Wednesday 8 May 2013

Yeah, but....No, but....Yeah, but....

In to work for 4:30am today, much to annoyance of Mrs L.  Out at 4:55pm and through the doors for 5:10pm.  And then with the evening planned out, a text from Crammy.  And a dog to walk.  And chores to do.  And should I?  No, it's just a glammy Pied Flycatcher.  So off out with the dog.  And it's a nice evening.  And Mrs L is at work until 9:00pm.  And it might not be there tomorrow.  And f*ck it, let's go.

Well worth it, a beautiful pied bird showing very, very well and as active as the Purple Heron was playing musical statues.  Only without the music.

Tuesday 7 May 2013

Last of the Summer? Whine!

After half an hour of The Gov and Sometimes talking about a planned sortie north of the Border for the former and the results of the latter's recent trip, intermingled with thoughts of the good weather ending and the +ves and -ves, it was a quick pop in to Arcot prior to the footy.

Good call, as the first Common Sandpiper for me piped itself in:


And then whilst camera-juggling, another:


Mega! (?)

Now there's nothing quite like a spot of competition, so this year, The Big Waters Birders are taking on the Crammy Crew for the prestige of locating the most species on their turf.

Move over the Montagues and Capulets, The Sharks and The Jets, The Scorpions and The T-birds, and Corry and Eastenders!

And what better than a competition within a competition - so it's May listing and may be even September too.  All very formal and tbh, a bit waring, but an agreement is an agreement, even if it's after a wee sherbet or two.

So today's unlikely addition to the Crew's May list was Larus marinus for 77.

Monday 6 May 2013

'Dawn' Chorus

Not quite dawn, but an hour thereafter and whilst Wessie was quiet, Arcot was lifting.

New arrival, a Common Tern, was welcome (three weeks late), with Lesser Whitethroat near the gate and the SE field, Sedgies everywhere and Gropper, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff too.   

Water Rail called from the E reedbed, and the Green Woodpecker from the north end.  A Song Thrush in the NW corner fancied itself as part Oyc and part Buzzard, and there were plenty of other birds about too numerous to mention.

Oh what a beautiful morning!

PS - Like Compo and Clegg, The Guvnor and I were chewing the fat this afternoon at Arcot when blow me (not a phrase to exclaim out loud at that place, I should add), two Yellow Wags over NW.  Patch Lifer for Clegg; barely raised an eye-brow for Compo!!!