I took a stupid o clock skirmish onto the farm hoping that the previous days rain had grounded something of note! The water meadows were quiet with fog hanging over them preventing movement so I checked the passerines and then moved on to Athelhampton.
I was caught dozing as a drake Mandarin Duck flew low towards me departing SE. This is a new species for my farm tally therefore I was not amused at having missed the moment to put the camera to work. As luck on this occasion would have it the bird returned thirty minutes later landing on a pool near the small bridge! Fortunately for me my stay in this area had been prolonged by a displaying Reed Warbler!
I also noted double figure Swift during as the morning progressed with hirundines moving through at regular intervals. It is looking very likely I will pass the 100 species in a year as the tally is in the mid nineties with the Autumn reverse migration to come! Hugo's best year was 123 species!
I have a game tonight therefore my day in the field had to be cut short after a ridge watch from the hide. My last game is on the 21st with a South West Regional Women’s Premier League Cup Final middle (referee) between Bristol Rovers and Bishop’s Lydeard on the best grass playing surface in Dorset! I’m looking forward to that one!
You are a lucky bastard ;-)
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