Getting back in the groove

It has been nearly a month since I last hooked a carp, after initial successes on the new drain, my latter efforts were ruined by an ill-conceived (un-educated ?) baiting campaign by other anglers. No big deal and catalyst for an e-mail exchange with a non angler who has told me of some fish they've seen in another local drain. Their story rings true, although guesstimated size is always dodgy when someone has zero experience with fish in their watery domain. I had a wander down there, earlier this morning, and baited a couple of, likely looking, spots although didn't see any fish myself.
Benno and I have been in conversation about another venue where, although we know the fish are under some angling pressure, there is a very real chance of getting a "chunk". A particle mix is soaking in the slow cooker, prior to a period of gentle heat, and already two large tubs of curried chick peas are in my freezer awaiting the resumption of the campaign. I have been perusing the latest youtube offerings; gleaning a couple of rig presentations which might assist my cause as we move into the cooler months? We've agreed to give it one more month before changing tack and seeking new challenges, Ben has perch as his target whilst I have ideas for a split cane barbel project to keep me amused over the winter period and, of course, there will be a few pike sessions along the way.

A 1920's wooden centre-pin on a Tring Tench rod - bent into a hard fighting pike out on the East Kent marshes.

As is inevitable, after the death of my father, there are events happening which might conspire to put a spanner in the works but, with a bit of luck, these will have minimal impact on my plans as the season progresses? As we say at FSIS "Don't look back, look forwards" Friday morning will see the start of yet another new chapter. Bring it on!

Unsolvable conundrum ?

Q. - What do Redpolls, Crossbills and Yellow Wagtails (I could go on!) have in common?

 A. - Amazing racial variation, much akin to that of Homo sapiens, of which, I have yet to hear a single voice hankering for full specific status for any of those "splits"! I was brought up to look beyond, politically motivated, poison myths of the sensationalized media, thus, still regard racial variation as demonstration of a natural ability to evolve in order to fit into a particular niche, not a reason to go to war! (More God Squad stuff kicking around from my past!)

It has been my distinct pleasure to have looked at Yellow Wagtails, in many guises, for the past thirty years. My initial encounters were with the UK version but, since being with Bev, I've had opportunity to encounter many other racial variants/inter-grades as we've holidayed around the Mediterranean. The simple fact is the more I look the less, I realize, that I know; much in line with those pioneering gull enthusiasts who are pushing the boundaries of their knowledge of a very complex group. Whilst out on my wanderings, last week, I stumbled across a loose flock of 50 - 60 Yellow Wagtails, many of which were rather grey looking juveniles, however there were also a few adult birds, in the mix, and I have to admit that the vast majority had me "stumped"; being so different from the M. f. flavissima that is my "comfort zone" and bench mark. I readily accept that I'm out of practice and birding isn't the hub of my efforts these days, but I still enjoy the experience of learning when such opportunities occur.

I've been down this avenue of thought, several times, in my past blogging, yet still find it beyond comprehension that so many birders think that everything they see has to be defined and fitted into a box of an excel spreadsheet, thus tickable. The Yellow Wagtail complex is as confusing as it possible to be, incredible variation as the species is encountered across the breeding range (again mirroring that of humanity) from east to west. It is a fantastic challenge to test your knowledge and abilities with these superb little birds - just be prepared to admit that you don't know and it really doesn't matter!

Two of the Yellow Wagtails I encountered on my latest folly

Microsoft melt-down

Well, that's all over now and I'm back home in "Blighty". Why did I cease my holiday blogging? You need look no further than the latest "Anniversary Update", by Microsoft, which resulted in a complete loss of all my Wi-Fi abilities and many of my familiar apps - so thanks for nothing!

Egg laying Long-tailed Blue

The final five days of our stay on Kefalonia passed, in a blur, as time seemed to accelerate the closer our departure date came. Bev and I have returned home after one of the best holidays we've ever experienced and that has more to do with our "gang" than the weather or accommodation (which was top drawer!). Leon & Pauline, Craig & Carrie, Steve & Sue and Dan & Louisa provided company and entertainment for our entire stay. It was epic; right up there alongside the Icmeler holidays of our past.

Sunset from the poolside bar

I will get around to putting together some kind of trip report, if the blog material needs bulking up but, in the mean time all I can think about is getting back out with the split cane and catching a carp! Only one small problem with this plan - it's called work!

"Yamass" - nuff sed!

Day nine

Out before 08.00 hrs, this morning, making the most of the cooler conditions following the overnight rain. I felt that this would result in a few grounded migrants if I made the effort to take a look. It was a strange experience walking through the olive groves which were almost devoid of any birdlife save a few Blackbirds, Chaffinches, Blue and Great Tits. I was struggling to understand how such, seemingly, perfect conditions hadn't resulted is some type of fall? I continued on my way, walking my favoured route, before ending up in an area of open rough scrub and scattered agricultural areas. Immediately I found three juvenile Red - backed Shrikes perched along a single field boundary and a trickle of Red - rumped Swallows passed overhead. All of a sudden there were Spotted Flycatchers perched out in the open where there'd been nothing previously. Sardinian Warblers rattled off their scolding "churr" from atop fence lines and spiky, gorse-like, bushes whilst Crested Larks engaged in energetic chases above the scrub.

A Common Buzzard "mewed" from behind me and I was confronted by a large raptor flying very low towards me. Bloody hell - Honey Buzzard! Over far too quickly, I did my best to rattle off a few shots, using whatever settings were on the camera! More Red - backed Shrikes, Cirl Buntings and pockets of mixed hirundines as I wandered back towards Saoulas, it is a good to be alive day.

Day eight

It's now mid-day and pissing down! Bev and I managed to sleep through a 4.6 earth tremor which occurred at 07.00 hrs (local time) - many of the other guests fearing for their safety. The morning wasn't too bad and allowed me to get out for a short stroll to look for grounded migrants around the olive groves. A definite increase in the Cirl Bunting numbers, with plenty of Wood and Willow Warblers flitting around in the olives. A Red - rumped Swallow gave me chance for some decent images as it preened on the overhead wires. Bird of the morning, however, was not so obliging - a European Roller flying straight through, much too quick for anything other than brief binocular views.

A Little Owl perched briefly on a rooftop directly opposite the poolside bar, yesterday evening and I managed to add Hooded Crow to the list on my walk back this morning. Lots of insect photos to go through with a couple of nice butterflies included.

Day seven

So the first week over already, why doesn't time at work pass as quickly? I had a fantastic morning, strolling west along the coastal strip, checking a couple of olive groves as I went. I was out early, conditions much cooler than recently, it was far easier and much more bearable as a result.
The first olive grove revealed a small fall of Common Redstart and large numbers of Blackbirds, so something had occurred overnight.

I had photographed the moon rising over the eastern flank of Mount Ainos, before we had gone to bed last, thus it must have been the build up of clouds this morning that resulted in the avian arrival. My walk took me past the Fig Trees in a rather flash garden, no Golden O's this morning, but a number of Sub-alps feeding on the over-ripe fruits. My second Grey Wagtail of the trip called loudly as it passed overhead and a Common Buzzard spiralled lazily over the adjacent farmland. I made it as far as the area where I'd discovered the Tawny Pipits earlier and almost immediately flushed a Crested Lark, further exploration revealed another two, plus a pair of Stonechat (eastern race?), a Whinchat, three Red - backed Shrike and a soaring Sparrowhawk.

I could hear a Pheasant in the distance, but it doesn't sit comfortably on the list because I am fairly confident it was housed withing a compound of a small holding. A Firecrest, in some dense roadside vegetation was a nice surprise on my return walk and several Cirl Buntings were singing from the wires, but remained skittish and unapproachable.

Day six

A bit of a write off, I wasn't feeling too pucker and our internet connection went down the pan! Spent quite a bit of my day attempting to keep out of the sun and the toilet! A few bits and bobs, but basically very quiet - just a small Mantis sp. to point the camera at and a couple of Humming-bird Hawks feeding on some pool side Jasmine.

After a short spell in the fridge I photographed this insect on a glass-topped table, hence the reflection.