Frampton Marsh via Autopilot

Tuesday 20th June ……..

 I don’t have a satnav on my car, mainly because the nut that holds the steering wheel is pre-programmed to take the shortest route to many Uk birding sites. It can find the quick route to Bempton, Blacktoft, Rutland, Slimbridge, Exe Estuary, Arne, Martinmere (includes info on that route to spot the speed trap that a previous driver missed = £60 kerching!), to name a few.

To-day responding to the audible instruction “Turtle Doves” we are off to Frampton Marsh. (see below!!)

 Don’t know how you are on triv, but do you recall the Hitchcock thriller which was first shown in 1963? No? Starred Tipi Hedren and Rod Taylor. No? included Corvus Corone? Oh for goodness sake, you must recall that great thriller The Birds. What a classic, and what a frightener.

 Wind forward 54 years and on Tuesday, I had a strong sense of déjà vu. I’ve previously told you about a visit many years ago to Frampton Marsh when Avocets attacked a Red Kite. To-Day it was my turn to be threatened, and to say the least it was a bit scary.

 Yes, I was a Frampton trying to see the Turtle Doves (Don’t ask..dipped again), and I went up on the sea wall having been told it was the best vantage point to see the Spoonbills. Well it may have been, but I finally spotted them from the 360 hide. But whilst searching from the bank, 2 Redshanks were giving all the signs of RAF fighters shadowing me as a Russian aircraft, and with sound effects. They stopped as I went on, and then had another go on the way back.

 Down on the path to the 360 hide, which is in between 2 high bunds and is quite protected, 3 Avocets were equally protective and decided to have a right royal go at me, and a group of 4 non-birders. 

From the safety of the 360 hide, and using my scope, the non-birders got good views of the Spoonbills and particularly the spatula shaped beaks.

 As I retraced my steps, it was a repeat of the Avocet aggression. Near the visitor centre there was a very young Avocet chick, only about 5ins long, running along the path, not cowering but upright and confident. Where was Mum? Probably somewhere else fighting off friendly bird watchers. Stoats, corvids, raptors and gulls? I don’t hold out a lot of hope for young Avo-chick.

 I had another look at the alleged location for the Turtle Doves prior to setting off for home, but once again..Zilch. One day, One day.

It was at this point that other responsibilities took over, and for the next 2 days I was dedicated to resolving a family problem, including getting legal help, so I’m afraid Mary and I left on Friday suitably shattered, for 7 days in Weston Super Mare, without even a backward glance!! Sorry.

 And I’m afraid birding on the Severn Estuary was a big fat Zero. On Monday, we did get embroiled in the aftermath of the Glastonbury Festival, especially after listening to a 15 minutes lecture by the Shadow Prime Minister (only joking!), so Mary DID Clarke’s village, and I did the Ham Wall. Ham Wall I had not visited before, and found it to be an ENORMOUS reed bed. In my short visit I did see a couple of Great White Egrets, and heard the boom of a Bittern in the reed bed. Must be true to my beliefs.. I am a Bird Watcher, not a Bird listener so sadly the Bittern, a bird needed for my 2017 list, did not count.

Strictly Synchronised Swimming ------ from The Ham Wall Reserve Somerset (RSPB)

Rock Pipits on Sand Point near Weston were nice, especially as the pair were clearly collecting food for a nest somewhere in the rocks. Oh and a nice perching show-off Stonechat!

So, I am now submitting a late post for last Sunday, and hope that next Tuesday (Yes, Tuesday) I will have some goodies to report from the BWB walk on Sunday, my Boston Belle cruise on Monday, and a birding day at Gibraltar Point on Tuesday………………….. but the best laid plans etc etc etc.

 Late news...just to let you know how the Big 200 race is progressing. Amanda who must be very grateful for the big drop in the price of unleaded, is on a brilliant 207, and we are only at 30th June. 

Chris and I trail like the bridesmaids behind the bride, jointly on 186. (Imagine the picture!!)

 Chris has had a few plans aborted, and wants to know if potential sightings later in the year in Eire can somehow be included, under a Brexit agreement.

 Due to my hearing deficiencies, I wish to include heard birds, if only for 1/2 or .5, per bird. Now where are those Bee eaters?

 TTFN

Nightjars & Woodcocks........... they are worth the wait.

Sunday 11^th June     When I realise that my progress towards the holy grail of 200 species is starting to languish somewhat, I find myself pondering “shall I bother”, and today was a bit like that. Nothing on the web site for Derbyshire this morning, nor Notts, so should I cut the grass? 

But ever the optimist I decided I’d see what was happening at Carsington. Oh Boy, was that the right decision. Nothing new, but very much worth the visit.

The Janet Ede Hide looks good, rabbits appear to be burrowing underneath, Simon Roddis had no significant birds to report, so all quiet…so far.  Until I was walking back along the causeway to the centre, only to be buzzed by a wing of 5 Red Arrows heading South West…..and 30 seconds later, another 5. 

Anne Dutton on reception found that they were on the way to a display at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, from their base at RAF Scampton.  Interesting.

Tuesday 13^th June, I still think Blacktoft Sands is the best and nearest place to see BeardedTits, so an hour and half later, at 10.15 I’m buying my senior’s permit to check out 5 hides. I don’t usually visit the furthest Ousefleet hide, as previous visits have been abortive.   

It does not take long to see the first of many Marsh Harriers, but nobody seems to be getting an eye-ball on the Beardys. Plenty of Avocets, and Little Grebes, with Singleton and Marshland hides being the most rewarding.

My one list addition at Blacktoft was fortuitously looking at the Barn Owl box from Marshland hide at exactly the moment that a parent flew in with food. Perfect!   But nature in the raw continues, and the continuous noise and harassing from 2 Black Headed Gulls and 3 Avocets, was directed at a persistent Magpie that had stolen an egg from a nest on a small island, and was persisting in getting back to finish the shell remains.

In the evening, I joined 6 members of Ogston Bird Club, for a walk in Clumber Park to see Nightjars and Woodcocks, led by John Parlby of OBC. Because the park closes at 7pm, we had to get there before that time to get the cars inside the electronic gates. We meandered around the park, finally going to the best location for our target birds, at 9.30.   

And we were soon rewarded with the first of 6 sightings of Woodcock.   After a short gap, the unmistakeable churring of Nightjars was heard, and two birds were seen several times in the area where we were standing. Getting home at 11.45 WAS worthwhile, even if difficult to explain!

So that’s 3 more on the list, and whilst the ladies are on more than my 185, I’m not out of the running……yet!

Telescopes.   Last week I covered binocular focusing, this week I wanted to mention Telescopes. On the BWB walks, we often have 3 or 4 telescope toters, who willing allow non-scopers to get better views of any special birds. But I do hear people without scopes, often saying, “I can’t see what you are looking at”.

There is a technique involved which should help, and I recall listening to a birder on the prom at Minehead telling everyone who looked through his scope how to see a clear image. 

“Stand back from the eyepiece, and position your head so that when you look at the eyepiece, the light circle is in the middle of the eye ring.  Then move your head towards the eye-ring keeping the circle of light in the middle – the light circle will enlarge so that it becomes the full size of the lens, and (providing the lens was focused on the object item in the middle of the view) the object you are wanting to see will be in the middle of the lens”

Try it, it works.

Happy birding