Signs of the times

Knowing just how unlikely it would be, that lightning might strike twice, I still went through the ritual of the 03.00 hrs alarm call and the effort involved with getting my kit out to the flatland drain which has become focal to my latest challenge. I did register a bite but, failed to connect with the culprit which I suspect to have been an eel? There was a heavy dew and a veil of mist covered the surrounding fields as the light intensified prior to sunrise. With hardly a breath of wind, it felt quite chilly and I was grateful for that extra sweater I'd chucked on the barrow. After chatting with my brother, Sye, yesterday I got my bait in position then donned the chest waders, just in case. I know that I didn't need them today, but I did do that bit of gardening I'd overlooked on Tuesday. 

If the fish weren't playing ball, the local birdlife certainly did their best to keep me from boredom. I recorded a nice mix of waders, whilst sat behind the rod. A bunch of Sand Martins had roosted in the marginal reeds before departing south on their mammoth journey. Two flocks of Goldfinches, totalling in excess of seventy birds, quickly moved through; a sure sign of Autumn. Then, as if to confirm the fact, a lone Golden Plover flew over, uttering its' mournful piping call then I watched three Common Snipe, flushed by a juvenile Marsh Harrier, again my first since March.

The garden birding has also begun to show signs of the changing seasons. Common Swifts have all but gone, I saw only two today and the southerly passage of Common Buzzards is now underway. Two yesterday, one today, plus Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel sightings are becoming more frequent. It was great to see a juvenile Greenfinch on the feeders this afternoon, hopefully a sign that they've turned the corner on that wicked "trichomonosis" disease which so decimated their numbers?

Although I no longer feel the need to chase scarce avian visitors to the Kent countryside, Birdguides website is probably the most visited cyber address I use. Knowing what is being seen around the county keeps me in the loop of what I might possibly discover whilst casting a line. The Hoopoe at Oare Marshes, yesterday, caused a wry smile. They're a bird which I associate with holidays, although the last one I saw was flying along London Road in Deal! Just like Bee-eaters and Night Herons, birds which ooze the Mediterranean sunshine. We will be going back to Kefalonia, just don't know when as the logistics of getting the gang of six back together is, to say the least, a bit complex!

As a blogger I often find myself questioning why I bother? The time and effort involved in producing a post is relative, I guess, but not being the sharpest pencil in the box means it does require a modicum of commitment. I'm fully aware that these thoughts are not unique, many of my fellow bloggers have made mention of similar feelings over the past decade and, indeed, a few have chucked in the towel. On Tuesday I discovered (again) exactly why this platform is such a rewarding place to express your experiences and emotions. I am humbled by the reaction to my capture of that carp and am truly grateful to those who made the effort to offer comments - cheers!