Diary of a morning walk

[colincurry]

In the "Bird of the year" thread, I have already mentioned my morning out yesterday. I thought I would cover it in more detail and include some of the pics. Some of these are very long range and suffer from agressive cropping - John - if you read this, I did try to borrow a 1.4 converter in time for yesterday, unsuccessfully, hope to try one out over the weekend.

Luck plays a huge part in birding and nature watching. I caught an early bus to Swavesey and was on my way to a small seating area about a quarter of a mile from the bus stop to unload my gear from my rucksack and hang it about me - bit like a tinker's waggon, really. On the way, I saw a wren and found somewhere to park my rucksack whilst I got everything ready. This was about 200 yards from the bus stop. Of course, by the time I was ready, the wren had gone. However, there was a pair of courting songthrushes and some long tailed tits in the same place. About 300 yards further on, there is gateway to a field and I always approach this carefully because the hedge offers concealment and you never know what might be about. Initially, I saw redwings and eventually manged to find one near enough to snap. Then I saw a fox walking sprauncily across the field as if he owned it. I have only seen before in this area, some time ago and very far away. What a start to the day! I had to ring my Controller to share my excitement.







The last time I tried this walk, I could not get anywhere because of the floodwater. Even though this had subsided by about 4 feet, I still had to wade through about a foot of water on one stretch of track. Whilst doing this, I saw a green woodpecker and managed a long range shot. These birds are so elusive. When they fly away with that laughing cry, I think they are taking the mickey. I also tried to get near some of the waterfowl, but they are even more nervous.

A bit further on, there was a natural gap in the trees that allowed me to get near to the edge of the lakeside unobserved, where I saw pochards and tufties quite close up.






My next piece of excitement was a hovering kestrel but I could not get near enough to get a reasonable picture. However, I persevered and hurried to where it had gone down. It had landed on a tree and posed briefly, but I could not get as close as I wanted.



Time for coffee, and, on a sand bar in the next lake was a herd of waders. I cannot identify them - they are either a form of Godpiper or Sandwit; perhaps someone will enlighten me - apologies for the pic standard but they were a long way away and I cannot yet walk on water.



Then a wren attracted my attention with its persistent call; and I have probably overcropped the image (still have the original) - they are like long tailed tits in that they are both small and very quick moving.



Finally, I was hurrying to catch the bus home from St Ives when I saw the grebes. Not the best shot but it was nice to catch a pair. Incidentally, when do they do their courtship dance, please? My books talk about it but don't say when; and I have never seen this live.



I had such a good morning, that I trust you will forgive me for sharing my pleasure with you.

Colin

[HARIMAU1610]

Perfect.

[Tinkerbell]

Delightful Colin - and thanks for sharing it with us.

Tinkerbell

[snowdrop]

Forgive you Colin?? More like Thank You for brightening up my day.

Smashing Pics...I love the way you've captured the water droplets..and the wren.
Brilliant pic of the thrush...and the fox, wow! Haven't had the priviledge to see one in real life. Thanks again.

[John]

An excellent and nicely flowing report Colin. Shame you didn't get the 1.4 to test out as it sounds like the conditions would have been ideal.

BTW where exactly is this area you went to?

Regarding the G C Grebes. I actually witnessed some displaying in Lincolnshire last Saturday but normally I would expect at least another month before I see that.

The waders. Taking the Lapwing as a size yardstick your waders have to be large birds. Godwits fit the bill, but which one. These waders have a washed out look to the plumage and also a supercillium that stands out (I find that winter plumage Blackwits supercillium doesn't stand out as much) so I think they are Black-tailed Godwits as opposed to the Barwits.

There is one that isn't a Blackwit. Close to the left of the picture. Judging by its size and plumage I was thinking that it could be a possible Greenshank. Any thoughts on that one anybody.

John

[Jon]

Colin, great report and some very nice images, hope you repeat the walk sometime soon and send some more shots in. Sorry I can't help with the waders, I would have guessed Godwits but no idea re the species. Jon

[goosey]

Nice report Colin, and love the photos wish mine were as good with or without aggresive cropping! I must really try and get out this weekend - I'm missing so much - thanks.

[Gill Catton]

The waders. Taking the Lapwing as a size yardstick your waders have to be large birds. Godwits fit the bill, but which one. These waders have a washed out look to the plumage and also a supercillium that stands out (I find that winter plumage Blackwits supercillium doesn't stand out as much) so I think they are Black-tailed Godwits as opposed to the Barwits.

There is one that isn't a Blackwit. Close to the left of the picture. Judging by its size and plumage I was thinking that it could be a possible Greenshank. Any thoughts on that one anybody.

John[/quote]

Agreed on the blackwits, the other also possibly a Greenshank as you say or perhaps a ruff it does seem quite heavily scalloped on the back

[matt_xyz]

a very impressive variety of images there Colin, well done and thanks for sharing them with us. A walk like that with a camera around my neck is my idea of heaven!

Matt

[colincurry]

Hallo John

The area of my walk is in Cambridgeshire and lies around the disused railway line between Swavesey and St Ives. This was an area of gravel pits and there ten or a dozen lakes of different sizes around. You might find it on the web under "Fen Drayton Nature Reserve". There is also the River Great Ouse within walking distance of all this, and which provides alternative routes. The railway line is be turned into the site of a guided bus railway. Nobody wants this, but hey, we are only the tax payers. The Reserve is, I think, privately owned. There is some talk of the RSPB taking over.

Not far away, are reed beds at Over which are in the process of being handed over by Hansons to the RSPB. I understand that once this whole area has been stripped of its gravel and turned in to reed beds, it will be one of the largest (if not largest) in Europe. At my advanced age, it will probably come to fruition too late for me. Across the river and accessible over Brownshill Staunch - a lock defining the end of tidal water for the River Great Ouse - are more gravel pits turned into lakes and nature reserves.

I don't drive, but can access all this by bus, bike and foot. I am very lucky.

Also within walking distance are two areas with Barn Owls, and I am hopeful of a third.

I will email you one of the originals of the mystery birds. You may be able to play with it and make a better identification. There seems to be no facility within WAB for posting pics that may be edited once posted.

Best

Colin