Saturdays are usually set aside for a visit to the supermarket and then staying home cleaning the house, tidying the garden and cleaning the bird feeders. I finally made it to the lounge to vacuum and the end was in sight – I switched it off to go and empty the washing machine – VERY DULL I KNOW! My phone went – a text message from Derek… “6 Spoonbill on Camel showing well if you are in the area”… to which I replied “I wish I was in the area”. Then, it suddenly hit me A LIFE TICK – SPOONBILL – ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE THEM! I was hammering the stairs to get Trevor’s attention (as he’s deaf) within seconds. A message went back to Derek “on our way”! Now where’s Dinham Flats? Onto the computer – found it… and the spot where Derek said to park, but I’m not good with maps. Nevertheless I found it (Trevor was impressed – I could tell). I walked down this slipway… very slippery and Trevor said “be careful – I just slipped”! No sign of the Spoonbill so off we went heading towards Wadebridge. Text to Derek “well, we’re here… just have to find them”. Then the mobile rang and it was Sam “Derek says you’re in the wrong place – go back to the car and walk down the slipway – we’ll see you in a bit”. Back we turned and heading down the slipway again – Trevor “be careful” – bang! I hit the rocks. The camera hit the rock beside me and as the lens protector headed towards the estuary - the end of the lens headed back down, still in my hand and towards another rock! I pulled it up quickly and looked down the lens. Switched it on, aimed and took a couple of shots. Phew! I’m going to need a new camera and/or lens before this one is 12 months old at this rate. Then the pain hit me. Looking at my sad face, Trevor offered his hand to pull me up and his sweater to comfort me :-) Onwards and upwards with a smile. No sign of them – plenty of birds, but no sign of Spoonbill; Oh and a man walking aimlessly along the mud flats with no idea what was around him I don’t think. I decided they had gone – probably flushed. Every large white bird was a Little Egret. I turned around and saw Derek and Sam and my spirits lifted. Within a few minutes Derek had found them. FANTASTIC. We had great views through the scope and my camera put on a brave face and took a couple of rough shots for prosperity. We stayed for a while and also saw (in no particular order): Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Rooks, Peregrine Falcon (being mobbed), Oystercatchers, Curlew, Blackwits, Barwits, L Egrets, Grey Herons, GBB Gulls, LBB Gulls, H Gulls, BH Gulls, Pied Wagtails, Wigeon, Lapwing, Redshank, Greenshank, Grey Plover, Snipe (3 in flight - only ever seen them on the ground and I would'nt know them in the air from that distance anyway), Sparrowhawk (being mobbed), Dunlin, Cormorants, Knot, Wren (earlier when walking). Not bad for a very pleasant unexpected hour’s bird watching!
Another big thank you to Derek and Sam :-)
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Redshanks looking lovely as the sun was going down...
