(CLICK ON A PIC AND IT WILL GO BIG)
Synching – everything involves synching. Your iPhone needs
to synch with iTunes. Your HTC wants to synch with your laptop, The Samsung galaxy wants to synch with your car. Can't anything just be alone? Must everything
be linked and connected? Well, in some
circumstances it does make things better…
Unfortunately the EFRS synching systems haven’t been
functioning very well of late…
Whenever Andrew was ready and able, I wasn’t. But today we managed to synch.
Andrew confirmed his arrival at Ham Wall via phone. Meanwhile I was at Wells sorting office
collecting part of my Halloween outfit (that’s for another time).
10 minutes later I was at Ham Wall car park. I had a quick catch up with Lee Dutton, who
had some great news. Congratulations on
the imminent arrival of mini Dutton!
Meanwhile Andrew was watching Marsh Harriers and Bitterns
from VP1. Finally EFRS was synched.
Andrew informed me of his plans to buy a new super duper
lens along with his trials and tribulations with film cameras (he does make
life hard for himself – I will stick with digital).
Amongst the conversation we had numerous Bittern flybys
along with Marsh Harriers. Always good to
catch up with the regulars, I've said it before but to count Harriers and
Bitterns as “regulars” is a lucky thing indeed.
A bold heron was stalking along the drain in search of
something slimy to eat. They do remind
me of dinosaurs when they stalk along (not that I've actually seen any dinosaurs
– but I have seen Jurassic Park).
Yes while James was yabberin' to Lee about what ever (Congratulations Lee BTW) I was doing the important stuff like trying to entice Marsh Harriers a bit closer and keeping my eye out for Bitterns. It's been ages since I've seen both a Bittern and Male Marsh Harrier. Today I was in luck. James didn't!!)
First off a Buzzard. As usual I pondered why Marsh Harriers never come this close! Apparently they do come this close. Nick P Williams just confirmed this IS a Marsh Harrier
Mute Swan. Again why don't Egrets come this close
Speaking of Synching. These two were practically inseparable. I watched them on and off all day at VP2. Mostly the Little was following the Great but it did work the other way round. Teamwork or just the grass is always greener?
First Bittern of the day. Was a good flyby
And my male Marsh Harrier way to far off but worth the three pics
My take on the heron sat just up from VP2
Why don't Bitterns sit this close!
Staying stock still while the Swan inspected. It was like the Queen inspecting the troops!
Second flyby of a Bittern
After a catch up we headed over to the Avalon hide –
surprisingly there was nobody in there.
A first!
Despite the slightly nippy wind flowing through the hatches
we still did pretty well with yet more Marsh Harriers, a few Gadwall, Jays and
a flyby Kingfisher. Oh and a few Coots!
Stonechat which I thought was a Linnet
That same Stonechat
A murder
A Kestrel flew going somewhere for a change. They're usually already where they want to be.
That Jay that James was referring to
And the third Bittern flyby
Coots with the odd Gadwall
Still a fan of these
Peregrine, Hobby - I'm really not too sure
(A Peregrine surely!)
We have confirmation that this is a Juvenile Hobby. Prossibly fledged this year nearby and the last we will see for a while. Thanks to Lee Dutton and Nick P Williams for ID
Drama!!
Gadwalls
Classic
Its a Kingfisher (the colourful blob in the middle)
We wandered back to VP2 where Little and Large where still playing tag team.
Following you
Still following you
Ha Ha now your following me
Rather dark morph Buzzard
No this way
Following you again
Wait for me
What kept you?
They both caught plenty of fish doing this so it was worth the effort. Could have watched them all day but sadly time was up.
Unbelievably nearly 3 hours had passed by. Andrew knew he would probably be in a spot of
trouble when he got back. I, on the other
hand had made my timings successfully. I
was confident I would avoid any flak for being late.
With luck we will be able to synch more successfully as
winter draws in. After all, a shared
experience enhances the day.
