Tuesday May 1, and to-day it seems to all be in ones. Chris, John
and I decided to try and add Nightingale to our 2018 so we headed for Whisby
not far from Lincoln. Lovely day, chilly but sunny, so John took off to do some
photography, coming back with “There were Red Legged partridges in the field”
“which field?” “Can’t remember!!”
17,464 paces later, we had done nicely on Blackcaps, but just the one
Swift, well they do only arrive at the end of April. But the frustration was going FOUR times to a
dead tree on Coot walk for the alleged spot where the one Nightingale
had been seen. 4 people told us they had
seen it, and our only success was one visit just before lunch, when
Chris and I were the only people on the path, to hear this lone bird. The usual strident song, but see it?... not
a chance. As you know, I don’t record “heard” but I did have the satisfaction
of hearing it.
We had a long chat with a Ranger, who said
there was only one male on site, down from 5 last year, and far from the 12
years high of 15 singing males.
The
ranger was putting up notices to try and educate the public NOT to let their
dog loose, and on Coot walk, not to take dogs along the path at all. He
recounted his frustrating conversations with dog owners who were either blind
or deaf and would let their dog off the lead in a Nightingale area. As he said
even some of the dogs were deaf and did not respond to “sit” or “heel”, and
just ploughed into bushes as they wished.
It really was sad to hear his frustrations,
and his view that this could be the last year Nightingales would be seen at
Whisby. He told us that strongholds like Paxton Pits had the same trend, and it
was getting more and more difficult to name a location, within a reasonable
distance of home, that Nightingales could be seen.
So, to reiterate…. 1 Nightingale and 1 Swift.
I long for the arrivals of Swifts at the end
of April, and only being with us for 4/5 months, the views of the “ultimate
flying machine” must be savoured whilst you can. Think, an average Swift can
fly 125k miles in a year, which is 300k in 2 years is further to the moon and
back (239k). Staggering.
Monday 30th April, and Carsington water level was about 95%, a very satisfactory situation,
which is why the Janet Ede hide has moved about 25 ft closer to the water’s
edge. (??)
Good news; Morrisons is selling kinky rhubarb at
half price. Don't rush!!!!!!!!!Apparently, it’s cheap because it’s the Yorkshire Triangle wonky anti-EEC rules version.
On Saturday 5th May I finally
enjoyed a super Christmas present from my next generation (Leo, Sarah, Julian,
Michael and Sharon) which was on my bucket list, a day cruise on a
narrow boat on the Worcester and Birmingham canal.
We had 7 hours afloat, found
a PH for refreshments, and 4 tunnels later, came back dry and unscathed. Sadly, no
birds to recall, but 3 miles an hour is a nice speed for relaxation. Everyone
had a turn at the helm, but I copped the tunnels, which incidentally, JUST
allow 2 narrow boats to pass in mid-tunnel… and they did, twice.
Species numbers were low, with the statutory
30 not quite reached, but the Warbler quality compensated.
Bird of the day was Whitethroat (although my
choice was Garden Warbler), to which we added Blackcap
and Willow Warbler. Considering how warm it was, it was not surprising that we
saw no Hirundines, but it was a thrill to see an Oystercatcher chick on
Horseshow Island, for those who stayed to the end!!
But what I have not mentioned was on the way
to Carsington at 9.10am, on Ferrers Way deep in the housing area of Allestree, a medium sized multi-coloured bird
walked in front of the car and into a house drive….a Red Legged Partridge.
You just never know when and where good
fortune will cross your path!!!!... so, I’m on 149, and looking forward to a
good birding week.
Happy Birding
Sounds like a great week - will be looking forward to the Markeaton BWB later in May. We are also still awaiting swifts to arrive. Funnily enough, I saw a stout little bird that looked just like a Red Legged Partridge right outside Port way Infants School in Allestree one afternoon when I was getting the bus! Combined with your sighting, I believe I may have been correct?
ReplyDeleteAs you can gather, residential Allestree is a possibility for Red Legged Partridge. I also had one in my garden 6/7 years ago. Look for the white throat, and the very red beak.
ReplyDeleteSad and angry to read the news about Whisby. This was where I heard a Nightingale for the first time and on a subsequent visit had my first sighting of this iconic bird.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt who was the Skipper on the canal boat. You seem to have a slightly bemused look....or was it trepidation?
Red Legged Partridge in Allestree! As you say, you never know your luck.