I had an extremely pleasant and relaxing lunch today, sat on my folding stool in the warm sunshine, watching an adorable little Bonaparte's Gull courtesy of the famous CT of Budleigh.
:D
A half dozen of Devon's Finest [In]Famous Birders, coupled with a very obliging bird at a convenient distance [ie. close enough to watch comfortably, but far enough away to gossip like fishwives without disturbing it! ;) ] led to a very jovial atmosphere.
The good kind of twitch, this, with the bird there and showing well and a cheerful crowd appreciating it. A very welcome Devon Tick, and just as nice in its own way as the Cheddar Reservoir bird - which though it came right up to you [if you had bread {{Must be an escape!!}} ] was always surrounded by a mass of yarking BHGs and had to be watched in a colder, darker environment. [[Oh, what a wimp..]]. This time you could actually hear the Bonaparte's call; a much nicer sound than the Black 'eads!
A smart White Wagtail dropped in briefly and a Water Pipit was lurking teasingly with the Rockits in the long grass. These plus assorted singing warblers in the reeds and the trees made it a very worthwhile trip. I swung by the East Devon Commons on my way back, but in an admittedly quick search found no Dartfords.
The good kind of twitch, this, with the bird there and showing well and a cheerful crowd appreciating it. A very welcome Devon Tick, and just as nice in its own way as the Cheddar Reservoir bird - which though it came right up to you [if you had bread {{Must be an escape!!}} ] was always surrounded by a mass of yarking BHGs and had to be watched in a colder, darker environment. [[Oh, what a wimp..]]. This time you could actually hear the Bonaparte's call; a much nicer sound than the Black 'eads!
A smart White Wagtail dropped in briefly and a Water Pipit was lurking teasingly with the Rockits in the long grass. These plus assorted singing warblers in the reeds and the trees made it a very worthwhile trip. I swung by the East Devon Commons on my way back, but in an admittedly quick search found no Dartfords.
Random add-on;
I've forgotten so far to mention the last date for the wintering Blackcaps - the 5th, which is a day earlier than last year.
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