloud.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The diver however was nowhere to be seen as I walked a third of the way up the central causeway. It certainly was not where I had last seen it yesterday. Looking for a large dark bird on the silvery waters of the reservoir was made complicated by the fact that a number of Cormorants were energetically and communally fishing, their dark profiles superficially similar to that of the diver. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaurB_Fkzg556UIh0ut2JLiek82NV61gGPPH7GE_pSVuRSdLN6foFOJ4MG2uwVW8qCcCElRcKcBk0sAcQkXpDiNr8N6n2cM60gUd5nzniLYsOWSUPaBhkZLEghgzLD7OLAT0-8I5ikMKLeo1DWvLtkwuW3-3KgNt92V7QXOHbeCM0pYojN48ttqsYNMcKV/s5664/_J9A4626.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5664" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaurB_Fkzg556UIh0ut2JLiek82NV61gGPPH7GE_pSVuRSdLN6foFOJ4MG2uwVW8qCcCElRcKcBk0sAcQkXpDiNr8N6n2cM60gUd5nzniLYsOWSUPaBhkZLEghgzLD7OLAT0-8I5ikMKLeo1DWvLtkwuW3-3KgNt92V7QXOHbeCM0pYojN48ttqsYNMcKV/w640-h525/_J9A4626.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The Cormorants, up to twenty, kept close company feeding in what can only be described as a mass frenzy, frantically diving after trout with which the reservoir is stocked by Thames Water at huge expense. When an individual Cormorant caught a fish and surfaced with it all the other ones would converge and a free for all commenced, the bird with the fish frantically endeavouring to swallow its prize as quickly as possible to avoid being mugged by its 'friends'. If the captured fish was large and proved hard to swallow it resulted in the particular Cormorant swimming in a very unnatural manner with head and distended neck held vertically out of the water while its body remained completely submerged as it endeavoured to force the fish down its gullet.This often took some minutes but was usually successful.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv29OE2pmVc6hq59z5s_csZVdWvmPyb-UNfvS6PLXmbWhsnlq-1FVJCKcSgh9wwBUi0SgVGp4WN4TSEipP62rHlrr5gidRNojV_TDAOm5JDjZtXf-NecapDTIQ_iFwm60BXJQf2qLDy7uqKZaQ_n-z0esmhzSzBKBiIa_oljWQKxSylQTiDUAVjvURpD1Y/s3611/_J9A4654.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3611" data-original-width="2176" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv29OE2pmVc6hq59z5s_csZVdWvmPyb-UNfvS6PLXmbWhsnlq-1FVJCKcSgh9wwBUi0SgVGp4WN4TSEipP62rHlrr5gidRNojV_TDAOm5JDjZtXf-NecapDTIQ_iFwm60BXJQf2qLDy7uqKZaQ_n-z0esmhzSzBKBiIa_oljWQKxSylQTiDUAVjvURpD1Y/w386-h640/_J9A4654.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Then another Cormorant would catch a fish nearby and the entire flock would hurtle over there in a confusion of thrashing wings and paddle feet noisily slapping the water. It was as if the birds became swept up in a communal hysteria. Subtle it certainly was not. Every Cormorant for itself with no quarter given. I have only seen this phenomenon here on the reservoir and can only wonder if it occurs elsewhere. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the past a Cormorant has even been found choked or starved to death here, unable either to regurgitate or swallow a large trout which had become stuck in its throat.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Eventually I espied the diver over towards the far side of the larger basin and walked round to be closer, although on arriving opposite I found it was a fair way offshore, loosely in the company of two Great Crested Grebes. The diver submerged and anticipating where it might re-surface I walked another thirty metres along the perimeter track and sure enough the diver surfaced roughly where I had anticipated and crucially much closer to me. Now for some photos.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It fed intermittently but for the most part lethargy held sway as it drifted dreamily on the water with eyes closed and in no apparent hurry to feed or do anything but idle the time away.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOn_Ee7cKdxW2-j5_4jBfroMT1HConnWEqLtugWczvyndW3M5KvbEaZTqKI1vAPcSBdQhCGbiqnjDCgkzCfNEDEbYGcEtvwx9Izm4UhRZFVvqlba0kiecaln4mI1up_g3UAvUtqGllnNUe5kHWjfHnBXBFw9_h0n09WyNqxJaM39UjKwl1clL3NmiMDiD/s1557/_J9A4877.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1557" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOn_Ee7cKdxW2-j5_4jBfroMT1HConnWEqLtugWczvyndW3M5KvbEaZTqKI1vAPcSBdQhCGbiqnjDCgkzCfNEDEbYGcEtvwx9Izm4UhRZFVvqlba0kiecaln4mI1up_g3UAvUtqGllnNUe5kHWjfHnBXBFw9_h0n09WyNqxJaM39UjKwl1clL3NmiMDiD/w640-h530/_J9A4877.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LbW376UcEtbXgN8lAhX8UmXSM9g5BM6fIsGbxuZrZf6FrM76f9naFiLfuYDsaU4DKnW-EyyziZGraQx-DQ0ssuQEroNeTR5UotogU0uB6i0Cg75iHqjgOnztUF2tnpHYc-u3T9cqMQKqPaMMI_DtAHPztupMuxSGQYi6XOStJ_PClLQtKmEF9hBRDlwe/s1518/_J9A5372.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="1518" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LbW376UcEtbXgN8lAhX8UmXSM9g5BM6fIsGbxuZrZf6FrM76f9naFiLfuYDsaU4DKnW-EyyziZGraQx-DQ0ssuQEroNeTR5UotogU0uB6i0Cg75iHqjgOnztUF2tnpHYc-u3T9cqMQKqPaMMI_DtAHPztupMuxSGQYi6XOStJ_PClLQtKmEF9hBRDlwe/w640-h582/_J9A5372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It indulged in some light preening, rolling over onto its side in the water to reveal pristine white underparts, then came a bit of snorkelling, where it dipped only its bill, forehead and eyes under the water but did not dive. Presumably it was looking for passing fish.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HxcgE8sTz3z0twDHMthRyFWTLgSwX1euQWqHBYnUXskiPMa1zXI1x8JLl9heyiYQjg0NL_DHyv7oHw8AFEAmfA9nToYw1qf141r_TYalg3rYCi5Dkd4JHbJyzaubS99xPV8fpZfmIb2yQ_LtQYdXFaUiBC4p8JqEeBLNi5KTEpLZ-QWFRZux9eFFtDTJ/s3152/_J9A4846.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2237" data-original-width="3152" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HxcgE8sTz3z0twDHMthRyFWTLgSwX1euQWqHBYnUXskiPMa1zXI1x8JLl9heyiYQjg0NL_DHyv7oHw8AFEAmfA9nToYw1qf141r_TYalg3rYCi5Dkd4JHbJyzaubS99xPV8fpZfmIb2yQ_LtQYdXFaUiBC4p8JqEeBLNi5KTEpLZ-QWFRZux9eFFtDTJ/w640-h454/_J9A4846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBek5mQm3SQuoiPJBoAdlrIISO_ZIgegUfVwUXzoaw6YZJGORJ8Eo9fUjz637ZvYjBlsoSYXp-Py4rLH9hH7dXKGI8gH671fZLcEHeDPg94zVD7U4sxvWGg_Jyb0iO0m0ToMj7LqBQr6wzKZB-SyDmCgeHvD1Oh0zO-qhsVOpDQiziOH1rXZpL7769BdV/s2208/_J9A4851.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="2208" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBek5mQm3SQuoiPJBoAdlrIISO_ZIgegUfVwUXzoaw6YZJGORJ8Eo9fUjz637ZvYjBlsoSYXp-Py4rLH9hH7dXKGI8gH671fZLcEHeDPg94zVD7U4sxvWGg_Jyb0iO0m0ToMj7LqBQr6wzKZB-SyDmCgeHvD1Oh0zO-qhsVOpDQiziOH1rXZpL7769BdV/w640-h518/_J9A4851.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexN3HeKKRMgV3lOO9L-JwvtMmx7NG6vMoIYtp78jM24qT-LosyFTKsez3gqweTGV6eMHqO4UAUNWydEZE7LWV0Q3p3MVWWYKmXcNXquxRA-AsKXEjNGq6rD03t1bXXBzzTKPOQLyPTokIeMEaDew-xt2MwCD99XioXDPC4tcZ9lTP855lDix8hsi6hwkj/s1466/_J9A4788.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1466" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexN3HeKKRMgV3lOO9L-JwvtMmx7NG6vMoIYtp78jM24qT-LosyFTKsez3gqweTGV6eMHqO4UAUNWydEZE7LWV0Q3p3MVWWYKmXcNXquxRA-AsKXEjNGq6rD03t1bXXBzzTKPOQLyPTokIeMEaDew-xt2MwCD99XioXDPC4tcZ9lTP855lDix8hsi6hwkj/w640-h538/_J9A4788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEToID0ls5LNgB8RSwRnzjkQzZVnPwJL5B44HJy_fqlisIQjywi8rkuSnOo9DN0Uzi31pU_A6NijAFlu6imG9SU4Fs8Yo1nXqumCxjEENr6kKDW4-36y26_u9nITUcEBWMV_1-Jg_dvSlPdk9FGJuTDXLicRsLLfs8ZtbAP72cWgX26bNNvbhvRcRdX5-/s1307/_J9A4914.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1307" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEToID0ls5LNgB8RSwRnzjkQzZVnPwJL5B44HJy_fqlisIQjywi8rkuSnOo9DN0Uzi31pU_A6NijAFlu6imG9SU4Fs8Yo1nXqumCxjEENr6kKDW4-36y26_u9nITUcEBWMV_1-Jg_dvSlPdk9FGJuTDXLicRsLLfs8ZtbAP72cWgX26bNNvbhvRcRdX5-/w640-h556/_J9A4914.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcTnz5kfRMy8gm415ZRgilX64QWwlTFaVyZRqAeavYo6aoCtkuaLSE4u_x18XpE0Nmsrw6jbA9om0kqyjIAn0JR8Sq8d3vLiSvUE1N37PLst6uVchsE_6IsNTH6STFDJuue-HCnbqSzHizqCshT5z9tYjl4bg51s_L9yGw5XNaM1ss2ScAdHegIpw3SlJ/s1544/_J9A5149.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1544" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcTnz5kfRMy8gm415ZRgilX64QWwlTFaVyZRqAeavYo6aoCtkuaLSE4u_x18XpE0Nmsrw6jbA9om0kqyjIAn0JR8Sq8d3vLiSvUE1N37PLst6uVchsE_6IsNTH6STFDJuue-HCnbqSzHizqCshT5z9tYjl4bg51s_L9yGw5XNaM1ss2ScAdHegIpw3SlJ/w640-h554/_J9A5149.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This latest individual to visit the reservoir is a juvenile, as are the majority that arrive here, told by the pale fringes to its upperpart feathers which produce a neat and distinctive scalloping effect. A plumage of predominantly greyish brown and white was evident for most of the time in the dull light but when the sun made a belated entrance the bird was transformed as head and neck were rendered a paler brown, highlighting the wine red eyes. The red in their eyes is a pigment in the retina that filters light below the water and aids the diver as it hunts its prey below the surface.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG9cb_uuYdKlZKbBd-tNQg7D3BMZM2zUQlWXiTIhBOzs1bTFfoWgjlZSBlPOQ1O2mSxJ59A69bGOSwHoZX5RpVBvzf3j7L_ZXD9joFB_ajRaxOiM11k4eV8AhxIi1bvYe22uzXICc860jraic1Eo0qCSJzYnGGsKSh7mGcZIxl3VQ6hlbw2fwWP5bysR9/s2266/_J9A4404.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2129" data-original-width="2266" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG9cb_uuYdKlZKbBd-tNQg7D3BMZM2zUQlWXiTIhBOzs1bTFfoWgjlZSBlPOQ1O2mSxJ59A69bGOSwHoZX5RpVBvzf3j7L_ZXD9joFB_ajRaxOiM11k4eV8AhxIi1bvYe22uzXICc860jraic1Eo0qCSJzYnGGsKSh7mGcZIxl3VQ6hlbw2fwWP5bysR9/w400-h376/_J9A4404.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO-gLdWd_nANUaJMbswAncSBQhvb41DU8f5nWsGOS-7Z8Dqvxa7ubLJInSNK1RdOShJRZ2WSr_y8Ttvgb5pnDZBH_fyGmwm_IwtNNb3ohPgyC2d8nRnTTiJ-HExr4AHaNAkPDeHKrNAtPSEtDpLrYoB-jdT3aUr1rIaAICdoc408xUqguUpktUahQ5QeW/s1792/_J9A4574.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1792" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO-gLdWd_nANUaJMbswAncSBQhvb41DU8f5nWsGOS-7Z8Dqvxa7ubLJInSNK1RdOShJRZ2WSr_y8Ttvgb5pnDZBH_fyGmwm_IwtNNb3ohPgyC2d8nRnTTiJ-HExr4AHaNAkPDeHKrNAtPSEtDpLrYoB-jdT3aUr1rIaAICdoc408xUqguUpktUahQ5QeW/w640-h426/_J9A4574.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PccMyG14VlT3V30fGEjKsKLQRW79jdrUS6CY3FaTV9R8t792pATVbo1o612RlUsVKNsNncrqdmFiQZ8xIQFweWAM3i93Z8_YxQ-8WSfMMXj9UwjdTWBlCLORNMWf6T8RI7VhkZmxWQVGm8UVwuIyL4eorcDitPwGZDFR6dgJsciXfcHSymINBXSiMgTv/s1955/_J9A4441.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1955" data-original-width="1658" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PccMyG14VlT3V30fGEjKsKLQRW79jdrUS6CY3FaTV9R8t792pATVbo1o612RlUsVKNsNncrqdmFiQZ8xIQFweWAM3i93Z8_YxQ-8WSfMMXj9UwjdTWBlCLORNMWf6T8RI7VhkZmxWQVGm8UVwuIyL4eorcDitPwGZDFR6dgJsciXfcHSymINBXSiMgTv/w542-h640/_J9A4441.JPG" width="542" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDxn2YfQrmxL-NkBgKpu1U0RtiWRgVcBbGpjHKBPcXBPIkMtmZBDFrtVHsRWNub3-o0-4OrdPNSDCl02FPMsG9m31CHukrxXtvAV4YZ7gJ7pb5Qz_uTolq39LJchnAhIGhbPlGmbeHE5fhkXsF6cgx0xWQQFNpEXzRBXNELT-qq6ApH1tvVaYwG70IDDa/s2232/_J9A4379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1887" data-original-width="2232" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDxn2YfQrmxL-NkBgKpu1U0RtiWRgVcBbGpjHKBPcXBPIkMtmZBDFrtVHsRWNub3-o0-4OrdPNSDCl02FPMsG9m31CHukrxXtvAV4YZ7gJ7pb5Qz_uTolq39LJchnAhIGhbPlGmbeHE5fhkXsF6cgx0xWQQFNpEXzRBXNELT-qq6ApH1tvVaYwG70IDDa/w640-h542/_J9A4379.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Its large bill and head contributed to an overall impression of a big, bulky bird, almost ponderous in its movements as it cruised the reservoir. It is a bird that has evolved to live an almost exclusively waterborne existence. When it did submerge there was no hasty Cormorant like jump and dive but rather a bend of head and neck and an elegant glide below the surface.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;">Great Northern Divers do not breed until they are three years old so this bird will not gain its adult breeding plumage until 2025.They do not breed in Britain, only coming here from October to May to mainly winter on the coast but sometimes can be found inland on sizeable lakes or reservoirs.This bird possibly was blown inland by the gales of last weekend and found sanctuary at Farmoor as have others that have been discovered inland lately, such as at Frampton and Draycote in the neighbouring counties of Gloucestershire and Warwickshire respectively.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRmltBTo3jo9Y1ziUS0nEYwGd17MozO-BCmrLfQ7akA7m_GNOIWzFFhTUZ7tnncAsR5l6mZZZdqOuFxtU2hDgEIonlyb5w5S4_TTyGcvBzx4Yd8um_zEu06KP_k_sf41azE028Z4-OUKJ4MTKKbeHR8Bv_FFTf4Qwr4xAfTFyTXziVyJtG1nQr_gApRJ0/s2037/_J9A5710%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2037" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRmltBTo3jo9Y1ziUS0nEYwGd17MozO-BCmrLfQ7akA7m_GNOIWzFFhTUZ7tnncAsR5l6mZZZdqOuFxtU2hDgEIonlyb5w5S4_TTyGcvBzx4Yd8um_zEu06KP_k_sf41azE028Z4-OUKJ4MTKKbeHR8Bv_FFTf4Qwr4xAfTFyTXziVyJtG1nQr_gApRJ0/w640-h456/_J9A5710%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Worldwide the majority of the population breeds from the Aleutian Islands, Canada and northern USA to southern Greenland and winter along both the western and eastern seaboards of the USA as far south as Mexico. In</span><span> North America they are known as Common Loons and their eerie haunting call is a favourite mood creator for countless films, sometimes in a wildly inappropriate context.</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; text-align: left;">The only European breeding population is in Iceland which is probably the origin of the bird now at Farmoor. Around four thousand individuals annually winter around Britain, mainly off the coast of northwestern Scotland with others wintering on the coasts of northern, eastern and southwest England, Wales and Ireland</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Let's hope this bird will make its winter home at Farmoor.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">They have often done so in the past.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-81804222759898444082023-12-03T01:37:00.000-08:002023-12-18T11:55:08.787-08:00Aerial Waxwings 29th November 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj5M29AUZVpdUucDOo8jO9f07JHM_vV9Vx4zJAAj7msUn4Cz1KpsdRcVcVIcJS6DdoVB5vxMYq51MKFkaqBVL0inyQAbbkMtBBxA15VA-ZwYacOiNPk2fKwtU6hm6GbxvGjffBOA9E9J_2SwXgizuifl_wGl5EGEjWW4O2pqIxydJfK8W8DPXeEAGbc4d/s639/_J9A0919.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="639" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj5M29AUZVpdUucDOo8jO9f07JHM_vV9Vx4zJAAj7msUn4Cz1KpsdRcVcVIcJS6DdoVB5vxMYq51MKFkaqBVL0inyQAbbkMtBBxA15VA-ZwYacOiNPk2fKwtU6hm6GbxvGjffBOA9E9J_2SwXgizuifl_wGl5EGEjWW4O2pqIxydJfK8W8DPXeEAGbc4d/w640-h588/_J9A0919.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A recent visit to Norfolk was enlivened by the presence of a small flock of twenty plus Waxwings in a cul de sac at the back of the genteel market town of Holt.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This winter has become what is known as ' <i>a waxwing year</i>' where these colourful and charismatic birds pour out of their forest homes in Scandinavia and Russia in search of food, due to their usual food sources having failed in their native lands.It does not happen every year but when an irruption looks likely to arrive in Britain it brings an added frisson of excitement and expectation.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The invaders invariably seek out berry bearing trees to sustain themselves through the winter with a marked preference for cotoneaster and rowan berries and are often quite fearless wherever they settle to feed. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The first arrivals are not unexpectedly in the north of Scotland, sometimes in large flocks which gradually split up into smaller flocks as they move southwards, roving the land. When they find some source agreeable to their needs they perch high in a tree and survey the chosen berries below, which can be in a hedge or small tree. Any location can be chosen, there seems no rhyme or reason apart from the fact there are suitable berries available. A cotoneaster hedge by a busy road or ornamental rowan in a supermarket car park or garden are typical favourites and the birds will seek out elevated perches in surrounding larger trees where they will wait on high and then at random intervals descend to frantically gorge on the berries as fast as they can swallow them.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Rarely remaining long, a matter of a few minutes, they then fly back up to their tall tree and sit until hunger prompts another descent.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5aajmOA6WqxArnR6i-Dt9A1Qf-726GH9H0foazUZ2jQmQWsejNeF4TofImxOWKeURCHFsUiuC4JyjnVSXPEDB0X84c6wh5rteFh5vqBnfPAia6YeiVvSjNR97_UqtdAOdSbdvZyS9IrVYyxVTok2L2RXAfZnAVT_SIKRhqi-r3Vv-1VYOeRFZ2c3LLWL/s1693/_J9A2150.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1693" data-original-width="1130" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5aajmOA6WqxArnR6i-Dt9A1Qf-726GH9H0foazUZ2jQmQWsejNeF4TofImxOWKeURCHFsUiuC4JyjnVSXPEDB0X84c6wh5rteFh5vqBnfPAia6YeiVvSjNR97_UqtdAOdSbdvZyS9IrVYyxVTok2L2RXAfZnAVT_SIKRhqi-r3Vv-1VYOeRFZ2c3LLWL/w428-h640/_J9A2150.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Waxwings at Holt were no exception and spent much of the time either in very tall trees surrounding a public school playing field or sitting on a tv aerial on a house roof before circling around and eventually flying down to scoff the berries on a rowan tree in a nearby back garden. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabAkDUH3bJbPOlCGXVfp5H7PTdP_Z_U40xNUROvsGaX_3zb5PgnPD89LcFvmdWt5tI1qE87G05AW7IoD5dPrvPcgPiwO4_2D5eBcTCs-97B9Bzpf2T6kyd3w7Lfbj7HrDVuyTBy0cA8LIhG_C9V4m4QL4MvhIn7nBp_oFlZJapJhSU9AS9n17Xfzh51zH/s639/_J9A0919.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="639" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabAkDUH3bJbPOlCGXVfp5H7PTdP_Z_U40xNUROvsGaX_3zb5PgnPD89LcFvmdWt5tI1qE87G05AW7IoD5dPrvPcgPiwO4_2D5eBcTCs-97B9Bzpf2T6kyd3w7Lfbj7HrDVuyTBy0cA8LIhG_C9V4m4QL4MvhIn7nBp_oFlZJapJhSU9AS9n17Xfzh51zH/w640-h588/_J9A0919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpRU4pFWEzaiuwE-NZRXY4ZDknAQhgNPeIwKEP-VTI_v8S9E4THhpJZAwOWReCYKFbf_fDkzdqYJUBmFDlrvvItWmB9it2dpRoN5OnIzQdjnvL5T49yghCKl0MgAWgA8jQNWncTs6Cnv_iELCaHCqQjZT3lqIXe7reuyS6AROCtP833sCqryeAlf5nziS/s639/_J9A1002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="532" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpRU4pFWEzaiuwE-NZRXY4ZDknAQhgNPeIwKEP-VTI_v8S9E4THhpJZAwOWReCYKFbf_fDkzdqYJUBmFDlrvvItWmB9it2dpRoN5OnIzQdjnvL5T49yghCKl0MgAWgA8jQNWncTs6Cnv_iELCaHCqQjZT3lqIXe7reuyS6AROCtP833sCqryeAlf5nziS/w532-h640/_J9A1002.JPG" width="532" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdBEN2SUTsIcypuh5NFtKK23HSoD4of2lJvI8eHFL-O0gnhcRNu52nOyVd8yEs2jhLB2ZJl2zi8Ev27PuiSdt5agvaoHu-PDLfxrePC6wLxNOgMGLoP-r5PePyeZIOaurfNV0ppE1yE4To0Slao1se7D-wylr-J8jcHGJNKH5sM6Ef_jJ3GOo68sozo6L/s640/_J9A1051.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdBEN2SUTsIcypuh5NFtKK23HSoD4of2lJvI8eHFL-O0gnhcRNu52nOyVd8yEs2jhLB2ZJl2zi8Ev27PuiSdt5agvaoHu-PDLfxrePC6wLxNOgMGLoP-r5PePyeZIOaurfNV0ppE1yE4To0Slao1se7D-wylr-J8jcHGJNKH5sM6Ef_jJ3GOo68sozo6L/w488-h640/_J9A1051.JPG" width="488" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The tree's position did not allow close approach but sometime the birds would happily sit on the tv aerial for some time and which was adjacent to the cul de sac, so I made the most of this opportuity to photograph them on a cold November day of grey cloud and intermittent rain.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLj5ZSvxs-bkpSytyLDHRv07nWfZonsYgWY2YwNZkeyrqOBUOsWO71pitopAjcp_qCNvgHfOC6FvyDY5PDftnvhSmfxdt8GPwEqsDAVGZn2nycfvtPOyY4RJOVRGaZgzpSRyBQdrt1JfwicQKEMaIxJTLpqn1czT6eJv0GoIts9AnFX7cLAndGm29cFte/s3694/_J9A1926.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3694" data-original-width="3058" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLj5ZSvxs-bkpSytyLDHRv07nWfZonsYgWY2YwNZkeyrqOBUOsWO71pitopAjcp_qCNvgHfOC6FvyDY5PDftnvhSmfxdt8GPwEqsDAVGZn2nycfvtPOyY4RJOVRGaZgzpSRyBQdrt1JfwicQKEMaIxJTLpqn1czT6eJv0GoIts9AnFX7cLAndGm29cFte/w530-h640/_J9A1926.JPG" width="530" /></a></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not the best conditions to show off these lovely birds at their best but one has to take whatever opportunity presents itself.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Hopefully, as the winter progresses more Waxwings will move southwards and there will be other opportunities to go and see them closer to home.</span></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-59062762594899957552023-11-25T03:44:00.000-08:002024-02-05T10:37:12.177-08:00A Funky Fungus - 21st November 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlW8i76WqEBuanh8o1Fq2l9WrWtMtRvR522vIiKOk6RHr1706QsEqf_pdOteksb0y4u5bDfBLtPrxGZgLh46IdLXteGPigPOTw1z25EQkevLc11NrqRPc-Ut8GFwJNOUgxdJInVYdfXLJ8WV2vDYQa7ujbqqhqZqtTJJGBRFPV28PAsNXRAHkuxXsWk3S4/s5148/_J9A0561.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5148" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlW8i76WqEBuanh8o1Fq2l9WrWtMtRvR522vIiKOk6RHr1706QsEqf_pdOteksb0y4u5bDfBLtPrxGZgLh46IdLXteGPigPOTw1z25EQkevLc11NrqRPc-Ut8GFwJNOUgxdJInVYdfXLJ8WV2vDYQa7ujbqqhqZqtTJJGBRFPV28PAsNXRAHkuxXsWk3S4/w640-h576/_J9A0561.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I went to a beechwood on an autumn Monday, a wood that forms part of an estate that refreshingly is happy to welcome anyone to wander at will through the trees.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I had been here ten days ago with Peter on one of our fungi forays, having taken up a suggestion from another colleague that this wood was a good one in which to search for fungi.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We found various kinds and the day was considered a success.Toward the end of that day, tired and with concentration wavering I had casually glanced down to a tangle of leaves and grass at my feet and saw some unidentifiable fungi which looked as if they were well past their best and turning black as they rotted.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A casual glance and a dismissal. </span><span style="font-family: times;">I thought no more of it.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Back at home, on consulting a guide to fungi I found an image of the supposed rotten fungi which informed me that far from rotten they were in fact a black fungus called Horn of Plenty or Trompette des morts (<i>Trumpet of the dead</i>).</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The guidebook further informed me they are said to be occasional but where they do occur can be locally abundant and are highly prized as an edible delicacy, being found in the leaf litter of mainly beechwoods from late summer to late autumn. </span><span style="font-family: times;">I resolved to return to the wood and look at them with the respect and enthusiasm that I had previously denied them, that is if I could remember where they had been in the wood.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A few days later I walked through an ancient churchyard and followed a track into the woods to be dwarfed by huge beech trees, their smooth grey trunks disappearing upwards into a counterpane of yellow and gold leaves yet to fall to earth. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuD19FOuc9pIM51Ao7yX9dHty0n0XMhU95RAtLkfjTFYTmMDgmXqXwkeS2nrxyqhg13_stJUyrKwK_oKmJEd1Dg_H3z2zbqiRecLJ0TKtudnnMCGFZ5996Ao0VXFSlDBv_HrJsaAym2L1tGorJkj_25nwzEM7v_YB12oyzVUPg55cIPq4-1F_49M1eTnbu/s4032/IMG_6665%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuD19FOuc9pIM51Ao7yX9dHty0n0XMhU95RAtLkfjTFYTmMDgmXqXwkeS2nrxyqhg13_stJUyrKwK_oKmJEd1Dg_H3z2zbqiRecLJ0TKtudnnMCGFZ5996Ao0VXFSlDBv_HrJsaAym2L1tGorJkj_25nwzEM7v_YB12oyzVUPg55cIPq4-1F_49M1eTnbu/w640-h480/IMG_6665%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Below, my feet riffled through an orange and yellow mosaic of countless fallen leaves, so prolific the hard ground was rendered soft and yielding to my tread whilst not a breath of wind permeated this cathedral of colour. So overwhelming was the sense of tranquillity, I involuntarily stood in contemplation to embrace a rare moment of natural quiet and solitude. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A Marsh Tit called, a sharp explosive note that broke the silence and ended my reverie. I resumed my quest for the Horn of Plenty, scanning the woodland floor, my world for now diminished to a circumference of a few metres as I searched. Kicking through drifts of leaves and thin trailing bramble shoots that creep across the ground to catch at your legs and trip you, finally I found what I was looking for. Black with maybe a tinge of midnight blue they looked as I had remembered them, an impression they were long past their best, rotting and slowly returning to the earth from which they had risen. Now I knew better.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjoILCYk5Gyt72S02vtSgtqJIyDI1mKhAptQhlPK8EYYSHyemJ2ONwU10xoo6LuAbFz4iGUflXBk4QEp11rSACb9-oXddwVPEmSXIsCHBoZxSf7JGjF1PLKQfzrcQb5nViaxKt7BMMYj1k2UWz7vetQXE6pN9SUWGdWwh5H2XdfFj_e2NWttZf8HMhgcW/s6960/_J9A0588.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjoILCYk5Gyt72S02vtSgtqJIyDI1mKhAptQhlPK8EYYSHyemJ2ONwU10xoo6LuAbFz4iGUflXBk4QEp11rSACb9-oXddwVPEmSXIsCHBoZxSf7JGjF1PLKQfzrcQb5nViaxKt7BMMYj1k2UWz7vetQXE6pN9SUWGdWwh5H2XdfFj_e2NWttZf8HMhgcW/w640-h426/_J9A0588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I stooped to check my identification was correct and then indulged in a little gardening, removing dead leaves to better reveal the fungi, pulling back tendrils of bramble to expose the full shape of them. Like a black tulip head that has fully opened they sat, snug in their bed of leaves with wrinkled wavy recurved edges encompassing an open mouth. The similarity to a trumpet there for all to see.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I chided myself for dismissing them in my ignorance and stood to now admire and appreciate them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">So unremarkable in their mute presence, anyone passing would surely be unaware of them, half hidden amongst the leaves and to be rewarded with neither a second glance or recognition.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The sense of achievement and delight at finding them was palpable and I went on my way with a lightness of heart at having discovered another of </span><span style="font-family: times;">nature's </span><span style="font-family: times;">inconsequential treasures.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>PS</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I deplore the popular trend these days to forage for fungi. At a number of woods to which I go, you now often encounter people with plastic bags stuffed full of fungi, far more than is necessary. I was glad my Horns of Plenty had escaped notice and remained to live out their natural cycle.</span></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-10920833821492251392023-11-19T00:37:00.000-08:002023-12-18T14:46:22.978-08:00A Slavonian at Farmoor 18th November 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwjJZTzA3CEJG1ulSTxk0bbyTQ3QlsyDjt5miGGzzwjrsLN9KNt5Qb0d8aXGgbYOcjKIqCI7rgaZyWsHj_AiIoJOLPhbHNQJd98V_KzzAen7lA6I-MbDGSh9uF8iTIwZIsX0o4Pl2A2BjmP2B8AZYSq7MxuneBchUTikLHWHswphQhQSQ-F-vNPpokU78/s2866/_J9A9840.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="2866" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwjJZTzA3CEJG1ulSTxk0bbyTQ3QlsyDjt5miGGzzwjrsLN9KNt5Qb0d8aXGgbYOcjKIqCI7rgaZyWsHj_AiIoJOLPhbHNQJd98V_KzzAen7lA6I-MbDGSh9uF8iTIwZIsX0o4Pl2A2BjmP2B8AZYSq7MxuneBchUTikLHWHswphQhQSQ-F-vNPpokU78/w640-h616/_J9A9840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times; text-align: justify;">Saturday and plans to visit my local reservoir at nearby Farmoor were put on hold as, glancing out from the bedroom window, I could see nothing but an oppressive greyness and rain drops ricocheting off the road below.</span></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Still there were plenty of those tedious tasks one puts off until the proverbial rainy day and now I had no excuse as here was that very day.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Towards late morning the sky lightened as did my mood, the rain ceased and so my thoughts returned to Farmoor once again. My mind was made up when news came through via the local <i>Oxon Bird Log</i> of a Slavonian Grebe being found at the reservoir.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Slavonian Grebes are a rare winter visitor to Oxfordshire, and, when they occur at Farmoor do so almost exclusively in the winter months, involving single individuals. They rarely remain for long, a few days at most and are probably making their way overland to the south coast of England where they spend the winter in sheltered areas offshore. Both Pagham in Sussex and Hayling in Hampshire are well known wintering areas. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Farmoor Reservoir gets very busy on weekends with various watersports and fishermen, so often unusual birds such as the grebe get moved on by the constant disturbance on the water. The grebe was reported to be at the far end of the reservoir near to the central causeway,so</span><span style="font-family: times;"> was unlikely to be disturbed and depart prematurely </span><span style="font-family: times;">as it was well away from the windsurfers </span><span style="font-family: times;">congregating by</span><span style="font-family: times;"> the yacht club at the opposite end of the causeway, preparing to take advantage of the strenghthening wind. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">With camera and bins I set off to walk to the far end of the causeway and having traversed two thirds found the grebe swimming amongst a gathering of Coots and Tufted Ducks fairly close to the causeway. Sometimes they choose to settle far out in the centre of the reservoir but this individual was content to remain reasonably close to the causeway but was </span><span style="font-family: times;">slowly </span><span style="font-family: times;">moving further out and away from me. I followed it by walking along the causeway.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In winter plumage they are a shadow of their spectacular appearance when in breeding plumage. Overall they appear brownish grey and white, darker above and paler below, with a noticeable white breast and a head capped blackish brown and cheeks a contrasting white.The only semblance of colour are the eyes which are a demonic red. In size they are slightly larger than a Little Grebe.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Slavonian Grebes are a scarce breeding bird in Britain, nesting exclusively in the Highlands of Scotland and since 1994 the population, which is prone to fluctuation, has fallen from 73 to 53 pairs and by 2016 there were only around 25 pairs on 15 lochs. Worryingly this long term downward trend of pairs breeding in Scotland</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">has continued to date.There is however evidence of movements of birds between Scotland and Iceland, where over a 1000 pairs currently breed. Where our wintering birds, including the current individual at Farmoor, come from is anyone's guess, probably Scotland but maybe not.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I watched the grebe for twenty or so minutes, in the process discovering two Common Goldeneye amongst the Tufted Ducks and Coots. Goldeneyes used to be regular winter visitors to Farmoor but in recent years have become very scarce, so to see these two and so early in the winter was a pleasant surprise.They were both males, one in adult plumage and the other in transition from immature or eclipse plumage.</span></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3LcN3bJKl65hx-Ic-h0YlDxMx2bMPrmqQYhfuvHEtoO6PH2ElM7QiVJsJKyUgvN9279b6TifnX0MukNriCvBbzVWmmf6kSEBjVfOJVmltbe0W-rAKtWOj19DU7xYzWIYXHPUkO29Iie8M7G7sj0_FVYmHL5GoT2xeUrJ5I2Zn_G2v7gViE1ettPBlxhu/s2077/_J9A8055.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="2077" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3LcN3bJKl65hx-Ic-h0YlDxMx2bMPrmqQYhfuvHEtoO6PH2ElM7QiVJsJKyUgvN9279b6TifnX0MukNriCvBbzVWmmf6kSEBjVfOJVmltbe0W-rAKtWOj19DU7xYzWIYXHPUkO29Iie8M7G7sj0_FVYmHL5GoT2xeUrJ5I2Zn_G2v7gViE1ettPBlxhu/w400-h330/_J9A8055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS_yiZl4AkdQwwU_Wa-o8aEbKNSuM6JHOCf0fcv8k-rpJ8P1EXEc__9CXax_iKJ7kEJ9uj7U_sCCZVuY3C1IzEEerDhBrzlE4Wq6TU2REEH6zl5wewVjTNKV-0MhDn01wSdVmQp1QsQgssl8ZuNsiOUDVpqKoQioRnkIHML_NUNgEsfjsFqaUS7N4fgDE/s2095/_J9A8036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2095" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS_yiZl4AkdQwwU_Wa-o8aEbKNSuM6JHOCf0fcv8k-rpJ8P1EXEc__9CXax_iKJ7kEJ9uj7U_sCCZVuY3C1IzEEerDhBrzlE4Wq6TU2REEH6zl5wewVjTNKV-0MhDn01wSdVmQp1QsQgssl8ZuNsiOUDVpqKoQioRnkIHML_NUNgEsfjsFqaUS7N4fgDE/w400-h383/_J9A8036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">On reaching the end of the causeway I turned left and followed the perimeter track around the larger basin. The grebe was now swimming parallel to me.but a little far out for a reasonable photo. It slowed its progress and preened for a while and then sunk its head back into its shoulders as grebes do and went to sleep.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not for long though as when a Little Grebe approached it became alert and began calling almost as if it had mistaken the Little Grebe for one of its own.</span></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrYDR4OEYggbo7ibvCRk_xOjr1WVvmsMirqPNu8PTkpWkvHL3Q8QwfH8pYwQBpwmj2_An0aPGA0dEX-ZAoFSHM1yRexutB2r7gkKBKrhbVf7dWsNJU-3P0BzpKz7G7atxG471O4hp6k8l-ALPlSVudyV-Wuy4vBAN8oZBZOm3s7kMq5EeIoQcr33Fray5/s1895/_J9A9035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1895" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrYDR4OEYggbo7ibvCRk_xOjr1WVvmsMirqPNu8PTkpWkvHL3Q8QwfH8pYwQBpwmj2_An0aPGA0dEX-ZAoFSHM1yRexutB2r7gkKBKrhbVf7dWsNJU-3P0BzpKz7G7atxG471O4hp6k8l-ALPlSVudyV-Wuy4vBAN8oZBZOm3s7kMq5EeIoQcr33Fray5/w508-h640/_J9A9035.JPG" width="508" /></a></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89qa807ZOUlq3AH5Ta1OAoEZ541c1QziyFyusGXmvj2iHtwmps97VtPEzYhJe_jpQB1vOA5-5iceF4q4EJG-OafYoORABCx8fv09yA2ZRjhJjZFyPVT5ywigmeN3yMvcCJJLaMDSbOy8-t1ekMPeIvCR-UhEqWXoN3ObgVCqB-pPAK7y4PXpC_A_U8620/s1281/_J9A9280.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1281" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89qa807ZOUlq3AH5Ta1OAoEZ541c1QziyFyusGXmvj2iHtwmps97VtPEzYhJe_jpQB1vOA5-5iceF4q4EJG-OafYoORABCx8fv09yA2ZRjhJjZFyPVT5ywigmeN3yMvcCJJLaMDSbOy8-t1ekMPeIvCR-UhEqWXoN3ObgVCqB-pPAK7y4PXpC_A_U8620/w640-h414/_J9A9280.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It ceased calling when the Little Grebe had passed by but then took to the air, flying low across the water.I followed its flight in my bins praying it was not going to rise higher and depart the reservoir. It continued flying low over the water and to my relief settled just off the distant southern bank of the reservoir.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I now had a decision to make, carry on around the reservoir, a distance of around half a mile or call it a day.I chose the former. Arriving at the area where I thought the grebe had landed I could not see any sign of it. I walked further and there it was some way off from the bank, beyond one of the yacht club's pontoons. Slowly it commenced swimming towards me. It dived and surfaced literally just metres off the bank where I stood looking down on the water. </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUaWq7zypD6CMkG2Pd6CLTFdPO22FtMyopMZPg0BKmrpj3THA-UthINDYcWjBFPr_edUC6Yzg7yZphH-n9ESv0vrxoRHxYTT_38_sLv80HaA4zy2he-cGq-uC8yTGkUaemHYesgYCtxp_qSzYZYffQG9DQRHUIkun8tV6FUEmeTlt6U4KRScH5U9nDMWS/s2837/_J9A9603.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="2837" data-original-width="2374" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUaWq7zypD6CMkG2Pd6CLTFdPO22FtMyopMZPg0BKmrpj3THA-UthINDYcWjBFPr_edUC6Yzg7yZphH-n9ESv0vrxoRHxYTT_38_sLv80HaA4zy2he-cGq-uC8yTGkUaemHYesgYCtxp_qSzYZYffQG9DQRHUIkun8tV6FUEmeTlt6U4KRScH5U9nDMWS/w536-h640/_J9A9603.JPG" width="536" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I could hardly believe my luck. It must have been able to see me as there is no hiding place on the concrete perimeter track.Maybe it thought I was just another post.</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Whatever the reason I made the most of this unexpected opportunity.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6v9AFj9tKGODh7EJBUnb1L0Py6N3meiLlklnRyx_LJyaEfd5e_7Ut0jSKAm-bELmcxO_3i4SC_kadKKoi6wWevj4Rk6dvxlIHyXKyYElE2oFk2HpZWS9y2bmpLcmag-fZmoX1c34KigH7881mMRdFpkCfdXuwWId5jAm1RLXvyeHQuNKKB0NLPo7pPKx/s2866/_J9A9840.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="2866" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6v9AFj9tKGODh7EJBUnb1L0Py6N3meiLlklnRyx_LJyaEfd5e_7Ut0jSKAm-bELmcxO_3i4SC_kadKKoi6wWevj4Rk6dvxlIHyXKyYElE2oFk2HpZWS9y2bmpLcmag-fZmoX1c34KigH7881mMRdFpkCfdXuwWId5jAm1RLXvyeHQuNKKB0NLPo7pPKx/w640-h616/_J9A9840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKMNAy5QnGrPxADgvd3qKFwM3_z5CVX-cV3F_uqBL5Qork0eEs3mha2Vuq6p_JGH4aXAAEpmVXMj3tNlk1qW2JAoMXm-PeAVK4Bu0qkY_o055C6XvubNsLYn_xRnAzLLdYoi59x_-_KLCKEGM57NsAGG6e5LRv_zpf0MMMmsImPRbX0cvcPUCtLptrQB4/s3169/_J9A9710.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="3169" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKMNAy5QnGrPxADgvd3qKFwM3_z5CVX-cV3F_uqBL5Qork0eEs3mha2Vuq6p_JGH4aXAAEpmVXMj3tNlk1qW2JAoMXm-PeAVK4Bu0qkY_o055C6XvubNsLYn_xRnAzLLdYoi59x_-_KLCKEGM57NsAGG6e5LRv_zpf0MMMmsImPRbX0cvcPUCtLptrQB4/w400-h308/_J9A9710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WWQa0xNq_mIp9V5gm4mmHBr0wOHpCSOPU0kLsGXhP4r4F_FwTSpOWpmbsRKjv4CzcbXcuzffCBK03zWNzF7C42NtowMAkw-bE2dnYzRM7Zk6aECf2fEqkAyYPLBV-IpbViNX2rUbwv2eAJS_Gx3qLA7D1Y6hvVMkXgvcyGLCoIWlZMd6_SsuqtkOBqld/s2650/_J9A9779.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="2650" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WWQa0xNq_mIp9V5gm4mmHBr0wOHpCSOPU0kLsGXhP4r4F_FwTSpOWpmbsRKjv4CzcbXcuzffCBK03zWNzF7C42NtowMAkw-bE2dnYzRM7Zk6aECf2fEqkAyYPLBV-IpbViNX2rUbwv2eAJS_Gx3qLA7D1Y6hvVMkXgvcyGLCoIWlZMd6_SsuqtkOBqld/w640-h460/_J9A9779.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ziVMpIqPtU9f7xZ1xBp0hjskM9ACl1zdPq9hVvhHmmWj7d9tIYICKf29e-AbkH34IBx2cA7C-SstYpKdmmt9pJzcAQKq0niGuXCsHqE4josMiNfjMdqqAbag_Nw7Jzm-slkTd3ktWjqjtEz9lF6JGWcj33ijGn8q7t_PSZriJ4zHgNmPh6DgnzXVMosD/s2355/_J9A9806.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2355" data-original-width="2222" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ziVMpIqPtU9f7xZ1xBp0hjskM9ACl1zdPq9hVvhHmmWj7d9tIYICKf29e-AbkH34IBx2cA7C-SstYpKdmmt9pJzcAQKq0niGuXCsHqE4josMiNfjMdqqAbag_Nw7Jzm-slkTd3ktWjqjtEz9lF6JGWcj33ijGn8q7t_PSZriJ4zHgNmPh6DgnzXVMosD/w378-h400/_J9A9806.JPG" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqO1eUV-Zoy0nUlxWdKYxQTtSICOHAfVvLd0JTSInU3Psb004mQmS0tnkAIwSlg2qvYY8_eDIbCVpCVS961XdH3J5jmB9DlzjPdccuamR-2gKj62f0pkbI93XPc0LwC3lswoLVCqyVEOgCI1vRj1p7q1T2ijq0FBl0f65mHx3fIfGXplj-TQ7VTMHqxir2/s2672/_J9A9889.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="2672" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqO1eUV-Zoy0nUlxWdKYxQTtSICOHAfVvLd0JTSInU3Psb004mQmS0tnkAIwSlg2qvYY8_eDIbCVpCVS961XdH3J5jmB9DlzjPdccuamR-2gKj62f0pkbI93XPc0LwC3lswoLVCqyVEOgCI1vRj1p7q1T2ijq0FBl0f65mHx3fIfGXplj-TQ7VTMHqxir2/w640-h518/_J9A9889.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It dived again and surfaced with a Three spined Stickleback in its bill. However the fish, in defence had erected its spines which caused the grebe some problem in swallowing it.The grebe swam around alternately dropping and picking up the fish from the water, uncertain what to do, persistently trying to swallow the fish but the spines stuck in its throat. Eventually the ordeal proved too much for the fish which succumbed and it was swallowed.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCCtxdUhupu1-8Yio_LyNVgZlYZeE5XWaxGkHYTm7H04bmc4i1d39qWyqY28hBHYDPQrlRoZJ-HDtXWpOmcj6nxA0j_Tu6qlyd_xdoKGrRNgzBfjRT9LZsTQfM27b5WkDl_6W9y9jXh6wZTZP7B5TWsMEyP5UJ5-L6dQkXsNI0Ob7_GpAEWPVWgcbWLyw/s2185/_J9A0187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2185" data-original-width="2090" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCCtxdUhupu1-8Yio_LyNVgZlYZeE5XWaxGkHYTm7H04bmc4i1d39qWyqY28hBHYDPQrlRoZJ-HDtXWpOmcj6nxA0j_Tu6qlyd_xdoKGrRNgzBfjRT9LZsTQfM27b5WkDl_6W9y9jXh6wZTZP7B5TWsMEyP5UJ5-L6dQkXsNI0Ob7_GpAEWPVWgcbWLyw/w612-h640/_J9A0187.JPG" width="612" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUPFiIuDYj1NWFN50UFrKYGmDhUJDO3Kbi5d6C412WVe2JGk4clLI_QrWiWiAj5pU_fBJ1cEXQ1VpRit_J1tldqMGOIcWdl6tvcxRvHrCbBPca76PgPBOT1UoQlBe1kEnrG98q4v5KyfALqlf0FxlElfAgEhN0ns1FyfwJq1cP_RNFCJYyfoGhCpjjFgW/s2586/_J9A0017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="2586" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUPFiIuDYj1NWFN50UFrKYGmDhUJDO3Kbi5d6C412WVe2JGk4clLI_QrWiWiAj5pU_fBJ1cEXQ1VpRit_J1tldqMGOIcWdl6tvcxRvHrCbBPca76PgPBOT1UoQlBe1kEnrG98q4v5KyfALqlf0FxlElfAgEhN0ns1FyfwJq1cP_RNFCJYyfoGhCpjjFgW/w400-h368/_J9A0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_J4dBG8cucMR8p2jM4xkb-F7zQWcvCl1oKl38Jl6qShjuCbTKnE8-o_aT6BirDIrVbyyv7U3QRuG7O7WO1s9ZpbCjzJnf5RQ-oC9fVpWmBrD_Li3fJ0CpI-gCeLwkeDfa2G7mx3IPktFthfPd5e_cGy8FSTbGjdOdDQJ8Z6QNOmUZFa5ZzPesUo4k0C8/s1244/_J9A0027.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="939" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_J4dBG8cucMR8p2jM4xkb-F7zQWcvCl1oKl38Jl6qShjuCbTKnE8-o_aT6BirDIrVbyyv7U3QRuG7O7WO1s9ZpbCjzJnf5RQ-oC9fVpWmBrD_Li3fJ0CpI-gCeLwkeDfa2G7mx3IPktFthfPd5e_cGy8FSTbGjdOdDQJ8Z6QNOmUZFa5ZzPesUo4k0C8/w303-h400/_J9A0027.JPG" width="303" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgexGMs-FXbc1ODg8-JNCR3qxZ-My5F39dBO50zacLSulgzc_Wa6CvErtyNYXG6nXkgKNY9zC1h9yZBaDmUUVKsNRNDltms_kNsb2xvoWXWfMLZ6PTUpCS-KxNckxJtJI8zbMSBo3AGHlHToVE6bXjZYFWRrEvJajyXr4gHn0k5odzMikqWVOO9srGxYgr/s2273/_J9A0029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1927" data-original-width="2273" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgexGMs-FXbc1ODg8-JNCR3qxZ-My5F39dBO50zacLSulgzc_Wa6CvErtyNYXG6nXkgKNY9zC1h9yZBaDmUUVKsNRNDltms_kNsb2xvoWXWfMLZ6PTUpCS-KxNckxJtJI8zbMSBo3AGHlHToVE6bXjZYFWRrEvJajyXr4gHn0k5odzMikqWVOO9srGxYgr/w400-h339/_J9A0029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PXWQ1AjYOvMDzx7cfrnzNXPFceSuW7mvCI9e8y6iqr793ZyJynvPpNl7FcoGdMYdJNQi2vlPCBe1aIOaqJDaLTSggz7rhE1vt1GiT__BNPQgmoK2Mh_TU7F0h51r-VO2FAHutRzuCXN2TuI95nBh4b44buj_fraSZ2hHzOmDrP-fn4IR6uQ__8srJQQ0/s3052/_J9A0043.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="3052" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PXWQ1AjYOvMDzx7cfrnzNXPFceSuW7mvCI9e8y6iqr793ZyJynvPpNl7FcoGdMYdJNQi2vlPCBe1aIOaqJDaLTSggz7rhE1vt1GiT__BNPQgmoK2Mh_TU7F0h51r-VO2FAHutRzuCXN2TuI95nBh4b44buj_fraSZ2hHzOmDrP-fn4IR6uQ__8srJQQ0/w640-h300/_J9A0043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhLysZ84XNXh-yjZGf1MRAwd5eV0JS0oLCrFnpTIytzTdtTKtEZSLNMRY8KtkUQ_fasxtIFShA8q9Z3TQGFFNg09Hw0Fzg0KoX58ZwlSy1FygZTquxC0uR0mtUH6JCR8bbDA4pcBfKm0z0yGAHmYfOAJlgctyWyDahXqokDGBdntcHAu1zz6Yy9_Rxoj1/s1507/_J9A0067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="1448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhLysZ84XNXh-yjZGf1MRAwd5eV0JS0oLCrFnpTIytzTdtTKtEZSLNMRY8KtkUQ_fasxtIFShA8q9Z3TQGFFNg09Hw0Fzg0KoX58ZwlSy1FygZTquxC0uR0mtUH6JCR8bbDA4pcBfKm0z0yGAHmYfOAJlgctyWyDahXqokDGBdntcHAu1zz6Yy9_Rxoj1/w384-h400/_J9A0067.JPG" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdj8UJGkYeh94HXpbmVh0XIrhswXGlBsk3KsQVRhdpygqv3p-yYHK-1IXYGzVEPPWpYnjzdbkDNdH4ZurDq3iHorMz0sPkRYaFZs-iQPDQdDnu4WG17Wmv_BJDDCXYWo8NtJScqW4y8LxCSp4Vr0c17u4yvpgZTfFO4tOg7gDi9P7V2hKMaD0IsxUtnyY/s2094/_J9A0073.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2094" data-original-width="1941" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdj8UJGkYeh94HXpbmVh0XIrhswXGlBsk3KsQVRhdpygqv3p-yYHK-1IXYGzVEPPWpYnjzdbkDNdH4ZurDq3iHorMz0sPkRYaFZs-iQPDQdDnu4WG17Wmv_BJDDCXYWo8NtJScqW4y8LxCSp4Vr0c17u4yvpgZTfFO4tOg7gDi9P7V2hKMaD0IsxUtnyY/w594-h640/_J9A0073.JPG" width="594" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Kex5RWA2a8ZG-RHtPIuUjrbzcM7xQM2ISfQkj2bQflb9CctN-Ool2zLtF2e1CbVuiF1k1lcUwyChiY4UVyMQrOy_m0LtLvmTnTHRt1aO7zxT2EOpgyIHkAeEq4XcrrnLL1723DpUlp5SLfKiUBhxN4bqtb_gG6xLL00iwjuyU1PT1FO1rq-qeXBhG-kW/s2185/_J9A0187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2185" data-original-width="2090" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Kex5RWA2a8ZG-RHtPIuUjrbzcM7xQM2ISfQkj2bQflb9CctN-Ool2zLtF2e1CbVuiF1k1lcUwyChiY4UVyMQrOy_m0LtLvmTnTHRt1aO7zxT2EOpgyIHkAeEq4XcrrnLL1723DpUlp5SLfKiUBhxN4bqtb_gG6xLL00iwjuyU1PT1FO1rq-qeXBhG-kW/w383-h400/_J9A0187.JPG" width="383" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwKm8m6_iCVQFzvKZA-vVdp9HAzr-QmxV-WEsmDz0MNiK7xTXQVOqtILEfb7WrHnuq6dgr0L22Io8kAkLSm61Nqc310fCcPqiQh_QaCPiBtTEN0gyNqcqlZmsT5gbbsMn54rXphP1uEeEr1BxaB7_Zm9zzDqExG_J_11qINiBujk4mxo98kqIVv8TjL9K/s2714/_J9A0277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="2714" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwKm8m6_iCVQFzvKZA-vVdp9HAzr-QmxV-WEsmDz0MNiK7xTXQVOqtILEfb7WrHnuq6dgr0L22Io8kAkLSm61Nqc310fCcPqiQh_QaCPiBtTEN0gyNqcqlZmsT5gbbsMn54rXphP1uEeEr1BxaB7_Zm9zzDqExG_J_11qINiBujk4mxo98kqIVv8TjL9K/w640-h466/_J9A0277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The grebe swam further out into the reservoir and recognising that I was not going to get any better opportunities I left to return the way I came, finding the wintering female Greater Scaup with the Tufted Ducks and Coots in a quiet corner at the top of the causeway. I cannot be certain but this may well be the same female that spent last winter on the reservoir.</span></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorvMTYZfUDy4S5O5Ydvqts2RzE41VJIBFyXvXfqmHON0t9omBuBVmrbi8zLbGfuEXTZ7Z20IWCqyR8IqDNCftgKSIkb8v979K15DoOmvL75oeur5jTii3EyxWY-_VKS8ArwRvA90hJr9bxazTX_PePJm4WY9Rrd11gRlA-MKdGDYA3E2o5K9CJ4-bhuSd/s2497/_J9A0514.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2497" data-original-width="1975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorvMTYZfUDy4S5O5Ydvqts2RzE41VJIBFyXvXfqmHON0t9omBuBVmrbi8zLbGfuEXTZ7Z20IWCqyR8IqDNCftgKSIkb8v979K15DoOmvL75oeur5jTii3EyxWY-_VKS8ArwRvA90hJr9bxazTX_PePJm4WY9Rrd11gRlA-MKdGDYA3E2o5K9CJ4-bhuSd/w506-h640/_J9A0514.JPG" width="506" /></a></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho7Ye5wKQgXe1Lnh6J_nFS34-UgS4bJQmYH6bg_lM_qAqHWaVUzDCijGioPQdGNpDzQ_ftqjZHQSZOMMtUNWU8GMVHMa48MR_P9zZ8p_2_CILMY_nRsSCLUsXaiR-D6XiKGyo5oNvpCdxISVvygfwcOS5clV3vXrL-6Q97bIl47dNxn1klH9tOhKcBWe-/s2217/_J9A0527.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="1636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho7Ye5wKQgXe1Lnh6J_nFS34-UgS4bJQmYH6bg_lM_qAqHWaVUzDCijGioPQdGNpDzQ_ftqjZHQSZOMMtUNWU8GMVHMa48MR_P9zZ8p_2_CILMY_nRsSCLUsXaiR-D6XiKGyo5oNvpCdxISVvygfwcOS5clV3vXrL-6Q97bIl47dNxn1klH9tOhKcBWe-/w472-h640/_J9A0527.JPG" width="472" /></a></div></div></blockquote><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A windsurfer came careering across the grey water and the whole gathering took to the air and fled in alarm. Sadly an all too frequent occurrence on the reservoir especially on weekends.In past times part of the reservoir was set apart for wintering ducks but now it is not so and on busy weekends the ducks have nowhere to rest and are forced to depart the reservoir.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was lunchtime and by now the waters were host to a mass of windsurfers, their brightly coloured triangular sails scudding over the entire area of the reservoir. There would be no rest for the wildfowl or the grebe from now on so for me to remain any longer would be pointless.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">There was no sign of the Slavonian Grebe the next morning. I was hardly surprised.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-66798162980882312122023-11-12T13:23:00.000-08:002024-02-16T14:56:01.570-08:00Worth it in the End 10th November 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22NxYYdAQcLdvN2ajNF6jBcLR0DyM3JXb3Zl1S2NdIb5elZPshyphenhyphen7QFIhEUl5uW33WS-tcZgSUyzosLU1wd8PJrSTWy96lnLw0hib4BO9T7lHzwT4nBNxSAUOtwSDytEsI4M9QNPqld0-RWfBJ6WGeBi9Atj0711lXl1zKmFANY_i_N0peA4tVRxL5HQxj/s2727/_J9A7572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2727" data-original-width="2392" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22NxYYdAQcLdvN2ajNF6jBcLR0DyM3JXb3Zl1S2NdIb5elZPshyphenhyphen7QFIhEUl5uW33WS-tcZgSUyzosLU1wd8PJrSTWy96lnLw0hib4BO9T7lHzwT4nBNxSAUOtwSDytEsI4M9QNPqld0-RWfBJ6WGeBi9Atj0711lXl1zKmFANY_i_N0peA4tVRxL5HQxj/w562-h640/_J9A7572.JPG" width="562" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was still dark when I rendezvoused with Mark at 6.30am in front of a padlocked gate giving access to Linford Lakes Nature Reserve at Great Linford in Buckinghamshire. A rare Little Crake had been attracting the crowds for the last few days as it passed along a lake edge in front of the reserve's Otter Hide.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Great Linford is one of the villages now encompassed by Milton Keynes and Linford Lakes is managed by a charity called The Parks Trust, formed in 1995 and which is responsible for over 40 parks, woodlands and lakes within the Milton Keynes catchment area.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Access to Linford Lakes is by annual permit for which I paid £20.00 and once paid online I was given the code to unlock the padlock on the gate and the passcode to gain access to the Otter Hide.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Our reason for arriving so early was that we knew from earlier reports the small Otter Hide would be crammed full of people keen to see the crake and if we wanted to see and photograph it we had better get there very early to secure a place at the front.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Still groggy from a 5am start I fumbled with the padlock but finally got the passcode numbers aligned so we could open the gate, drive through and make our way to the reserve's small car park only to find it already quite full with cars. Others had obviously the same idea as us and had got here even earlier and my heart sank at the prospect of the hide being fully occupied.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">After some uncertainty where to go we followed a muddy trail for several hundred yards to eventually come upon the hide.We punched in the four digit code and with some trepidation opened the door to find, as we feared, every seat occupied.So it was standing room only.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We stood behind those seated and looked out onto a large, now sunlit, reed fringed lake, its waters mirror smooth.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUluLxRLvdEmv2vP_TumMLgZWak27lfrOTBn7OURTlvyGLC92_sOd0m_ioN515Ob-OSennRrp6ChSJ-H6pEjKgxgPc6Dj6pmt81gnFsVQvvbx10-9Ba5bczfUH2ALpoHx-wXMfqtmqDNDWuX5M8enNv2Ye0na0GQFdS3Gavj9V5qhyLD0CEIBg5hl8CBy/s3960/IMG_6677%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3960" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUluLxRLvdEmv2vP_TumMLgZWak27lfrOTBn7OURTlvyGLC92_sOd0m_ioN515Ob-OSennRrp6ChSJ-H6pEjKgxgPc6Dj6pmt81gnFsVQvvbx10-9Ba5bczfUH2ALpoHx-wXMfqtmqDNDWuX5M8enNv2Ye0na0GQFdS3Gavj9V5qhyLD0CEIBg5hl8CBy/w640-h488/IMG_6677%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I resigned myself to a long wait both for a seat and for the crake to be visible. With the light much improved, we variously sat or stood, waiting to see if the crake would reveal itself.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I have seen two Little Crakes before.The first was a female at Cuckmere Haven in East Sussex which remained in a wet ditch from the 6th to the 16th of March 1985 and was remarkably confiding, allowing you to approach it to within a few feet.The second was a juvenile female at Slimbridge WWT in Gloucestershire on 10th October 2015 which was less cooperative and necessitated a day long vigil in a hide to finally see it. The individual we had come to see today at Linford Lakes also appears to be a juvenile female.They are tiny, no bigger than a Starling and are rare vagrants to Britain with 353 having been recorded since the first way back in 1791, although its normally furtive existence in reedbeds may mean a number go un-noticed.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Little Crakes breed discontinuously from Spain eastwards to central Asia and normally migrate to spend the winter in northeast and east Africa, occasionally straying to west Africa, especially Senegal.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">All the images I had seen of the Linford Lakes bird were of it obviously at the edge of the reeds right in front of the hide but it did not quite work out that way for us. Almost an hour had passed before someone behind me announced they could see the crake way over on the left side of the lake threading its way through the edge of the reeds.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Tiny and constantly active it was a job to follow as it scuttled along picking off prey from the dead and broken reed stems protruding from the water. It was the sunlight that highlighted its pale head and breast, betraying its presence as it moved along by the water's edge, the rest of its body brown, streaked, spotted and flecked with cream or white blended to perfection with the variegated hues of the reeds. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">During the hour's wait the hide had reached virtually maximum capacity so you can imagine the result when the crake was finally visible.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbNiQOiv62BFJMLf4Iji7PFv66rDcy3eP8cdJlqqcmS9l_0mQrTUqdE3klOFszF9ipz0hzIUkPBBlaT3BmPECJfuylParXq-5VIFzQjWs6QNhFnM_iqvbW1cSpxSMg9sQ7br6cqJRJGdhu3WktsC0wghx4SmCkMq2SmfeRTfcKsluDc-O9JmcavkXgamY/s4032/IMG_6673%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbNiQOiv62BFJMLf4Iji7PFv66rDcy3eP8cdJlqqcmS9l_0mQrTUqdE3klOFszF9ipz0hzIUkPBBlaT3BmPECJfuylParXq-5VIFzQjWs6QNhFnM_iqvbW1cSpxSMg9sQ7br6cqJRJGdhu3WktsC0wghx4SmCkMq2SmfeRTfcKsluDc-O9JmcavkXgamY/w300-h400/IMG_6673%20(002).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Bodies pressed uncomfortably against each other as everyone strained to get a look from the hide's viewing slats. I was obliged to contort my body and bend my back into a very uncomfortable position to stoop low enough to get a view across to the far reed bed but despite the inconvenience I picked the crake up easily enough.Others wanted to get a photo, although to my mind it was a very long way off for any decent image but it's up to each what they consider acceptable.A man who had never seen one allowed his anxiety to get the better of him and insinuated himself in front of me. Hide etiquette forgotten. I considered saying something but let it go.There would be time enough to see the bird. I had all day.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The crake was visible on and off for the next twenty minutes, always frequenting the distant left side of the lake, hugging the edge of the reeds. It was heading in our direction but it would be a very long time before it got to us in the hide.I resigned myself to a patient vigil but when it came to an obvious gap in the reeds, rather than cross the open water it reversed and headed back the way it had come.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">No!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was now gone from our sight deep into the reeds.Some people left the hide having seen it and I got to sit on a bench at the front with Mark. All we had to do now was sit it out and wait for it to eventually get to our side of the lake.Sadly it did not happen.</span></p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQ6alnnGpCwJIwz9ayNgHhlKIr_QXd9LGpg_FO1rPg2m2KIGJvY9E4xXA6_g74XXU3TPForn3e9WGT9KzsGuULebvIL4yVO4Toy0IpOgkgapkYfc_gmHSLymrUEdkK8ZYUjlA1qnArJuIe9sre1hctg8QedNm9mRen1Syya9kxBp2_tenEc8x_2UGn988/s4032/IMG_6675%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQ6alnnGpCwJIwz9ayNgHhlKIr_QXd9LGpg_FO1rPg2m2KIGJvY9E4xXA6_g74XXU3TPForn3e9WGT9KzsGuULebvIL4yVO4Toy0IpOgkgapkYfc_gmHSLymrUEdkK8ZYUjlA1qnArJuIe9sre1hctg8QedNm9mRen1Syya9kxBp2_tenEc8x_2UGn988/w400-h300/IMG_6675%20(002).jpg" width="400" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The hours passed very slowly as everyone scanned the distant reedbed but to no avail. Occasional bird activity alleviated the tedium. Two Great White Egrets, now no longer the rarity they used to be provided a pleasant distraction as they landed on the far side of the lake to fish. Flying on great bowed white wings that seem to gather the air to them, they flew with a leisurely grace, their all white bodies and wings startling against the varied blues of sky and lake. A scuttling Water Rail got someone very excited before they recognised their error and that it was not the Little Crake. A Great Crested Grebe, in front of the hide, surfaced with a large fish, either a Rudd or Roach that looked far too big to swallow but did in fact disappear down the grebe's gullet after considerable effort. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The hide remained full with a regular arrival of birders replacing those who left but with nothing to see, least of all the Little Crake. Slowly the sepulchral silence that had been evident since our arrival was abandoned as birders ceased concentrating and commenced chatting amongst themselves.It's a normal reaction and affects many of us as we find time to recognise familiar faces or chat to our neighbours to alleviate the boredom. We were joined by Louise, a friend of Mark and she squashed between us on the unforgiving wooden bench.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The wind had risen since the calm of the morning and as a consequence the hide, with every viewing slat wide open became progressively colder. Noon arrived but still there was no sign of the Little Crake and most people who had been here for some time had ceased looking in earnest, leaving it to the newcomers, still invigorated with enthusiasm to take up the cause.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A spell of dissing a well known Buckingham birder prone to fantasy provided a rare moment of levity amongst most in the hide. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Just after one o' clock the crake was seen again, very briefly, prompting a concerted surge to the appropriate viewing slat. Reassuringly the crake appeared to be heading our way and towards the hide but still with a fair extent of reeds to traverse if it was ever to arrive in front of the hide.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I looked at the time and realised I had been here for six hours for about ten minutes of distant views of the tiny bird.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">By two thirty in the afternoon, after the initial optimism of the crake coming our way had long since vanished I had all but abandoned hope and suggested to Mark and Louise we call it quits at four o'clock.Birders <i>in extremis</i> do this sort of thing, setting time limits to maintain a sliver of hope. Mark and myself would by then have been in the hide for nine hours. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The damp and cold in the hide had really begun to penetrate my bones and the bench seemed to have gained the unyielding consistency of concrete.My backside ached and much of my body heat had drained away with the hours of inactivity despite layers of warm clothing. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Three o' clock arrived and still nothing. Eight hours in. Maybe the four o clock deadline could be brought forward? Where on earth was the crake? Surely it was heading in this direction? Almost comatose now I stared blankly at the lake.Only another forty five minutes to go and it would be time to leave.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">At just after three fifteen a voice from behind me exclaimed</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>There it is!.It's just coming out from the reeds on the left, in the water</i>!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">All thoughts of cold and discomfort were forgotten, as in unison bodies both seated and standing became galvanised and lurched forward to view the crake. Seated by the central viewng slat we were in prime position to watch as it progressed along the water's edge in front of us</span>. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2NWaxzRq7oBu-Bh8wQ2mEw_dmIO-icQKuLheK8pg5QxE5f1ADCIq0-CIx37Pr9YCKO62sT5kXkcPXIc6lzSoERGwkQJ84RXw1H0DsX253aGdgXEDJCGDUwvVJSG5reAyRIqaE-MY5Aa-p686rZz_G0IA5ZHUtVDcR8-yKWq7XSMWmnObjyskdls3Bi7W/s3219/_J9A7578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3219" data-original-width="3085" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2NWaxzRq7oBu-Bh8wQ2mEw_dmIO-icQKuLheK8pg5QxE5f1ADCIq0-CIx37Pr9YCKO62sT5kXkcPXIc6lzSoERGwkQJ84RXw1H0DsX253aGdgXEDJCGDUwvVJSG5reAyRIqaE-MY5Aa-p686rZz_G0IA5ZHUtVDcR8-yKWq7XSMWmnObjyskdls3Bi7W/w614-h640/_J9A7578.JPG" width="614" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfKlT-YlTVFYMZ3DApOhBFChRC1I-McrAZdY2_VI38gCWvG1-Jc8m9zKMuLVY4JynZlUctfJwost8hyphenhypheny17tDszrB93A2Jat1ov2k_4LWhh255a5JUS8LhyX-xB3c8Nc-_JgtUYlrBQyXsMVQYk_HRwEVIt1wukQ_VN7JuJ-24HJpVWZC_YqCF4BNMbdfy/s3525/_J9A7604.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2050" data-original-width="3525" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfKlT-YlTVFYMZ3DApOhBFChRC1I-McrAZdY2_VI38gCWvG1-Jc8m9zKMuLVY4JynZlUctfJwost8hyphenhypheny17tDszrB93A2Jat1ov2k_4LWhh255a5JUS8LhyX-xB3c8Nc-_JgtUYlrBQyXsMVQYk_HRwEVIt1wukQ_VN7JuJ-24HJpVWZC_YqCF4BNMbdfy/w640-h372/_J9A7604.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXsYKGf3IsR-XOojU7CprKFdseWOgL34KzSHpv42i0DQ2bpQsxSVe21rvqrOk4_V8OQz7ZK0w1991BgaRaS_FDb2xmaKMkcxb5cGTCK5bbJQPwp4_ukwwgV8NPjxtD73q6BeH-yZEVVTRuNIqMmL_FJkUWH7mlkT046CXKivj7jeMGSGuzdZfGIXtf18-/s4177/_J9A7706.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3675" data-original-width="4177" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXsYKGf3IsR-XOojU7CprKFdseWOgL34KzSHpv42i0DQ2bpQsxSVe21rvqrOk4_V8OQz7ZK0w1991BgaRaS_FDb2xmaKMkcxb5cGTCK5bbJQPwp4_ukwwgV8NPjxtD73q6BeH-yZEVVTRuNIqMmL_FJkUWH7mlkT046CXKivj7jeMGSGuzdZfGIXtf18-/w640-h564/_J9A7706.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJm_7juTDyS6C-MowR1i33pp7PQWDW9fOZqH5pqo2KZMvSBmdcrM2K_j49xRe23kHTj41pglSZGbmxMFVl6hcGBcc0o1RGzYhkd6bGHj_wmqPQW1nomVTceMXJVtJ7R4KwKwihTn9T0jUYLdxY25wynM5ksMUnB637r62nijlZa7469v39juTY9PTfukH7/s3282/_J9A7796.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="3282" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJm_7juTDyS6C-MowR1i33pp7PQWDW9fOZqH5pqo2KZMvSBmdcrM2K_j49xRe23kHTj41pglSZGbmxMFVl6hcGBcc0o1RGzYhkd6bGHj_wmqPQW1nomVTceMXJVtJ7R4KwKwihTn9T0jUYLdxY25wynM5ksMUnB637r62nijlZa7469v39juTY9PTfukH7/w640-h590/_J9A7796.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">To say it was elusive would be an understatement as it progressed through the dead and broken reeds and stems at the water's edge.So tiny and the exact colour of the dead reeds and their reflections in the water, it was at times hard to discern as it dodged erratically back and fore, its long toes curled prehensilely around the reed stems, never still for a moment and shunning any open stretches of water no matter how small. Like a miniature Moorhen it furtively slipped through the reeds which annoyingly always seemed to be in the way as they swayed in the strengthening wind, causing the camera to focus on them rather than the crake. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQN5fSOXJNRqObhd8yuMWiDf31mMhmsf0dmHFUnPdRFD-m7HYgi3Ef3Ahloo4Ye8e_h_wVcWHux_0wkSjUZ-tyN-cDVGDToCGl9mEksL4UtvwcQb6Sj8fcq8i8Z-KmqQ3uSkgl_Khwdon1nxsMI21b_O3KleNrR88OsKN3FnRbezNVOsboKu6GnhY9nkV/s3122/_J9A7758.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3031" data-original-width="3122" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQN5fSOXJNRqObhd8yuMWiDf31mMhmsf0dmHFUnPdRFD-m7HYgi3Ef3Ahloo4Ye8e_h_wVcWHux_0wkSjUZ-tyN-cDVGDToCGl9mEksL4UtvwcQb6Sj8fcq8i8Z-KmqQ3uSkgl_Khwdon1nxsMI21b_O3KleNrR88OsKN3FnRbezNVOsboKu6GnhY9nkV/w640-h622/_J9A7758.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTj2mSTFA7o0xG7eLsaNyYEEAQH4LmmCdtbVM63UWYI79vUkKUwTaeR9FJ93jhOICL7TUPSUx9856zLuzQAXTU8tgiZao1EZPYbtOPiSJtibuiop7uUeTxR5mICMstxYALbrNpJrg5hlewPFdFHWmgzpUuh9PjtMa5gdB0nO7pCTffnT5oI5MOJrwjgAQ4/s3096/_J9A7780.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="2818" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTj2mSTFA7o0xG7eLsaNyYEEAQH4LmmCdtbVM63UWYI79vUkKUwTaeR9FJ93jhOICL7TUPSUx9856zLuzQAXTU8tgiZao1EZPYbtOPiSJtibuiop7uUeTxR5mICMstxYALbrNpJrg5hlewPFdFHWmgzpUuh9PjtMa5gdB0nO7pCTffnT5oI5MOJrwjgAQ4/w582-h640/_J9A7780.JPG" width="582" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Its behaviour was typical of a crake in that it didn't like being in the open and would take every opportunity to use the reeds to conceal itself. I did my best as did others but it was incredibly hard to focus on it.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxFzlmFnrw7-KHrG9V31WEwV3buZyp2C9vJ1eg8LKUhtTYpYTrJ_F-RvMNDrbUuelF_8Xk71QMia9zwf980ch95lei8QAjGQejSRQxJCLyyDv77ia75lB35FvvkWk_8eaK3bxxMkY0_kQfEWv8Z9nQGuhxS_J4wME1rgzUkV4-nT5RNyYiHRQtgRPT49K/s2727/_J9A7572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2727" data-original-width="2392" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxFzlmFnrw7-KHrG9V31WEwV3buZyp2C9vJ1eg8LKUhtTYpYTrJ_F-RvMNDrbUuelF_8Xk71QMia9zwf980ch95lei8QAjGQejSRQxJCLyyDv77ia75lB35FvvkWk_8eaK3bxxMkY0_kQfEWv8Z9nQGuhxS_J4wME1rgzUkV4-nT5RNyYiHRQtgRPT49K/w562-h640/_J9A7572.JPG" width="562" /></a></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The crake was in front of the hide for less than ten minutes, moving fairly quickly from left to right and then was gone from sight but the reeds ran out further to our right so it had to come back.Everyone tensed, waiting for this to happen and eventually the crake re-appeared heading back towards the hide but then, rather than walk through the reeds as before, it chose to fly with dangling legs across the water and disappeared into the reeds to our left.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was clearly anxious about the hide and whether it was aware of us I do not know. What we had to accept was it would not be coming back anytime soon.Certainly not today</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">With utter relief I left the hide.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Maybe I will give it another try next week or possibly not!</span></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-74787514625898703352023-10-30T14:28:00.011-07:002023-12-16T09:00:00.006-08:00Purple Passion 30th October 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlVJAmfKI9XpD3GiO3pIebtBFxIrwMQMCqTl1yrGoj7aPjyRIIDMRz2F1r-5iWigRrQYck2UR4zFqQjlFnF1c0wF6dqQoVU-64sOdhY0UZf7kdRz3yjlcTbFyGO0n5c4gQ2YzPjnGbJn9qVDK2er4StU8OQugAKHYQ3sN3ptWBj5AYPZdSQsM_D32F1wR/s2397/_J9A6172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2397" data-original-width="2058" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlVJAmfKI9XpD3GiO3pIebtBFxIrwMQMCqTl1yrGoj7aPjyRIIDMRz2F1r-5iWigRrQYck2UR4zFqQjlFnF1c0wF6dqQoVU-64sOdhY0UZf7kdRz3yjlcTbFyGO0n5c4gQ2YzPjnGbJn9qVDK2er4StU8OQugAKHYQ3sN3ptWBj5AYPZdSQsM_D32F1wR/w550-h640/_J9A6172.JPG" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Purple Heron is still at Whelford Pools, now for its ninth day. Being so near to my home I am making the most of this rare opportunity to watch such a secretive creature showing itself so extraordinarily well in its chosen area of cut reeds. slap bang in front of a hide.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I arrived at ten or just after and was surprised to see the small car park so full of cars.I assumed everyone would have seen the bird by now and its popularity would have waned somewhat but not a bit of it. Luckily a car was leaving as I arrived so I had a space to park in..</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I was later to learn that on Saturday cars were parked all along the road as the car park was constantly full and the owners of the neighbourng property to the reserve were very annoyed at the disturbance.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The small hide was almost full but I managed to get a space on a bench, with a bit of a squeeze, at the far end.Not the best position to be in, as my view would be partially obscured by a branch from which hung bird feeders but the heron had just flown off so there was no urgency. It would not be back for a while.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For half an hour I saw nothing but a Kingfisher until the heron flew from one side of the lake to the other and disappeared over the trees to my left. An hour later and now having been joined by Mike and Brian, we were sitting and chatting, whiling the time away, when the heron flew in and landed on its usual patch of waterlogged cut reeds.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">By now I have become familiar with its routine and watched as it landed at the far right corner of the reeds and then slowly walked across to the other side of the cut reeds, stopping at one point to stand hunched and entirely motionless, a statue with neck, head and bill bent to the water, waiting to strike at any fish that came within range. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA_3TShYnPJJe88lLizJumBPF6arpdlGQu2VJVhkve1dSasOHChtSwy5TPJtwZwEAj9nPXm8Dtx20O_ktMpwvnHJcehKW6qnfk0hDKn_8qMCHk6EHVFU33DClMWZOFjiU-FBXMcFkkupgkLPCFmF687UXulRYy4UgBxQoTDgryUBYUGeJm0P9oropR6qf/s5200/_J9A5875.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4540" data-original-width="5200" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA_3TShYnPJJe88lLizJumBPF6arpdlGQu2VJVhkve1dSasOHChtSwy5TPJtwZwEAj9nPXm8Dtx20O_ktMpwvnHJcehKW6qnfk0hDKn_8qMCHk6EHVFU33DClMWZOFjiU-FBXMcFkkupgkLPCFmF687UXulRYy4UgBxQoTDgryUBYUGeJm0P9oropR6qf/w640-h558/_J9A5875.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It is remarkably successful in catching fish, almost exclusively Perch, although I did see a video on social media of it with a Pike in its bill that looked well beyond its capacity to swallow.Sadly the video did not show the conclusion and whether it managed to consume the fish or not.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">After a pleasant enough hour watching the heron, it moved to one of its favourite fishing spots where it seemed to have most success and sure enough a lightening lunge into the water saw it retrieve a large Perch, which it carried well away from the water's edge onto the cut reeds. Here it struggled for a while to hold the writhing fish in its bill and indeed inadvertently dropped it at one point only to instantaneously retrieve it. The fish now positioned crosswise </span><span style="font-family: times;">in its bill.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> remained held firm between its mandibles, twisting and flapping its tail. For a minute the heron stood contemplating its next move. Slowly and painstakingly as its resistance subsided the large fish was manoeuvred until its head was pointed towards the heron's gullet and with no little contortion on the part of the heron's bill and gape disappeared down the bird's throat. It had looked impossible but the heron knew better.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH7ga-Nae5x3Xo9PlVhY1rXUNGPjPoO_RDaFf6-CtckDPsi0mQyTNlF_lqeTFMqnVVjsSyDdYY5gx9TYZrI3J7PwpnCecBHU0MDdLR6-5Z273Uhjp6W_H2A9pMmug54vQBNAnu7ESsN7qvF0BvWPEGltTe9EDSxsCqWXP6T4MVhILFsA5qykmPwAd0Ls5/s3740/_J9A5846.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3740" data-original-width="2172" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH7ga-Nae5x3Xo9PlVhY1rXUNGPjPoO_RDaFf6-CtckDPsi0mQyTNlF_lqeTFMqnVVjsSyDdYY5gx9TYZrI3J7PwpnCecBHU0MDdLR6-5Z273Uhjp6W_H2A9pMmug54vQBNAnu7ESsN7qvF0BvWPEGltTe9EDSxsCqWXP6T4MVhILFsA5qykmPwAd0Ls5/w372-h640/_J9A5846.JPG" width="372" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw31XblwSUT1YwiLzhRpMgfEq-lukIO3doD62K4V-c3cZ254DANfgddJYsJISLsqguvd_tcGfG7_uMb0Ey3QkU5_ovGorqwLtEwKbAjMUhtl_vAoc06DS8n5JDdHV0zfHOXdDpllOOBTiCOth_l0GQeN7LzDVGZkZLCQXAJcSxHHLSHB351bW6azuCq5e/s2817/_J9A6075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2817" data-original-width="2120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw31XblwSUT1YwiLzhRpMgfEq-lukIO3doD62K4V-c3cZ254DANfgddJYsJISLsqguvd_tcGfG7_uMb0Ey3QkU5_ovGorqwLtEwKbAjMUhtl_vAoc06DS8n5JDdHV0zfHOXdDpllOOBTiCOth_l0GQeN7LzDVGZkZLCQXAJcSxHHLSHB351bW6azuCq5e/w482-h640/_J9A6075.JPG" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UzM3u0cij1zb1B1lQNrHC9Fedlj_FFDsXMP1yfsBK1-cg-10WOxIUM9qxaoc9lQrbhouNuiw9i-Kj5FfieLYrZGdnp_rlF4Ta_gEuB3lfus_9tDAF8VA87YIAwqftdd0Ja9_GLlyxJlC4-NXKgZgXATZgYenu9hxLXSfAW6G3z-ZpDjQt93VdJXBqAiC/s1834/_J9A6124.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1834" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UzM3u0cij1zb1B1lQNrHC9Fedlj_FFDsXMP1yfsBK1-cg-10WOxIUM9qxaoc9lQrbhouNuiw9i-Kj5FfieLYrZGdnp_rlF4Ta_gEuB3lfus_9tDAF8VA87YIAwqftdd0Ja9_GLlyxJlC4-NXKgZgXATZgYenu9hxLXSfAW6G3z-ZpDjQt93VdJXBqAiC/w640-h494/_J9A6124.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiyeBLLR5H59BARoMiq0yQM1rfRwwL27nLFpPb6w47KqxzqfpTpTb6nSxHU_JwfL24Y1EAlCZX9n_Q7Y2IVFTusgofZ6n6ulQC6li0zIAz2w6v5aYi0tapDyx8pYU70c1c9ClIpH7VWIjKGAHaI9XaIfAFoGQgg5h23IB-1xWvqZx4Kv2CiavB1S8cXNT/s1322/_J9A6145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1322" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiyeBLLR5H59BARoMiq0yQM1rfRwwL27nLFpPb6w47KqxzqfpTpTb6nSxHU_JwfL24Y1EAlCZX9n_Q7Y2IVFTusgofZ6n6ulQC6li0zIAz2w6v5aYi0tapDyx8pYU70c1c9ClIpH7VWIjKGAHaI9XaIfAFoGQgg5h23IB-1xWvqZx4Kv2CiavB1S8cXNT/w640-h492/_J9A6145.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qQ7HRGJtzBgPWotHaFw_ZR6mNctmOQVlwzD2BaOvIyJtF4bon5P7in1MUB7LZuo-MdZCOgLZt3CHZyVG3KnROL5H1hG5VUvCJ6MFOi2_AfJe0SYCEcSkasOv4UgDhp_ylnIQfVtapW2dmxr6eiJTSNS-Me-XWtAnkFIVZCQsxh5MOdpC8c58Jv8pPsqO/s2397/_J9A6172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2397" data-original-width="2058" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qQ7HRGJtzBgPWotHaFw_ZR6mNctmOQVlwzD2BaOvIyJtF4bon5P7in1MUB7LZuo-MdZCOgLZt3CHZyVG3KnROL5H1hG5VUvCJ6MFOi2_AfJe0SYCEcSkasOv4UgDhp_ylnIQfVtapW2dmxr6eiJTSNS-Me-XWtAnkFIVZCQsxh5MOdpC8c58Jv8pPsqO/w550-h640/_J9A6172.JPG" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9vn8g9chd9m8X7JcXwKoqqORhzingqbFBkbUsP3q_UYsvsQEG6rPIpxd5DESxeBWHYNnrTr2Mp7xxTRCPN0erqcdbolKZg7_PD-xmwLDVcTv2y_ImHLNfViSZd29_m5dZgDhdRalatZ4oOCBOU5pYjMbFhS3kH2TRzdxotYM8PGCwpI2VV_PAvQUe79y/s3265/_J9A6189.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3156" data-original-width="3265" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9vn8g9chd9m8X7JcXwKoqqORhzingqbFBkbUsP3q_UYsvsQEG6rPIpxd5DESxeBWHYNnrTr2Mp7xxTRCPN0erqcdbolKZg7_PD-xmwLDVcTv2y_ImHLNfViSZd29_m5dZgDhdRalatZ4oOCBOU5pYjMbFhS3kH2TRzdxotYM8PGCwpI2VV_PAvQUe79y/w640-h618/_J9A6189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4KuW3pz3xY8YcIEE4v3AyRnmmwPAbYDu9vkp54GANMu43X9DrLRDVENthgoFWP8z4avqpJ8Ll1WBqG82V6rVEm2_2PmkphZZSfnGYSxQrN8gBoDcehg_mrW7HbUbe99Wt0Mxa4qHwI6DF0eIFGy6I5c32lSrPpXydss2cqbkdAlE_hD7dQp8JXUuvcbr/s3157/_J9A6190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3157" data-original-width="2798" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4KuW3pz3xY8YcIEE4v3AyRnmmwPAbYDu9vkp54GANMu43X9DrLRDVENthgoFWP8z4avqpJ8Ll1WBqG82V6rVEm2_2PmkphZZSfnGYSxQrN8gBoDcehg_mrW7HbUbe99Wt0Mxa4qHwI6DF0eIFGy6I5c32lSrPpXydss2cqbkdAlE_hD7dQp8JXUuvcbr/w568-h640/_J9A6190.JPG" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYCe8YNOvPrlctzRTOvTuPKy0X_RS8n9IrNJfnfXL-ItxwNL9nhIKg24E7vnUasgclX9NbZDjSkxriHaVk8Cyy5bQg2EQiYVvEWZjMRBEhHxpYY7KS8-o58vvLvxeRjgQImgGgGPiwxTaPctX-g7T2pCBkDmFIvX68mr4CgdoLRoJR3i4weInyHngHOHL/s3167/_J9A6193.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3167" data-original-width="2600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYCe8YNOvPrlctzRTOvTuPKy0X_RS8n9IrNJfnfXL-ItxwNL9nhIKg24E7vnUasgclX9NbZDjSkxriHaVk8Cyy5bQg2EQiYVvEWZjMRBEhHxpYY7KS8-o58vvLvxeRjgQImgGgGPiwxTaPctX-g7T2pCBkDmFIvX68mr4CgdoLRoJR3i4weInyHngHOHL/w526-h640/_J9A6193.JPG" width="526" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOewAQoJjRgSi3y-IdZrxDYXyebRQP0U_mCOpgq_3p2tbtSDZGvQXuEDqzqDrUw8zdsQWAnHEQU-INGIqWG73kaBHztXIWtF4oRFcaeCNsAp_8FslUfr0Z0V8WNynHC5HUah8393B1mPOkFRSABK0IntuXTW6flBHeJC71ztsVhDJzWwDmZWjnsIYcekUb/s3095/_J9A6201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3095" data-original-width="2291" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOewAQoJjRgSi3y-IdZrxDYXyebRQP0U_mCOpgq_3p2tbtSDZGvQXuEDqzqDrUw8zdsQWAnHEQU-INGIqWG73kaBHztXIWtF4oRFcaeCNsAp_8FslUfr0Z0V8WNynHC5HUah8393B1mPOkFRSABK0IntuXTW6flBHeJC71ztsVhDJzWwDmZWjnsIYcekUb/w474-h640/_J9A6201.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPrKQXcE9k6kPvA7vmyZhXgFQPZiTR8Wgc84nHNvq-DYXIJVM7RuhVeZA1EJ-pRh90RoLy8UWzTL9Tph_BMZRRZ7giquPlz7UxIUvf6fipEHl4x56pmVy8TwNCCKI06hgqjGamrnPK-1VP0WWqx7Cehm0nIVvTTxa7WTLhIiLpYWz6YlCDgkJdbh-ur9D/s2378/_J9A6203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="2378" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPrKQXcE9k6kPvA7vmyZhXgFQPZiTR8Wgc84nHNvq-DYXIJVM7RuhVeZA1EJ-pRh90RoLy8UWzTL9Tph_BMZRRZ7giquPlz7UxIUvf6fipEHl4x56pmVy8TwNCCKI06hgqjGamrnPK-1VP0WWqx7Cehm0nIVvTTxa7WTLhIiLpYWz6YlCDgkJdbh-ur9D/w640-h458/_J9A6203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42csJS4a2BGa_EaagzSGDphjrR-h8RMKmZlQApTBY-O3u-T7yBM7SFaiy6Z7UmpBE2_rrJ7BFSbGAIyivwv3yzT1gsr0i9OKdsEmckAIbEnFvEoMuYUagtSfA9Zcx6ANGivDzeFxHUPFdbnZzlqyHXjjF2OhLkxaOD8tVj2dajfmq-aqi8SPD_Nxa7XJT/s3482/_J9A5870.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3482" data-original-width="2806" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42csJS4a2BGa_EaagzSGDphjrR-h8RMKmZlQApTBY-O3u-T7yBM7SFaiy6Z7UmpBE2_rrJ7BFSbGAIyivwv3yzT1gsr0i9OKdsEmckAIbEnFvEoMuYUagtSfA9Zcx6ANGivDzeFxHUPFdbnZzlqyHXjjF2OhLkxaOD8tVj2dajfmq-aqi8SPD_Nxa7XJT/w516-h640/_J9A5870.JPG" width="516" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2llEurFg6sXO5upY1gI6V5LrgOsrkmjLc0OUuzjZkC85JNmSc8t2foQIMEotuJ_OQrJaIUvGjEjNvH05W35zDEfV6EP80T4YmdEaflS1mhLAFnJ2OO_Debmp5_7NqJYxjAoffe-GxWbnZ_VYcsSX6_4eAqMvq_4C4U8jr6O_oFSYqleLpmgbapRmxvvK/s3483/_J9A5876.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3483" data-original-width="3154" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2llEurFg6sXO5upY1gI6V5LrgOsrkmjLc0OUuzjZkC85JNmSc8t2foQIMEotuJ_OQrJaIUvGjEjNvH05W35zDEfV6EP80T4YmdEaflS1mhLAFnJ2OO_Debmp5_7NqJYxjAoffe-GxWbnZ_VYcsSX6_4eAqMvq_4C4U8jr6O_oFSYqleLpmgbapRmxvvK/w580-h640/_J9A5876.JPG" width="580" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The heron stood for a while, replete, but was surprisingly quickly back into action in its remorseless search for more fish.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A late Osprey flew over the lake, it too had been fishing and was carrying a fish in its talons.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I can think of worse ways to spend a Monday.</span></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-42754923002202956602023-10-27T11:17:00.007-07:002024-02-18T10:37:59.152-08:00Finding Fungi 27th October 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VL1ABoylIZ5Hr7cUcz3IK4T35-7qnW1U3n2EvwteKbEfEk1c8p84pqDjlwlOms8Uic4cQWP5XudQPksZbv9-kQ_Yn2VLSNq8v3UNQC3puD9cocNd8l23aXB-ruSLtZxd9msSK2wzHMYsGDf4rBz6F-nnXrqOzCAcIjkA4s-Re8pXIXnthsy22V9FNSLG/s6204/_J9A5493.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6204" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VL1ABoylIZ5Hr7cUcz3IK4T35-7qnW1U3n2EvwteKbEfEk1c8p84pqDjlwlOms8Uic4cQWP5XudQPksZbv9-kQ_Yn2VLSNq8v3UNQC3puD9cocNd8l23aXB-ruSLtZxd9msSK2wzHMYsGDf4rBz6F-nnXrqOzCAcIjkA4s-Re8pXIXnthsy22V9FNSLG/w640-h478/_J9A5493.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This morning on a day of pleasant sunshine and autumnal stillness I went with Peter to Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust's (BBOWT) Warburg Reserve near Bix, in my home county of Oxordshire.This time I had settled for a more genteel and infinitely less stressful day searching for fungi rather than birds.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Warburg Reserve is hidden away, deep in a valley in The Chilterns and accessed by a narrow and increasingly tortuous, uneven road that becomes little more than a track, which just when you think you have taken the wrong route, opens out to reveal a small discrete car park and tiny visitor centre. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Although there may be other cars in the car park it is rare to encounter anyone else on the reserve and it is as if the place is deserted but the muddy bridle path suggests it is not so, as footprints, trailbike tyre prints and outlines of horse shoes are indented in the mud on the puddled bridleway</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_dL9khr6RHgT9zPNsXhIARhw6E1q_3adhBp_xURaK9PPCgoyKbIfIqGnLKKNHA4ALH-Nh-6vAt5XpOGWmKAKPo9XM6co5nV-IocNDMF1k7ItNB3TxEDOGDhM6tAoykP_VoD2HzzUu1jO9HFhQeNs6LvLlc3EDxlmct5aM7ZjR8QtfH8LawoR7nhdc5Ak/s4032/IMG_6581%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_dL9khr6RHgT9zPNsXhIARhw6E1q_3adhBp_xURaK9PPCgoyKbIfIqGnLKKNHA4ALH-Nh-6vAt5XpOGWmKAKPo9XM6co5nV-IocNDMF1k7ItNB3TxEDOGDhM6tAoykP_VoD2HzzUu1jO9HFhQeNs6LvLlc3EDxlmct5aM7ZjR8QtfH8LawoR7nhdc5Ak/w480-h640/IMG_6581%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">At this time of year the trees are proclaiming the passage of autumn,their leaves now showing more yellow than green and below the stands of beech trees </span><span style="font-family: times;">their fallen leaves</span><span style="font-family: times;"> have coloured the ground a rich mahogany.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LtDLzdtpTTbixbPUaabRb0Z5NA8pc353pTFzGS6k7uzHONJHFexjzbU0piilFAwk5Hs4hqCqQqAlPS3dygHwGDVrfwNDMv7IkVKoZ18DuFkQlBxOTD78xfG5_j032gsGGoHo7BbiA-FLpdEapxPFiBLTskfX4bplfBQVUHsBeDtJtsimTwqhDtsiUfcW/s4032/IMG_6573%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LtDLzdtpTTbixbPUaabRb0Z5NA8pc353pTFzGS6k7uzHONJHFexjzbU0piilFAwk5Hs4hqCqQqAlPS3dygHwGDVrfwNDMv7IkVKoZ18DuFkQlBxOTD78xfG5_j032gsGGoHo7BbiA-FLpdEapxPFiBLTskfX4bplfBQVUHsBeDtJtsimTwqhDtsiUfcW/w480-h640/IMG_6573%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbAFbSS5fVEvsxj68cV9KhamNVXg25V-GkzINXqWz-wK02aLLDLck6s7wxw9y5482zsGfqslXIxUUmTBiCGlHBOT-5Mcyg0DLvCuJlnUQdzkHgIIMKejbmFUR75ViR5kl_zRCKPztpsvf1w7lgyUalVGmym7to_w74s_NzKADPVyeuhyphenhyphen-xsHX5H8at8xh/s4032/IMG_6576%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbAFbSS5fVEvsxj68cV9KhamNVXg25V-GkzINXqWz-wK02aLLDLck6s7wxw9y5482zsGfqslXIxUUmTBiCGlHBOT-5Mcyg0DLvCuJlnUQdzkHgIIMKejbmFUR75ViR5kl_zRCKPztpsvf1w7lgyUalVGmym7to_w74s_NzKADPVyeuhyphenhyphen-xsHX5H8at8xh/w400-h300/IMG_6576%20(002).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">In the depths of the valley there is little wind and a sense of time slips away. The birds in the woodland are quiet too, concentrating on searching for food. Only the occasional croak of a startled pheasant echo's from the valley side while Red Kites whistle as they pass unseen above the canopy of the trees.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The stillness is a balm to allay any ills your spirit may feel and here one can lose oneself for a few hours, concentrating on searching for the various fungi that grow on the reserve, currently around 900 species.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Here are a few of those we found on a rewarding meander below the beeches and through the woodland of Warburg Reserve.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qN-8fiN7NGjb-CXulujmaJJacethCdZkn-QnqMUnoXcTHuvTnHaoPVwdUrt6r5vgsjDy4-Hec5se5n67Y66ytwa3dPSlwkzzI9pTZyqXeV-pquyVIKCcYtXbRtW_jeS9rMYAVQ5oiMPT0o6y3gwmLsO1u4rlK_2aaO0RiaTihxtOtrgLUt4Ym3zwVxHk/s5124/_J9A5729.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4581" data-original-width="5124" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qN-8fiN7NGjb-CXulujmaJJacethCdZkn-QnqMUnoXcTHuvTnHaoPVwdUrt6r5vgsjDy4-Hec5se5n67Y66ytwa3dPSlwkzzI9pTZyqXeV-pquyVIKCcYtXbRtW_jeS9rMYAVQ5oiMPT0o6y3gwmLsO1u4rlK_2aaO0RiaTihxtOtrgLUt4Ym3zwVxHk/w640-h572/_J9A5729.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKZvIO8lW61H6_qZWa-cICWcsEx6UihmJmwjFKkVib5jwE35GHEKzMnTkFkLHgSuG2pex124qDVj05aDgjwUksZhrFScUuK_hI16FbmfvcGB3vJrTqYJq5jTpIb9qPlqJoviglTHGZygSfdi8szaYoQrjCK6hvb1_4BG0DRvw0cjsIivvmvfTm_wB7NqA/s5364/_J9A5726.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5364" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKZvIO8lW61H6_qZWa-cICWcsEx6UihmJmwjFKkVib5jwE35GHEKzMnTkFkLHgSuG2pex124qDVj05aDgjwUksZhrFScUuK_hI16FbmfvcGB3vJrTqYJq5jTpIb9qPlqJoviglTHGZygSfdi8szaYoQrjCK6hvb1_4BG0DRvw0cjsIivvmvfTm_wB7NqA/w400-h346/_J9A5726.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Collared Earth Star</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsLvHG5z6dYHG6VIwUPojpVoC1bhmySYCM6HID2Yai3weZx8hkm2XAMe6d2dWNSo76Z9q0vZRUjHpa9Bv8pYwCfvDrMTQRnQkSB-nn5YDzUPTZcLjAWBNqWONHl-suxWL04rAvseDA347-PvRsoHZXpJcfCLdSTe0qnO8oeALwmz2HDWKt7vBC6nNR5QX/s2730/_J9A5612.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2539" data-original-width="2730" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsLvHG5z6dYHG6VIwUPojpVoC1bhmySYCM6HID2Yai3weZx8hkm2XAMe6d2dWNSo76Z9q0vZRUjHpa9Bv8pYwCfvDrMTQRnQkSB-nn5YDzUPTZcLjAWBNqWONHl-suxWL04rAvseDA347-PvRsoHZXpJcfCLdSTe0qnO8oeALwmz2HDWKt7vBC6nNR5QX/w640-h596/_J9A5612.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiEBS4R6oV8Qf5fpgBb9cuUmG6-iSYDtvxO1fFKQ-F8MDjkw8tXkvhn4CiSiGp8ibINuo5ch0WdAxP5LRhvzdRO7DtnE2qQD7NXnYWrydcmMEFvsKOpQjg2gL4TR8_sEPEe6WGh16lkntfNLU1FA1qXmq0JW2BGOXUSaSADhBhzr4Y_4OK6lvhyTUXywZ/s2508/_J9A5614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="1177" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiEBS4R6oV8Qf5fpgBb9cuUmG6-iSYDtvxO1fFKQ-F8MDjkw8tXkvhn4CiSiGp8ibINuo5ch0WdAxP5LRhvzdRO7DtnE2qQD7NXnYWrydcmMEFvsKOpQjg2gL4TR8_sEPEe6WGh16lkntfNLU1FA1qXmq0JW2BGOXUSaSADhBhzr4Y_4OK6lvhyTUXywZ/w301-h640/_J9A5614.JPG" width="301" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSICSsFpqZ4aejKNygNgMwuzK5qkh0QG1j7FfH2xtAcLea5yj5i52yQaIBoCL-a85rsb7exjRgTXLe7icC959__WeJ8H2MXaw8p9gEUDUsDFE7i5W9ACI4Y3QW78J8cf5rJnziSWC9v6nH_rIp3yN23O1TI-xBIdeEEpJNd_qZjphYBOSOqPU_SXBZyR_/s4524/_J9A5622.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4443" data-original-width="4524" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSICSsFpqZ4aejKNygNgMwuzK5qkh0QG1j7FfH2xtAcLea5yj5i52yQaIBoCL-a85rsb7exjRgTXLe7icC959__WeJ8H2MXaw8p9gEUDUsDFE7i5W9ACI4Y3QW78J8cf5rJnziSWC9v6nH_rIp3yN23O1TI-xBIdeEEpJNd_qZjphYBOSOqPU_SXBZyR_/w400-h393/_J9A5622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Dead Man's Fingers</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIntyMyO5mwVRqb6ve5-onZYJhgnGlfQAoZign6Sg9OqkNBKhIhwE9PJ4rcWJPVIRMu6Jcbkb4c9urdj0fIZqJZR52s3zMpH3xIhhcB4GqA9U-io04H41FV3MZdurK_NwfoABfuVxl6LLyVzxnaGaFzKQCtdFEjlffMiFpHfmMv0RJQzyHMScCSNtt_Sn/s5060/_J9A5497.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5060" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIntyMyO5mwVRqb6ve5-onZYJhgnGlfQAoZign6Sg9OqkNBKhIhwE9PJ4rcWJPVIRMu6Jcbkb4c9urdj0fIZqJZR52s3zMpH3xIhhcB4GqA9U-io04H41FV3MZdurK_NwfoABfuVxl6LLyVzxnaGaFzKQCtdFEjlffMiFpHfmMv0RJQzyHMScCSNtt_Sn/w640-h586/_J9A5497.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF9717d9JzDoXyw676mEP2mk9K2jx2hdhnNTc4KEdodYdeJrmnSyOuY9CpyK9oviZhv0Tiq2-m3soQrAKwHNy7M-oyoYYO-CfOA9jJll-uMwgwvV8tZlzTgc61Fo-84kZmehjZiUK5etN9let51RFxWNpGqVzI1cmRpv0XnpkOqLhgP1FRugOF_FCVkHj/s5512/_J9A5522.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4381" data-original-width="5512" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF9717d9JzDoXyw676mEP2mk9K2jx2hdhnNTc4KEdodYdeJrmnSyOuY9CpyK9oviZhv0Tiq2-m3soQrAKwHNy7M-oyoYYO-CfOA9jJll-uMwgwvV8tZlzTgc61Fo-84kZmehjZiUK5etN9let51RFxWNpGqVzI1cmRpv0XnpkOqLhgP1FRugOF_FCVkHj/w400-h318/_J9A5522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV8Ri-8hCaPDWG2gO35wujEd-fYLB-_4NCgwM_MjDsdiNS6NSt4SlBgUSwlvP-AcBZHPPzrGwaOtTgsZ2E4eFP6B6p1GPjMon0K7QL2shO2ijFojSywE5oPRH4J5hXfM2vXtZo2GDsXWyp7VfOLoWDJSZJfbAtCsddt9NGULzUvT6e0WYF4mFZHe8PCCB/s6960/_J9A5736.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV8Ri-8hCaPDWG2gO35wujEd-fYLB-_4NCgwM_MjDsdiNS6NSt4SlBgUSwlvP-AcBZHPPzrGwaOtTgsZ2E4eFP6B6p1GPjMon0K7QL2shO2ijFojSywE5oPRH4J5hXfM2vXtZo2GDsXWyp7VfOLoWDJSZJfbAtCsddt9NGULzUvT6e0WYF4mFZHe8PCCB/w640-h426/_J9A5736.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Magpie Inkcap</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O_6BKxOd-rDjLVReqsowkDbIZqLgKi7Pakjwg93N8zk-MRUSxKMj-32bKTDWGzzafJdsciLntM-jJRFx2phL5PL1iEtX5SlhgDfK6Wl3DBaBOmco0u-fAiei6gqdx2x56vF3S9NjxbKrCxGBvfsx-zAsMFROSgfgCEjS3nPArV5Vf54ix7vrMP1OkhEX/s4668/_J9A5585.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4508" data-original-width="4668" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O_6BKxOd-rDjLVReqsowkDbIZqLgKi7Pakjwg93N8zk-MRUSxKMj-32bKTDWGzzafJdsciLntM-jJRFx2phL5PL1iEtX5SlhgDfK6Wl3DBaBOmco0u-fAiei6gqdx2x56vF3S9NjxbKrCxGBvfsx-zAsMFROSgfgCEjS3nPArV5Vf54ix7vrMP1OkhEX/w400-h386/_J9A5585.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxA7R8Dn-UhgC5_gjtntdzzg23H-NzaswLwMPkustDENHok_3nor2YbhuPJirWuPEQTSNgLN-1_h_3MFLU63w6bKBi-NG4pWD49xvhQIOnjJX-IveV22ycBhIG8963BlOZPdocd_bDnCxxB9Rl38i9XWj_rVaVn_63nEK-XB304L-6zedFKbMVeSI1YvI/s4904/_J9A5597.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4204" data-original-width="4904" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxA7R8Dn-UhgC5_gjtntdzzg23H-NzaswLwMPkustDENHok_3nor2YbhuPJirWuPEQTSNgLN-1_h_3MFLU63w6bKBi-NG4pWD49xvhQIOnjJX-IveV22ycBhIG8963BlOZPdocd_bDnCxxB9Rl38i9XWj_rVaVn_63nEK-XB304L-6zedFKbMVeSI1YvI/w640-h548/_J9A5597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Verdigris Agaric</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUh0gn56HddO2ch8N-LIIPa6CSb_ASNdcs2R8KCFABt222B6tgNy1-pFX9lA1hwLaGAHokQvwXd6IQTejgJ0e8am7NgO4Qye5jR-IBj3e0LfUDU-7ns2piEdacaPad2ixvqezF39BbFO-ZbCEgSPWQTW4iPnOwCibQuErD9-zT5ra6Oc8y49AcoruII6tg/s6960/_J9A5651.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUh0gn56HddO2ch8N-LIIPa6CSb_ASNdcs2R8KCFABt222B6tgNy1-pFX9lA1hwLaGAHokQvwXd6IQTejgJ0e8am7NgO4Qye5jR-IBj3e0LfUDU-7ns2piEdacaPad2ixvqezF39BbFO-ZbCEgSPWQTW4iPnOwCibQuErD9-zT5ra6Oc8y49AcoruII6tg/w400-h266/_J9A5651.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZceeDrvFqXMrTi7nWr8lEYIwZV7dV-iCCduPieoHLAzg_BGZBY9iZ82w3PSMUWI0kwPRf0jsPM9JYAd5m3Tp2VPhwvEfzZb7dVEXE_tFXcTvA66ImJeAKCIRhjNoLYXhS5IRzyDKwbU4zSsHgCqKRJALs2772vuxLJIQXx07HuWygjtkEQx_ohgzA0xle/s4680/_J9A5667.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4680" data-original-width="4604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZceeDrvFqXMrTi7nWr8lEYIwZV7dV-iCCduPieoHLAzg_BGZBY9iZ82w3PSMUWI0kwPRf0jsPM9JYAd5m3Tp2VPhwvEfzZb7dVEXE_tFXcTvA66ImJeAKCIRhjNoLYXhS5IRzyDKwbU4zSsHgCqKRJALs2772vuxLJIQXx07HuWygjtkEQx_ohgzA0xle/w630-h640/_J9A5667.JPG" width="630" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToW52URQ6lk8hnAYvMOgdU9iIMQK6bVIJgf87wkQri6jDgouOO9yhXbbq0v4HGHgcxgXF2tmfZ0b9-kxy7gNPFEuCrfybqS0xkNA-9H1a6OHPkGwLZp9ncD__4H_ChlUfEx6PU9RCHvaxseoSjdnRVgB7okr73DfrXwEqrrwsM-MkLde2ZQvmHxEGGLD7/s3046/_J9A5675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3046" data-original-width="2933" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToW52URQ6lk8hnAYvMOgdU9iIMQK6bVIJgf87wkQri6jDgouOO9yhXbbq0v4HGHgcxgXF2tmfZ0b9-kxy7gNPFEuCrfybqS0xkNA-9H1a6OHPkGwLZp9ncD__4H_ChlUfEx6PU9RCHvaxseoSjdnRVgB7okr73DfrXwEqrrwsM-MkLde2ZQvmHxEGGLD7/s320/_J9A5675.JPG" width="308" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCtygUxYhyphenhyphenLzP3CyKqnbeIWM_KfMfqYLwJ3WAigAjGKZaZwsR5AAFlSqsOWuC-hx9Rm1TzEd4M8GngLLi8E3mnjMNw6IGEILkZUq4Zz2If4CKTeZH63QL5h1LHwaPCnaRTY15Ky-u0H_3tw59iOlP6nxCzf3Xk_8v6Mj3vSr6f6e8tyq1ESs5Kx5Ukh9z/s4144/_J9A5676.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="4144" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCtygUxYhyphenhyphenLzP3CyKqnbeIWM_KfMfqYLwJ3WAigAjGKZaZwsR5AAFlSqsOWuC-hx9Rm1TzEd4M8GngLLi8E3mnjMNw6IGEILkZUq4Zz2If4CKTeZH63QL5h1LHwaPCnaRTY15Ky-u0H_3tw59iOlP6nxCzf3Xk_8v6Mj3vSr6f6e8tyq1ESs5Kx5Ukh9z/w640-h638/_J9A5676.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Dog Stinkhorn</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxsA-0yW54JLx0KwAk9EqLZiXeDHykJzSnxq5175kN-ntJgfCgjINJsfhajbq11hyphenhyphen8aG96PywHPM5LmN3_pwNClZgDuEvlzFiNPhHQPUzRAlYmPSt83UwFW2Q0uWh5Fl6KDMRUzSF3aL-9Lfphms7wryOQ-gVo_wv80cg8mWlTjgGvXwlsX7uIWVlO0lF/s6960/_J9A5719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxsA-0yW54JLx0KwAk9EqLZiXeDHykJzSnxq5175kN-ntJgfCgjINJsfhajbq11hyphenhyphen8aG96PywHPM5LmN3_pwNClZgDuEvlzFiNPhHQPUzRAlYmPSt83UwFW2Q0uWh5Fl6KDMRUzSF3aL-9Lfphms7wryOQ-gVo_wv80cg8mWlTjgGvXwlsX7uIWVlO0lF/w400-h266/_J9A5719.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyriy6zC3yv6h6-FJ_eMqzVBOxZNT4heN-K7vDswop9UHN48rwpBDXALlEq74h5PdQCFQvwc5Er-s3Dq8Ns1DxfmBwrblz7RvRWVIo8EDi7CWHAuFI0s7UFqUqt7K6eNo4c1m_NjgDXhIKA3RTNSzPLYvtADqYJ842ROn1QnSYhhd7n9g7i8Y9R6YV7Fks/s5652/_J9A5711.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5652" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyriy6zC3yv6h6-FJ_eMqzVBOxZNT4heN-K7vDswop9UHN48rwpBDXALlEq74h5PdQCFQvwc5Er-s3Dq8Ns1DxfmBwrblz7RvRWVIo8EDi7CWHAuFI0s7UFqUqt7K6eNo4c1m_NjgDXhIKA3RTNSzPLYvtADqYJ842ROn1QnSYhhd7n9g7i8Y9R6YV7Fks/w640-h526/_J9A5711.JPG" width="640" /></span></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Spiny Puffball</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-84906825307112347012023-10-26T01:05:00.008-07:002023-12-16T08:45:34.767-08:00Purple Patch re-visited 25th October 2023<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqQBIJ3xCmeN5OT0pXoWZZWISBCvZ5j-MazTsLVJqBmscvK_lTf6Xo9E30zwlQAJUEfLPr8J1W6copvbDf-LN2FmGeMkFri8wA9oHKigkTUkN3ABjLxxSG6ACanbqbit3bxEuQMirRwnxs3ymLrXOLsGX40RuGfgm0MR2aog169-mHZlXy8AP5My3vhmj/s3028/_J9A5122.JPG" style="font-family: times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="2613" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqQBIJ3xCmeN5OT0pXoWZZWISBCvZ5j-MazTsLVJqBmscvK_lTf6Xo9E30zwlQAJUEfLPr8J1W6copvbDf-LN2FmGeMkFri8wA9oHKigkTUkN3ABjLxxSG6ACanbqbit3bxEuQMirRwnxs3ymLrXOLsGX40RuGfgm0MR2aog169-mHZlXy8AP5My3vhmj/w552-h640/_J9A5122.JPG" width="552" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I so enjoyed my few hours with the extraordinary Purple Heron at Whelford Pools NR yesterday, I made another visit today. Such an opportunity will not last for long so best to make the most of it, especially as it is so close to my home.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I went later in the day this time, just after noon in the hope the hide would be less crowded than yesterday and my hopes were realised.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The heron was initially out of view but soon walked out from its hiding place in the reeds to my left and behaved much as it did yesterday. I watched it catch two fish, both Perch but today it seemed less inclined to remain on the cut reed patch in front of the hide and flew off on two occasions to other stands of reeds at different parts of the lake.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I spent three hours in the hide this time with everyone keeping very quiet knowing how sensitive the heron is, which made it very relaxing to sit looking out on the tranquil autumnal scene before me.No rustling crisp packets, no inane incessant voices trying to outdo each other on what they had seen on whatever holiday or birding trip they had been on.No endless lists of moths caught overnight or birds seen from their toilet window, that sort of thing.It drives me to distraction but not today thankfully</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Would that it was always so.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Now back to the heron and some more images, rather a lot in fact!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcemEqTyjuzHg3eab4zduMxsLre6xJ6CYwNTl6LB5H9-YZxQw3_0408uS72iWj-FoUscPFcgeXfy6Eg7MORK6NAm4aS6FlwNzUGDohABVne-AS_6cEARbY8o4gY-RF4oHKgwwRYCiUKFnYcIBggaf-JMIoIoSbOasu9fUgHrmdvhK7aZBgPt58yGrLi3N/s4734/_J9A4913.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4361" data-original-width="4734" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcemEqTyjuzHg3eab4zduMxsLre6xJ6CYwNTl6LB5H9-YZxQw3_0408uS72iWj-FoUscPFcgeXfy6Eg7MORK6NAm4aS6FlwNzUGDohABVne-AS_6cEARbY8o4gY-RF4oHKgwwRYCiUKFnYcIBggaf-JMIoIoSbOasu9fUgHrmdvhK7aZBgPt58yGrLi3N/w640-h590/_J9A4913.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzIajsr5EhU35-Vaax_Tw0gPlN7L4xWFPQfzUr3gjpa-3eRAeJrX3ghok1to91Wmr6ZOdwJS9PY-SWFBjmanzJpV2sRxi5DZxsMze2M8kDtcj819QIxw4jXW9O4VynQGmRb5vE3JtjOrk3a9ZqkCdx0qBEfWeCanxuOo9T_JwG6qVtIpycNZC_hbMDYTa/s3947/_J9A4861.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3947" data-original-width="3894" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzIajsr5EhU35-Vaax_Tw0gPlN7L4xWFPQfzUr3gjpa-3eRAeJrX3ghok1to91Wmr6ZOdwJS9PY-SWFBjmanzJpV2sRxi5DZxsMze2M8kDtcj819QIxw4jXW9O4VynQGmRb5vE3JtjOrk3a9ZqkCdx0qBEfWeCanxuOo9T_JwG6qVtIpycNZC_hbMDYTa/w395-h400/_J9A4861.JPG" width="395" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKZLKl13esOmIJuFrbx_8BLAKJ8Eib27ZFpE6RJWw_xMXHBom6U2V_fRtRI7TjPSkpeg0orfedtxHIcWbE0zNwihzN0ZGIhw1lCToG4bG0SSu96FYgh68NgJTAd3wenQ13Ah4TkWSipX46zSTrDNFJHsduaBBqmPCgETDWuvwnnZmgAAMNpWwBzp81xZJ/s5588/_J9A4771.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3496" data-original-width="5588" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKZLKl13esOmIJuFrbx_8BLAKJ8Eib27ZFpE6RJWw_xMXHBom6U2V_fRtRI7TjPSkpeg0orfedtxHIcWbE0zNwihzN0ZGIhw1lCToG4bG0SSu96FYgh68NgJTAd3wenQ13Ah4TkWSipX46zSTrDNFJHsduaBBqmPCgETDWuvwnnZmgAAMNpWwBzp81xZJ/w640-h400/_J9A4771.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vSBuLJxH0Vg7htgcnTqbP1bnCk6eVcsJ3pKuetvwF6AOzh92upQUlEUQkBQ6bcSyKK9jb-bx-mfJQ4BXXM9DSgeBw0thC6UMcwPC16Sb2P2jRzuUW4AQDWpmq2PIb441xc5CfTf8h4WMYlWgWLRwZ4cv-a-MyeBzsYLv7M1dMNJ7r-iCSbELDOdoinQJ/s3846/_J9A4764.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3846" data-original-width="3790" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vSBuLJxH0Vg7htgcnTqbP1bnCk6eVcsJ3pKuetvwF6AOzh92upQUlEUQkBQ6bcSyKK9jb-bx-mfJQ4BXXM9DSgeBw0thC6UMcwPC16Sb2P2jRzuUW4AQDWpmq2PIb441xc5CfTf8h4WMYlWgWLRwZ4cv-a-MyeBzsYLv7M1dMNJ7r-iCSbELDOdoinQJ/w630-h640/_J9A4764.JPG" width="630" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDyVV1xvh6xl2LAdObeaDH1ffcbv7Ofr9gMwN_8QyDeFmDdbcJwZsfAKJzXVlVzcFZBUBGWskuYLt9JNysb6axiOtOWa9xdHtoBBmnWuslYSQ-GsLsH0huk3-mLN_qg0WbgDAKWcsepZZIqCGZySuMyOfJ0LFrV7eFILEHZedJ5R3CbPOCaGwc5OiDTl2/s5708/_J9A4935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3370" data-original-width="5708" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDyVV1xvh6xl2LAdObeaDH1ffcbv7Ofr9gMwN_8QyDeFmDdbcJwZsfAKJzXVlVzcFZBUBGWskuYLt9JNysb6axiOtOWa9xdHtoBBmnWuslYSQ-GsLsH0huk3-mLN_qg0WbgDAKWcsepZZIqCGZySuMyOfJ0LFrV7eFILEHZedJ5R3CbPOCaGwc5OiDTl2/w640-h378/_J9A4935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjJecHOAS2t4uWqp52y8J3UCpgkXNAYBevon-pdIqKFxAjT453qkrm-mg4nZuNL9s_VFwXaLuh5_nViKXUo1nEeoowEA1-twNkz63gRvtfg0DCgZAIK4KjGzigwr_STQXKdT5JkAeZVfpFroUk963M52gxOuDaywUjDMSVqTuey89Goive6IXt7lGdzgG/s4042/_J9A4927.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3940" data-original-width="4042" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjJecHOAS2t4uWqp52y8J3UCpgkXNAYBevon-pdIqKFxAjT453qkrm-mg4nZuNL9s_VFwXaLuh5_nViKXUo1nEeoowEA1-twNkz63gRvtfg0DCgZAIK4KjGzigwr_STQXKdT5JkAeZVfpFroUk963M52gxOuDaywUjDMSVqTuey89Goive6IXt7lGdzgG/w640-h624/_J9A4927.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7a2d1zA_LzaM6GATHOI2maFG96G7-cMnlikRrSA5Y7CDxSeWC8_JwWcSJgjHVGdEQTCT2iro_zjCQ-TFPt0hQxvpU2p6MvACkWOXEck2ksPVdcABrwG9vM2hk-fxqmus-Yxjb2OEEqi27Q9zkCQBsOpEoFiDIZD1G519cBvlaK7ZgHLkYg_Uvj5brbUG/s3963/_J9A4992.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3963" data-original-width="3321" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7a2d1zA_LzaM6GATHOI2maFG96G7-cMnlikRrSA5Y7CDxSeWC8_JwWcSJgjHVGdEQTCT2iro_zjCQ-TFPt0hQxvpU2p6MvACkWOXEck2ksPVdcABrwG9vM2hk-fxqmus-Yxjb2OEEqi27Q9zkCQBsOpEoFiDIZD1G519cBvlaK7ZgHLkYg_Uvj5brbUG/w536-h640/_J9A4992.JPG" width="536" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25wWttQ1FbPMTCRYCtb0Nj_CHG6d0_GN_Zun_-F5TUdwazyzP324sko8wcoT8TN0LXU-gX9P_9hxIbqe0H7w9XJRXp6hJizAar-YePE0ah_O-GQcvDY1UPIfBz6MPAnbGZk1SZV6nS9xYKksEPCPVoSEW98E34kDtdGkqw4lL7beUITvD0JUdb849dURn/s3857/_J9A4978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3857" data-original-width="3450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25wWttQ1FbPMTCRYCtb0Nj_CHG6d0_GN_Zun_-F5TUdwazyzP324sko8wcoT8TN0LXU-gX9P_9hxIbqe0H7w9XJRXp6hJizAar-YePE0ah_O-GQcvDY1UPIfBz6MPAnbGZk1SZV6nS9xYKksEPCPVoSEW98E34kDtdGkqw4lL7beUITvD0JUdb849dURn/w572-h640/_J9A4978.JPG" width="572" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCI1542NnBzTR807hvO4XE4aWJF5RE6HlXHJ4-p1iW0visdCQyf0cZneQyGM2qP0vEJml1xTq2rAJYqc1AzP2rG0KuAOvC_LBLco0WEBACtj3_-3-XBYO2tERHsdjgShmsCTv6xlhtzFp4BPyd-QjDC5IY7sVwqzrzj4yPcYx48yCmrPhvok5dbtj-7y95/s3641/_J9A4961.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3114" data-original-width="3641" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCI1542NnBzTR807hvO4XE4aWJF5RE6HlXHJ4-p1iW0visdCQyf0cZneQyGM2qP0vEJml1xTq2rAJYqc1AzP2rG0KuAOvC_LBLco0WEBACtj3_-3-XBYO2tERHsdjgShmsCTv6xlhtzFp4BPyd-QjDC5IY7sVwqzrzj4yPcYx48yCmrPhvok5dbtj-7y95/w640-h548/_J9A4961.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzegWQff2U5BmFal4LJLVjhqVVrxXoFGBNAW2cGWPGH2zuhabh72ULIhj5V6TGyZ5XiUDxjARNRQtmfpf-WQk4nnIDz2Qv3c9wm9DnrT8Sx-p0-wHu6zGIjvV5xcBkRgWrl3IK4N5kNtCwxQrylh1rpOcemO3Bs11XQN_0lG-h0D46gTTQSfYKuLE3jImO/s4197/_J9A5374.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4197" data-original-width="4072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzegWQff2U5BmFal4LJLVjhqVVrxXoFGBNAW2cGWPGH2zuhabh72ULIhj5V6TGyZ5XiUDxjARNRQtmfpf-WQk4nnIDz2Qv3c9wm9DnrT8Sx-p0-wHu6zGIjvV5xcBkRgWrl3IK4N5kNtCwxQrylh1rpOcemO3Bs11XQN_0lG-h0D46gTTQSfYKuLE3jImO/w620-h640/_J9A5374.JPG" width="620" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzASSTZxU_ugSq0MAvI6Lf6T0lMxbCEjNV6D1FHaBQeBlIYTxvwCrEqwNvop0jnFACEIvLVYINJRyYFZsXDfSVnjaJjVzA2ezbdJErNplP2tY4D8bF6-fzZJ9hE8Lnl3So9MuM4uAFygXlixGUvS7SZzMGfMhVkviLtDWJQDi_01vY4WF0nfAvm9E-YcX3/s5852/_J9A5232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3961" data-original-width="5852" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzASSTZxU_ugSq0MAvI6Lf6T0lMxbCEjNV6D1FHaBQeBlIYTxvwCrEqwNvop0jnFACEIvLVYINJRyYFZsXDfSVnjaJjVzA2ezbdJErNplP2tY4D8bF6-fzZJ9hE8Lnl3So9MuM4uAFygXlixGUvS7SZzMGfMhVkviLtDWJQDi_01vY4WF0nfAvm9E-YcX3/w640-h434/_J9A5232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsiuDjD5wA9TvQrxXHRvS9ia13j6VKlzqPGJ1QS373i2kLMQOy4kZXo1KB3K_byFNKGNTRrbgBFOEtkzBIfEHcqX3G46e3FBGOX5GPuB_cNufJCL0pivcBxrjdgPEqfN6211LOEaIeaAMdMTsNqZn57qRah_1Kd61wVZ-zbt57N7HVypPWC3Dy_Bv-cxt/s3554/_J9A5123.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3554" data-original-width="2568" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsiuDjD5wA9TvQrxXHRvS9ia13j6VKlzqPGJ1QS373i2kLMQOy4kZXo1KB3K_byFNKGNTRrbgBFOEtkzBIfEHcqX3G46e3FBGOX5GPuB_cNufJCL0pivcBxrjdgPEqfN6211LOEaIeaAMdMTsNqZn57qRah_1Kd61wVZ-zbt57N7HVypPWC3Dy_Bv-cxt/w289-h400/_J9A5123.JPG" width="289" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzIuGIMnfNwODzlAIpqoSjNLSF-r7BY0BiKyIXLvJIICCo2Ypu_k04AkdGSY-itbOlR6L69_0wA0bcMBP3rsITXIAxA_pEnaahJg3RK85HhhWDpr_DPlJA7Z3FCRYfDISu6NPlYV34dtpWYjQaCquuyws7CXMyefw1_ykluggYwx2FRH-mANxkpNt2xsh/s3076/_J9A5280.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3076" data-original-width="2654" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzIuGIMnfNwODzlAIpqoSjNLSF-r7BY0BiKyIXLvJIICCo2Ypu_k04AkdGSY-itbOlR6L69_0wA0bcMBP3rsITXIAxA_pEnaahJg3RK85HhhWDpr_DPlJA7Z3FCRYfDISu6NPlYV34dtpWYjQaCquuyws7CXMyefw1_ykluggYwx2FRH-mANxkpNt2xsh/w552-h640/_J9A5280.JPG" width="552" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-8643846417211141302023-10-24T14:02:00.018-07:002024-03-09T14:13:53.150-08:00Purple Patch 24th October 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d9s6XGhWfLJNX7YSgcEkCapccfpRfg79ZCKJzqG2yvjxL3gOASeB9kqHD9kE1ZPrXer-AKoTB-YfzD1MmjDY18EdAHiMkEfMUk6uAkznvTD4sfFfrHyuG_lSsLzK27j0StigKCcM77VU_9kIoRMl-ZX0RRpyJOTBiVsgETkhGKx89t8c2p3AJyemZT-3/s4319/_J9A4085.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4319" data-original-width="4143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d9s6XGhWfLJNX7YSgcEkCapccfpRfg79ZCKJzqG2yvjxL3gOASeB9kqHD9kE1ZPrXer-AKoTB-YfzD1MmjDY18EdAHiMkEfMUk6uAkznvTD4sfFfrHyuG_lSsLzK27j0StigKCcM77VU_9kIoRMl-ZX0RRpyJOTBiVsgETkhGKx89t8c2p3AJyemZT-3/w614-h640/_J9A4085.JPG" width="614" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A Purple Heron in the neighbouring county of Gloucestershire and only twenty five minutes from my home was irresistible. The heron's chosen location was Gloucester Wildlife Trust's Whelford Pools Nature Reserve which was well known to me, as for ten years my company was located in the nearby town of Fairford and I often passed the small nature reserve, tucked away from the road behind some trees, on my way home.</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I was in no particular hurry as it was raining first thing in the morning so I left the house at around eight thirty as the rain cleared, leaving a legacy of grey clouds and puddle strewn country roads.Crossing the Cotswolds via familiar deserted rural lanes, on nearing Whelford the clouds had dispersed sufficiently to allow a weak sun to heighten the colours of the autumn trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The reserve's car park is small, with room for less than ten cars and was already almost full on my arrival but I managed to s</span>ecure the last space available and took a short muddy walk to a small hide overlooking the fringes of a lake. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_2CS87_bhPwrZW6Th7z-H4F2ulWD7lTZI68XYdeJF6NJWSMpFS97IaafG23RPQgnuUAIA1Nevq14bwZTHMI0lf2Sxmel7QuYC8sCIVs5V32d__3nadtN0HhuDafCkpMk_-o5jSJsB8Y2XcmRWz0dPYE_apZha9pP5jOZFXDB50QAqMT0ZloD596y6t1W/s4032/IMG_6559%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_2CS87_bhPwrZW6Th7z-H4F2ulWD7lTZI68XYdeJF6NJWSMpFS97IaafG23RPQgnuUAIA1Nevq14bwZTHMI0lf2Sxmel7QuYC8sCIVs5V32d__3nadtN0HhuDafCkpMk_-o5jSJsB8Y2XcmRWz0dPYE_apZha9pP5jOZFXDB50QAqMT0ZloD596y6t1W/w400-h300/IMG_6559%20(002).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Entering the hide, it too looked full but again I managed to squeeze into the last available space on a bench and looked out onto a corner of cut reeds enclosed by a fringe of uncut reeds, concealing a large lake beyond.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwZQZ8N4YKuRO4HTw6x23KoMlH3rp9HvgB4SWoD3H7zEvclbEJPBm9sPynkI8GRAa8MAv3bI0aZl25Z3wjWU5aNz5w9bXz15ENjkdyM6D6ZjOD-nLjodd8M06jPIkWHc33XIa_X-785X1pptAXaU7gmWiWKfbcjlRYsfYOYdEiysNS3DEk0_nH5wmedCu/s4032/IMG_6549%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwZQZ8N4YKuRO4HTw6x23KoMlH3rp9HvgB4SWoD3H7zEvclbEJPBm9sPynkI8GRAa8MAv3bI0aZl25Z3wjWU5aNz5w9bXz15ENjkdyM6D6ZjOD-nLjodd8M06jPIkWHc33XIa_X-785X1pptAXaU7gmWiWKfbcjlRYsfYOYdEiysNS3DEk0_nH5wmedCu/w640-h480/IMG_6549%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></span></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The view from the hide at Whelford.The heron frequented the brown area of cut reeds, at the far end by the uncut green reeds</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Purple Heron was immediately visible, its back to me as it stood motionless, neck extended downwards towards the water's edge. It was a study in concentration and caution, absolutely motionless, its back blending almost perfectly with the dead stems of the cut reeds on which it stood. Its yellow eyes were fully focused on the water, the only movement evident, came as it adjusted its stance in anticipation of a strike.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHyWlVvGKXqQyQFHD2eCPtXIYSkrZoT_DdagvRZhkeR_4v85JJkzPYwele3NxE8c-K2wSPkiudYIHZEIPpCdKT8rMi51o3vmEad1V2Y-4Tpf_Aq2JgWbyUCz-GACxEN8AC1lqrUMseCMlkg9mmMFnWxiPGNyBXIhQri-SpguCJDftc15Xb4VtQcePy02_/s4469/_J9A3594.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4469" data-original-width="3615" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHyWlVvGKXqQyQFHD2eCPtXIYSkrZoT_DdagvRZhkeR_4v85JJkzPYwele3NxE8c-K2wSPkiudYIHZEIPpCdKT8rMi51o3vmEad1V2Y-4Tpf_Aq2JgWbyUCz-GACxEN8AC1lqrUMseCMlkg9mmMFnWxiPGNyBXIhQri-SpguCJDftc15Xb4VtQcePy02_/w518-h640/_J9A3594.JPG" width="518" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The strike came as a shock, a second's transition from absolute stillness to violent action. The effort put into the projection of neck. head and bill was so forceful the heron overbalanced, correcting itself upright with splayed wings.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It retreated from the water with a Perch held crossways in its mandibles and after a period of adjustment the unfortunate fish was swallowed head first.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfheq6XrT3q9Yo2scJoBHEDQm8pp3wGROc11s-gtGlGovftiz_lk0awVjjcwZB0ub5PjqcG0PK-yRFI3YRZzqB8sbN8dHDZE8zboLSEBVNzTKoMEOmR5dGO8XSpHC9caqGl3mxVA_59b5RnqzFeMgY1Slfqb7vLkN9f6fWE9K8DcAy9JaFiBlcWLWj-RoF/s2922/_J9A3000.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2922" data-original-width="2068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfheq6XrT3q9Yo2scJoBHEDQm8pp3wGROc11s-gtGlGovftiz_lk0awVjjcwZB0ub5PjqcG0PK-yRFI3YRZzqB8sbN8dHDZE8zboLSEBVNzTKoMEOmR5dGO8XSpHC9caqGl3mxVA_59b5RnqzFeMgY1Slfqb7vLkN9f6fWE9K8DcAy9JaFiBlcWLWj-RoF/w452-h640/_J9A3000.JPG" width="452" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyFiAj17IoMgIfSTtVPiNKCWzWa52eYBx_K2UZzFu69SUSMM1_ExRFJ3qh8JcpQkeZ7s0zZl3sTPci0SpvKNM8vRG6YGOqqI2l0i8n-XXkEDso4GjjqluLwBWpRDHO1A-mgMQbbf9XepoEqY9ZEarHV3K0jWr_iS_y4tvtxPottZJJRmmUByN0u-c3-kk/s866/_J9A3110.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="866" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyFiAj17IoMgIfSTtVPiNKCWzWa52eYBx_K2UZzFu69SUSMM1_ExRFJ3qh8JcpQkeZ7s0zZl3sTPci0SpvKNM8vRG6YGOqqI2l0i8n-XXkEDso4GjjqluLwBWpRDHO1A-mgMQbbf9XepoEqY9ZEarHV3K0jWr_iS_y4tvtxPottZJJRmmUByN0u-c3-kk/w400-h353/_J9A3110.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuikp79zYfq0KyBdAsfqkjLpfbcNenLkjHMCKSebFfR3d2swOY3Q8A5XYUrxc4a0ubxYk7pm0YgS3RPgefq7EZIDqVcIT31JOKw7G74H6_6PUXWj3SAQlN9bH3CJE_QmaqqkEpsVRTo65VzCJuEx_hwzGJyJvXbkkeloVP3u6X7NGHI9nfdEdHhhbFmfI/s3119/_J9A3073.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3119" data-original-width="1931" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuikp79zYfq0KyBdAsfqkjLpfbcNenLkjHMCKSebFfR3d2swOY3Q8A5XYUrxc4a0ubxYk7pm0YgS3RPgefq7EZIDqVcIT31JOKw7G74H6_6PUXWj3SAQlN9bH3CJE_QmaqqkEpsVRTo65VzCJuEx_hwzGJyJvXbkkeloVP3u6X7NGHI9nfdEdHhhbFmfI/w396-h640/_J9A3073.JPG" width="396" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I could but rejoice at this unforeseen opportunity to watch a bird that is,under normal circumstances so evasive, its secretive, reed dwelling existence rendering it almost impossible to view for a prolonged time yet here one was, in a relatively open situation and on view for long periods, unsuspecting of its hushed admirers crammed into a small hide.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Smaller than a Grey Heron, it looks far less robust almost emaciated, its narrow head and yellow orange bill supported by an unfeasibly thin, noticeably kinked neck which it could stretch out to some considerable distance.Its legs and feet were sulphur yellow and the toes very long and thin. It would move with stealth, slowly and alternately extending each leg to take a long measured stride whilst at other times it would hold one foot in the air, suspended for seconds in ultra caution, before moving on. Sudden movement was an anathema unless to strike at a fish.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStzaoX4ZDwM64MFDJj7Ie-y-4dcecL2rBRUb_2ye1MDgtwFBAkuamHFK-ZdsoZoo52mu0H7ZNQO8u_M5ztCh1YyRABbh4UnPS7WcnjWXfv22hfBY8orO_-0aHq-60Rpe_6BXX13fUoF9cbtEARU2trl8-rBCUB9tZU2AVEwhjGs-EKQArZfuQIZWi6Yo4/s3960/_J9A3150.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3960" data-original-width="3450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStzaoX4ZDwM64MFDJj7Ie-y-4dcecL2rBRUb_2ye1MDgtwFBAkuamHFK-ZdsoZoo52mu0H7ZNQO8u_M5ztCh1YyRABbh4UnPS7WcnjWXfv22hfBY8orO_-0aHq-60Rpe_6BXX13fUoF9cbtEARU2trl8-rBCUB9tZU2AVEwhjGs-EKQArZfuQIZWi6Yo4/w558-h640/_J9A3150.JPG" width="558" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9akoiYNb2hiyJ52fND8GGdOrXzsdVpAjkttmxFXQpaVCBC2wlg4u373htAKPVDvnVVbv53hrEek8fYuh4kST4Z-1tmfWaSFC5bpAuJjiKo6-TXIJBNuHCWkbcjVDZknzGFwPTtMKDkIt3ihBWE7teLL7tho9L2kAWwZrRTtRskjXN-OYKYdZIqtfZqIXN/s4367/_J9A3157.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4367" data-original-width="3603" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9akoiYNb2hiyJ52fND8GGdOrXzsdVpAjkttmxFXQpaVCBC2wlg4u373htAKPVDvnVVbv53hrEek8fYuh4kST4Z-1tmfWaSFC5bpAuJjiKo6-TXIJBNuHCWkbcjVDZknzGFwPTtMKDkIt3ihBWE7teLL7tho9L2kAWwZrRTtRskjXN-OYKYdZIqtfZqIXN/w528-h640/_J9A3157.JPG" width="528" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A young bird born this year, its upperbody plumage was reddish brown with a white chin and throat, its duller white neck and breast liberally lined with black. Its underbody was sandy brown.The flight feathers were black and its tail extremely short but one was drawn to its head from which yellow expressionless eyes stared either side of a formidable bill of black, orange and yellow,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDLPd6YIvtXobElX0uSiDkjE4kMWDPNGG81lWmvgMsG1j6S0NH2zjT1DpZFpQqx1oocWkqmPkXd8IqflOrAw10FR_yV8DhMTK_BMDVILfJXqXqCH6eJODcwo_IH8nZGUvGXzdIXRJtFTHi2qnNGa_Y42ivQtq1FaxbEub-PQ5_I4BRlZwKq9U-J35QICV/s4095/_J9A3925.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4095" data-original-width="3616" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDLPd6YIvtXobElX0uSiDkjE4kMWDPNGG81lWmvgMsG1j6S0NH2zjT1DpZFpQqx1oocWkqmPkXd8IqflOrAw10FR_yV8DhMTK_BMDVILfJXqXqCH6eJODcwo_IH8nZGUvGXzdIXRJtFTHi2qnNGa_Y42ivQtq1FaxbEub-PQ5_I4BRlZwKq9U-J35QICV/w566-h640/_J9A3925.JPG" width="566" /></a></div></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwjtu2981F_RAFx1i7WRb0eZf5RSZxoeqE_efOM8mE2OMnlpKfNQvNZc7g_vpEpSNo-TQwr4npVx6YjsXL7vJd9gTB1eD45sS4cIbrtNUqnaCtuCawLoHL955KPdYfKV0udwbbC6pv4sfOWSnVsNKq9NNQ2ZLCVw61hjNXWdMcDXylzvd7smzuI0RhTO2/s4056/_J9A3975.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4056" data-original-width="3828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwjtu2981F_RAFx1i7WRb0eZf5RSZxoeqE_efOM8mE2OMnlpKfNQvNZc7g_vpEpSNo-TQwr4npVx6YjsXL7vJd9gTB1eD45sS4cIbrtNUqnaCtuCawLoHL955KPdYfKV0udwbbC6pv4sfOWSnVsNKq9NNQ2ZLCVw61hjNXWdMcDXylzvd7smzuI0RhTO2/w604-h640/_J9A3975.JPG" width="604" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyXQU-zJkuZqG-a-xqn1b5FOt4oxIDCrItNU0PFhe3qNfoJmsZQ8t0lB1uInVw4mP0jkvOOXqKA3bENHfBTs50vhEy81tX0iHH5geJvZRIcWDjPXBKJfl8NcjBHSdrCDLYssb9Ohbj6bnNqjq0sDMDDLkB91JGrvBSexvvaleQEETPe2BUjjLsUIcAQ04/s5516/_J9A3989.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5516" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyXQU-zJkuZqG-a-xqn1b5FOt4oxIDCrItNU0PFhe3qNfoJmsZQ8t0lB1uInVw4mP0jkvOOXqKA3bENHfBTs50vhEy81tX0iHH5geJvZRIcWDjPXBKJfl8NcjBHSdrCDLYssb9Ohbj6bnNqjq0sDMDDLkB91JGrvBSexvvaleQEETPe2BUjjLsUIcAQ04/w640-h538/_J9A3989.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The heron, with great deliberation moved along the edge of the water from one side of the cut reed patch to the other. Halting at favoured points, it would stand and regard the water, poised to strike should any fish betray itself. I saw it catch at least three fish, all Perch and it also missed several others.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0X3Y8ZBn-92G0QciCk8iTNMVAc7ohnrp1r_6IQ_vCVQUw_A0OYkpDvVfu8lk445wMVmHE_E1rRF6DinTbFwPwDKgipcvH7anhdQmy6uRbB-fAe8Ad7JybPDRRRomNww5lyqHwLEEMAj9uh4qCpA35OZBon-vvUHwjYOWQJwaAco8zJcMJPjL6teRWrmQ/s5124/_J9A3577.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4567" data-original-width="5124" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0X3Y8ZBn-92G0QciCk8iTNMVAc7ohnrp1r_6IQ_vCVQUw_A0OYkpDvVfu8lk445wMVmHE_E1rRF6DinTbFwPwDKgipcvH7anhdQmy6uRbB-fAe8Ad7JybPDRRRomNww5lyqHwLEEMAj9uh4qCpA35OZBon-vvUHwjYOWQJwaAco8zJcMJPjL6teRWrmQ/w640-h570/_J9A3577.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvYQd8CeuSdyUjoUv9U-lA3k3_WiuM_wU9AkeSwOg0nBflLUoV8AldcjL8kocSs3IvxXOdD5kaeBPLNv2MptHH3i59_vH9e9Db6lLAsuSYN4j3FxPeNFbVqRm0NqoUPej51b5m51gV4Z7FO-xPBZx2wrCItuk2iu8Ybq9jpBvQ30OBoW2UBBu9FGNh1AP/s5274/_J9A3871.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3973" data-original-width="5274" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvYQd8CeuSdyUjoUv9U-lA3k3_WiuM_wU9AkeSwOg0nBflLUoV8AldcjL8kocSs3IvxXOdD5kaeBPLNv2MptHH3i59_vH9e9Db6lLAsuSYN4j3FxPeNFbVqRm0NqoUPej51b5m51gV4Z7FO-xPBZx2wrCItuk2iu8Ybq9jpBvQ30OBoW2UBBu9FGNh1AP/w640-h482/_J9A3871.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Purple Herons are not that unusual in Britain with up to twenty birds being recorded annually, mainly between April and October, although they are normally a bird of central and southern Europe where they are migratory, moving south to Africa in winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The individuals that reach us are often dispersing juveniles and currently there is another on Marazion Marsh in Cornwall.Occasionally juveniles have been found in my home county of Oxfordshire and in 2010 a pair even bred at Dungeness in Kent. I suppose with the warming of our climate there is a good chance this will be another southern European species that will colonise Britain as have Glossy Ibis, Great, Little and Cattle Egrets. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For two fulfilling hours I watched the heron, almost constantly on view, until it stood at the furthest end of its secluded corner in the reeds, shook its feathers and flew up and over the reeds but not very far, athough rendering itself invisible in the process.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQUpmGiFD9K2exSx6ao-SwPok5HZz2eXM6cW_uszLzdlo7ryi1-pkRfSDZ1PG-5ioW3T2ZlIZR2AOWkF6maPxVyh66kx4vK6m2-v-3yM66hVdu0lSghC0vf5FBq8wmYvmN1aUJiW1NQSHFOBENpTbduzCnmwdju8wovMptw5_NTjDMFIqUDw-Br5Ke2Ld/s4568/_J9A4290.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4568" data-original-width="4416" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQUpmGiFD9K2exSx6ao-SwPok5HZz2eXM6cW_uszLzdlo7ryi1-pkRfSDZ1PG-5ioW3T2ZlIZR2AOWkF6maPxVyh66kx4vK6m2-v-3yM66hVdu0lSghC0vf5FBq8wmYvmN1aUJiW1NQSHFOBENpTbduzCnmwdju8wovMptw5_NTjDMFIqUDw-Br5Ke2Ld/w618-h640/_J9A4290.JPG" width="618" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLSZQI230ArEJ7-xxm8wfo4CTmcMBkfIdiCB64GQcBGlE9emAbMrYb6fKR4pAJJ43vUQ3KhW_PbT6we2dDps-_-GpM5YVtyRNvBhmWtDDut3ORUeUjWShKVHA497gNog8nXA23IhvGcBOTbZgvwRUuMYGq5IJkTPklhogTF_TGgQe3JqBjdJyDeUjC8gJ/s5808/_J9A4292.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLSZQI230ArEJ7-xxm8wfo4CTmcMBkfIdiCB64GQcBGlE9emAbMrYb6fKR4pAJJ43vUQ3KhW_PbT6we2dDps-_-GpM5YVtyRNvBhmWtDDut3ORUeUjWShKVHA497gNog8nXA23IhvGcBOTbZgvwRUuMYGq5IJkTPklhogTF_TGgQe3JqBjdJyDeUjC8gJ/w400-h320/_J9A4292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWYlTtWSWFiuLHrsQoXUk7nAAvSnNRXsTUvFDaJ6E-BYsLR_ycYK103msJTY2ouroaPGIRJWciiRIsRRwKEZPAcO2DN13cPKgtL0icgIC66vxAGSBU-2CwCFrx9LFu_KfK9qUX8i8AlYrBvHskBBROq0mfxLB3tmL_zlLTUJHRrxIvYDKO2VVqXOhuyhM/s5416/_J9A4293.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="5416" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWYlTtWSWFiuLHrsQoXUk7nAAvSnNRXsTUvFDaJ6E-BYsLR_ycYK103msJTY2ouroaPGIRJWciiRIsRRwKEZPAcO2DN13cPKgtL0icgIC66vxAGSBU-2CwCFrx9LFu_KfK9qUX8i8AlYrBvHskBBROq0mfxLB3tmL_zlLTUJHRrxIvYDKO2VVqXOhuyhM/w640-h548/_J9A4293.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4mECze5ig6ocrgsl0g5sLDQtfFDYuM3BevbJDJQc_yVsMiyfQDrw8k-jROF0WhmbbrrV3Np63WobWRo7uAWkFMiEt9x5PHTkIaDODThjsjLM9hyCzcmZL5X4qg10NnVqcBiokL_JkUeJxhp52IlbwdJmYylf4QLMVmpoTSU_OBFnkSHQpMgFKVGOrofv/s6960/_J9A4296.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4mECze5ig6ocrgsl0g5sLDQtfFDYuM3BevbJDJQc_yVsMiyfQDrw8k-jROF0WhmbbrrV3Np63WobWRo7uAWkFMiEt9x5PHTkIaDODThjsjLM9hyCzcmZL5X4qg10NnVqcBiokL_JkUeJxhp52IlbwdJmYylf4QLMVmpoTSU_OBFnkSHQpMgFKVGOrofv/w400-h266/_J9A4296.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk06_HN0v8rj_lxnyARW0pWiCj06xl_Gc0U0FONz8O-uJO4iEwf7MycAllsyPrQGo-37SQPOJ6YvVxmKUJi_7ia6sWoGh3D_xg4yqm49bjE5HRr_PUAd0voLy-sQ7-2UC7dor1s1zRnAPNbCHe2OMFx-IiWIqrV05QBeRBu9E4GjKWS4BLZAMmAJUFuLU/s4640/_J9A4301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="4616" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk06_HN0v8rj_lxnyARW0pWiCj06xl_Gc0U0FONz8O-uJO4iEwf7MycAllsyPrQGo-37SQPOJ6YvVxmKUJi_7ia6sWoGh3D_xg4yqm49bjE5HRr_PUAd0voLy-sQ7-2UC7dor1s1zRnAPNbCHe2OMFx-IiWIqrV05QBeRBu9E4GjKWS4BLZAMmAJUFuLU/w636-h640/_J9A4301.JPG" width="636" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Cue a mass exodus from the hide. I stepped out into the warm noon sunshine of a late autumn day, the leaves now turning a traditional yellow in an embracing stillness. The melancholy of autumn but </span><span style="font-family: times;">I left for home more than happy and content.</span></div>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-31950738020486985832023-10-23T08:54:00.023-07:002024-02-05T11:23:14.016-08:00Hanging out with the Bunting 21st October 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRtEyKouvjmIa50U0s_a6PHkG6utVanU1jyRD9wZEQxJ_9PwNRkRMJ8nlAl0USZ1ctM8cJX_GStOAPFAbfinB4IB0jNjgpymbSQ3SWUauw28N-x4-Hr3m7ta_OO8b1UoakaaMjeDQgbvWfJRXBt4hntFTYReKgV6RlDeWlwLrVgvZKbjHi1QBq3P4RgJ0/s2683/_J9A2761.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="2547" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRtEyKouvjmIa50U0s_a6PHkG6utVanU1jyRD9wZEQxJ_9PwNRkRMJ8nlAl0USZ1ctM8cJX_GStOAPFAbfinB4IB0jNjgpymbSQ3SWUauw28N-x4-Hr3m7ta_OO8b1UoakaaMjeDQgbvWfJRXBt4hntFTYReKgV6RlDeWlwLrVgvZKbjHi1QBq3P4RgJ0/w608-h640/_J9A2761.JPG" width="608" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A long time friend of mine, Hugh, called during the week suggesting a day's birding on the East Coast. Hugh, now living near Peterborough with a young family and me semi retired in Oxfordshire means that we usually only manage an annual birding reunion.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Forecast winds from the East had got us birding folk very energised this past week but it all came to nought and failed to produce anything which was really exciting before our chosen day to go birding.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We arranged to meet at a mutually convenient midway point in Lincolnshire and Hugh would then drive us to Spurn in Yorkshire. If nothing else it would be nice to be out birding without the anxieties and pressures of chasing after a rarity. It would also be good to see Hugh again and catch up on a year's news.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We arrived at Spurn at first light, the road leading to Kilnsea littered with newly arrived tired migrants, mainly Blackbirds, Redwings and Song Thrushes. Parking the car we stepped out into a raw and damp early morning, the cold air amplifying the harsh calls of many Fieldfares as they flew above us making landfall from their long journey across the sea.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The sea was spectacular, a huge swell, the legacy of earlier storms, causing a corrugation of giant rolling waves, rising as they made landfall to crash down in a thunder of white surf and foam on the exposed eastern side of the point whilst on the other side of the point, comparatively sheltered, the exposed tidal mudflats harboured the scattered forms of countless feeding waders - large and small.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Slowly my tiredness from an early start evaporated and my spirit entered into the wide, open, lonely sky and seascapes of the mighty Humber Estuary and the saltmarshes of Spurn Point. Hundreds of hungry Redwings and Fieldfares, newly arrived from the North Sea, exploded from a multitude of berry laden hawthorn bushes as we approached them.The mournful calls of Grey Plovers came from the ranks of the thousands of wading birds feeding on the mud before an advancing tide. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A Woodcock came up and over the ridge we stood on, nearly colliding with us as it passed at waist height between us, so close you could hear the air pass through its wings.Its curious neckless and portly silhouette utterly distinctive as it powered away over the saltmarsh.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We had an early minor triumph, watching at some distance a Rough legged Buzzard, by no means an annual migrant here, being mobbed by three crows. This certainly set us up for the day as we continued to check likely places for birds.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We failed to find the reported Firecrest and Richard's Pipit but a female Ring Ouzel scoffing hawthorn berries and a distant Waxwing were welcome. After a reviving coffee from the YWT(Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) centre we made for Beacon Ponds to view a drake American Wigeon consorting with its commoner cousins and a little further, a juvenile Long tailed Duck occupied a smaller pond as two Northern Wheatears bounced across the adjacent muddy saltings.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Consulting my BirdGuides app I saw that an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler on Whalsay in Shetland had been re-identified as a much rarer Western Olivaceous Warbler. A first for Britain. no less. I called Mark and we half heartedly discussed the logistics of returning to Shetland. Having only left there less than a week ago, frankly I was just going through the motions, my heart not really in it and was glad when we discovered that there were no cabins available on the Northlink ferry to Shetland for the coming week, so it was mission abandoned.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">More to the point, while consulting BirdGuides we saw that a Siberian Stonechat had been reported during the morning from Northcliff Marsh near Flamborough Head further up the Yorkshire coast.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Having just about seen all we could at Spurn and knowing a Siberian Stonechat would be a lifer for Hugh we decided to drive north to Flamborough.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Little did we suspect the thrilling events that would await us there.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The rain of yesterday had flooded many of the ploughed fields in the flat lands around Spurn and large flashes of shallow water lay on the waterlogged earth. This in turn had attracted many Black headed Gulls and more unexpectedly lured some Little Gulls inland and these were now also flying over the flashes feeding much as terns do, dipping and swooping to pick prey from the water's surface.One such area of water we came to had a small flock of no less than six adult and sub adult Little Gulls and a juvenile Kittiwake feeding right by the road.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_P0Tqz6wqA91RMYc7hd2qDN8Mkg66ZmcX1XcVDdUwOPApzHcd5qkK8AFNPbqaCYC_Lo7CfW1fMDRkHsJh229YQuBHlOAdGvYkUTcgcS0utP4TZdf6P-_K0AKc1orM_3Fg4Obvpq9wbAy8V91zuXNIfqfxQepQRqeOv8bZOEzWqTVg9HtDwyX0kHNH2LH/s4032/IMG_6516%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_P0Tqz6wqA91RMYc7hd2qDN8Mkg66ZmcX1XcVDdUwOPApzHcd5qkK8AFNPbqaCYC_Lo7CfW1fMDRkHsJh229YQuBHlOAdGvYkUTcgcS0utP4TZdf6P-_K0AKc1orM_3Fg4Obvpq9wbAy8V91zuXNIfqfxQepQRqeOv8bZOEzWqTVg9HtDwyX0kHNH2LH/w640-h480/IMG_6516%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ft1dWGFM135r8zDs-T-tSC0yyaRlUENfMIx0OFDvx2Ux3vrZlb3o98v6H_E5wO1Hs8nf0d2CCsL-Ro7KBRx1cQLCk7WcWx2NBqKTBmrSdK253_BxHj4-qWvFV_-jAZcjALUsFWmh8HAxlhuewmn_5meQ5H8k8yc7osAwZ9GG5DlBVDC5xiT_JjInxm8l/s4032/IMG_6520%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ft1dWGFM135r8zDs-T-tSC0yyaRlUENfMIx0OFDvx2Ux3vrZlb3o98v6H_E5wO1Hs8nf0d2CCsL-Ro7KBRx1cQLCk7WcWx2NBqKTBmrSdK253_BxHj4-qWvFV_-jAZcjALUsFWmh8HAxlhuewmn_5meQ5H8k8yc7osAwZ9GG5DlBVDC5xiT_JjInxm8l/w640-h480/IMG_6520%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">This was too good an opportunity to miss and asking Hugh to stop the car I made the most of it with my camera as the gulls flew back and fore in front of me.They are such exquisite creatures, ballerina's of the sky, petite and with a buoyant flight they glide and flutter with an innate elegance, dipping down to seize prey from the water's surface, their every movement the epitomy of grace.</span> </div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ICj-mRbe3epO4WI9QEZitBA2JqZ_tdS0RDAkJCby4_cRM7sFJg2yKNZV-A9z57pTKPU_jAnVfdcRXlgfUpM4vEqNGtbdmK7NBaD31FuZcKYU2aJsyTItZ0HjAWpFpLlfPoU6-ArpdlUUFEc6CW4IUMZwkvyimiU-wHRkVEW57GfGhYr98xaYMHpPN-WW/s3855/_J9A9515.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3629" data-original-width="3855" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ICj-mRbe3epO4WI9QEZitBA2JqZ_tdS0RDAkJCby4_cRM7sFJg2yKNZV-A9z57pTKPU_jAnVfdcRXlgfUpM4vEqNGtbdmK7NBaD31FuZcKYU2aJsyTItZ0HjAWpFpLlfPoU6-ArpdlUUFEc6CW4IUMZwkvyimiU-wHRkVEW57GfGhYr98xaYMHpPN-WW/w640-h602/_J9A9515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoFllNNwiy-2kRIAxfP3EQN2dk2gKG6ZoP2kdzO0vgwAlRdsw3HYqQDRLrn5HGVTpJ3waQ25QYZSxTLaJR246Ft_-OYC8ogOzhI8nP1uKWW055_fpAzhpu5yIJ7yaS8T8slRtfdH_DLyFPCSiNvc142cBGmRtuOlKFWjHMUWb7F5AlYhGE2pTx7KCi98B/s1976/_J9A9133.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1777" data-original-width="1976" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoFllNNwiy-2kRIAxfP3EQN2dk2gKG6ZoP2kdzO0vgwAlRdsw3HYqQDRLrn5HGVTpJ3waQ25QYZSxTLaJR246Ft_-OYC8ogOzhI8nP1uKWW055_fpAzhpu5yIJ7yaS8T8slRtfdH_DLyFPCSiNvc142cBGmRtuOlKFWjHMUWb7F5AlYhGE2pTx7KCi98B/w400-h360/_J9A9133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_WR2o0ukyx5KO3ufL9MJ3v-ftoLG9C8T-vluLf7rUYhjdUgy_IeIobGHiZvmirM1KgHaWIkiwDYMrInJu4DeKSwoNsvcEkOA8pLAtWUyjARa2zPgNbESXlE8348IqRReQa6shMtuQGhS-VnOqmAb-3K8U0lJV1jVdiMNKlV52tLBPHptyKX6NfikMeQB/s2051/_J9A9108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1736" data-original-width="2051" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_WR2o0ukyx5KO3ufL9MJ3v-ftoLG9C8T-vluLf7rUYhjdUgy_IeIobGHiZvmirM1KgHaWIkiwDYMrInJu4DeKSwoNsvcEkOA8pLAtWUyjARa2zPgNbESXlE8348IqRReQa6shMtuQGhS-VnOqmAb-3K8U0lJV1jVdiMNKlV52tLBPHptyKX6NfikMeQB/w400-h339/_J9A9108.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HfGSzyaDEbo1wNw545XTyIhUcumZS2TThlgkUd85ww_JHi0fltuvLhEDvr928jbSLifWrOS_0WIcB38jDaeu5BakBxPgKaUitnxaIXsNUi3BZBkOx256pViTI05wOOt2ZXs4An8wg5aJAoCxQyNMyj61baMbimX4bdytOvqWNBvVVtPAY5vGcUdp7wTf/s2716/_J9A9742.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="2716" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HfGSzyaDEbo1wNw545XTyIhUcumZS2TThlgkUd85ww_JHi0fltuvLhEDvr928jbSLifWrOS_0WIcB38jDaeu5BakBxPgKaUitnxaIXsNUi3BZBkOx256pViTI05wOOt2ZXs4An8wg5aJAoCxQyNMyj61baMbimX4bdytOvqWNBvVVtPAY5vGcUdp7wTf/w640-h596/_J9A9742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZnZ5G-h7HAKo9x68pzVGhzw596YBQ_kDO1YUOjJQZP4sytiznFNWZbRD_PBusvGuCRchRekJReG-_R96KlC9-T5Z0opIxmvykc6HdXRvJbJUMhOBFcG6oawNfQ_6U_XRRuu2vT8lyyyAZ83-5ndgbTqijFO2u3TorUY2nv0p43JtTWTxAXhpMG2yZ1HE/s2890/_J9A9740.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2294" data-original-width="2890" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZnZ5G-h7HAKo9x68pzVGhzw596YBQ_kDO1YUOjJQZP4sytiznFNWZbRD_PBusvGuCRchRekJReG-_R96KlC9-T5Z0opIxmvykc6HdXRvJbJUMhOBFcG6oawNfQ_6U_XRRuu2vT8lyyyAZ83-5ndgbTqijFO2u3TorUY2nv0p43JtTWTxAXhpMG2yZ1HE/w400-h318/_J9A9740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHrCkoaX9t2XtrlK-p9pbh3p93dVkDrJj6F5514UhPIXBJs9ydIKkNf0-yCX8EBidohWw3iXNxva9OWpY-a1_DAg2mcQDD5sJbr595Nq3khoDy9R9RuVg4nvTQ5BIIH7UaDZyfecNFTBR-Cxrz5P4fH7s6POdlR8b19boOOSyY_YPx1WUmjlKVr4P4iGf/s2990/_J9A9499.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2990" data-original-width="2346" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHrCkoaX9t2XtrlK-p9pbh3p93dVkDrJj6F5514UhPIXBJs9ydIKkNf0-yCX8EBidohWw3iXNxva9OWpY-a1_DAg2mcQDD5sJbr595Nq3khoDy9R9RuVg4nvTQ5BIIH7UaDZyfecNFTBR-Cxrz5P4fH7s6POdlR8b19boOOSyY_YPx1WUmjlKVr4P4iGf/w502-h640/_J9A9499.JPG" width="502" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLMfyfj093WYJwKR8Cxa5jkpfA4kF4e63PX80XQarGIoHs8j3aKayO5kHgJJsxCWuFHyJfUlOKlnIfBIbnywQ-F5u0fut_sH6qcFemybXXgddzOx_Z2EhR49rz6U2Y5NY_wDqNYIrbCEL6w_4u9mMDjHcYMCAhpUqzpmW4GZh0wgiOBObnYq3cYr4SPuh/s2301/_J9A9449.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2301" data-original-width="2127" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLMfyfj093WYJwKR8Cxa5jkpfA4kF4e63PX80XQarGIoHs8j3aKayO5kHgJJsxCWuFHyJfUlOKlnIfBIbnywQ-F5u0fut_sH6qcFemybXXgddzOx_Z2EhR49rz6U2Y5NY_wDqNYIrbCEL6w_4u9mMDjHcYMCAhpUqzpmW4GZh0wgiOBObnYq3cYr4SPuh/w592-h640/_J9A9449.JPG" width="592" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;">I could have remained on this quiet road for some time but we had to make our way to Flamborough as hopefully a lifer for Hugh awaited us. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Arriving at Flamborough we had lost the sun but the predicted rain was not in evidence.We now had a kilometre walk to where the Siberian Stonechat had last been reported but that was some hours ago.We took the cliff top path that wends its muddy and slippery way around the back of a golf course, close to the cliff edge.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Below us the sea was wild, immense waves roaring onto the rocks below, a mass of white foam and thundering breakers producing a suitably impressive soundtrack to augment the spectacular views of the chalk cliffs. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklWXKkAolL7H3nHgyL9blQt5EumbRi54QGZt6P8jCWgvYrifm2VZ-a25nlTMSzU5j2wrTaRqoNxMTNNjOVp1mey7vb971ftIA1bJwB8uJurIEW0DDSf7rYwS40TwdwNLls0rqZSdaZXXoZQ_XfUTkf7boyOWlfvYIrqD40aOtoYoozIbOK6tgFIIXzSXY/s4032/IMG_6528%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklWXKkAolL7H3nHgyL9blQt5EumbRi54QGZt6P8jCWgvYrifm2VZ-a25nlTMSzU5j2wrTaRqoNxMTNNjOVp1mey7vb971ftIA1bJwB8uJurIEW0DDSf7rYwS40TwdwNLls0rqZSdaZXXoZQ_XfUTkf7boyOWlfvYIrqD40aOtoYoozIbOK6tgFIIXzSXY/w640-h480/IMG_6528%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We met a returning birder who brought instant relief by telling us 'the sibe' was still there. We walked further along the path, winding its uncertain way along the cliff top and two local birders caught up with us.They seemed in a great hurry and I fell behind as they passed me but Hugh kept up with them, chatting.I assumed he was ultra keen to get to the stonechat as soon as possible and told him to go on and I would catch up. Eventually we came to a place where it was required to turn off the path and walk alongside a field and then turn right. skirting a ditch before entering another vast field of waterlogged stubble. Half a dozen local birders were standing near the edge looking at some brambles and bushes by another ditch that continued around the side of the field.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Hugh already had his scope pointed at a bird in the brambles.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Have a look through the scope.What do you see?</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">He was unnaturally excited but who would not be at seeing a lifer.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I looked through the scope expecting to see the Siberian Stonechat but I could not see anything.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Look again</i> he said.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I looked and saw a non descript bird half hidden by dead grasses, perched on a bramble spray.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>What's that</i>? I enquired.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>It's either a Black or Red headed Bunting </i>he replied, grinning </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>What</i>!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Now I too became excited as the implications of this momentous event became apparent. I need both these species for my British List.Whichever one it was I was guaranteed a new addition to my List. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">But how come news of it had not been put out?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Hugh told me that whilst walking out with the two local birders they had told him that they were going to see a mystery bunting and not the Siberian Stonechat and showed the bunting to him when they got in the field.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Apparently the bunting had been found on Thursday by another local birder.He took some photos of it but then found the Siberian Stonechat and in his excitement at his discovery of the stonechat forgot all about the non descript bunting he had photo'd.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was only on Saturday when reviewing his photos he noted the bunting but unsure as to what it was notified some of his local friends who went to see it.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">They too were unsure what it was and the news was only put out nationally in the late afternoon just before we arrived at Flamborough.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Some other locals managed to come and see it in the late afternoon and early evening but there was never a large number of birders, maybe six or seven at the most.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The bunting sat on its bramble spray </span><span style="font-family: times;">for a long time</span><span style="font-family: times;">, perching on one leg, relaxed and seemingly at ease as we all stood at a respectful distance and admired it.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-eapVnfmcJTALlM78Bb9W1GV2Vfbvx_uYNF6ISlg8xrQTbXxyay8W581M-dQMFXPgZJBfxFHjHP7K736Z047GURMuj-1DoYpuuRs2b3lh29zZkSMPlFGTfWya7z3dSyDqbVbHBnrJrwEKkvY6LLwba0mxWbXk_Yw7_ltzjRSSVnUExhaf2M6sxeEguqV/s2165/_J9A0189.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2094" data-original-width="2165" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-eapVnfmcJTALlM78Bb9W1GV2Vfbvx_uYNF6ISlg8xrQTbXxyay8W581M-dQMFXPgZJBfxFHjHP7K736Z047GURMuj-1DoYpuuRs2b3lh29zZkSMPlFGTfWya7z3dSyDqbVbHBnrJrwEKkvY6LLwba0mxWbXk_Yw7_ltzjRSSVnUExhaf2M6sxeEguqV/w640-h620/_J9A0189.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It eventually roused itself and flew further down the hedge to the bottom of the field and two locals went to collect some droppings from its former perch for DNA analysis by Dr Martin Collinson at Aberdeen University. Hopefully this will confirm one way or another the bunting's identity.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eX5lB-oVrnbMwONIJfrL5pkOApaa5tpzYlbvWYE7LoezricxQdqJzpWBlPiHqK4xIlaNa2ai_hx5zxoUpCnuJuTaGTnCIQDCnIv6XEeUbv-SzXJNiemhyoP51lpwTUVlIb_ngp4r_uwx3F0C208Hpm5FBCKeXVq7o5DtVN3v2e09rkVVCwgyEwTz97cw/s4032/IMG_6523%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eX5lB-oVrnbMwONIJfrL5pkOApaa5tpzYlbvWYE7LoezricxQdqJzpWBlPiHqK4xIlaNa2ai_hx5zxoUpCnuJuTaGTnCIQDCnIv6XEeUbv-SzXJNiemhyoP51lpwTUVlIb_ngp4r_uwx3F0C208Hpm5FBCKeXVq7o5DtVN3v2e09rkVVCwgyEwTz97cw/w640-h480/IMG_6523%20(002).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">The stubble field and two local birders collecting a sample from where the bunting was perched to send for DNA analysis</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Meanwhile Hugh needed to see the Siberian Stonechat which we had nearly forgotten about in the excitement.A local birder kindly took us across the field to a bramble hedge on the far side. The hedge and field are normally out of bounds except to a few local birders, so it was kind of them to take pity on us. A</span><span style="font-family: times;">fter a little wait we found it perched with a male European Stonechat for comparison on a fence line. So Hugh got to see his Siberian Stonechat and I had a potential British tick courtesy of the mystery bunting. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Who could have predicted this?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The bunting returned to the hedge near us and perched on a wire fence and in several bushes, thick with berries, giving really good views at times.It then dropped down lower onto brambles at the top of the ditch and allowed even better views.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPQbSyCvJWVuTSJLOM-R6IhAEH7lPFiG2cJhgqGkRY8B7Gj1D57UZNbLAf8qL4vZ1Qv1-FUOAnGOYneDdmuShDJaVyw_sM4wpCfoncVm0Ht8gPUWu7qwIuIW6mlaIQwnP6NTFHif8HTmMT5eveVZFTr5OwWy9lImnY8QRY7Og5arMG-o8T2f8QDJQWlQZ/s2468/_J9A0315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="2468" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPQbSyCvJWVuTSJLOM-R6IhAEH7lPFiG2cJhgqGkRY8B7Gj1D57UZNbLAf8qL4vZ1Qv1-FUOAnGOYneDdmuShDJaVyw_sM4wpCfoncVm0Ht8gPUWu7qwIuIW6mlaIQwnP6NTFHif8HTmMT5eveVZFTr5OwWy9lImnY8QRY7Og5arMG-o8T2f8QDJQWlQZ/w640-h516/_J9A0315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMASjvCL2IBWRnR1Iq0VUwvnxsgekDdpWGycTleVG2q7JyLodyxef28YhFfZozPdxzxBhj-0A7TvXzhyWFOYeNf6j8jSH6SGVX7GGR1CdWUMKtwFg7xFkR5E3W6tol8Pg5m0L4sTqZxJaXvvENkcQGRbk4GDHVUgOc3c0W1UzEQwBsYU9WdLBCZaclvM7g/s2887/_J9A0753.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="2887" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMASjvCL2IBWRnR1Iq0VUwvnxsgekDdpWGycTleVG2q7JyLodyxef28YhFfZozPdxzxBhj-0A7TvXzhyWFOYeNf6j8jSH6SGVX7GGR1CdWUMKtwFg7xFkR5E3W6tol8Pg5m0L4sTqZxJaXvvENkcQGRbk4GDHVUgOc3c0W1UzEQwBsYU9WdLBCZaclvM7g/w400-h378/_J9A0753.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S9TOaSaioTJHpzumUOJce0ksQR0d0QBUXxZgNBWndJbmyfWlESVbzs_7664KooGyCw95Yr2JVkS5Pdu9HAms-oBtTg76aQ-zFEZsTo_1JzaC1RhckDLObNv1HvM2BPEAexEO4Eyz8EP04Kp-RSI_r4ZoCUvaxfd67TWi8bpRaJ5GL3MpO5NrxQH2PSz7/s4045/_J9A0796.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3901" data-original-width="4045" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S9TOaSaioTJHpzumUOJce0ksQR0d0QBUXxZgNBWndJbmyfWlESVbzs_7664KooGyCw95Yr2JVkS5Pdu9HAms-oBtTg76aQ-zFEZsTo_1JzaC1RhckDLObNv1HvM2BPEAexEO4Eyz8EP04Kp-RSI_r4ZoCUvaxfd67TWi8bpRaJ5GL3MpO5NrxQH2PSz7/w640-h618/_J9A0796.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmRjL6ld8SCjpC9KbqgSa50Q-TBawIX_h1ReaWn1rByjKP4THI_y9fCL-8F7WHATdGROtO1K-87COKHh2v9WZBGOduo6raMSlDWvpU6k5MPpcD41E0ktgCzSix0yFtq1MjtVgShmoRsOj9v29ctJn0W9lXn_FhqNwVt9mHDpD5rxJbeuJ8hPTdAP0JfAb/s2170/_J9A1392.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2065" data-original-width="2170" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmRjL6ld8SCjpC9KbqgSa50Q-TBawIX_h1ReaWn1rByjKP4THI_y9fCL-8F7WHATdGROtO1K-87COKHh2v9WZBGOduo6raMSlDWvpU6k5MPpcD41E0ktgCzSix0yFtq1MjtVgShmoRsOj9v29ctJn0W9lXn_FhqNwVt9mHDpD5rxJbeuJ8hPTdAP0JfAb/w640-h610/_J9A1392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I made the most of it and took far too many images, aware that this bunting was controversial and by no means easy to identify, so the more images I got the better.There would inevitably be a detailed inquest in subsequent days and no doubt some controversy as to its identity and provenance so I felt it better to be prepared with my own evidence. The inquest had already commenced by the time we left with some people querying if it was really wild and maybe had escaped from an aviary but to me the claws looked sharp which they usually are not in cage birds.We will just have to wait for the debate to run its course and the DNA results to come from Aberdeen. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFO6dOWuMdQ55_cDtGufej3z5687LegrSSDZze2yR_JoKdW5TZwBBIQkYlKJimzl2Dy0nRmU3G0ocKZH1nY3_vxqN77QvU2Yk6LwIexLczXn9Qo9vTyGD39y500KrCEEs2MGkohbnbpTtpXbqIqS0ZTimpdt1U76CrPFDxjM3vkmW5f67FblhvdIrEQIB/s3082/_J9A2458.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3082" data-original-width="2876" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFO6dOWuMdQ55_cDtGufej3z5687LegrSSDZze2yR_JoKdW5TZwBBIQkYlKJimzl2Dy0nRmU3G0ocKZH1nY3_vxqN77QvU2Yk6LwIexLczXn9Qo9vTyGD39y500KrCEEs2MGkohbnbpTtpXbqIqS0ZTimpdt1U76CrPFDxjM3vkmW5f67FblhvdIrEQIB/w598-h640/_J9A2458.JPG" width="598" /><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKfTe_wVbt20E6ZHqaxB1sCkSaB_u5kOy2Y6f_s7-yFAb0HDEsuU4z12NbWXMxjko52oay65juVUD2OKGkrq7x0eT3rNUgXbC5UaDaAUcKfc7vkmeooKmFAIKbl95B-hmNO2DjXpMOt9KhIyhDy5IYvSPHfGiQJLOQYM8s5MhotDJlk1qHZIMu208bAJd/s991/_J9A2466.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="991" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKfTe_wVbt20E6ZHqaxB1sCkSaB_u5kOy2Y6f_s7-yFAb0HDEsuU4z12NbWXMxjko52oay65juVUD2OKGkrq7x0eT3rNUgXbC5UaDaAUcKfc7vkmeooKmFAIKbl95B-hmNO2DjXpMOt9KhIyhDy5IYvSPHfGiQJLOQYM8s5MhotDJlk1qHZIMu208bAJd/w400-h271/_J9A2466.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwDqMgRVLd-w1JFAlkZI5bnFKqujFtqDSwuUnl8pBsANIs9GY3kAtL3GMwb28XDnV20cQt44u2klyOcSTN1fYwMb6ly2Kk6XYpg6eIaY1DHKAUCdt_NRgCy5uVFr4NDF6Qi-o-Nq6mXmNEFk6vkGhLDrx75F0Fai0joWkBWvp8S5tHjpwu8ieFU1s1SD3/s2642/_J9A2483.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="2437" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwDqMgRVLd-w1JFAlkZI5bnFKqujFtqDSwuUnl8pBsANIs9GY3kAtL3GMwb28XDnV20cQt44u2klyOcSTN1fYwMb6ly2Kk6XYpg6eIaY1DHKAUCdt_NRgCy5uVFr4NDF6Qi-o-Nq6mXmNEFk6vkGhLDrx75F0Fai0joWkBWvp8S5tHjpwu8ieFU1s1SD3/w590-h640/_J9A2483.JPG" width="590" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs-cprct1Gy1VJ2wZMiui37Dm_gkx0lFmXxzvBqOB04L1ojQwXChjb031zllvcJ4qEmFMYoUrbAk6wy81C15xjoDxIe5qWitK6OIqgqskJlO-QcijEVUuiAsITVPVJ0strEir-iKe370KT-J4Bv0BaNjjzMqNwxf0-3teKNfLfrTgR2Nc8rASJwCZuLNY/s2725/_J9A2515.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2725" data-original-width="2199" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs-cprct1Gy1VJ2wZMiui37Dm_gkx0lFmXxzvBqOB04L1ojQwXChjb031zllvcJ4qEmFMYoUrbAk6wy81C15xjoDxIe5qWitK6OIqgqskJlO-QcijEVUuiAsITVPVJ0strEir-iKe370KT-J4Bv0BaNjjzMqNwxf0-3teKNfLfrTgR2Nc8rASJwCZuLNY/w516-h640/_J9A2515.JPG" width="516" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KJ19-dlmB458je0lAVNQhp5EgkAJl9BmEF7dlxTyZ62pVcMhlHFBPi33DKVwjf0cqPbdMolHGNcRYXxSrkIH9f2q-ybKSiI6NS776tZAXrqZOi8v0FNW-5tNFqYu8_sJGEiFU0HoOlIFN-Q2V3arq_aiKfREHiemOS0kabbh70uYbxQmqIweE2IWgALu/s4388/_J9A2602.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4388" data-original-width="4230" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KJ19-dlmB458je0lAVNQhp5EgkAJl9BmEF7dlxTyZ62pVcMhlHFBPi33DKVwjf0cqPbdMolHGNcRYXxSrkIH9f2q-ybKSiI6NS776tZAXrqZOi8v0FNW-5tNFqYu8_sJGEiFU0HoOlIFN-Q2V3arq_aiKfREHiemOS0kabbh70uYbxQmqIweE2IWgALu/w616-h640/_J9A2602.JPG" width="616" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpT-lch8qbD079E9UOCmz67O8Nf0rr8ZsAYSNUTJN_xz7uPgwnE73HNbYdhyphenhyphenkku9a15sjfc4c3AwLjWQG_Xz93t2r_ruTIVPdnUC-iqp-n4LIlJ0XOUPJqVMax3zEwuO8ZTQ4mbDoR5KsuFks8_l8hA9tNADaooJa-cgepSEaC3048ry_hpdNqMuMILro/s2683/_J9A2761.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="2547" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpT-lch8qbD079E9UOCmz67O8Nf0rr8ZsAYSNUTJN_xz7uPgwnE73HNbYdhyphenhyphenkku9a15sjfc4c3AwLjWQG_Xz93t2r_ruTIVPdnUC-iqp-n4LIlJ0XOUPJqVMax3zEwuO8ZTQ4mbDoR5KsuFks8_l8hA9tNADaooJa-cgepSEaC3048ry_hpdNqMuMILro/w608-h640/_J9A2761.JPG" width="608" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Still marvelling at our good fortune to find ourselves in the forefront of possibly a major birding find we watched this bland looking bird of streaked, pale brown and buff plumage. The only slight colouring I could detect was the faintest greenish yellow tinge to its rump and a pale yellow flush to its undertail coverts. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYwggpG2VlhlqnfGCuJzNeLTlA4si8PvYdLvSJVLc95KsGRNYPC1Fk2PofFvdMMRZH9vEttwxtgOgq1r4eARDHHmOi-QJ_hQUb-3oxMEAmAacMB3_mXOYBwTVI2Z-RQsC0dIkvA9VJhi3KsK3G01eFeIb_2UclC_q_WKOVBogJ2SFD9hEBUbqC-w3Qgn1/s2439/_J9A2799.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2439" data-original-width="1945" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYwggpG2VlhlqnfGCuJzNeLTlA4si8PvYdLvSJVLc95KsGRNYPC1Fk2PofFvdMMRZH9vEttwxtgOgq1r4eARDHHmOi-QJ_hQUb-3oxMEAmAacMB3_mXOYBwTVI2Z-RQsC0dIkvA9VJhi3KsK3G01eFeIb_2UclC_q_WKOVBogJ2SFD9hEBUbqC-w3Qgn1/w510-h640/_J9A2799.JPG" width="510" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">A stocky bird with a stout bill and a pronounced cap of crown feathers which it could raise and lower at will, it was vaguely reminiscent of a Corn Bunting in colour and somewhere between a Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting in size. It showed a definite preference for the small corner of the field we were standing in and joined a few Yellowhammers feeding in the stubble before flying back to perch in the brambles and gorse. The last we saw of it was as it perched on some gorse before flying down into the stubble field to feed.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZoju6uPhk8pWtSmG3aa4K52pGkitIxAknfVpupNm4p4cGsnGRGLa5bAD1BGXHl5hfflNX03nHYCXO-pQ1zSgUFJS6yDl8FKC0nuUylRjJDn74Hki1nVxRCaFN03qrIb26w02tivMGwGEHHrvi_KcXwD0tiGf1Zi8HcFdiTYCMX7zqlKIi6RY9AvrRe-I/s2116/_J9A2062.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1886" data-original-width="2116" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZoju6uPhk8pWtSmG3aa4K52pGkitIxAknfVpupNm4p4cGsnGRGLa5bAD1BGXHl5hfflNX03nHYCXO-pQ1zSgUFJS6yDl8FKC0nuUylRjJDn74Hki1nVxRCaFN03qrIb26w02tivMGwGEHHrvi_KcXwD0tiGf1Zi8HcFdiTYCMX7zqlKIi6RY9AvrRe-I/w640-h570/_J9A2062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;">We had been here for about an hour, reluctant to leave, knowing how rare this bird was. Hugh handed out some chocolate digestives to everyone by way of celebration and the legend that is Brett Richards made us laugh about his bizarre experience at the campsite on The Isles of Scilly when attempting to twitch the Red footed Booby.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We found other good birds here too - a ringtail Hen Harrier upset all the corvids as it quartered the next door field and just when the crows had settled down they were aggravated once more by a Short eared Owl checking out the same field.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We turned to leave as the light began to fail but just as we did a Little Bunting was found perched at the top of some low brambles at the bottom of the field. We rushed back to see it before it too slipped away.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">What a day.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A relatively low key start to our day of birding at Spurn had risen to stratospheric levels here at Flamborough.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">What an autumn it has been for rare birds.Totally unprecedented and I doubt it will ever happen again but then I said that last year.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Who can tell what may happen and that is one of the huge attractions of birding.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Nothing is impossible. Absolutely nothing. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">A subsequent detailed analysis of the plumage features of this bird by Paul French Chairman of the BBRC (British Birds Records Committee) would point to this bird being a Red headed Bunting and a first year male bird.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">If this bird proves to be a Red headed Bunting it is likely to be only the second to be confirmed to have been found in Britain. The first being on Out Skerries Shetland from the 2nd-8th of October 2010. Originally identified as an adult female Black headed Bunting it is being re-assessed by the BBRC following a re-assessment by the Norwegian Rarities Committee who re-identified it as a first winter male Red headed Bunting.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Subseequent DNA analysis at Aberdeen University has confirmed the bunting at Flamborough to be a Red headed Bunting.</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p></div></div>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3182075007676974436.post-82927911269208983142023-10-20T01:12:00.012-07:002024-03-09T14:27:37.749-08:00Autumn in Shetland Part Seven - October 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh681jrq6D8tpa49RCG1F4LdstPK9u3gY44Uoj4POJkSNCSfCzVlt7Fyt2NHnOkwNC7XF3QlV-NzaFkBk9fVR0cQwWueoBIYU2wyLQcbnhh72rGhkPmMoWIwDnJ8I7p2h1HQhIt9o2q-g9o-rt5C5B4KUURIlPwunhaEDOJAt06W1tLTds7-PDgDrTyGG/s1453/_J9A8661-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1453" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh681jrq6D8tpa49RCG1F4LdstPK9u3gY44Uoj4POJkSNCSfCzVlt7Fyt2NHnOkwNC7XF3QlV-NzaFkBk9fVR0cQwWueoBIYU2wyLQcbnhh72rGhkPmMoWIwDnJ8I7p2h1HQhIt9o2q-g9o-rt5C5B4KUURIlPwunhaEDOJAt06W1tLTds7-PDgDrTyGG/w640-h432/_J9A8661-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>12th &13th October - A Yellow Warbler at Hoswick</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I have never seen a Yellow Warbler in Britain. I have come close on a couple of occasions, missing the one day Portland bird on 27th of August 2017 by turning up the next day and just last month, not wishing to cut short a family visit to Glasgow, declined to take up Mark's offer to go and see one on Foula in Shetland.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was getting towards the end of our two weeks on Shetland and today, Thursday the 12th of October the weather had finally relented from the preceding two day onslaught of gale force winds and stinging rain to something less apochryphal.We decided we would go to Unst as there was nothing exceptional to tempt us on Mainland. Unst offered the opportunity to see an Arctic Redpoll and possibly a Pied Wheatear and the island has long been a favourite of mine.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We were some miles north of Lerwick near Kirgord, gently cruising along on our way to Toft to catch a ferry to Yell and then onwards to Unst when Mark made one of his regular checks of BirdGuides.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">There's a Yellow Warbler just been discovered at Hoswick. Turn round!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I did an immediate u turn on the empty road and we made full speed for Hoswick which lies between Lerwick and Sumburgh and was just half an hour's drive away from our present position.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">My heart was racing. that heady combination of excitement and anxiety that takes control of my emotions </span><span style="font-family: times;">when a mega is found.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> There have only been six accepted records of a Yellow Warbler in Britain.This was truly a mega of megas.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">If we saw the warbler it would be a second British tick for me to go along with the Veery we had seen on our first day on Shetland.What an autumn it has been for American warblers.This would be my fourth species following the three seen in Wales in September. Utterly extraordinary.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Turning off the main road we descended into Hoswick. As expected all possible parking places had been commandeered by other birder's cars so we drove back up the hill and parked where we would not upset anybody.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We walked back downhill to where the road crossed Hoswick Burn and the village climbs up the side of the hill opposite. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was fairly obvious that the warbler was not on view as various birders were standing around hopefully looking at trees and bushes.We met Rob by the burn who told us the warbler had been discovered at the back of the now closed Orca Inn further up in the village but had been lost to view.It had been photographed and it definitely was a Yellow Warbler, probably carried across the Atlantic by the westerly gales of the last two days.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We stood about not quite sure where to go or what to do. Rob's phone beeped an alert.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Here we go boys, it's been relocated at the back of the Orca Inn</i>!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The craziness had begun.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We raced up the hill, round a bend and up a side road that brought us to the defunct Orca Inn and its car park now crammed not with cars but a very large number of birders.With just time to greet Ryan and Vicky who I only ever meet on Shetland I commenced joining everyone else in scanning the sycamore trees that encircle and overhang the car park. The warbler had just been seen in a sycamore by the inn but had now flown around the back of the inn. We had missed it by a minute. Would it come back?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBehPqLFPKRiPxCDTh1b-hu-Tub9RknpgEJCRVwJi2fbhMYmdwQRIj4t3RQz-iOkFJfYP_6Bx90N6dKVKK5DarH_cOA4EKelTwyDs5fYMUBEiIVsFC_7PMEQtNJBKflo9EhyeBUy6-aUzV_L6dOCso5wghWJnw-xeBul7n-3R1tModbQ1KSpnYGmj1_9B/s4032/IMG_6460%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBehPqLFPKRiPxCDTh1b-hu-Tub9RknpgEJCRVwJi2fbhMYmdwQRIj4t3RQz-iOkFJfYP_6Bx90N6dKVKK5DarH_cOA4EKelTwyDs5fYMUBEiIVsFC_7PMEQtNJBKflo9EhyeBUy6-aUzV_L6dOCso5wghWJnw-xeBul7n-3R1tModbQ1KSpnYGmj1_9B/w300-h400/IMG_6460%20(002).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The answer was no as it was re-found but only briefly in a fuschia hedge behind the inn. As one we deserted the car park and surged round the inn to view the hedge. We stood and willed it to show itself but there was not a sign of it. Slowly the adrenalin subsided and it was back to looking hopefully at nearby trees and hedges. Birders fanned out scanning every available bit of suitable habitat.Half an hour of frustration and no little anxiety elapsed before it was reported a long way further up a road that continued along the hillside.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In an instant chaos reigned as everyone made off in the direction of this latest sighting,some moving faster than others, a tide of humanity, lugging scopes, tripods, cameras and lenses, running down a rough lane,spilling out onto and then up the road along the hillside.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">An excited shout.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">There it is!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A chorus of replies.<i> </i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Where?</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Directions were given.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Everyone ran to the spot but the warbler had moved on upwards. Would it ever stop moving?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Another shout.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">It's here in this willow!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">But by the time we got there it was on the move again.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The warbler continued to move fast up the road. Always one flight ahead. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Birders in their anxiety lost all sense of reason and ran onto private driveways and even into gardens in pursuit of the warbler until commanded by Hugh H.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Get out of there!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I began to question whether I really wanted to be part of this.It was just like the infamous Lanceolated Warbler twitch of last year at Wester Quarff when a mass hysteria seemed to possess everyone.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Finally, a good way up the road,where there were no further trees, I got to see the Yellow Warbler in a willow right by the road. It was in the middle of the tree and made its way up to the top granting the briefest of views before it flew over the road into some dead willowherb on the side of the hill.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNKXg2Md671r2rabUQ4XykmOqYfUv0xV27kDnkL5G7Y2FNCciM9yS9tKfv7N4bF58FptSKDpEVFpCYqYAO9JTDXyLuSPjoRXYQc1g1j8jmcvANtAGZw4UEm9cQXEX76Y-XSit9KcAbQnA9lyUXxGMIgooz7mxNQTARcAqoB929iqtAadPiUjg4oq9aV76/s4032/IMG_6453%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNKXg2Md671r2rabUQ4XykmOqYfUv0xV27kDnkL5G7Y2FNCciM9yS9tKfv7N4bF58FptSKDpEVFpCYqYAO9JTDXyLuSPjoRXYQc1g1j8jmcvANtAGZw4UEm9cQXEX76Y-XSit9KcAbQnA9lyUXxGMIgooz7mxNQTARcAqoB929iqtAadPiUjg4oq9aV76/w400-h300/IMG_6453%20(002).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We stood in the road. A mass of birders. I counted in excess of eighty of us. Confusion and excitement. gripped us all in equal measure</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbbA9pqDwnEFg4580SHNHLuLcE3Ujn9d1CafHiivk7eNbZaqP-D5yqQ6tkyJroO0jDB6wdjdhIw6RLkSuUXOPL8IjPXYCzHunQQT6TpRgn0fURBizXK_y5McDYkpaY3QQzAEFOzi4yH7Kti7VusPufJOCbUTG2ZYiDUucILuMCzKoawl8gnXAZOim5-ae/s4032/IMG_6443%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbbA9pqDwnEFg4580SHNHLuLcE3Ujn9d1CafHiivk7eNbZaqP-D5yqQ6tkyJroO0jDB6wdjdhIw6RLkSuUXOPL8IjPXYCzHunQQT6TpRgn0fURBizXK_y5McDYkpaY3QQzAEFOzi4yH7Kti7VusPufJOCbUTG2ZYiDUucILuMCzKoawl8gnXAZOim5-ae/w480-h640/IMG_6443%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;">Shouts came </span><i style="font-family: times;">Where is it now?</i><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Shouted replies <i>It's in the dead willowherb</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">And then I saw it again.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A dash of bright yellow amongst the reddish brown ranks of the dead willowherb. It flicked up onto the top of a wall and I admired its bright yellow colouring for another few seconds before it dived down into cover.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It moved further down the hillside to a line of willows with a wire fence running parallel to them.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For some minutes it was nowhere to be seen and then it emerged to perch on the fence and for a minute remained there, unmoving. I pressed the camera shutter, more in hope than expectation. It was a long way off. It would be a record shot only. but that would do. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqADi-uR2iW75pUu5igrb1t9HciQxC9s_ZPL46hU78WAb80ZSugtHEBr42NUmonbXvgxkIp8te4PJyh6YHDKgY5_ECOgLhkPLy-NeE4G0oQ0O_QiCZ-DZALRGcBEN2NX4wUSGkXGZ4iR9pwxmFcL1fR4_zs9q-S4V0OhiDa8-pnqCGe2CKldTc2pVYHEKO/s1453/_J9A8661-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1453" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqADi-uR2iW75pUu5igrb1t9HciQxC9s_ZPL46hU78WAb80ZSugtHEBr42NUmonbXvgxkIp8te4PJyh6YHDKgY5_ECOgLhkPLy-NeE4G0oQ0O_QiCZ-DZALRGcBEN2NX4wUSGkXGZ4iR9pwxmFcL1fR4_zs9q-S4V0OhiDa8-pnqCGe2CKldTc2pVYHEKO/w640-h432/_J9A8661-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times;">The tiny bird flew back into the willows. Two minutes elapsed and it was back out again, perched on the fence once more but between two House Sparrows.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4sxNr3AkchRB3AbpZgrKdreGYdmAdQcyRpYvLa6HwoT3MNdYao9-XyOwELw7Kd7lBfJf3lBKqgdvruGiVAs69eARrmXRceI_mzwnJhvV-mKypH_frC5f_7s8ntDwc1ajVbobWhvVaeCvnqdrxEzrNSwEx0Zr7b4QgditT7RBUcGBj0UtFIoWmGmKjylX/s978/yellow%20warbler%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="978" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4sxNr3AkchRB3AbpZgrKdreGYdmAdQcyRpYvLa6HwoT3MNdYao9-XyOwELw7Kd7lBfJf3lBKqgdvruGiVAs69eARrmXRceI_mzwnJhvV-mKypH_frC5f_7s8ntDwc1ajVbobWhvVaeCvnqdrxEzrNSwEx0Zr7b4QgditT7RBUcGBj0UtFIoWmGmKjylX/w640-h406/yellow%20warbler%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-rhvNOEXze0vE9YFNArE8ZZhvF8MA-QsBAzKIzgu0FmbM_lg6w6zhh8UqwZYiAc35wVrdpnoyQWHqIeKr1_ta4RGW2Sw-1lXX3Xsu9X-p_w97Qum0tCyS2bdEqAi-EFj-A8b0nXVanVe3W7KTwToBkSuzG0oRRQnI7e4vteSqpCOLanaZ19rXljN9Mcb/s748/yellow%20warbler%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-rhvNOEXze0vE9YFNArE8ZZhvF8MA-QsBAzKIzgu0FmbM_lg6w6zhh8UqwZYiAc35wVrdpnoyQWHqIeKr1_ta4RGW2Sw-1lXX3Xsu9X-p_w97Qum0tCyS2bdEqAi-EFj-A8b0nXVanVe3W7KTwToBkSuzG0oRRQnI7e4vteSqpCOLanaZ19rXljN9Mcb/w578-h640/yellow%20warbler%202.JPG" width="578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">c Mark</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Then it was off again gradually moving downhill until it decided to settle in a garden surrounded by conifers and deciduous trees. Sheltered and relatively secure it stopped here.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The garden was soon surrounded by birders and we all saw it well enough as it made occasional appearances in the foliage. Goldcrests moving through the trees fooled us every so often before the warbler's yellowness reminded us how very different it was. Forever on the move, flicking lightening fast on an erratic course through the trees it was virtually impossible to photograph.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The rain returned with a vengeance and the warbler was lost to view for some hours.We were by now very wet, standing morosely around the garden in the wet grass and not enjoying the experience.We decided to leave and come back tomorrow, assuming it would be here. I felt reasonably optimistic that the weather would preclude any overnight departure.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">When we got back to Scalloway we heard it had finally been seen again and in the same garden in the late afternoon. </span><span style="font-family: times;">Somehow it had been there all the time but hardly anyone was looking for it by then.</span><span style="font-family: times;">Whoever saw it must have been drenched and very persevering.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The next day it was still wet and miserable and there was no report of the Yellow Warbler until mid morning when it was located back in the original finding place at the back of the Orca Inn.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We drove there immediately, rain or no rain and as often happens in Shetland the forecast was wrong and the rain, predicted to fall all day, abated although the wind remained but this was of little consequence in the sheltered car park.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">When we arrived there were about a dozen birders all looking at the Yellow Warbler as it flicked around in the trees.Every so often it showed itself well, a bright yellow mite amongst the wet and dying foliage pursuing a high speed course amongst the bushes and leaves of the overhanging sycamores.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcvfv8UfzRkqaQBzQb0qCGY5qTMkHtfDNdEgIAuCyoHvD_r_3vK2DiA0Jf0S5Ovwl_fWH7rNdEadip_SDqsmP-_TuFk-THbH20hQhbC4CML54CiSMyIWA8IajCVyWWqHmrD0wsoP8wCschVjyPIuPmYbUSzCi57zhQbcU9_WQdiJnTT1UOFSkSMtFvkpE/s4032/IMG_6463%20(002).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcvfv8UfzRkqaQBzQb0qCGY5qTMkHtfDNdEgIAuCyoHvD_r_3vK2DiA0Jf0S5Ovwl_fWH7rNdEadip_SDqsmP-_TuFk-THbH20hQhbC4CML54CiSMyIWA8IajCVyWWqHmrD0wsoP8wCschVjyPIuPmYbUSzCi57zhQbcU9_WQdiJnTT1UOFSkSMtFvkpE/w480-h640/IMG_6463%20(002).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;">It was the devil's own job to follow it in the camera. One had to try and anticipate where it might pop up next and finally I got lucky as it perched for a second on a twig of sycamore, in the open, and then wss gone. </div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MfDQ2LGb9Tb2lSS7p3TyYEsr7qvdCzASTLF7fTt-AvP_3ZKdiJ7RtZ_J3SI1hf0QtXh3Uvqpn1KTAt2s0g9c-ZcZnXayQi6R1Oob9GjYXAWSjLnmA8V9Hi46C8ZB7hnF7lGkYxT5_Ll82qGcRdr5HRMfb2Q-ijM6DFZDphWnEKWeX8nHQpOUztQLH2wQ/s3820/_J9A8711.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3820" data-original-width="3622" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MfDQ2LGb9Tb2lSS7p3TyYEsr7qvdCzASTLF7fTt-AvP_3ZKdiJ7RtZ_J3SI1hf0QtXh3Uvqpn1KTAt2s0g9c-ZcZnXayQi6R1Oob9GjYXAWSjLnmA8V9Hi46C8ZB7hnF7lGkYxT5_Ll82qGcRdr5HRMfb2Q-ijM6DFZDphWnEKWeX8nHQpOUztQLH2wQ/w606-h640/_J9A8711.JPG" width="606" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASKVH6GA7P9-wSh72i4ymCCwlTdIAUZX6ZE_eGvPExo-N8O19OHyRQXcsvohv9lbhLib8O-c2vv2ZSTIxzUs68rMA1QJ8uaDLDpQS4Mke13cRAcxjxmX13nN6iesyV7JvezjZczllnxZJexynxgLVj8B-qrrCbjJ1hx3QZwRvaeNURgYOPODjKociaS0R/s4617/_J9A8713.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4181" data-original-width="4617" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASKVH6GA7P9-wSh72i4ymCCwlTdIAUZX6ZE_eGvPExo-N8O19OHyRQXcsvohv9lbhLib8O-c2vv2ZSTIxzUs68rMA1QJ8uaDLDpQS4Mke13cRAcxjxmX13nN6iesyV7JvezjZczllnxZJexynxgLVj8B-qrrCbjJ1hx3QZwRvaeNURgYOPODjKociaS0R/w640-h580/_J9A8713.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0nI2FAcGWEIHbB0aAOfHn-H0q4Qij9Fk_A2V0H0TyZdqPNm-HEikp5bBwtJI4jLJ863N_FURpagonbfBVKe4-52L3kJ7a0tuhQAvQwehsaYQiYYVbFwfTBn2HClN202YPYl2pvapCAsxkTPS6GlRHImGTKLxiuzyAXYbgrnUY52IpHqzQGPkNkMxKbLm/s4091/_J9A8714.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4091" data-original-width="4018" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0nI2FAcGWEIHbB0aAOfHn-H0q4Qij9Fk_A2V0H0TyZdqPNm-HEikp5bBwtJI4jLJ863N_FURpagonbfBVKe4-52L3kJ7a0tuhQAvQwehsaYQiYYVbFwfTBn2HClN202YPYl2pvapCAsxkTPS6GlRHImGTKLxiuzyAXYbgrnUY52IpHqzQGPkNkMxKbLm/w628-h640/_J9A8714.JPG" width="628" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I took an anxious look at the back of my camera which showed I had got a few images.Hardly the best but good enough to enable me to savour the event and bring back happy memories in the coming winter months.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Who would have thought it. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I had seen a Yellow Warbler. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Third time lucky.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">So another thrilling and rewarding two weeks on Shetland came to a close.By any standards it was even better than our trip last year which I thought impossible. The highlights for me were two extended sightings of Orcas, the last within an hour of our Northlink Ferry check in and having to drag ourselves away in order not to miss the boarding deadline. I also relished the extensive and fabulous views of the White's Thrush on Bressay whilst not forgetting the confiding Veery on our first day and the amazing Yellow Warbler arriving two days before we left Shetland. Both British ticks for me.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Shetland's is beautiful and awe inspiring in its own unique way, not with the classic Scottish landscape of towering mountains and glens but its barren undulating moorlands, impressive cliffs and the constant presence of the sea are equally inspiring and impressive.Here you can really feel you are on the edge of the world, with space to breath and rejuvenate the spirit.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">We saw the following birds and mammals during our stay</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Red throated Diver, Northern Fulmar, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, European Shag, <span style="color: red;">Cattle Egret</span>, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Tundra Bean Goose, Pink footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Common Eider, Long tailed Duck, <span style="color: red;">Surf Scoter</span>, Common Goldeneye, Red breasted Merganser, Merlin, Red Grouse, Common Pheasant, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Snipe, Bar tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Turnstone, Great Skua, Black headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black backed Gull, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sky Lark, Barn Swallow,<span style="color: red;"> Olive backed Pipit</span>, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, <span style="color: red;">Citrine</span> <span style="color: red;">Wagtail</span>, Grey Wagtail, White/Pied Wagtail, Wren, European Robin, <span style="color: red;">Bluethroat</span>, Common Redstart, <span style="color: red;">Siberian Stonechat</span>, <span style="color: red;">Amur Stonechat</span>, Northern Wheatear, <span style="color: red;">White's Thrush</span>, <span style="color: red;">Veery (<i>12th record for Britain</i>)</span>, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, <span style="color: red;">River Warbler</span>, <span style="color: red;">Blyth's Reed Warbler</span>, <span style="color: red;">Eastern Subalpine Warbler</span>, <span style="color: red;">Barred Warbler</span>, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, <span style="color: red;">Greenish Warbler,</span> <span style="color: red;">Yellow browed Warbler</span>, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest,<span style="color: red;"> Red breasted Flycatcher</span>, Pied Flycatcher, Magpie (<i>heard only</i>), Rook, Hooded Crow, Common Raven, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Brambling, Eurasian Siskin, Redpoll sp, <span style="color: red;">Yellow</span> <span style="color: red;">Warbler (<i>8th record for Britain</i>)</span>, <span style="color: red;">White crowned Sparrow (<i>12th record for Britain</i>)</span>, Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Orca (Killer Whale)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Otter</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Grey Seal</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>Ewan Urquharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04053632254016984946noreply@blogger.com0