Carsington Capers
April 29th 2014
This month we decided on an evening gathering which meant that Jo would be able to join us. Once again the weather was kind to us.
Helen M, Helen J and Maggie met at four o'clock at the Sheepwash car park but thanks to Maggie's earlier reconnaisance we were able to avoid paying for car parking and made judicious use of a nearby layby - as pensioners we really can't afford to squander money!
We walked to the first bird hide (thankfully nothing untoward was happening in there and we had it all to ourselves) The recently purchased binoculars of the novices were put to good use.
Signs of spring everywhere - and a very bewildered goose!
We then walked on towards the visitors centre and on the way we met a real proper expert bird watcher who helped us spot a red start. We knew he was a real proper expert as he was wearing camouflage clothing and a hat - please take note Mrs J!
Impossible to take her seriously dressed like this!
At the next hide we met up with Pam and Jo and our training continued. The redshank was bit of a highlight and there were some delightful little birds on the bird table just outside the hide.
That will be an orange tit warbler!
We could all have happily sat in the hide for the rest of the evening but our leader dragged us off to continue our walk and then blamed the poor old fishermen for the lack of birds - but we really didn't do too badly and the goldfinch was a bit of a star! - here is the list:
Oyster Catcher
Red Start
Barnacle Goose
Pintail Duck
Great Crested Grebe
Reed Bunting
Tree Sparrow
Moorhen
Chaffinch
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Magpie
Red Shank
Black headed Gull
Coot
House crow
Jackdaw
Tufted Duck
Collared dove
Cormorant (not Shag)
Wood Pigeon
Pied Wagtail
Robin
Blackbird
House Sparrow
Blue Tit
Goldfinch
Goldfinch
Rook
Swallow
Wren
They have obviously spotted a very beautiful bird!
The evening was rounded off with a very pleasant meal at the Knockerdown Inn, prepared by an ex Gell pupil whose name I can't remember at the moment! And a lengthy discussion of the dental problems of a generation - amongst other things!
A very bad photograph of our last sighting of the evening - Jo wanted to add cock to the list but I have censored that addition.
Plus grey heron, brings us to 32 for the day. Not bad considering the light was going and the fishermen were a major disturbance. Our total birdlist for our trips so far, is 56 ...plus LBJ, ostrich and cockerel. Not bad going for novices, but can we reach our target by the end of the year?
ReplyDeleteA very good haul, I think. I'm really looking forward to some tuition, and I hope I can come to the next meet to spot some moorland birds. And have a lovely Beeley meal. See you soon Gelly babes!
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