Just missed the Osprey today it has now been around Frampton for 10 days now. Apparently I missed it by 30 minutes when I went to look for it today and it returned 10 minutes after I left!
Apologies for my rant yesterday about pheasants just sad that they cause such environmental damage.
Off to the Theatre of Tattered Dreams tonight with my fingers firmly crossed! COYH!!!!
I went on a long bike ride over the tops today getting it in before the rain came. I saw many groups of pheasants – “A Bouquet”. It is my least favourite bird! I am often asked what is my favourite bird at Wick Court when I am birding with our young visitors. I occasionally tell them the pheasant is my least favourite bird – we often see them on our bird watch. I explain that I am prejudice and we spend some time explaining what that means. There are more pheasants than any other bird in this country- 47 million birds are released every year. They are bred for shooting to the detriment of the environment and the persecution of birds of prey. Also in my our biased view I don’t think shooting pheasants is sport – they are a large slow flying bird so you must be a poor shot if you can’t hit one!
Rant over- I had a super ride!
The picture above is looking over the vast reed bed at Leighton Moss (RSPB)from the tower. We spent Friday afternoon and Saturday morning there. Saw some good birds and three Otters (a mother and two cubs). It is one of our special places and have been visiting the reserve now for a good number of years.
Yesterday afternoon I was a very Happy Hatter as we watched the Mighty Hatters win their first league match of the season at Everton. My son David pointed out it was our first away win in the top flight since 9th March 1991 – I took him way back then (he was a bright eyed nine year old and I even had hair on my head back then! Picture below is the the final whistle yesterday at Goodison Park!
Told an old favourite tonight at Wick Court for the first time in a while. It was my version of The Running Companion originally written by Phillipa Pearce. I am aiming to do this three or four times this Autumn to hone it- I was a little rusty tonight!
Had a great bird survey this morning out by the River Severn. We saw some great birds and significant migration movement the largest was over 300 Meadow Pipits. Had good views of Whinchat through the scope and thoroughly enjoyed watching a pair of Hobbies hunting. (Hobby and Whinchat pictured below)
The other highlight of today was going to a talk by Steve Tilly about his walk around the England and Wales coastline. Excellent talk with good doses of humour.
It was good to be back at Wick Court again after a break and birding with young people from London. The number of birds wasn’t great the wind didn’t help. It was good to see a Grey Wagtail again. Depressing to hear about the report on Nature.
I am Story Telling with the young people tomorrow night. Also doing the monthly bird survey out by the River early tomorrow morning.
Just seen a different visitor to a garden. Don’t think it was that healthy the right front leg looked damaged.
I have been reading a real mix of stories today with a view for the gigs at the end of October. Will continue with this research over the next week or so before I settle on the stories I am telling. I have got some already sorted.
Had a wonderful ride over the tops today. The forecast looks pretty dire midweek so needed to get one in! I return to Wick Court on Wednesday when Storm Agnes arrives so bird watching might be challenging!
Not Goldilocks! I was watching an Osprey today circling over my local lake here in Frampton– I missed it catching a fish (I was told it had caught a fish about 20 minutes before I arrived. I have seen Ospreys in Frampton a few times now and I always get a thrill when I see them here. Wonderful birds and so good to see them now in Britain. At the bottom of the blog you can see my distant grainy picture and also a professional photo (I am sure you will be able to tell which is which!) I may pop out early tomorrow to see if it is still around.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching the Mighty Hatters yesterday. We played really well and should of won. Hopefully we will get three points on Saturday!
Just for a change now I am back from holiday with my lovely family, where we were windswept and soaked I will talk about Stories again. I have mentioned previously I have a busy Autumn/Early Winter ahead of me. I start back with weekly residency at Wick Court next Thursday.
Late October sees me doing a number of gigs for the Library Service of Gloucestershire linked to the Halloween season. So I will be doing Spooky Tales for young people of 9 plus (same stories at several different libraries) and two adult gigs reprising my Tales From The Dark Side. I will put all the dates for this in the near future . I am now researching and learning stories. In November the Two Severn Bores will be performing our Destiny or Fate show.
Now all my cricket kit is packed away I can concentrate on football and hoping the Mighty Hatters start to get some points on the board! I am going with Clare tomorrow to a home game against Wolves and next Saturday to Everton. My third game of the week is with my eldest son David watching them in the cup at Exeter. Fingers crossed it is a good week!
A large unusual gull seen chasing two smaller gulls on the beach in North Devon yesterday!!!
