Minster Meds

 It's been quite a hectic past few days, with some insurance and pension issues needing attention as they were not covered by the scope of the "Just Tell Us Once" scheme. Thankfully, both problems were easily addressed via phone calls with the organisations involved and I have to say that the customer service guys/gals were at pains to reassure me that they were fully supportive of the bereavement process and in no way wanted their requirements to negatively impact upon me! With Bev's daughter, Debbie, on my team the subsequent form filling should be relatively easy purely because admin is her profession. On Thursday, Bruno and I had a morning session down at the "Carp Puddle" which resulted in fourteen "scamps" visiting the unhooking mat in little over two hours! Absolutely brilliant fun, although the best fish didn't make double figures! We were back again on Friday morning, although this time just for a wander around the marsh. Nothing much to report, although I did hear a singing Yellowhammer in a place I've not heard one previously this year. It was as we made our way back towards the van that it became obvious that there was a, southward, movement of Mediterranean Gulls overhead. It was over a very broad front, thus I will make no guesstimates of the numbers involved, but it does fit in nicely with reports from other observers in the East Kent area.

It was up on the banks of Jade Lake where I managed to obtain these images,
the birds passing, very leisurely, low over the fishery.

Saturday was all about Sye's 65th birthday bash. I travelled up early purely because of the weather forecasts. After a quick detour to The Artizan, to see my nephew, Josh, I was in Aston Clinton just after 12.30 hrs where the fun began. Stuart, owner/landlord of The Rothchild Arms, did Sye proud, putting on a fantastic do for all of us that attended. The weather might have been awful, yet it mattered no a jot as we partied well into the night.All good things must come to an end, and so it was 08.30 hrs this morning that I was back in the van, headed homewards. The weather remained an issue as I negotiated my way around the M25. There were times when the rain was so heavy that 40 mph was impossible, but make it home I did. Bruno had been staying with Terry & Glynis (as usual) and it wasn't until well after 15.30 hrs that the weather conditions ensured we be able to get out for a stroll. I headed across to "Forgotten Fen" territory; parking by Lillyroo's and walking the track to Hacklinge pumping station and beyond. Not much to see, although it was a very nice stroll.

An adult Swallow near the stables at the start of our walk

A fairly heavy crop of an adult Hobby hunting over the marsh

It would seem that after five months, Bruno is finally calming down and not over-reacting whenever coming into contact with other dogs. He was off the lead for the entire walk, which is definitely a sign that things are headed in the right direction.

Overlooking the blatantly obvious!

Well, if you're going to make a complete pratt of yourself, where better than on your own blog? My previous "sandpiper" offering is as bad as it gets. Thankfully my cyber mate, and fellow blogger, Stewart Sexton, came to the rescue when he offered a comment on said post. Quite what I was thinking is now, so obviously, erroneous to the point of being a worrying sign of the aging process kicking in? The bird is quite clearly a moulting adult WOOD SANDPIPER and, as such, a very good record for the Save Minster Marshes gang. Please feel free to go back to the comments exchanged between Stewart and myself, if you wish an insight into my thought processes which resulted in the faux pas! I've attached an image which clearly shows the extent of the patternation along the flanks and vent plus "how does anyone ignore that supercilium?"

Well it's done now and there's nothing I can do to change the original error other than hold my hands up and admit I screwed up - big time!

Sandpiper surprise

It was almost 09.00 hrs when I lifted myself from the comfort of the duvet. Sleep patterns finally appear to be returning to something approaching normal? Not that laying in until 09.00 hrs is normal, but I'll certainly take it when the opportunity arises. No surprises, therefore, that Bruno and I didn't get down to Minster Marshes for our morning walk until well after 10.00 hrs. It was a pleasant enough morning, although there was a stiff southerly breeze to accompany the sunshine. We took our regular route across the marsh and it was as we approached the first Barn Owl nest box when I flushed a Green Sandpiper from drain beside the track. It flew away, dropping down a few hundred yards further along the dyke, yet as Bruno and I were crossing the concrete bridge it flew back past us and dropped in almost exactly where I'd originally spooked it from. With a bit of fieldcraft, plus the benefit of extensive bankside vegetation, I managed to get into a position where I could grab a few images of the bird as it wandered around on the thick carpet of blanket weed which covers the surface of the drain.

Bruno and I then continued on our merry way, yet seeing very little for our troubles. It was only as we made our way back towards the van that the Green Sandpiper provided another opportunity to grab some more images. This time, however, the bankside vegetation was on my side and I was able to get much closer to the bird, with the sun in my favour as well. 

Still loads going on in the background, but nothing unique to me under the circumstances. There is light at the end of the tunnel with Kefalonia providing the focus as time moves on but. in the interim, there is my brother, Sye's, 65th birthday bash, this weekend, then my cousin Ruth's 60th in August. Both of which need to be navigated before holiday mode kicks in!

Taking a breather

I am well aware that there's been a lapse in posts, since 1st July. This has been a deliberate break in my cyber activity purely because of a need for some personal time as I come to terms with where my life is now headed? Please don't waste any time worrying about my mental, physical or emotional wellbeing; I'm fine in myself and being supported by a wonderful mix of family, friends and neighbours. I have to admit that my angling has been a major casualty during this recent period although, inspired by my "virtual mate" Brian, over at the Pike Blog, I have had a few sessions down at the "Carp Puddle"  where a bent split cane is always guaranteed. Nothing big, not even a double, but great fun nonetheless in the company of Bruno. 

It has only been this year that I've realised just how numerous Ruddy Darters 
are around the various dykes and drains of the area.

So whilst the "Of Esox" side of the blog might be woeful, at present, the "observations" part is going along splendidly..  The camera certainly plays a major role in any time I spend wandering around the East Kent marshes and by adding the extension tubes to the kit has ensured that I am constantly on the look out for anything interesting which might be happy to pose for a while? It still remains, very much, a work in progress as I seek to push the limits of my photographic techniques. To be fair, it is a very leisurely journey and mistakes are just as valuable (to me) as any other experiences so long as I'm able to learn something for next time. The garden moth trap continues to provide much for me to enjoy, although migrant species have been conspicuous by their absence for the most part. 

A rather unexpected discovery as I was watering the hanging baskets.
A roosting "Hummer" on the letter-box.

Birds will always have a role to play in my time outdoors and as the autumn draws ever closer, there is plenty to be seen locally. Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Wood & Green Sandpipers and a couple of adult Dunlin have been noted around the pools at Worth RSPB Res, whilst a couple of Great White Egrets did a nice fly past as Bruno and I walked the Pinnock Wall on Friday.

The best bird, thus far this autumn, is a juvenile Whinchat which I found yesterday evening, again out on Worth, and still present this morning.. This individual is in a plumage which I've never previously seen and it required me to seek assistance from my reference library to convince myself that I wasn't making a school-boy error with my id?  I had to use the Beeman & Madge "Handbook" to get confirmation, although the 3rd edition of Collins does also provide an illustration of this plumage.

All being well, blogging should return to some level of consistency as the healing power of time takes effect.

On the limit ?

 As I'd said in yesterday's offering, July was very likely to start as June had finished and so it proved. Oppressive heat, with the Manston weather station registering 31C this afternoon, it was a struggle to get enthused about anything which involved going outside. Bruno and I did get out, well early, for a wander around the Minster Marshes, yet were back in the bungalow well before 10.00 hrs, purely because we couldn't take any more. As a result, I was able to keep an eye on the activity around the Red Valerian and, sure enough, Humming-bird Hawk-moths were regularly visiting this nectar source.

I'm beginning to feel that this type of image quality is at the upper limit 
of my equipment and technical ability? Still an absolute blast pushing the boundaries.

It is absolutely pointless me pretending to give an accurate count of the number of individuals involved, as they are constantly moving between the various patches of valerian in my, and the neighbours, gardens. The maximum number I've seen at one time is now seven! 

This lower image is possibly as close to "frozen" as my kit is capable?

It's all due to change on Wednesday with the possibility of thundery showers, which would be a blessing for the lawn. I have every intention to cut the valerian back, as it is now seeding, but have a good supply of Honeysuckle, Buddleia and Geraniums to offer alternative nectar sources for these fabulous moths. There's no doubt that I'll blog about it, but don't think I need to post any more images any time soon?