Unlike many "bloggers" I no longer feel the need to report every session; each fish that graces my landing net or bird that appears in my binocular view. It would be far too boring to bother reading and tedious, in the extreme, to write. With the recent weather failing to settle into any type of pattern, it is hardly surprising that the fish populations of my local venues have been unable to establish any sort of regular feeding periods. Anglers that I speak with are all struggling for consistency - not that I lack consistency - I can blank anywhere I go at present! No big deal? I've experienced periods like this in my past and I'm confident that things will improve. Birding is as predictable as the tide tables - all the usual species in all the usual places. The only exception being the reappearance of the Chiffchaff in our garden on Sunday afternoon - nice result although I had already year ticked the species with one that I discovered feeding in the FSIS bushes, beside the security hut, on 26th January!
The local foxes are encountered on a fairly regular basis - the yapping bark of the males being heard occasionally as I make my way home in the darkness. Unlike Thanet hedgehogs, foxes are thriving amidst the mosaic of urban sprawl, concrete and cauliflowers. It is very likely that they are using the chalk cuttings of the main railway line as a means of moving around the area. I frequently see individual foxes from the Hereson Road railway bridge, particularly when looking towards Broadstairs. Away from Newland's Farm, I don't think foxes have many threats - road traffic collision is probably the biggest single factor in limiting their numbers during the course of a year?
I this reads like I'm struggling for enthusiasm - got it in one! I seem to be simply going through the motions. I go out because I feel I should, not because I want to - all rather strange. It will only take one decent pike or the discovery of a scarce avian visitor - probably a gull - and I'll be back on track. We're already in the advanced stages of our Loch Awe planning - 2015 will be the final trip, for a while. We all recognise that there's so much more to see and do at other venues around the UK and further afield - Simon's looking at Canada and Muskies!
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| Like peas in a pod - Fenland zander in 1985 |
Benno has a desire to catch a Zed - we have a small window of opportunity open in early June and I can feel a bout of "Tench Fever" coming on. I have discovered a venue that is ticking all the boxes. But all this stuff is in the future - I'm wishing my life away. I really need to get focussed on what I can do now - then get out and do it!
Dylan, I think that "going through the motions" is something that many of us suffer in February in particular. Periods of cold, damp, darkness, same old birds,etc, just seem to be dragging on in the same old way every day, when all we long for is that first mild and sunny day that makes Spring seem just around the corner. One of those days that makes you run out of the door instead thinking that a second cup of tea might be a better option.
ReplyDeleteIt won't be long now.