The joys of a bird-bath.

Sorry … but it really is getting hard to find anything avian related to write about.  It seems that I have hibernated for the Summer, but I live in hopes that the next 7 days will bring a wind of change.

So, I’m afraid that is going to be a Bertie Bassett blog – Allsorts!

At least we have done the unprecedented and booked our Majorca holiday for 2020!  A good price and a £100 voucher rather influenced the decision. Only 11 months to wait, but we do have a Cyprus trip to look forward to in 2019.

Until recently I had no idea what Triage meant.  After some research I wrote the following letter to the Daily Telegraph:-

Sir,

It was only when I was applying for an appointment with my GP and was offered the option of a phone call from the duty Triage Doctor that I sought an explanation of Triage.

Chambers Dictionary explains one meaning as “the selection of those casualties most likely to survive”.

It was with great relief that following the Doctors telephonic diagnosis, he affirmed that even at 80,  I was a chosen one and I would be selected for an appointment!

Good news from Carsington. The volunteers have added Thursday to the existing Tuesday and Sunday, as days when volunteers will man the wildlife centre, and help the public with identifying birds. Good timing because it will be in place for July > September when the tourists are at their peak.

Amanda tells me there are some breeding Spoonbills in Norfolk, so I have high hopes of seeing them in a couple of weeks during my mini-tour of Norfolk.

More entertainment with the Dunnocks in our garden. They now seem to have vacated our bay tree, and regularly drop down to the overgrown bushes the other side of the fence.

However, they have not completely deserted us, as they can be seen undertaking regular feather cleaning in the old bird path,…….. 

They, and the Blackbirds are such fun to watch. Whilst bathing Blackbirds seem to pause frequently to clean their ears, but both species have the habit of vacating the water then wiping their beaks dry where they are sitting.   All very thorough!

Good to see them indulging  in that well-known competition who can splash the higher. Blackbirds continue to dampen the fence to a greater height!! Although a careful look at the fence does have signs of the efforts of a Dunnock.

This is the bird bath with en suite running water and bidet(!!) as yet not seriously used!

Not sure what Amanda’s Carsington BwB walk will turn up tomorrow, but in the meantime, and because the English women have just lost the female world cup quart-finals, I’ve been doing a bit of a recap on what I have done this year, so far.

As you know, 1’m on 170 right now, which includes 15 species I did not see in 2018, and one lifer. 

The lifer you will recall was the elusive Savii’s warbler at Attenborough and it took 2 visits before it was in the bag.

10 of the 15 I had seen in 2017 so missing 2018 was just a blip. The one that I had gone the longest without seeing was the Snow Goose at Exmouth in February, last seen 5^th October 2014, and there is always an element of suspicion as to whether it IS a Snow Goose, or indeed a Ross’s goose. David Smallshire, the experienced spotter on the Exe cruises, has very credible knowledge and it would be far from me to argue.

Next for the longest wait outstanding since 3^rd February 2015, was the Tawny Owl at Clumber Park in May, spotted whilst we were abortively watching for Nightjar. And another long wait from February 2015,, a superb Great Grey Shrike at Clumber Park – you know the one that was pursued by another birder, only to find the call he could hear was on my phone!!

So, I don’t think I have much to complain about so far.. let’s see what next week brings.

PS: Sunday July 7th  Amandas’ walk was very enjoyable this morning despite Carsington being very busy with a dog show, an Orienteering activity and a full car park.

Bird wise was good for the 16 people on the walk. Very early on a very visible and identifiable Whimbrel was spotted circling the Stones, a good bonus for the people new to birding. A pair of Common Terns were on a sailing club buoy, and up to 5 Redshanks with a single Little Ringed Plover, were nice sightings, as well as a good selection of Warblers.

Mmmmm…………. the week did not turn out to be so bad after all!

Happy Birding.