The Birders

[puddleshark]

I thought I might make the most of the easterly wind and the dry weather to walk out through the reedbeds to Swineham, and back across the damp riverside meadows.




The wind in the golden reeds, as beautiful as ever.


In the distance, clouds of dust rising from the heavy machinery at work on the Arne Moors project.

It's usually a quiet walk, just the wind in the reedbeds and the jangling songs of the Reed Buntings for company... But not today. I met so many people with binoculars and cameras along the path. And a little further along, the way was blocked.


A gathering of birders.

I turned back, but I did have a nice chat with some of the people I met along the path. Everyone was there to see a Bluethroat - a European species, and a bit of a rare visitor to the south coast. Apparently the etiquette for these sightings is to queue and take turns to get a sighting or take pictures, but I didn't really feel qualified to join the queue.


Here's a picture from Wikipedia (attribution: Charles J. Sharp of sharpphotography.co.uk).


Turned off the busy path to Swineham, and onto the path towards Wareham, and found a quiet spot to sit and drink my coffee. Out of the wind, it was very warm indeed. My emergency chocolate rations had melted. The first dragonfly of the year on the wing.

***

Stopped off in Wareham on the way back for some shopping. In the supermarket car park, an elderly couple struggling to maneouvre a fully laden shopping trolley round the cars.

The gentleman to his wife: "It's not cornering well, is it? Put on the handbrake, and spin it round!"

Somewhere in their past, a wild youth, with handbrake turns?

Comments

[heleninwales]

On the one hand, a rare bird is a novelty and something people want to see. On the other hand, the birders were blocking the way and preventing others using the footpath. But it is an unusual bird, so I can understand their enthusiasm. Meanwhile most of the things I've been identifying with my Merlin app have the word "common" in front of the name. :-)

[puddleshark]

Meanwhile most of the things I've been identifying with my Merlin app have the word "common" in front of the name. :-)

LOL. Mostly on my walks, I see robins. Even on nature reserves where there are all sorts of rare species, every time I catch a glimpse of a bird in the branches, it is inevitably a robin.

[changeling72]

It would be amazing to see a Bluethroat!

This cool/cold breeze/wind seems to be persisting. As you say, it's so warm in a sheltered spot.

[puddleshark]

It does look like a spectacular little bird. I can see why it was attracting so much interest.

I walked into town at lunchtime, and I'd say the warmth of the sun was winning against the chill of the wind, just about.