After dark action

It doesn't matter what the thermometer says, the recent run of blasting easterlies has ensured that running the garden moth trap is a complete waste of effort and electricity. However, all is not lost, once the sun sets, the nocturnal feeding station is providing plenty of entertainment with several Hedgehogs and, at least, three Foxes visiting the food bowls.

It would appear that Hedgehogs find chicken much more attractive than
the regular kitten biscuits and "Meaty Meals" I place in their bowl

I've not yet managed to obtain any images of the Foxes with the back door open, although the Hedgehogs are not so wary and allow plenty of scope to play around with the camera kit. It is an ongoing challenge which is providing a nice distraction from the reality of our current situation. It was whilst I was listening to the game between The Lionesses and Belgium Ladies, a vixen was very active around the garden and I was getting a series of shots through the double glazed window when a Hedgehog joined in with the fun allowing me to grab a shot of the feeding companions.

It was a rather quiet wander around the marsh, this morning, with the only notable sighting being a lone Swallow battling it's way North into the blustery wind. 

Minster Marshes

Ten days after Bev's preliminary diagnosis and we're still no closer to getting a CT scan for Dr A. Podder to view prior to deciding on the course of action required. "Urgent" was his description of the scan, yet absolutely nothing has occurred since. I've even visited our local doctors surgery, in the hope of discovering if there is anything else we can do to speed things up? No seems to be consensus reply! It's no fault of any single individual (unlike Trump's impact on the global economy) just a glaring demonstration of how broken our NHS system now is? A feeling of complete despair, with all that it does for confidence and mental health, is now ruling our lives. Bev is in a very bad way and hasn't left the bungalow since the original hospital visit. At least I am able to take Bruno for a walk, thus spend some time clearing my head and away from reality. Minster Marshes has proven to be an absolute oasis during this recent period plus allowing me to do a bit of birding and provide some data for the "Save Minster Marshes" gang.

The vast majority of the overwintering passerines have long since gone, yet there is always something worthy of note whenever I'm wandering around the area. Yesterday produced the first Little Egret of the year, for me, and this morning it was a very noisy Oystercatcher which provided the most noteworthy entry in my diary. As Bruno and I were headed back towards the van, I espied a couple of guys standing on the raised bank of Brook Lake. One of them had a tripod and I felt sure that the other was my mate George, the gamekeeper. No surprise, therefore, that we took a detour to see what what was going on?

Not exactly what I had expected. As we neared their position it became clear that George was being interviewed by a reporter. As it turns out, he was a guy from BBC Radio Kent. Obviously, Bruno and I had no desire to interfere with this situation, so stopped where we were in order for the interview to be completed. I have to say, at this point, George's performance was top drawer. 

I grabbed this shot of a female Pheasant as we drove back along the track.
Taken from the van window, the bird crouched down on our approach, before deciding 
that it wasn't a good idea and scuttling away into the adjacent vegetation

On arriving back home I gave George a phone call, just to find out what it was all about? As always, a very light-hearted exchange which concluded with the phrase " I can bull-shit with the best of them!" Under the circumstances, not particularly accurate, but it made me smile none the less. If/when I find out when this interview will be broadcast I will post a link - I'm confident that it will be worth a listen?

Change of scenery

As my C&DAA membership expires at mid-night, tonight, I needed to get across to the HQ, in Sturry, in order to renew it for another year. It made sense, therefore, that Grove Ferry NR would be a sensible place for today's Bruno walk. Parking at the gateway, we walked to the Marsh Hide, and back again, in splendid sunshine. Three more additions to my year list were Sedge Warbler, Bearded Tit and Water Pipit, yet there is always something to see when wandering around this jewel of a reserve. Displaying Marsh Harriers were putting on quite a show in the skies above the reedbeds, whilst a dozen, or so, Cattle Egrets were associating with the herd of Galloway Cattle over by the Ox-bow.

This smart little male popped up, very briefly, beside the main track.
I'm once again indebted to the technology housed within the EOS 90d for obtaining a record shot. 

On our way to Sturry, by 10.45hrs, I was not the only member seeking to renew their ticket, so I spent a good half an hour chatting with the other guys also present in the waiting area. As is usual, Jo was on her own, but doing a sterling job of renewing tickets whilst also answering a barrage of phone calls. £120 later, we were on our way home, my C&DAA fishing secured for another twelve months.

Early morning Osprey

It doesn't matter how many times I've experienced the Spring & Autumn clock changes, they still cause me issues with sleep patterns which take several days to adapt to. So, despite the clock telling me it was 07.00 hrs, my body didn't agree but Bev needed some medication, so it wasn't up for discussion whether I got up, or not! Bev sorted and the first coffee of the day consumed, it made sense to get out with Bruno with the clock now approaching 08.00 hrs. I'd just got Bruno into the van when the local gulls erupted over the adjacent area and, on raising my binoculars, I was absolutely delighted to espy an Osprey, away to the south, being harassed by a local Carrion Crow. The EOS 90d did it's magic, allowing me to obtain a few useable images for the blog.

Buoyed by this sighting, I drove down to Minster Marshes for our daily meander around the threatened area of set-a-side fields. The wind was brisk, and from a WNW direction, ensuring it felt pretty chilly despite the glorious sunshine. I did manage to see a couple of noteworthy birds, but it was generally quiet. The only obvious new migrant was a singing male Blackcap, although there was no shortage of Chiffchaffs as we walked our usual route. A Red-legged Partridge provided my second "year tick" of the day and one of the local Common Buzzards seemed desperate to grab my attention as it flew low, and slow, over our position.

This area will dominate my birding, locally, as it allows me to let Bruno off the lead safe in the knowledge that I won't encounter any other dog walkers whilst we're out there. How long will it continue? Your guess is as good as mine!

Bruno's favourite entertainment whilst wandering the marsh.

Early morning stroll

As it is the weekend, Bruno and I can get out earlier than during manic rush-hour/school run period which dominates Monday to Friday. So it was before 08.00 hrs that I'd parked the van besides Jade Lake where we'd begin our walk around the marsh. I was hoping that there might be a few, newly arrived, migrants yet, Chiffchaffs apart, it was very disappointing. All was not lost, however, as I managed to grab a few images of a pair of Grey Partridges beside the Asparagus field at Sevenscore. Only the second pair I've recorded on the marsh this year.

Although the sun was shining brightly, the NW wind had an edge to it as it pushed across the open areas of the marsh, however, in sheltered spots there was considerable insect activity around any vegetation with blossom on display. This is something I'm hoping will provide scope for exploring the opportunities to play around my macro kit in order to add more species to the SMM database.

I want to end this offering with a sad "Farewell" to Steve Gale. As a fellow inhabitant of "Blogland" we have shared many experiences over these past fifteen years. I wish him all the best and thank him for his superb BWKm0 efforts which helped us cope during the pandemic lockdowns.

Shape of things to come?

Whenever Bruno and I are out, on a walk, my binoculars are around my neck and the EOS 90d & long lens hung over my shoulder. Under no circumstances could this be construed as serious birding yet, on the odd occassion, I have been fortunate to encounter birds worthy of note. My involvement with The Save Minster Marshes gang has meant that images which haven't been used on the blog are still shared with others via the various media platforms used by the group. With the situation as it is, currently, I feel sure that my Minster Marshes stuff will feature prominently in my blog offerings. 

A displaying male Skylark 

One of the local Buzzards eyeing up Bruno as a possible meal?

The garden Moth Trap (a 125w Robinson MV model) will also play a key role in providing content all the while Bev's health remains central to our daily routine. So, as to illustrate what I mean, a Dark Sword-grass was discovered on the egg trays, this morning. In itself, nothing particularly noteworthy, apart from the fact that it's still March! Is it a migrant? 

Dark Sword-grass

Then I have still got the garden feeding stations to fall back on if I'm really struggling for blog content. Last night there were two Foxes visiting the feeding bowl and, despite the double glazed window, allowed me to play around with the camera kit.

I'll end it with another sorry tale of a broken system. The cancer team had a meeting on Thursday, which resulted in a Friday morning consultation for us. The only problem being that no-one bothered to contact us with the info, thus it didn't happen. Dr. Podder phoned this afternoon, apologising for the error and explaining what he wants to happen next (very quickly!). As I said in the previous post, I will use the blog to tell my side of this story, as it unfolds, warts and all!.

Everything is on "hold"

 I've not posted anything since Sunday because of Bev's health issues. What was originally thought to be a trapped nerve in her back, is actually a cracked vertebrae and it's required two days in A&E, at QEQM Hospital, Margate, plus a parking fee of £17.60 for the privilege, before discovering that it might actually be bone cancer. This is still to be confirmed, but the doctors seemed sure that it was having reviewed the MRI scans of her back. Obviously, this is now top priority in our world and thoughts about Carp, or anything else for that matter, have to play second fiddle to this singular issue. I would guess that the garden will now feature highly in my natural history experiences, whilst my Bruno walks will have to be restricted to Minster Marshes, just because they are closest to home should Bev need my assistance at short notice?

Tufted Tortrix - Acleris cristana

I will continue to use the blog to tell my version of the story, as events unfold, purely because it helps me to cope with the situation. I don't expect everyone else to see things the way I do, but if by sharing our journey I can assist a single other individual experiencing the same type of trauma, then it is worth doing?

Sill regularly visiting the garden feeding station

Moth trapping and Save Minster Marshes recording might be all I have to offer over the coming weeks/months. I'll do my very best to remain positive, yet might have a few wobbles along the way?