My reliance on electronic bite alarms is a deliberate choice as it allows me to engage with the other aspects of bankside wildlife whilst I'm there. My attention could be drawn towards a butterfly, a bird or any number of other creatures yet, if an alarm sounds my focus will immediately be directed towards the rods. To be fair, it's a very simple process and whilst I'm sure that there will be angling purists who frown upon such antics why should I care? If you don't like it - don't do it!
I was out of the bungalow at 03.30 hrs, my bait positioned by 04.40 hrs, using my Nash Deliverance baiting pole. Alarm on, bobbin positioned, I watched the dawn sky brighten and kept an eye open for any signs of fishy activity. A couple of adult Hobbys were hunting the drain at first light and, once the sun had burnt off the early morning cloud cover, there were decent numbers of Common Swifts careering across the adjacent marshes. Being so mobile, it was impossible to get an accurate count but, certainly in excess of thirty birds involved. Really glad I made the effort to carry the long lens again today as there were good numbers of newly fledged Reed & Sedge Warblers plus Common Whitethroats. The temperature had dropped away noticeably soon after daybreak and I'd had to put on an extra jumper. By 07.00 hrs it was T-shirt time although this soon changed again as a layer of high cloud, once again, obscured the sun. It was at this point a Great White Egret appeared, flying steadily northwards. I grabbed the camera and rattled off a few shots, the settings all wrong for the prevailing light conditions, but hey-ho they're better than nothing.
And speaking of nothing, that's exactly what I caught. So with little else to occupy my time, there's a game of football tonight that might be worth a watch? COME ON ENGLAND
And an easily predictable end to the football, England seemed to lose their way after half time.
ReplyDeleteThat might be true but at least they gave us the chance to dream.
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