Monday, February 11, 2008 - Crack Open The Caol Ila 18!
A super day's birding on Sunday brought me my first lifer of 2008, a couple of nice year ticks and a close encounter with a bird that proves elusive to even the best birders.
My Dad and I headed to Alvecote Pools first thing. We arrived at about 8:30am, parked at the end of Laundry Lane and had a measured amble up the path. Those in the know will have already guessed what we were after. At least two Firecrest have been seen in this area for a number of weeks now. Having dipped on this species in December 2007, we were keen to make amends.
Birding chum Dave 'Leapy' Lyons was due to meet us at 9:00am, but rather than sit and wait for him, we thought it best if we tried to track down the birds so that we could get him onto them as soon as he arrived. A chap who arrived at the same time as us informed us that they tended to frequent the bushes and scrub at the end of the lane, so we promptly made our way up there.
I heard it first, and picking up movement in the bush to my left I quickly had my binoculars focused on the Firecrest [lifer 194!] [year tick 78!]. As this was the first lifer of 2008, I had come prepared. The hip flask was carrying a small amount of Caol Ila 18 year old whisky, my favourite tipple. A couple of swigs followed. The taste of success!
We waited for Dave to turn up. We waited and we waited. No sign. By this time, we had lost the Firecrest, but I latched onto it again further down the lane. This time there were two of them. Then they were gone again. Still no sign of Dave.
Finally, my mobile starts ringing. Unsurprisingly, it's Dave. He's been in the area for half an hour, but he can't find us. After giving him some directions, he finally joins us at about 9:45am, but the Firecrest has vanished again having just given us brilliant views amongst the ivy on the left of the road.
Somehow, I manage to track it down again. It's distant, but with that distinctive eye stripe and its constant flitting about, it is surprisingly easy to spot for a small bird. Dave gets onto it and we head off. Next stop Whitacre Heath.
On the way to Whitacre Heath we stop off to scan the Lea Marston and Coton reservoir. We're looking for Scaup, which we don't get, but there is an incredible amount of waterfowl here. Goldeneye is the pick of the bunch for me, but there are Pochard and Wigeon here too in good numbers, amongst the many Tufted Ducks.
Once at Whitacre Heath, we have a bit of a game trying to find the hide by the woodland feeding station. On our way through the woods, however, we are sure we hear Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming and calling. It isn't too far away. In fact, it seems to be coming from a dead tree a matter of yards away. I make a beeline for it and see a small bird fly from the top of it, before disappearing into the woodland. With hindsight, I should have scanned the tree before charging towards it. We think we hear the bird later, but we never get as close to it as this again. A missed opportunity.
Once we have found the hide, we enjoy close views of Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting and Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Then the bird we really wanted, a Willow Tit [year tick 79!] shows up. It is quickly joined by another.
We head back to the car, picking up a Treecreeper [year tick 80!] on the way and make our way back home. A fine day by any standards and I shall definitely be visiting Whitacre Heath again with a view to catching a glimpse of that woodpecker!
|
|
Post A Comment!
|
|
About Me
The continuing adventures of Reg The Birder in 2008
Friends
• Kstar
|
