Sunday 14 August 2011

Going off the Rails

That blog title isn't actually a reference to the rioting over the last week. Well it wasn't, but while I'm at it..........

Is this really what the second world war was fought for? Endless numbers of people sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom, just so a bunch of yobs and thugs can trash some of our cities? As for those out on a nicking spree, did you not stop to think that maybe, just maybe, the police would get your fizzog on one of the huge numbers of CCTV cameras on streets and in shops? Well click here and you'll see a number of complete and utter fools, who deserve all that they get coming to them, caught in the act.

Anyway, birding. The only real highlight from Uttoxeter Quarry since my last posting was a Spotted Flycatcher last week, but other than that it's pretty quiet. That can tend to happen with gravel pits at this time of year, as there isn't that much mud left to attract return wader passage.

Usually this is when the reservoirs start to come into their own, not surprisingly Blithfield had a pretty good selection over the weekend. Including a Black-necked Grebe, 2 Garganey, Osprey. Not huge numbers of waders but one each of Spotted Redshank and Turnstone, along with 13 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 5 LRP's, Redshank and Common Sands.






Whilst finishing off at Blithers today I, along with Kay and Martyn, headed over to Aqualate Mere as a bit of a change of scene. Wasn't sure what to expect, but highlights here included another Osprey and, the real reason for the blog title, a brilliant juvenile Water Rail right in front of the hide. If only it was a Spotted Crake!




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