Blimey.. the Test Valley (the same Test Valley that struggles to bring down a Wheatear for weeks at a time if the weather is fine!) has had a Common Crane, Red-Rumped Swallow and Alpine Swift reported in the last week.. All single observer sightings, none staying put, and one birder seeing two of the three, if that makes sense!
The best birding decision I ever made was to quit the twitching scene, and all the controversy, crowds and tension, and believe me, these 3 have controversy ;).. They can be seeing Albatrosses and Penguins.. Unless I find it, it doesn't matter to me.
So it's good to be immune to stuff like this, but still quite amusing to read about the associated banter!
Meanwhile, a look at the weather forecast is certainly appetising for the weekend.. South / South East winds, clear skies overnight, followed by a band of rain coming in from the West on Saturday morning. Where to go? OUT! Anywhere.. just get out there!!
And this is where the non-twitching/find it yourself philosophy does get painful.. It's like you are out there, and sometime in the day, a plane is going to fly over Southern Hampshire and drop a couple of £1000 notes somewhere.. and I try to be the one who catches them.. no chance!
So, bring on the Rain. I expect to get drenched tomorrow..
7 minutes 44.. I rarely get to the end of this song, but what an amazing intro!
Hello Tom, Alpine Swift is mentioned on msg #2795 in TestValleyBirders.. might not have been "this" week, reading the message properly! I wouldn't like to be a County Recorder ;)
Edited by petermk on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 3:14 PM
• Saturday, April 25, 2009 - Untitled Comment