This was to be the second ‘Identifying Birds by their Songs’ walk for both Leon and I. We had enjoyed the first one so much that we would probably have booked again anyway but, although we had scratched the surface of the knowledge available, we realised many more sessions of teaching and practice would be needed. The first walk had taught us a little and it did help greatly with our finding and recognising birds; we were recording slightly more different species with every visit.
We met, as usual, at about nine o’clock. Our light rain jackets had been packed because the forecast was none too good. There were some spots of rain in the air but it was generally quite pleasant and warm.
The bus turned up quite quickly so that we arrived in time to have a quick mooch up to the ‘Dulverton’ hide for about a quarter of an hour before the start of the walk. There did not seem to be much about but we did notice that the weather seemed to be improving rapidly.
At the meeting point for the walk we were pleased to see that the chap taking the walk was Rupert; we had been greatly impressed with his knowledge and skills on the first walk and this boded well for todays’.
We set off along ‘Waterlife’, as we had done previously, Rupert quickly into his ‘routine’. There seemed to be more different birds about this time and with the weather brightening up they were giving a wonderful exhibition of songs and calls. I am sure that our guide has heard all of these songs thousands of times before but, for us novices, each new song and call were fascinating and wonderful. All too soon the walk was over. A couple of people arrived very late on; in fact they were only with us for about ten minutes. I do hope that they book again next year, as they don’t know what they have missed!
Leon was “Hank Marvin” so we made our way to the restaurant, only to find that they stop doing breakfast ay 11 o’clock. He made do with a sandwich of sorts but it was no substitute for the real thing!
After ‘breakfast’ we started to cover the whole site in our usual manner, visiting the hides and strolling about in no particular hurry. The weather had now improved to the point where I needed to stay in the shade at times. There were large parties of school children running about in the sunshine, their teachers trying to impress upon them how lucky they were to have such wonderful resource. Many of them were probably much too young to understand but, nevertheless, were enjoying the freedom of being outside on such a lovely day!
They were not the only ones! There seemed to be a lovely relaxing atmosphere all around. We took everything very steadily and I suppose not having to be stuck inside at work added greatly to the enjoyment of the day. Bird-wise, the day turned out to be like many others we had experienced; nothing out of the ordinary but just watching the ones that we saw was more than pleasant.
The only slight disappointment of the day was the fact that the water level in the ‘Wader Scrape’ was very high. Consequently there were not very many waders on view. There was no sign of the Avocets; we do hope that they have not been put off staying here.
As novices we are always grateful for any advice that the ‘old hands’ give us. Too, we like to share anything that we can with people who appear to have even less experience than we do. On this particular occasion there was a lady in the ‘Peacock Tower’ who, although obviously enjoying herself immensely, had little or no idea about the different birds on view or, indeed, their habits. It was lovely, therefore, to be able to point out one or two things that might be of interest to her throwing in the odd snippet of information that might increase her knowledge and enjoyment. A Wheatear was most accommodating, standing still for some time so that the lady could get a good look. It was then that Leon spotted a Snipe well hidden in some foliage. “What is it?” I asked. “ Can’t tell at the moment, sure it’s a Common but can’t see its’ head” was the reply. The lady had the bird pointed out to her, she asking why seeing the head would be helpful. Leon pointed out the difference in the length of the bill, and I the difference in the markings. Then it happened. Leon looked straight at the lady and said “JACK SNIPE WALK FUNNY!” I knew where he was coming from. The lady went pale; I think it was Leons’ fingers, goose-stepping along the shelf towards her, maybe the moronic, murderer-type voice used in the delivery added to the menace. She just left. Fast. I KNEW where he was coming from. With a little thought it may even have been funny.
We decided to make our way to the ‘Red Lion’ for a few pints and to discuss all that we had learned on this beautiful day. We had to stop at the shop, as Leon wanted some seeds for his feeders. All the time we were there I had one eye on the door, waiting for the Police to storm in, guns at the ready!
BIRDS SEEN: Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Mute Swan, Ring Necked Parakeet, Magpie, Feral Pigeon, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Lapwing, Wood Pigeon, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Sand Martin, House Martin, Little Ringed Plover, Carrion Crow, Pochard, Heron, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Swift, Long Tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Dunnock, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Gadwall, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Cormorant, Shoveller, Common Snipe, Common Tern, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Wren, House Sparrow.
We met, as usual, at about nine o’clock. Our light rain jackets had been packed because the forecast was none too good. There were some spots of rain in the air but it was generally quite pleasant and warm.
The bus turned up quite quickly so that we arrived in time to have a quick mooch up to the ‘Dulverton’ hide for about a quarter of an hour before the start of the walk. There did not seem to be much about but we did notice that the weather seemed to be improving rapidly.
At the meeting point for the walk we were pleased to see that the chap taking the walk was Rupert; we had been greatly impressed with his knowledge and skills on the first walk and this boded well for todays’.
We set off along ‘Waterlife’, as we had done previously, Rupert quickly into his ‘routine’. There seemed to be more different birds about this time and with the weather brightening up they were giving a wonderful exhibition of songs and calls. I am sure that our guide has heard all of these songs thousands of times before but, for us novices, each new song and call were fascinating and wonderful. All too soon the walk was over. A couple of people arrived very late on; in fact they were only with us for about ten minutes. I do hope that they book again next year, as they don’t know what they have missed!
Leon was “Hank Marvin” so we made our way to the restaurant, only to find that they stop doing breakfast ay 11 o’clock. He made do with a sandwich of sorts but it was no substitute for the real thing!
After ‘breakfast’ we started to cover the whole site in our usual manner, visiting the hides and strolling about in no particular hurry. The weather had now improved to the point where I needed to stay in the shade at times. There were large parties of school children running about in the sunshine, their teachers trying to impress upon them how lucky they were to have such wonderful resource. Many of them were probably much too young to understand but, nevertheless, were enjoying the freedom of being outside on such a lovely day!
They were not the only ones! There seemed to be a lovely relaxing atmosphere all around. We took everything very steadily and I suppose not having to be stuck inside at work added greatly to the enjoyment of the day. Bird-wise, the day turned out to be like many others we had experienced; nothing out of the ordinary but just watching the ones that we saw was more than pleasant.
The only slight disappointment of the day was the fact that the water level in the ‘Wader Scrape’ was very high. Consequently there were not very many waders on view. There was no sign of the Avocets; we do hope that they have not been put off staying here.
As novices we are always grateful for any advice that the ‘old hands’ give us. Too, we like to share anything that we can with people who appear to have even less experience than we do. On this particular occasion there was a lady in the ‘Peacock Tower’ who, although obviously enjoying herself immensely, had little or no idea about the different birds on view or, indeed, their habits. It was lovely, therefore, to be able to point out one or two things that might be of interest to her throwing in the odd snippet of information that might increase her knowledge and enjoyment. A Wheatear was most accommodating, standing still for some time so that the lady could get a good look. It was then that Leon spotted a Snipe well hidden in some foliage. “What is it?” I asked. “ Can’t tell at the moment, sure it’s a Common but can’t see its’ head” was the reply. The lady had the bird pointed out to her, she asking why seeing the head would be helpful. Leon pointed out the difference in the length of the bill, and I the difference in the markings. Then it happened. Leon looked straight at the lady and said “JACK SNIPE WALK FUNNY!” I knew where he was coming from. The lady went pale; I think it was Leons’ fingers, goose-stepping along the shelf towards her, maybe the moronic, murderer-type voice used in the delivery added to the menace. She just left. Fast. I KNEW where he was coming from. With a little thought it may even have been funny.
We decided to make our way to the ‘Red Lion’ for a few pints and to discuss all that we had learned on this beautiful day. We had to stop at the shop, as Leon wanted some seeds for his feeders. All the time we were there I had one eye on the door, waiting for the Police to storm in, guns at the ready!
BIRDS SEEN: Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Mute Swan, Ring Necked Parakeet, Magpie, Feral Pigeon, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Lapwing, Wood Pigeon, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Sand Martin, House Martin, Little Ringed Plover, Carrion Crow, Pochard, Heron, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Swift, Long Tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Dunnock, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Gadwall, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Cormorant, Shoveller, Common Snipe, Common Tern, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Wren, House Sparrow.
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