Carsington BwB No 167

Sunday 4^th November

Setting off from Allestree for my Carsington BwB walk yesterday, the weather deteriorated, both in visibility and by raining. So, it was gratifying to find that all 13 who had booked did in fact turn up, and with 2 unbooked additions took me off the number 13!! Reminded me of the days when I worked for Shands at Darley Dale. If there was a board meeting including Mr Shand, the MD, if there were 13 people round the table, he would direct one to sit away at a separate small table!!  (His company = his decision!).

Gary was not with us this month, but he had asked Roger Carrington, a very experienced birder and a past Bird Recorder for Carsington, to join us. Amanda came to check on what happens at the start of a walk, (her job from January!!) and finished up coming round for the morning walk. So, with my regular stalwart Keith, Roger, Amanda and myself, the group was well supplied with help and guidance.

We had 3 new people join us for the first time, so it was back to basics like “how do I focus my binoculars?” etc.

With this being my 167^th walk and the penultimate one before Amanda takes over the baton it did leave a bit of a lump in the throat. Those birders who will not be on my final walk in December were wishing me well and asking what I would do instead to which I replied, “I’m only not doing the bird walk – I am still able to go bird watching!!!”

I had one embarrassing situation, which I hope I covered OK. We have a regular 10-year-old boy Peter, who comes with his Dad probably once in 3 months. He’s been coming since January 2017 and wears very appropriate camouflage wear a clear demonstration of his understanding about not being obtrusive with birds. His dad carries his telescope!!   

I noticed his hair was very thick, long and over his collar, not a style I recognised from my Grandsons fashioned style. I asked him why the long hair, and it took his Dad to tell us that he was growing it for a cancer charity, and it was due to be cut in December.      I understand, and I learnt!, that the hair is made into wigs to be used by people who have lost their hair in the course of cancer treatment.

The group were very complimentary, and Peter was told to bring his sponsorship form next month as the fellow birders would support him, giving the charity money as well as the hair. I’ll let you know how he does.

I mentioned that visibility was poor, undoubtedly a major contribution to what I think is our worst ever species count – 27. Regulars know that I have a target for each walk of 30, which qualifies me for a Roast Sunday lunch, so 27 was a failure. (Ed; He still got the Roast Pork this week…I’m too soft with him)

No outstanding birds, but a group of 10 Little Grebes was enjoyed by all and was BOD. Roger was aware that 30 had been counted on site recently.     Far from the days when the Yellow Legged Gull, Brutus, virtually wiped out the species at Carsington with his voracious appetite.

Bird club expert Simon, very much an early morning birder, had seen Shoveller, Ruff and Pintail earlier on but not for us.

Just by way of a warning, until January, when the bird counter is set to zero and I start all over again, I don’t expect to have a great deal of birding information to write about. And I don’t want to bore you with news of such things as my micro-tibialism fetish (= leg collection), so there may be the occasional week when I will not be doing a blog update. 

I hope you will understand. In the meantime, there is nothing to stop YOU putting a comment on my blog!!

But all hell will/should be set loose from January 1!!

Otherwise, next Bird walks…. Sunday November 18^th.  BwB Markeaton 10.30am

                                                Sunday December 2^nd      BwB Carsington 10.00am

I’ve also been asked to lead a walk in April at Nutwood, a nice little reserve at Darley Abbey. Look out for more info in due course.

Happy Birding