On Thursday and Friday mornings this week the bridge over the Chess at Latimer has been partially obstructed in the morning rush hour by parked cars and people with binoculars studying the river. Clearly twichers but watching what? Unfortunately the only time that I was free to stop and look would have been after dark but reference to Derwent May's column in yesterday's Times revealed that it was a purple heron. A little frustrating that I missed it as I was already committed for both days at the weekend but at least I discovered the reason for the fuss.
I did manage a little birding last week. As I had to attend a conference in South Wales I took a days leave and drove up early the day before, arriving in Coleford in the Forrest of Dean at about 9:15. In the morning I revistied the Nags Head reserve hear Parkend. Apart from disturbing a buzzard that was resting quite low in the undergrowth there was little of excitement despite notices warning dog walkers of the risks from feral wild boar. After lunch at the Ostrich in Newland I walked along the River Wye which brought be close to several grey wagtails and left me studying the flocks of small birds in the treetops. Several flocks were moving across the riverside trees and at first the hoped for siskins proved to be great tits although the conditions made it difficult to make out any markings. Finally one flock came across with slightly different behaviour, keeping in tighter formation. After much manouvering to be able to see some colour against the grey sky and managed to make out a siskin's wing bar.
The conference itself kept me indoors of course but during a coffee break I did get a nice view of a buzzard battling against the wind over the hotel grounds.
I did manage a little birding last week. As I had to attend a conference in South Wales I took a days leave and drove up early the day before, arriving in Coleford in the Forrest of Dean at about 9:15. In the morning I revistied the Nags Head reserve hear Parkend. Apart from disturbing a buzzard that was resting quite low in the undergrowth there was little of excitement despite notices warning dog walkers of the risks from feral wild boar. After lunch at the Ostrich in Newland I walked along the River Wye which brought be close to several grey wagtails and left me studying the flocks of small birds in the treetops. Several flocks were moving across the riverside trees and at first the hoped for siskins proved to be great tits although the conditions made it difficult to make out any markings. Finally one flock came across with slightly different behaviour, keeping in tighter formation. After much manouvering to be able to see some colour against the grey sky and managed to make out a siskin's wing bar.
The conference itself kept me indoors of course but during a coffee break I did get a nice view of a buzzard battling against the wind over the hotel grounds.
Comments