Wednesday, 23 October 2013

A Natural Naturalist



23rd Oct.  Sam and I visited Prestwick Carr today in an attempt to sight the Great Grey Shrike, but saw no sign.  At least the rain had stopped!  The area was very quiet, but we did sight a small flock of Redwing flying over the woodland, a flock of around a dozen Long Tailed Tits, Willow Tits, Meadow Pipits and three Common Buzzards.

Wader watching.  One of the real joys of birding.
 
After our failed search we headed for the coast which was quiet also although we had the waders to entertain us, amongst them at least three Bar-tailed Godwits.  Not much luck with the photography either as both the light and waders failed to cooperate.  To cap it all the fish and chip café was closed when we arrived for our much needed tea.  Not to be beaten we sat and enjoyed our fish and chips (from the shop) in the shelter.  We watched as the Kestrel was hassled by initially one determined gull and then two of them.  I was impressed by Sam’s owl like hearing when he picked up the sound of approaching Pink-footed Geese far sooner than I did (which reflects just how much this guy has learnt over the past couple of years and how much more he’s going to learn in future years.  A natural naturalist, in my opinion).  A skein of 70/80 geese flew from the sea, over our heads and towards Holywell.  With fading light our own destination was not to be Holywell on this occasion, but home.

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