Getting back in the groove - very slowly!

 I'd be a complete fool if I said anything other than the fact that my physical (& mental) wellbeing was still a cause for concern - on a personal level. Energy levels and lack of appetite might be a hangover from the bout of Covid I suffered prior to the Kefalonia holiday? My anxiety issues are far more complex and certainly have their origins firmly linked to Bev's passing. However, the clock isn't going to stop ticking , it's up to me, coupled with the support I receive, to negotiate a route through this part of my life's journey and, hopefully, emerge the other side an older and wiser guy because of the experience.

I'll start with today's news and work my way back to Bonfire Night. Bruno and I were on the way down to the RMC just prior to 05.45 hrs, two rods fishing before 06. 50 hrs. We had bee greeted by the first frost of the autumn and two Pike succumbed to my offerings. The first just a feisty jack of six, or seven, pounds. The second, however, was a rather battered looking individual tipping the scales at 12 lbs 14 oz, thus my second double of the campaign. Because it was in such a sorry state I didn't bother with any photos choosing, instead, to get it straight back into the water once unhooked.

From Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th I'd been up in the West Midlands stay with my great friends Carrie & Craig. The weather wasn't up to much and we were battered by Storm Claudia overnight on Friday. The break, however, was just what the doctor ordered and we spent our time chatting and laughing, simply enjoying eachothers company. Without consulting the local news sources, Craig suggested that we take a drive across to Wales on Saturday, just to get out of the house for a while. Great idea, or so it seemed at the time? The drive across to the border was fairly straight forward, although there were ominous signs of heavy rainfall provided by numeros roadside puddles and standing water in the adjacent fields. It wasn't, however, until we reached the border that the full extent of the havoc caused by Storm Claudia became apparent. Craig had actually commented on how little traffic was on the roads and now it was becoming clear as to why. 

Just a big puddle when compared to some of the flooded roads we encountered
during our tour.

Taken from the passenger seat in Craig's VW estate. Absolutely mind boggling
areas of agricultural land under water

As a proto-type engineer for Jaguar Land Rover, Craig had no intention of admitting failure and so we continued to negotiate our way across towards Aberystwyth to a spectacular group of reservoirs, in the hills overlooking Gigrin Farm. I did manage to grab a few images, thanks to Craig, although the weather/light conditions were less than favourable.

Although I've been very lax with my blogging since Emily and I attended the firework display in Broadstairs, the requirement to take Bruno out for daily exercise has meant that the camera has seen quite a bit of use whilst out wandering the tracks and footpaths of Grove Ferry/Stodmarsh NNR, Worth Marshes RSPB Res. plus the Little Stour Valley.

Finally, I'd like to end this offering by sharing a couple more images I obtained on the evening of the 5th November. If I don't share them they will get forgotten in an aging file within my cyber storage facility which would be a shame?

Under no circumstance can I claim any credit for the above images. I simply
copied the camera settings used by a Youtuber, based in Australia, job's a good'un!

A Guy Fawkes Pike

 It was a little before 04.30 hrs, this morning, that Bruno and I headed off down to the RMC for our first session in over two weeks. Thankfully, a Pike had read the same script as I had which resulted in my first "double" of the campaign. No monster but, at eleven pounds fourteen ounces, most welcome all the same.

I'd been hoping that the local college would hold a firework display, yet this was negated when a phone call from my  grand-daughter, Emily, asked if I would accompany her to Broadstairs for their event? A quick lesson, via Google, ensured that I took my camera gear in the hope of getting some images to accompany this post. Not an area of the photographic sphere that I have any inspirations to master, the images I managed tonight, were certainly an improvement on anything I've managed previously.

Already had a couple of Perch sessions whilst awaiting conditions on the RMC to improve. Sadly nothing to report, thus far, but am certainly hopeful of some action once the temps start to drop.

November surprise

 Apologies for the recent lack of up-dates, I've not been in a very good place; mentally, of late. Thanks to the input and efforts of so many friends, neighbours and family, things now appear to be on the mend. Bruno and I had a wander around The Little Stour Valley, this morning, and it turned out to be a very enjoyable outing. Blue skies had replaced the early morning wind and rain ensuring that the visibility was about as good as it gets. As we made our way along the regular route, it was obvious that Stonechats were present in decent numbers particularly atop, and around, the game cover which borders many of the fields within the area.

A few Linnets, Chaffinches, Reed Buntings along with the occasional Yellowhammer were also feeding around the game cover, so there was always something to point my binos towards as we slowly made our way around the circuit. Three distant egrets (Cattle ?) were watched flying westwards towards Grove Ferry before I discovered the bird of the morning. A smart male Dartford Warbler popped up, very briefly, on a sunflower allowing me to grab a token image of this addition to my 2025 year list.

Benno and I are Perch fishing down at Sandwich Coarse Fishery in the morning. Not too sure that it will be particularly serious but, instead, a social catch up.

Great Grey Shrike

Bruno and I were out on the flatlands, quite early this morning, in order for me to assess the Pike fishing potential of a couple of small drains. Basically, I was looking for alternative venues should the RMC remain out of sorts? I'm actually toying with the idea of a spot of Perch fishing, but haven't made any plans as yet. So, as we were out in the general area, I decided to take a wander across to Worth RSPB Res to, hopefully, cross paths with the Great Grey Shrike which has been present for a few days now. I parked by Lillyroo's and walked the track across to Hacklinge Pumping Station before following the North Stream (NOT THE ROARING GUTTER) towards Worth village. There were two birders already present, scopes pointed in the direction of the shrike. Always distant, and extremely mobile, I was very grateful to be allowed to look through one of the guys scopes allowing me great views of this impressive visitor.

I used my 1.4x teleconverter with the 100 - 400 mm lens in an attempt at getting an image or two for the blog. At the distances involved, they were never likely to be anything more than record shots? Still, they're better than nothing - I guess.

A gloomy Tuesday

Well I attended this season's first Canterbury/Thanet PAC Regional meeting not having registered a single bite from a Pike, thus far, this season. I was not alone in this predicament, as the majority of the other guys were also struggling. As always, the banter was non stop and a pleasant time was enjoyed by all. We also welcomed Mack, a new face into the gang, which is always a positive step for the region, but also the PAC as a whole. I'd had to leave early as I had left Bruno at home for the very first time and wasn't sure how he'd cope? I shouldn't have worried, as he was fine when I got back so, hopefully I'll be able to stay for the duration of the remaining meetings.

This morning, under grey skies and intermittent drizzle, Bruno and I had a wander around Worth Marshes RSPB Res. Not too much to get excited about, although there was a noticeable passage of Swallows headed north across the reserve and I saw my first Fieldfares of the autumn when two flushed from besides the Pinnock Wall.  Four 1st year Spoonbills flew over before dropping down, briefly, onto the main flood and a small group of Chaffinches, feeding on seed provided by the RSPB, had a couple of Bramblings for company. Always a nice bird to spend time with.

Back down to the RMC at silly o'clock tomorrow morning. Surely my persistence will be rewarded - eventually!

Best laid plans

 Sometimes it doesn't matter how thorough the preparation, if the Pike haven't read the script, the effort involved counts for nothing. This is exactly how my 2025/26 RMC campaign has started. Two sessions, in a prime spot, yet not a murmur from the alarms. There was a third session planned, yet grand-parenting duties had to take priority and the chance was missed. So, if I am to have anything to offer during the "round robin" at the PAC meeting, next Monday night, I will have to catch something earlier in the day. Quite obviously, my time on the banks has not been wasted and it's been great to catch up with some folk who have been just as much a part of the experience as any Pike I might have landed from this historic waterway during the past four seasons.

A smart little Stonechat beside the track from Lilyroo's to Hacklinge pumping station.

Luckily, the daily Bruno walks have allowed me to enjoy some reasonable birding, around the various locations we wander, and the camera has been useful on the odd occassion?  A complete circuit of the Grove Ferry/Stodmarsh NNR site proved to be quite a stiff test for Bruno's little legs, yet he made it back to the van before collapsing on his blanket and immediately falling asleep. Nothing unexpected was encountered during the stroll, although nine Great White Egrets were spread around the margins of the main lake, and seemed like a high number for the site? Anywhere there were cows, then sure enough there were Cattle Egrets to be seen. I made a rough count of fifteen, but that might be well off the mark due to the uneven terrain the animals were grazing.

Sometimes an image is not about the bird but, more pleasing, because it
captures the context of the encounter.

The best image I managed during the week was of a young Hobby, hunting high over Worth RSPB Res. As always, I am indebted to the technology within the Canon set-up which allowed me to record such a decent shot. The pale fringing on the upper wing and rump are not something I've actually picked up on through my binoculars.

This morning, my grand-daughter Emily and I took Bruno for a stroll along the Little Stour before heading across to The Duke of Cumberland PH for cheesy chips with bacon. Absolutely bang on and exactly how a walk with grand-dad should culminate? 

Kefalonia 2025 - a very different experience

This holiday was always going to be a difficult trip, being the first one since Bev's passing. All I can say is that I am indebted, and forever grateful, to my dear friends Leon and Pauline for making the event as wonderful as it turned out to be. An emotional roller-coaster wouldn't be too far from the mark, as I recall the fortnight now sat here at my laptop. We'd all gone out there, this year, with a very simple plan. We'd take each day as it came, thus having no pre-planned itinerary, and this certainly worked for me. I won't dwell upon those occasions where I felt myself in a bit of a mess due to vivid recollections of happier times, yet can't deny that they occurred fairly regularly and if not for Leon and Pauline I would have come home within a few days of our arrival. 

A Common Sandpiper in Argostoli Bay

We stayed at The Aridas Palace apartments, yet it was The Hemmingway Bar, next door, where we based ourselves. Most days would see Leon & Pauline lazing on sun-loungers, thus ensuring they looked like they'd been on holiday, whilst I would take a stroll up onto the high ground beyond the Lourdas resort, armed with my camera kit and binos. We'd rendezvous around 13.00 hrs, grabbing a cold Mythos and a bite to eat before I'd retire for an afternoon siesta, whilst they returned to the beach to continue with their lizard impersonations.

Scarlet Darter

Red-veined Darter

My time outdoors wasn't particularly productive, although still enjoyable, due to the weather conditions. Mid 30's C most days, with blinding sunshine producing stark contrast between the light and shaded areas of the surrounding Olive groves and vegetation. If the birds weren't playing ball, I happily pointed the lenses at whatever else was prepared to pose for me.

The only Hoopoe I saw during this holiday.
Once again the EOS 90d performing its' magic, allowing usable images to be captured at 40m plus!

Will I be going back? There were times during the holiday when I really thought I'd had enough but, never say never, things evolved during our stay and I have a much more positive mindset moving forward. At this point it might be prudent to mention the impact that Zoe and Andrew (a couple we met on the plane coming out) from Cornwall had upon the events of the holiday. Time in their company was always accompanied by smiles and laughter, so thank-you both.

Leon and Pauline without whom this 
holiday simply wouldn't have happened!

Sunshine Pike fishing

Fellow blogger, Brian (Pike Blog), has summed it up quite simply with his latest offering entitled Pike Time. October is here and the 1st saw the start of yet another traditional season. I must admit to having very mixed feelings about the early season pursuit of our apex predator, yet this year (winter) is probably going to see my last serious campaign on the banks of the Royal Military Canal? I already have a target to land a "double" before Oct 13th, when the first Canterbury/Thanet Regional PAC meeting takes place. To this end, Bruno and I took an extended stroll along two sections of the canal, this morning, just to establish if it is a viable proposition whilst there is still extensive weed growth in both near, and far, margins. Fortunately the answer was yes, so I am hopeful that I'll be able to get a few sessions in before the PAC gathering. 

31st August 1987
17 lbs 1 oz of accidental capture whilst Zander fishing on
the Cambridgeshire Fens.

My approach will be exactly the same as my previous campaigns, although I do have a couple of tweaks for my dead bait presentation which may assist my cause?  These early season fish are usually well below their peak weight, yet still have the ability to put up a decent scrap when hooked. 

Pike in the autumnal sunshine - absolutely wonderful fish.

I have taken Pike in excess of twenty pounds during the month of October, yet am not too worried about such things at present. All I want is be able to say that my campaign is up and running when Nick, our R/O, does the "round robin" on that first night. As for the campaign, over the entire winter period, I am hopeful that I might get another Pike which tops the twenty-five mark, thus smashing that glass ceiling again. A long way to go and many things could change between now and March 14th 2026.

Home again

 I arrived back in Dumpton just before 20.00 hrs, last night, having driven from Bristol Airport. After collecting Bruno from my neighbours Glynis & Terry, I did little more than get the suitcase from the van and have a quick snack before the duvet was calling. Absolutely knackered, I didn't need much persuading, even though it was only half past nine! This morning we had a, rain shortened, stroll over on Worth RSPB Res which was enlivened by a flock of nine Crossbills flying west over the Pinnock Wall. Back indoors around 11.00 hrs, I got the suitcase unpacked and then set about getting the holiday images transferred onto my laptop. This took quite a while, as there were about three thousand and, quite obviously, these will require a fair degree of effort the go through them thoroughly. However, I've sorted out three which should set the tone for the holiday.

Spotted Flycatcher

Imm Red-backed Shrike
Both the above species were seen regularly around the
apartment buildings and adjacent olive groves

I have every intention of posting a more in depth overview of the fortnight, purely because I couldn't have done it without the help and support from Leon & Pauline. The final image is of a most unexpected encounter with a Richard's Pipit, the first one I've seen in Greece. I flushed it from besides the track I was wandering and, unlike the majority of other birds, it decided to fly back over my head and perch in the sunshine on a nearby Eucalyptus tree.

A very obliging individual

All quiet but a major milestone passed

My time, thus far, out on Kefalonia has been spent scanning empty skies in the vain hope of encountering a migrant, or two. For whatever reasons, this year has been very different from any of my previous visits to this beautiful island. Thankfully, with Leon and Pauline for company, the holiday is proving to be just what I needed and we’re having a great time, despite the lack of bird life.

On the afternoon of the 24th Sept, my visitor stats passed the one million mark and I was absolutely blown away by this event. I will write more about the crazy events of September on my return to home. Finally, I am extremely flattered to have been approached by Richard Naylor who has asked me to write an article for his Angling publication. What will become of this request? Only time will tell.

Kefalonian intro

 We landed at Argostolli airport, just after 11.00hrs (local time), on Thursday and were at the Aridas apartments, within an hour, picking up the hire car less than two hours later! Things went like clockwork and we, Leon, Pauline & I, were then free to spend the remainder of the day taking it very easy. Temperatures are in the mid-thirties Celsius during the middle part of the day and only drop to the mid-twenties after midnight. This has caused me a few issues with sleep and appetite although, thankfully, this seems to be abating now as I acclimatise to these wonderful surroundings.

My wildlife encounters have been very hit and miss, thus far into the holiday, although I have started to accrue a few decent images on the EOS 90d memory card. Sadly I will not be able to share them until returning to Blighty, at the start of October. It is Pauline & Leon’s 28th wedding anniversary today so, in time honoured fashion, it was a taxi ride up to the castle where we enjoyed a fabulous meal in The Olive Lounge, as we have done on many previous occasions. I have to admit that I’m struggling with some things we have done, purely because my memories of time out here with Bev are so very vivid, yet Leon and Pauline are there when I need them and help me through the moments.

Not, overly, sure that my blogging will be that regular, yet I will try to keep you in the picture so that you’ll have some idea what to expect when I get back home to the familiar technology of my trusty laptop.

Confiding Wheatear

 Bruno and I had a very leisurely stroll across the flatlands, this morning. We didn't leave the bungalow until 09.30 hrs and were parked up by the stables just before 10.00 hrs. The weather already on the turn with thick grey clouds bubbling up from the south - west blown along by an increasingly brisk breeze. We walked the track across to Hacklinge pumping station before following the path, besides the North Stream, over to Worth Marshes RSPB Res. Being in no great hurry, we were able to meander our way around the area without a need to keep an eye on the time. Quite a few birds to look at, the most obvious being the steady passage of Swallows and Sand Martins passing overhead, in a southerly direction. Good numbers of Chiffchaffs were encountered wherever suitable habitat was present, yet it wasn't until we actually arrived at the RSPB Res. that things got a little bit special. As we crossed the wooden bridge, from the Pinnock Wall, we were greeted by a Hobby hunting low over tha adjacent pool. Looking across to the main flood, I quickly picked out a Great White Egret and a White Stork, plus large numbers of roosting Lapwings. Two Ruff, a Green Sandpiper and a, flyover, Ringed Plover were also added to the list as we started our return walk. Several imm. Common Buzzards seemed to indicate a successful breeding season for the local birds. The bird of the session, however, was a very approachable Wheatear, which we saw on both legs of the walk. Although I managed some nice images on the outward stroll, the light was so much better as we returned and I am rather pleased with my results from the second encounter.

No fieldcraft required, this individual was a right poser.

The bungalow looks like a mix of war zone and jumble sale, with various items strewn around the furniture and work tops awaiting placement in the suitcase, or not! Three days and counting......

Holiday prep

With under a week before Leon, Pauline and myself are Kefalonia bound, I am well into my final prep for this holiday. Stuff that I've never previously had to consider has all been carefully worked through in order to ensure that I haven't missed anything important. Basically if, on arrival, I have forgotten something, then I simply go without or purchase, said item(s), in Lourdata? I am really quite proud of myself as the washing process was fairly stress free but, the bloody ironing of the assembled items isn't such a doddle. Thankfully, given the weather forecast for the next few days, I will have ample opportunity to develop my technique. I have been very fortunate to become the owner of a pair of, very expensive, "Tamberlan" hiking boots. No, I haven't won the Lottery, they were a gift from Benno; who acquired them via some dodgy business deal somewhere in the past. All I have to say is that they are on a different level, entirely, to those Regatta, Mountain Warehouse, etc, walking boots that I've discovered to be woefully inadequate as I wandered the Greek (& Turkish) countryside previously. All being well, I'll have something positive to say about them once I've given them an outing, or two, over the coming fortnight. 

I certainly don't encounter this type of terrain
when I'm out with Bruno!

I am hopeful that I'll be able to continue to update the blog whilst we're on Kefalonia as I am taking Bev's I-pad with me. Absolutely no idea how to transfer photos from the EOS to this contraption, so it will only be written content, but with an insight into what to expect to see when I return to the comfort of my laptop. The bungalow is now further protected by a rather fancy CCTV system that my neighbour Paul and I have had installed, plus my brother Sye (& Yve) is coming down to stay for a few days as they are looking to move to Sandwich, hence are on the look out for properties which fit their requirements (and budget!)  With all this in place, I am confident that things will be OK when I get home and normality resumes. 

A Chiffchaff at the bird bath

Not much else to report, as weather and events have conspired to keep me house bound for much of the time. Not bothered to run the moth trap recently, purely because conditions aren't conducive to the effort involved in a 06.00 hrs wake up call, in order to switch it off, then the subsequent checking of the egg trays for very little reward. The nocturnal feeding station remains very busy, with at least three different Foxes regularly visiting the garden. Hedgehogs, although still regular, are less reliable in their feeding patterns. I'll end with an image of an adult Fox who wasn't best pleased that there was a youngster at the feeding bowl when it arrived. There was no noise, so I'm guessing this is a threat gesture towards an underling?

Not three metres from my back door - an absolute privilege to witness such behaviour.

Getting there - slowly

With every passing day my energy levels are on the rise and that bloody cough, finally, seems to be going away. Although I am still struggling to find the enthusiasm to get my act together in an angling  sense, I am enjoying the simple pleasures of looking at whatever there is to be seen whilst on my daily wanderings with Bruno. Worth Marshes RSPB Res. and West Stourmouth have been the focus of my efforts and there is generally something to look at, even if not photographed, at both of these sites. 

The two most numerous dragonfly species I'm seeing out on Worth Marshes.
Migrant Hawker (top) and Common Darter (bottom)

The weather is still very unpredictable and, because of strong winds, there have been a couple of nights when I've not bothered to run the moth trap. Late on Friday afternoon there was a hatch of flying ants and the skies above Dumpton became alive with hundreds of gulls taking advantage of this situationn.Although it was Herring and Black-headed Gulls which constituted the bulk of those birds involved, there were also good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls present and I managed to grab a few shots as they passed over the garden.

It was this morning when I finally discovered a Convolvulus Hawk-moth within the confines of my Robinson Trap. Not the first 2025 garden record, as I'd seen one feeding, very briefly, on Nicotiana, right outside my study window on 31st August. However, it was a most welcome visitor and means that I've managed to trap all ten hawk-moth species that are on my garden list during this annual cycle.

A few other back-ups in the form of Olive-tree Pearl, Clancy's Rustic (5), Scarce Bordered Straw (2) plus the regular Rush Veneers and Rusty--dot Pearls. I did manage my third Vestal, of the season, on Saturday and was very impressed by another stunning looking Ichneumon sp. that was on the inside of the perspex dome on the same morning.

Ichneumon sp - probably very common?

Clancy's Rustic - a regular visitor to the MV trap.

With less than a fortnight to go before Kefalonia beckons, I am slowly getting my kit together in preparation for this adventure. There's stuff that I've never previously had to think about, so an A4 writing pad has proven to be an essential piece of the puzzle as I attempt to ensure I've got all bases covered?

EOS technology does the job.

Because of the strong winds, and associated  heavy rainfall, Bruno and I didn't head across to Worth Marshes RSPB Res until well after 10.30 hrs this morning. Even as I parked the van there was still a few drops of rain in the breeze, but we headed off, along the Pinnock Wall, towards the main floods beyond the Great Wood. A Chiffchaff and a Lesser Whitethroat were active in the hedge besides the horse paddocks, as we set off, and I was surprised, yet delighted to spot a lone Swift battling the conditions high over the Great Wood. A September record isn't something I always achieve these days. Crossing the small drain, via the wooden footbridge, it was nice to spot a Greenshank, two Wood Sandpipers and a Little Ringed Plover on the first pool we passed. A Green Sandpiper called loudly as it flushed from a small body of water in the adjacent field, whilst a Little Egret was stalking the margins of the bigger pool as I looked across towards the railway line. A few dragonflies were on the wing in sheltered spots, these being Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters, for the most part, but I did encounter a Willow Emerald Damselfly, which was a unexpected surprise. It wasn't, however, until we'd passed the Great Wood and were headed towards the double gate viewing area that I spotted another couple of Swifts. It quickly became apparent that there were a dozen, or so, hunting low over the surrounding landscape and I grabbed the camera in order to attempt to capture a useable image, or two.

Far superior to anything I've obtained previously. This image clearly shows the pale
 fringing to the coverts, on both wings, indicating that this bird is a juvenile.

They were not the easiest of subjects to keep in the viewfinder, yet I can have no complaints about the ability of the EOS 90d and 100-400 mm USM IS lens combo to capture record shots under the prevailing conditions. With the skies darkening ominously we retraced our tracks and got back to the van, around 12.50 hrs, just before the next belt of heavy rain arrived. It had been a very successful outing all round.

The slow path back

Despite the fact that I tested negative over a week ago, the after effects of "Covid" persist. Basically I feel very lethargic and still have an annoying cough which is very erratic, yet quite severe when it occurs. The kitchen cupboards are home to bottles of Benylin cough syrup, Lemsip sachets and other assorted medicinal potions which seem to be assisting my cause, but certainly not speeding up the recovery process. So it is really nice to have my Kefalonia holiday to look forwards to and use as "light at the end of the tunnel", so to speak. I am not going alone, my two great friends Leon & Pauline (from Devon) are accompanying me. Indeed, it was Pauline who did all the admin and, with my blessing, we fly from Bristol airport, which will be a novelty for me.

Argostoli main drag - plenty to see and lots of opportunities for a cold Mythos

I have absolutely no doubts that I will experience some emotionally challenging moments whilst we are enjoying ourselves out on this superb Greek island. This is my first holiday, since Bev's passing, I'm sure that certain people and places will be catalyst for me to recall vivid memories from those, by-gone, happy days! How will I cope? I won't know until I'm there but, at least I will have the support of two wonderful friends to help me through the process.

Argostoli Harbour is "the place" to see Loggerhead Turtles up close and personal.

To be honest, I am really looking forward to this trip because it will be the first time I've been equipped with my EOS 90d plus all the associated lenses, and bits, which will offer me the chance to acquire images which should be far superior to anything I've managed previously. As is always the case, it will be birds which are my main focus but, now having dallied with macro techniques, I am very much looking forward to playing around with whatever invertebrates are prepared to pose for me as well.

Honey Buzzards are nowhere near as regular on Kefalonia as they have been 
on Corfu. Yet it will be peak migration time, so anything is possible.

We are, as is usual, based in Lourdata, but have hired a car to enable us to visit other sites around the island. Not overly confident that I have the technical nouse to be able to upload posts onto the blog, but will be taking Bev's old i-pad with me, so something should be possible?  With little over a fortnight to go before we travel I find myself in the very strange position of having, not only, to do the washing and ironing but, also, making decisions on what is essential to pack and will it be within the strict weight allocation?  Tough life being alone after twenty-five years of supervision!

Sub-alpine Warbler.
It's knowing that I have the opportunity to find, and spend time looking at, birds
of this calibre (within a UK context) that fires my enthusiasm whilst out in
the Greek countryside.

The weather is all over the shop at present. Hopefully I'll get out with the rods again before the holiday gets underway? If not, it will be Pike season when I return and time to dust down the kit in preparation for another RMC campaign, plus the added quest of a "double" from a new venue.

Knocked for six by "Covid"

 Even during the days prior to my encountering the White Storks over West Stourmouth (my previous post) I'd not been feeling too sparkling. It was, however, the Tuesday (19th August) when it really kicked in and I was able to confirm the dreaded lurgy, thanks to some test kits I had in the kitchen cupboards as a consequence of Bev's health issues.  Symptoms were constantly changing, as the infection ran it's course, and included headaches, high temperatures, coughing, muscle ache, zero appetite and compete lack of energy. I seem to have been spared the loss of taste and smell which others have experienced. All I can say is that is was a most unpleasant period and I can't ever recall feeling so poorly, although this could easily be age related? On a positive, I am happy to report that I tested negative on Tuesday afternoon and am now well on the way to getting over this bloody virus. I am truly grateful for the efforts of my neighbours Terry & Glynis - who actually kept Bruno for three nights, and Maddie who, along with Glynis, have taken Bruno out for exercise on a daily basis whilst I'd been laid up. 

A very unexpected addition to the 2025 garden list

Thankfully, however, things are on the mend and I'm feeling better by the day. I had run the garden moth trap during the entire period, yet the strong easterlies ensured that nothing out of the ordinary turned up on the egg trays. For me, the best moth of the week was a Red Underwing, a species which is very irregular on Thanet, yet used to be an annual visitor to the garden in Ash. An imm Common Whitethroat was a nice surprise when it visited the bird bath and four Common Swifts, overhead, on the 22nd looked like they might be my last sighting of the year. 

This proved not to be the case, as I took Bruno for a wander across Hacklinge Marsh on Wednesday (27th) and was confronted by an extraordinary movement of Swallows (c. 2,700), Sand Martins (c. 800+) and 60+ Common Swifts.  Probably over within forty-five minutes, it was an absolute privilege to witness this phenomenon happening at a local site, whilst taking Bruno for a walk.

Nothing else to report, although I am hopeful that blogging will, once again, return to some level of regular input as my energy levels return?