Hard

I knew, when I embarked on this challenge, that a split cane "thirty" was going to be difficult. By adding the "unknown" element to the mix I have found myself way out of my comfort zone and well out of my depth (experience wise!) My only saving grace is that I'm consistent - I can blank with the best of them. The two latest sessions have been totally devoid of action, save a bat flying through the line on Saturday night. Bev has been a rock, supporting me and pushing me on, not allowing speak of failure or letting Dad down; because that's where my mind wanders during these low moments. However, with so much more to my angling than simply catching fish, the other aspects of my appreciation of the wildlife of the East Kent marshes eases the burden and enhances my enjoyment of time at the waterside.

A typical marshland swim, on a tiny drain, in the middle of nowhere!

Foxes and Brown Hares are a regular source of distraction out on these flat lands with Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard and Hobby also to be expected. Reed & Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Reed Bunting and Linnets are constant companions during daylight hours and the night fall allows other senses to take over. Last night it was Tawny Owl and Sandwich Tern, a strange combination, which made it into the diary with their characteristic calls emanating from the darkness. On other occasions it has been Greenshank, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper and Golden Plover that have provided the audio treats.

Very common sight around the marsh. This was taken using the Fuji Finepix 3200 at extreme distance.
It's OK for blogging, but not up to the standard that the Canon and big lens could provide.
Right place, wrong camera?

I slept well, last night, having packed up at 23.45 hrs and arriving home just before 01.00 hrs. No surprise that I had a lay in, not getting up until well after nine! Making my way to the kitchen for the ritual kettle filling/coffee making start to my day. Looking through the kitchen door was a wondrous spectacle. There were 73 sparrows, mostly juveniles, feeding on the lawn and many more were on the feeders and in the surrounding vegetation. I am confident that there were well in excess of 120 birds in and around the garden at that moment. I made my coffee before going to the car to retrieve my camera which was in fishing bag as a result of my last session.

Only when I looked at this image did I realize that the lawn was in desperate need of cutting.
The task has now been undertaken and the grass is much more presentable.

I managed to get a series of images of the birds, as they searched the lawn for seeds. I use the sweepings from my aviary to scatter around the grass and it is this which must be catalyst for this gathering? I later spoke to a neighbour, Liz, who also reported 100+ sparrows around her feeding station recently. As I mentioned in a previous post - House Sparrows around Thanet are certainly doing very well, in 2017, and worthy of celebration.

Sparrows foraging for millet and canary seed on our back lawn