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