17th DECEMBER 2006.
A WIND IN THE RUSHES.
No early start or visit to another site this week, we were off to the pantomime! We had bought the tickets several weeks ago as some of the young ladies we work with were appearing and we thought to support them in their efforts. Sue was still unwell and so would not be joining us, so Tim, our friend from work, and his granddaughter Sadie would be coming in her stead.
We were determined to get about the site for a bit before the show began, although we would not have much time! The Observatory was our first stop, to kit up and have a quick look to see what was about. Although very cold and a little breezy, the sun was out and so were many birds. We had decided to spend a little time looking for a Goldcrest as Leon has still not seen one but, although we allowed a good while we were to be unlucky.
The ‘Wildside’ hide was very quiet, indeed, the whole site seemed to be so. We could not see much as the sun was reflecting off the water for most of the viewable area. Leon spotted a Kestrel being mobbed quite high up; if it had been any lower we would not have seen it! We headed back towards the ‘Waterlife’ area, not stopping at the ‘Headley’ hide to save time, although we did stop for Leon to have some ‘nosebag’ at the restaurant.
Moving to the ‘Dulverton’ hide we came across some of the more ‘serious’ birdwatchers and thought that we might be in for a treat. Whether they were looking for something specific, or not, we would not find out. We saw the ‘usual’ Common Snipe on his island but there was no sign of ‘Jack’.
Time was running short so we only went as far as the feeder station, missing out the ‘Lagoon’ walk and a trip to the ‘Peacock’ tower. We saw many small birds and there were many singing in the shrubs and bushes around us.
A WIND IN THE RUSHES.
No early start or visit to another site this week, we were off to the pantomime! We had bought the tickets several weeks ago as some of the young ladies we work with were appearing and we thought to support them in their efforts. Sue was still unwell and so would not be joining us, so Tim, our friend from work, and his granddaughter Sadie would be coming in her stead.
We were determined to get about the site for a bit before the show began, although we would not have much time! The Observatory was our first stop, to kit up and have a quick look to see what was about. Although very cold and a little breezy, the sun was out and so were many birds. We had decided to spend a little time looking for a Goldcrest as Leon has still not seen one but, although we allowed a good while we were to be unlucky.
The ‘Wildside’ hide was very quiet, indeed, the whole site seemed to be so. We could not see much as the sun was reflecting off the water for most of the viewable area. Leon spotted a Kestrel being mobbed quite high up; if it had been any lower we would not have seen it! We headed back towards the ‘Waterlife’ area, not stopping at the ‘Headley’ hide to save time, although we did stop for Leon to have some ‘nosebag’ at the restaurant.
Moving to the ‘Dulverton’ hide we came across some of the more ‘serious’ birdwatchers and thought that we might be in for a treat. Whether they were looking for something specific, or not, we would not find out. We saw the ‘usual’ Common Snipe on his island but there was no sign of ‘Jack’.
Time was running short so we only went as far as the feeder station, missing out the ‘Lagoon’ walk and a trip to the ‘Peacock’ tower. We saw many small birds and there were many singing in the shrubs and bushes around us.
WHO LOOKS MOST EXCITED ?Photo: Reg Norman
COLD CAST
We dashed back to the Centre in time to meet Tim and Sadie. On the way back we met up with one of the ‘regulars’ who informed us that the Bittern was showing well and so we decided that, at some point during the day, we would try to have a look for it.
Having met our guests we made our way into the Theatre, there was already a nice little crowd gathering. At this point Leon was going to great pains to say how much he didn’t want me to join in with the general banter of the pantomime and, as we took our seats, he slunk down into his seat.
Having met our guests we made our way into the Theatre, there was already a nice little crowd gathering. At this point Leon was going to great pains to say how much he didn’t want me to join in with the general banter of the pantomime and, as we took our seats, he slunk down into his seat.
COLD CASTPhoto: Reg Norman
NEW GIRL AT THE OFFICE
The show got started and very good it was too! All around us the kids (of all ages!) were getting well behind the performers with all of the usual boos, hisses and shouts of “He’s behind you!” you know the sort of thing! I managed to get the others some placards to wave about for the ‘demonstration’ scene, sadly having to forgo the pleasure myself. As the story unfolded, ‘Mr Grouchy’ was now waving his placard for all he was worth! Tim, too, as getting into it and I had to restrain him from joining the kids on the stage when they were called up! I should have let him go! Both of ‘the boys’ were having a whale of a time, and, people were noticing! Sadie and I, of course, were the models of decorum, at least we cheered in the right places!
All too soon the show was over, we congratulated the cast members with whom we were acquainted and headed to ‘the office’ to calm down.
At the ‘office’ I mentioned to Leon that it was his round, “Oh no it isn’t!” he replied in best panto fashion! He meant it as well!
All too soon the show was over, we congratulated the cast members with whom we were acquainted and headed to ‘the office’ to calm down.
At the ‘office’ I mentioned to Leon that it was his round, “Oh no it isn’t!” he replied in best panto fashion! He meant it as well!
NEW GIRL AT THE OFFICEPhoto: Reg Norman
After mooching about for a bit we made our way back to the centre so that Leon could buy some seed and things for his ‘pigs’. Finally, we made our way to the ‘office, to talk about the events of the day.
We only stayed for a couple of beers and then headed back to the Centre to look for the Bittern. It was indeed showing well, some of the chaps in the hide only too pleased to let us have a look through their ‘scopes although we could see it through our ‘bins.
We only stayed for a couple of beers and then headed back to the Centre to look for the Bittern. It was indeed showing well, some of the chaps in the hide only too pleased to let us have a look through their ‘scopes although we could see it through our ‘bins.
BIRDS SEEN: Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Lapwing, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Magpie, Blackbird, Pochard, Ruddy Duck, Great Black Backed Gull, Heron, Feral Pigeon, Teal, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Robin, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Starling, Carrion Crow, Common Snipe, Shoveller, Gadwall, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Stonechat, Ring Necked Parakeet, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Kestrel, Wren, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, grey Wagtail, Bittern, Barnacle Goose.
No comments:
Post a Comment