Meal for two

Whilst listening to the  Radio 5 Live commentary, of PSG vs Aston Villa, I have also been watching the feeding bowls placed on the patio. Although seeing a Fox and Hedgehog at the same bowl isn't particularly unusual, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to grab an image, tonight, with both animals feeding side on to my position. 

Taken from within my study (man cave) - tackle room, thus through a double-glazed window, it is still a very pleasing image of something which must happen frequently but, because it is during the hours of darkness, very few have been privileged to witness?

More Kite encounters

 Not quite what I'd expected when Bruno and I left home this morning. Due to some maintenance work (?) the access to C&DAA's Minster fishery was shut off and as a result we ended up at Grove Ferry NR instead. In reality, it is no great hardship having to walk around this stunning reserve opposed to the set-a-side fields at Minster. With thick cloud cover and a fresh NE wind, it felt decidedly chilly and, as a result, there was nothing added to my meagre year list for our efforts. We walked as far as the Marsh Hide, before retracing our steps back to the van. Four Sedge Warblers offered snippets of song as we passed, a flock of seven Cattle Egrets flew over and a couple of male Marsh Harriers were proclaiming territorial rites above the adjacent reed beds. All very enjoyable yet equally predictable given the location. It was as we made our way back towards the van that I spotted a lone Red Kite slowly headed in our direction. It passed almost directly above where we were, but the light conditions ensured that my attempts at photography were pitiful ! I am, therefore, grateful for the tools available, via my digital editing program, which have allowed me to produce a useable image.

I watched this individual for a couple of minutes as it made it's way slowly north, into the breeze, before it was lost from sight behind some adjacent Hawthorn bushes. Little more than five minutes later, and some distance from the original position, I spotted another Red Kite, this time flying deliberately eastwards along the Stour Valley. Obviously I can't rule out the possibility of this being the same individual, but it didn't stop me enjoying a second encounter of the morning.

Raptors on the move and some progress

 Bruno and I didn't get out for our morning walk until well after 09.30 hrs and it was RSPB Worth Marshes the destination of choice. Unable to park at the end of The Pinnock Wall, we started our stroll from the track outside the entrance to "Lilyroos" glamping site. It was fairly obvious that birds were likely to be at a premium, the wind still stubbornly in the east, although the sun was shining brightly from a cloudless sky. A lone Swallow was the only visible sign of migration, yet I encountered eleven singing Sedge Warblers whilst we were on site, thus ample evidence of the advance of Spring. It wasn't until we'd reached the northern end of the Roaring Gutter that I spotted a Red Kite, high overhead. Raising the binoculars, and then the camera kit, it quickly became clear that there were a group of large raptors present. It consisted of seven Red Kites, three Common Buzzards and a Marsh Harrier, although the Red Kites might have been the only migrants?

Back home just before 12.30 hrs, as we'd needed a detour to Wingham Country Market for some logs and coal, it was blatantly clear that the local gulls weren't particularly happy. Over the next three hours I counted sixty, plus, Common Buzzards and have to accept that there might have been many more due to the fact that they were moving on a very wide front above Thanet.

On a more positive note, Bev's medical situation is becoming clearer as her CT scan is booked for 17.40 hrs on Thursday with our follow up consultation meeting scheduled for mid-day on Friday. It's not been a particularly easy journey, the lack of communication does nothing for those involved, or their mental, and physical, wellbeing. I have to say a massive "thank-you" to the staff at PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison Service) for their assistance in making things happen. To be continued ......

Benno is off the mark!

Although it would seem that my own fishing gear will remain redundant whilst awaiting the medical treatment Bev requires, Benno is embarked upon his maiden, serious, Tench campaign. So it was rather pleasant to receive his phone call, yesterday morning, as he excitedly relayed the details of his first "seven", thus a new PB, from the (un-named) syndicate fishery. 

7 lbs 6 oz of pure joy

There was absolutely no way I could get across to the fishery to witness this stunning Tench, so it was the resultant email contact which allowed me to share in the moment. Ben's selfies, using his phone, aren't as perfect as he'd have wanted - he cut the top of his head off! Still it's a lesson learned for the next time? 

Adult Med Gulls over Minster Marshes

Bruno and I were out, on Minster Marshes, for our daily wander and , despite the superb sunshine, a blasting easterly ensured it felt decidedly chilly. No surprise, therefore, summer migrant species were few and far between. The odd Chiffchaff and Blackcap being the best I could manage, however, there was a steady passage of gulls moving south over the marsh and, despite the majority being either Herring, or Black-headed, I did manage to pick out an adult Lesser Black-backed and four Mediterranean Gulls. Slim pickings indeed!

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?