Little Stour surprise

 Bruno and I went back to West Stourmouth for today's exertions. The main reason was for me to search a wider area for the presence of Willow Emerald Damselflies which, as it turned out, was a total waste of effort due to the brisk easterly and overcast conditions. Despite my failure on the odonata front, it remains a lovely part of East Kent to be able to wander around. I'd parked by the church and walked the track down to the pumping station before following the river inland towards the "Blue Bridge". We hadn't walked for a quarter of a mile before the protests of a Grey Heron alerted me to te presence of three White Storks moving eastwards over the village. Whatever the reason, they obviously didn't like what they saw out on the Ash Levels/Minster Marshes and, instead, drifted back westwards over the Preston Marshes where they were lost from view. Fortunately, the recent Purple Heron encounter had ensured that the correct kit was being carried and, although distant and not particularly brilliant light conditions, I was able to rattle off a series of shots which enable me to share the experience via the blog. As always, I am truly grateful for the 32.5 million pixels of my EOS 90D which allow fairly significant cropping without major quality loss. 

Two fully winged birds drifting back off to the west

The trio as first spotted. The bird on the left has very heavy feather loss on the right wing.

Not too much else to report. A few flurries of hirundines skimmed over the marsh, but I could only id Swallow and Sand Martin from these fleeting encounters. A couple of Yellowhammers always enrich any time spent outdoors. Odd Common Buzzard and a few Kestrels about sums the morning up, yet those three Storks - plastic as they probably are - certainly ensured I drove back to Dumpton with a smile on my face.

The best image from this morning and testament, if it's needed, to the
incredible technology housed within the Canon EOS 90D.

Monks Wall & more garden moths

 Bruno and I took a wander around Worth Marshes RSPB Res. this morning. It was a dreary, overcast, scene with the definite feel of autumn about it. A couple each of Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin were spotted on the first pool down from the footbridge. I managed to pick out a lone Common Sandpiper on the main flood and two Cattle Egrets flew over as we started to make our way back towards the van. The conditions had caused good numbers of hirundines to feed low over the surrounding countryside and were a nice, fairly equal, mix of the three common species. As I was driving across to Worth, I had noticed that there were a decent number of Cattle Egrets feeding amongst the cattle herd out on Monks Wall NR so decided to stop off on the way home to get an accurate count.  A good decision, as it turned out, with fourteen birds present and relatively close to the perimeter footpath, although quite flighty if I got too close.

The garden moth trap continues to provide plenty of interest and last night was to see my first Ni Moth of the year discovered on the egg trays  So many other decent species are appearing on a regular basis, and in numbers which don't align with those being reported by the local internet sites. 

The Ni Moth - a proper example of garden "royalty"

I have absolutely no doubts about the role Thanet's geographical position plays within the bigger picture. However, I also feel sure that the effort involved in my garden plant choices will impact, in a positive fashion, on what species, and their numbers, being attracted to the MV light?

The Vestal - only the garden 2nd record this year

Small Mottled Willow - a regular garden visitor with a max count of four, thus far

Olive-tree Pearl - singles on most nights recently, with a peak of three.

Latticed Heath - an incredible year for this species. Many nights have
resulted in double figure counts, with a peak of thirty-two on 7th August.

General stuff and a Jersey Tiger invasion

Well, my quest to catch a Carp from the new drain has started. I've managed three sessions, thus far, none longer than three hours and am yet to register a bite! Benno, on the other hand, using a tactic and bait which hadn't entered my thought processes, landed his first fish within half an hour of casting a rig into this new venue. Me? I'm happy as Larry knowing that this particular challenge will require me to explore aspects of my angling which have previously been taken for granted. At this present time I have loads of ideas, yet still no answers. Exactly what I was hoping for after the "Mandarin Pool" debacle.

Benno gets the project started with this proper character.

My daily Bruno walks continue to provide me with so many opportunities to spend time with the wildlife which shares my space. A wander around the Worth Marshes RSPB Res., on Tuesday, was rewarded with good views of four Cattle and a single Great White Egret plus a nice group of five Whinchats. I also bumped into my mate, Neil D. who informed me that the BTO have now accepted my Booted Eagle (28th September 1999) as the first for Britain. Well, they called me a liar back then, and they're still calling me one now! They have aged it as a 2 cy, whilst the bird I (and Jack Chantler) found was a pristine juvenile. Does it bother me after twenty six years? I couldn't give a toss what the BTO, or anyone else, thinks. I know what I saw and have no requirement to justify it to anyone other than me! In factory parlance "F*ck Em"

On Thursday morning, Bruno and I found ourselves wandering the banks of The Little Stour at West Stourmouth. A very pleasant stroll was further enhanced when I spotted four Willow Emerald Damselflies. I did my best with camera kit, but with no extension tubes, didn't do the encounter justice. So we returned this morning, better equipped, and I managed to improve (slightly) upon the previous efforts. This is the first time I've seen this species at this location, although feel sure that they must be present in any suitable habitat right across the East Kent Marshes?

And to finish I need to recall the events around the garden 125w MV moth trap. It had started with the arrival of the full moon and continued for three more nights afterwards. I have no idea as to how unique (or otherwise?) this situation was, but it was certainly bloody impressive! It was on Saturday night, whilst watching the activity around the Fox feeding bowl, that I became aware of good numbers of large moths being attracted to the light. I went outside, complete with my head torch, to discover fifty-plus Jersey Tiger Moths in, and around, the Robinson Trap. It wasn't until Sunday/Monday that it really kicked off. I'd witnessed very similar activity as the previous night but, when I got up at 05.15 hrs to turn the light off, I was confronted by a scene of utter bedlam. I counted seventy-three Jersey Tigers around the outside of the trap and/or perched on the lawn and fence panels. When I examined the egg trays, some time later I counted another forty-two, thus giving me a minimum total of one hundred and fifteen individuals. Absolutely crazy.

Although the Jersey Tigers are obviously attracted by the MV light source, they
are not particularly happy being within the confines of the Robinson Trap.

As I've said previously, I'm not part of any moth related cyber networks, thus have absolutely no idea what's going on within Kent, or further afield. The odd internet bits I am able to peruse seem to indicate that Thanet is a pretty good place to be running a trap, at present. My recent results, when compared to Sandwich Bay and Dungerness Obs, plus the Folkestone gang, suggest that I'm doing very well, thank-you very much!

Boredom? - Not an option

 For me to moan about my daily life would be absurd. I only have to take a look at the BBC News (or any other mainstream network) to see what a shit state our world is currently in and the impact that it's having on millions of ordinary folk around the globe. Nothing can change the fact that I really miss Bev, yet life goes on and with it my own journey can become as selfish as I wish purely because , Bruno aside, I can suit myself as to what I choose to do with my time. The Mandarin Pool caper has just about run its' course and I've enjoyed my time at the venue, although the challenge wasn't what I'd hoped for. Fortunately, having found a group of Carp in a new drain, I still have new avenues to explore before my Kefalonian holiday. 

17 lbs 1 oz - a recapture of a fish I'd caught at the start of the month.
Absolutely no point continuing at the venue given this scenario.

Benno is going to join me on this adventure and it will be nice to spend some time together, plus exchange ideas about how to solve the puzzles presented by this particular situation. We are not chasing a lot of Carp and there certainly isn't anything above mid-doubles (that we've seen) present. It's all about pitting our wits against this unknown population and seeing how we get on? Away from angling, my Bruno walks continue to ensure that I am aware of so many other aspects of the natural world which share my space. Today, whilst out on Worth Marshes RSPB Res, in the company of Andy L, I discovered a Southern Migrant Hawker patrolling the track besides "The Great Wood" Although completely unexpected, I couldn't help but point the long lens in the direction of this wonderful creature in the hope that I might get a useable image, or two? 

Back at home, this desire to spend time actually looking at the invertebrates which also call my garden their home is becoming infectious. Not everything I espy is willing to hang around for me to grab the camera kit, yet it's not important. The thing that matters is that I'm making the effort to look. 

The very impressive Hornet Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) feeding on
thistles along the drive

An un-id'd Ichneumon Wasp. 
I photographed it on the inside of the perspex dome of my moth trap

The garden moth trap has been fairly quiet recently, although it might have something to do with my expectations not being met? Always good numbers of common species being attracted, with the occasional oddity thrown in for good measure.

Pale Maple Stilt - not too many Thanet records of this tiny moth.

Same place, but with the right kit this time.

 It was around 08.45 hrs that Bruno and I headed off back down to the flatlands to see if the Purple Heron, we'd found yesterday, was still present. Although Emily wasn't with us, I had made the sensible decision of bringing along the EOS 90d with my 100 - 400 mm IS USM lens fitted. We walked exactly the same route as yesterday and, sure enough, in almost the identical place, the Purple Heron flushed from the side of the drain. I grabbed a few few flight shots before it pitched down some two hundred metres further on. thus allowing me to obtain some more images.

A shot taken just after it had flushed for the first time this morning

I made every effort to give the bird some space, yet having no desire (or permission) to encroach onto the adjacent fields, it was inevitable that the bird took flight again, this time headed off high, to the north. 

However, it wasn't more than five minutes later when I spotted it flying back towards our position and, sure enough, it dropped back down onto the drain where we then left it. Absolutely chuffed to be able to rectify yesterday's error and obtain some images which I haven't bettered out on the Greek mainland!

Absolutely delighted that I had the chance to rectify yesterday's error. What a great bird?

Right place - wrong camera kit !

 My granddaughter, Emily, and I had already made plans to take Bruno for a walk, but it was down to me to pick the venue. As it happens, I made a very good choice, because it was en route to Barham where we were going to grab something to eat in The Duke of Cumberland PH. This being a pub which Bev and I visited regularly during her cancer treatment, prior to October 2024. The landlady, Hattie, is an absolute diamond and my memories are very happy ones of time spent in her company during that particular period. So it was that I picked Emily up at 10.00 hrs and headed off out onto the flatlands where I hoped to be able to do a bit of recce work for the Carp present, whilst also giving Bruno some exercise and allowing Emily to spend time making a fuss of him. As always, I carried my binoculars, but had decided to take the EOS 70d with the 18 - 55 mm IS lens in the hope of some dragonfly encounters. Major mistake as we couldn't have been on site more than ten minutes when an imm Purple Heron flew over our heads before dropping down onto the drain we were walking besides. Absolutely gob-smacked by the encounter, I did attempt to grab a token record shot as the bird flushed on our approach, seemingly headed off, high, away to the south. Imagine, therefore, my surprise when we spotted it again some twenty minutes later, still along the margins of the drain we were walking besides.  When it flushed, this time around, it headed back towards the area we'd first seen it, although we made no effort to confirm this.

About the best I could hope for using a 55mm lens?

I was absolutely blown away by the encounter, this being the fifth Purple Heron I've found in Kent and by far the best views obtained, via the bins. The rest of our day passed exactly as we'd hoped, with the Duke of Cumberland experience being everything I (we) could have wished for. A very pleasant day out indeed.

Time to move on - already ?

 I'm now back home after my fifth session down at the Mandarin Pool and, I have to say, things are going very well indeed. The longest I've been on the bank is six hours, my shortest session just two, yet I have managed to land Carp on every visit. All this says to me is that my tactics and techniques are well suited to this particular venue and, as such, I'm not pushing myself to find answers to problems which is why I embarked upon the project in the first place. Added to this, on Saturday, I was able to have a very productive conversation, with one of the club bailiffs, who informed me that, by targeting a twenty, I was probably chasing shadows, although there might still be one in the venue. Mid to high teens being a realistic expectation at this current phase in the fishery cycle. This is very much the pattern my results are mirroring, thus feel it might be time to call it a day and seek another challenge elsewhere?

The best so far - 16 lbs 15 oz of Mandarin Pool warrior.

I'm not going to walk away, just yet, because there is one aspect of my thought process which I've yet to explore. Not particularly revolutionary - "can I make my bait become the feature?" With the exception of Camo's "Sweet Squid 15mm wafter hookbaits" all of my bait is prepared by me, at home. Just as when Eddie Turner had told me to ensure that my dead baits "had an edge" the mind-set continues with all my angling challenges. If I do the same as everyone else, why expect my results to be any better than everyone else? Outside the box is where I'm happiest, I couldn't care less what other anglers are achieving so long as I think my own approach is worthy of effort.  When Bruno and I were out on the flatlands, during the week, I stumbled upon a small group of Carp in a drain I've not seen them previously. They could well be key to where my angling effort is now headed. None of them were big, mid-doubles at best, yet from a venue which will mean starting back at the beginning of a new learning curve.

Mandarin Mirror and some moths

 Thursday's, Thanet, weather forecast was a doom laden tale of thunderstorms, on a biblical scale, plus heavy rain with accompanying flood warnings. Total and utter "bunkum" !!! Whilst it is certainly true that we did experience thunderstorms and rainfall during the day, it certainly didn't live up to the pre-event publicity. Early afternoon, I decided to take Bruno out for a stroll and headed across to Stonar Lake just for a change of scenery, plus the van wouldn't be too far away should the weather take a turn for the worse? It was just the job and ninety minutes flew by as we meandered around the boundary track besides the fishery. It certainly wasn't busy, the few guys I encountered were, bivvy bound, Carp anglers and not particularly communicative but, "hey - ho"; each to their own.  Back at home, I was at a loose end, and on an impulse decided to get the kit together and take a drive across to the Mandarin Pool. It was around 16.45 hrs when I left, there still being a few spots of rain falling, but nothing significant. By the time Bruno and I had done a lap of the fishery, decided on a swim and got set up, it was 17.45 hrs and I had little over two hours to make something happen. To be honest, I was pretty confident purely due to the events of the previous two visits and sure enough it was less than thirty minutes when my left hand alarm screamed into life and it was "fish-on".

An amazing scrap, using the ABU carbon specimen rods, fitted with ABU Cardinal 66X reels, I was delighted when I  drew a very angry, gnarly, old, Mirror Carp over the net chord. I managed to secure a few record images of the fish, but didn't get to fussy because, at 15 lbs 7 oz, it was no monster - although most welcome none the less. Within another forty minutes I had a second fish on the unhooking mat, this one a scamp Common of 8 lbs 3 oz. We sat it out until 20.00 hrs, but no further action was to be had, yet I packed up very happy with this result from such a short visit.

Chequered Pearl (Evergestis pallidata) - new for the garden, yet 
recorded on the same date as Folkestone got their first for 2025.

And so on to the garden moth records. Although I am not (and have no desire to join) part of any formal cyber network of Kent "moffas", I am able to keep abreast with the general feel via the websites of Dungeness and Sandwich Bay Bird Obs plus Ian Roberts brilliant Folkestone Birds  Because of the accessibility to this info, I am fairly well placed to pick up on any local traits which might be occurring? Quite obviously, it is an influx of rare migrants species which gets the adrenaline flowing and yet, there have been some very interesting records of species which aren't considered to be migrants, yet are very unusual in this part of the UK. As I've said on many occasions, the running of my garden moth trap is purely for enjoyment. Under no circumstances do I wish to become involved with a recording structure which is so Neanderthal and moronic as to still be using id techniques which Queen Victoria considered "cutting edge". Three "Ear sp." turned up last week and despite looking like Large Ear, the Kent Moth website clearly states that they are only identifiable by dissection? It's bloody 2025 - surely we have the DNA technology to assist us? 

Ear moth agg. - killing moths in order to tick a box doesn't figure
in my perception of enjoying wildlife.

Other good records have included a couple of Light Crimson Underwings, a Pretty Chalk Carpet (just my fourth garden record in twenty five years), a Golden Twin-spot and an Oak Processionary. Still I await that mega, but will happily settle for whatever comes my way until such time as the moth gods deem me worthy.

Golden Twin-spot

Pretty Chalk Carpet

Light Crimson Underwing

Oak Processionary

The Mandarin Pool is still calling and I am already querying the choice of hook pattern being used? Plenty of time, and scope, for me to tweak my rigs and tactics - keep watching this space!

The "Mandarin Pool" mini project

There's no two ways about it; my angling effort has taken a massive dive since Bev's passing. However, with the passage of time, and encouragement from Benno, enthusiasm is slowly returning. I need to get Bruno used to the bankside knowing that Pike fishing will play a big role over the coming winter period. The "Carp Puddle" down on Minster Marshes has allowed me to introduce Bruno to seeing fish on the bank and ensure that he behaves in a suitable manner. As much fun, as catching Carp off the top with a split cane and centrepin can be, there is only so much I could take and it was Benno who suggested another club venue where I would have to up my game if I wanted to continue placing fish on the unhooking mat. I will call it the Mandarin Pool, purely due to having no desire to publicise a small venue where the locals are able to enjoy such peaceful surroundings as well as some superb angling.  The Carp are certainly another step up, with doubles being plentiful and even the odd "twenty" if you're lucky.

Mummy Mandarin and her three ducklings

I made my first visit, on Sunday, taking Bruno across to spend some time with Benno, who was trying to tempt them off the surface, and attempting to learn a little about the fishery. It was Tuesday afternoon, however, before I decided to get the gear prepped and have my first session at the pool. My initial thoughts revolve around the approach which was so successful for me at Sandwich Coarse Fishery during the late summer of 2024. Particle baits and the Nash "Bushwhacker" being key if my thought processes and  tactics are of merit? Well it certainly didn't take long to confirm that my methodology was on the right track. The first session resulted in a lovely Common Carp, of 15 lbs 10 oz, gracing the landing net and a return, this afternoon, has seen another five fish on the bank, although only one "scraper" double for the efforts today.

15 lbs 10 oz - a "double" from a new venue is always enjoyable.

It is a cracking little venue and one which perfectly suits my plans, short term, as I slowly return to a new type of "normal" ???  I envisage that it will provide the mainstay of my angling effort for the next six, or so, weeks prior to Kefalonia calling again.

A typical swim at the fishery

Moth trap to the rescue

 For the parched landscape of the East Kent farmland, parks and gardens, the recent spell of "unsettled" weather has been an absolute blessing. Lots of rainfall, yet spread across several days, has meant that it has been extremely beneficial for the local vegetation and my lawn is no exception. The flip side to the weather has been the negative impact upon my ability to get out with Bruno for any extended wanderings, thus I've had very little to blog about. So it has fallen upon the results from the garden moth trap to provide some content. Sadly, there's been nothing "mega" yet still a few decent bits have turned up which are worthy of sharing?

Tree-lichen Beauty - double figure counts on several nights recently

Reed Dagger - nowhere close to an annual visitor, so very welcome.

Last night produced an exceptional catch and included seventeen Jersey Tigers, a Small Elephant Hawk-moth (the first since May) plus my first Poplar Hawk-moth of 2025. The two stand out individuals were Dewick's Plusia and The Vestal so I really enjoyed examining the egg trays this morning.

The Vestal

Dewick's Plusia

Other migrant species included Dark Sword-grass, Silver Y's and Diamond-backs. Under no circumstances is my mothing anything more than fun. What I fail to id doesn't cause a second of lost sleep.

Hawthorn Knot-horn

Minster Meds

 It's been quite a hectic past few days, with some insurance and pension issues needing attention as they were not covered by the scope of the "Just Tell Us Once" scheme. Thankfully, both problems were easily addressed via phone calls with the organisations involved and I have to say that the customer service guys/gals were at pains to reassure me that they were fully supportive of the bereavement process and in no way wanted their requirements to negatively impact upon me! With Bev's daughter, Debbie, on my team the subsequent form filling should be relatively easy purely because admin is her profession. On Thursday, Bruno and I had a morning session down at the "Carp Puddle" which resulted in fourteen "scamps" visiting the unhooking mat in little over two hours! Absolutely brilliant fun, although the best fish didn't make double figures! We were back again on Friday morning, although this time just for a wander around the marsh. Nothing much to report, although I did hear a singing Yellowhammer in a place I've not heard one previously this year. It was as we made our way back towards the van that it became obvious that there was a, southward, movement of Mediterranean Gulls overhead. It was over a very broad front, thus I will make no guesstimates of the numbers involved, but it does fit in nicely with reports from other observers in the East Kent area.

It was up on the banks of Jade Lake where I managed to obtain these images,
the birds passing, very leisurely, low over the fishery.

Saturday was all about Sye's 65th birthday bash. I travelled up early purely because of the weather forecasts. After a quick detour to The Artizan, to see my nephew, Josh, I was in Aston Clinton just after 12.30 hrs where the fun began. Stuart, owner/landlord of The Rothchild Arms, did Sye proud, putting on a fantastic do for all of us that attended. The weather might have been awful, yet it mattered no a jot as we partied well into the night.All good things must come to an end, and so it was 08.30 hrs this morning that I was back in the van, headed homewards. The weather remained an issue as I negotiated my way around the M25. There were times when the rain was so heavy that 40 mph was impossible, but make it home I did. Bruno had been staying with Terry & Glynis (as usual) and it wasn't until well after 15.30 hrs that the weather conditions ensured we be able to get out for a stroll. I headed across to "Forgotten Fen" territory; parking by Lillyroo's and walking the track to Hacklinge pumping station and beyond. Not much to see, although it was a very nice stroll.

An adult Swallow near the stables at the start of our walk

A fairly heavy crop of an adult Hobby hunting over the marsh

It would seem that after five months, Bruno is finally calming down and not over-reacting whenever coming into contact with other dogs. He was off the lead for the entire walk, which is definitely a sign that things are headed in the right direction.

Overlooking the blatantly obvious!

Well, if you're going to make a complete pratt of yourself, where better than on your own blog? My previous "sandpiper" offering is as bad as it gets. Thankfully my cyber mate, and fellow blogger, Stewart Sexton, came to the rescue when he offered a comment on said post. Quite what I was thinking is now, so obviously, erroneous to the point of being a worrying sign of the aging process kicking in? The bird is quite clearly a moulting adult WOOD SANDPIPER and, as such, a very good record for the Save Minster Marshes gang. Please feel free to go back to the comments exchanged between Stewart and myself, if you wish an insight into my thought processes which resulted in the faux pas! I've attached an image which clearly shows the extent of the patternation along the flanks and vent plus "how does anyone ignore that supercilium?"

Well it's done now and there's nothing I can do to change the original error other than hold my hands up and admit I screwed up - big time!

Sandpiper surprise

It was almost 09.00 hrs when I lifted myself from the comfort of the duvet. Sleep patterns finally appear to be returning to something approaching normal? Not that laying in until 09.00 hrs is normal, but I'll certainly take it when the opportunity arises. No surprises, therefore, that Bruno and I didn't get down to Minster Marshes for our morning walk until well after 10.00 hrs. It was a pleasant enough morning, although there was a stiff southerly breeze to accompany the sunshine. We took our regular route across the marsh and it was as we approached the first Barn Owl nest box when I flushed a Green Sandpiper from drain beside the track. It flew away, dropping down a few hundred yards further along the dyke, yet as Bruno and I were crossing the concrete bridge it flew back past us and dropped in almost exactly where I'd originally spooked it from. With a bit of fieldcraft, plus the benefit of extensive bankside vegetation, I managed to get into a position where I could grab a few images of the bird as it wandered around on the thick carpet of blanket weed which covers the surface of the drain.

Bruno and I then continued on our merry way, yet seeing very little for our troubles. It was only as we made our way back towards the van that the Green Sandpiper provided another opportunity to grab some more images. This time, however, the bankside vegetation was on my side and I was able to get much closer to the bird, with the sun in my favour as well. 

Still loads going on in the background, but nothing unique to me under the circumstances. There is light at the end of the tunnel with Kefalonia providing the focus as time moves on but. in the interim, there is my brother, Sye's, 65th birthday bash, this weekend, then my cousin Ruth's 60th in August. Both of which need to be navigated before holiday mode kicks in!

Taking a breather

I am well aware that there's been a lapse in posts, since 1st July. This has been a deliberate break in my cyber activity purely because of a need for some personal time as I come to terms with where my life is now headed? Please don't waste any time worrying about my mental, physical or emotional wellbeing; I'm fine in myself and being supported by a wonderful mix of family, friends and neighbours. I have to admit that my angling has been a major casualty during this recent period although, inspired by my "virtual mate" Brian, over at the Pike Blog, I have had a few sessions down at the "Carp Puddle"  where a bent split cane is always guaranteed. Nothing big, not even a double, but great fun nonetheless in the company of Bruno. 

It has only been this year that I've realised just how numerous Ruddy Darters 
are around the various dykes and drains of the area.

So whilst the "Of Esox" side of the blog might be woeful, at present, the "observations" part is going along splendidly..  The camera certainly plays a major role in any time I spend wandering around the East Kent marshes and by adding the extension tubes to the kit has ensured that I am constantly on the look out for anything interesting which might be happy to pose for a while? It still remains, very much, a work in progress as I seek to push the limits of my photographic techniques. To be fair, it is a very leisurely journey and mistakes are just as valuable (to me) as any other experiences so long as I'm able to learn something for next time. The garden moth trap continues to provide much for me to enjoy, although migrant species have been conspicuous by their absence for the most part. 

A rather unexpected discovery as I was watering the hanging baskets.
A roosting "Hummer" on the letter-box.

Birds will always have a role to play in my time outdoors and as the autumn draws ever closer, there is plenty to be seen locally. Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Wood & Green Sandpipers and a couple of adult Dunlin have been noted around the pools at Worth RSPB Res, whilst a couple of Great White Egrets did a nice fly past as Bruno and I walked the Pinnock Wall on Friday.

The best bird, thus far this autumn, is a juvenile Whinchat which I found yesterday evening, again out on Worth, and still present this morning.. This individual is in a plumage which I've never previously seen and it required me to seek assistance from my reference library to convince myself that I wasn't making a school-boy error with my id?  I had to use the Beeman & Madge "Handbook" to get confirmation, although the 3rd edition of Collins does also provide an illustration of this plumage.

All being well, blogging should return to some level of consistency as the healing power of time takes effect.