"Oot and Aboot" with Johnny at Brenkley and Big Waters

Sunday, Sedgie and I had an early start at 7 for a walk round Brenkley.  This was the first time we had both walked the circuit, which at the time we didn't know was a circuit but who cared on such a lovely morning.  On the way there we stopped at a pond and noticed that one of the Lapwings had at least 3 young although it was distant and the only picture we got was from a long way.

At Brenkley itself we watched 3 Hares playing chase for the first part of the circuit although viewable for over 20mins they never came too close and didn't do any boxing, but it was glorious just watching them.  At the same time we saw Curlew, Lapwings, Oystercatchers, 3 Wheatear, lots of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks and only saw one other human being (isn't life grand)  The circuit took about an hour to walk at a real gentle pace and no doubt we will be doing it again although next time I will take by Lumix 60x zoom.

 A cracking piece of dried mud turning up at the edges

We then headed on to Big Waters where we met up with Ian D, Keith B, Alan J then set off for the walk.  Nothing much out of the ordinary but plenty of sounds and now getting extremely difficult to see through the evergrowing foliage.   We then bumped into Graeme and Tony B so the Secret 7 then set off after quite a lengthy stop and catchup session in which we spotted a Canada with 6 young at the public end looking for offerings.

At the T Junction near the bridge over the A1 Sedgie, Keith and I decided to go and look for the Cuckoo and to check out Little Waters for Odanata.  We dawdled around but failed to find any although the walk was nice and we did see plenty with Greenfinch and Whitethroat the best.  We then all met up at the 1st hide where Mick McG was already in his corner noting anything of note and not of note also.  Alan J asked had we not got his message, we checked our phones and sure enough at 11.17 there was a message on both Keith and I's phone saying there was Quail calling at Redstart Corner.  C'est la vie as they say, another dip.  We once again had a big chat then moved up to the main hide where a Common Sandpiper had Alan J getting various bird books out to check on it, we all could have told him it was a Common Sandpiper but then again you have to let these youngsters find out for themselves and not keep telling them what every bird is uuummmmm !!

Well that was about it but here are a couple more photos from the day to keep you interested

 15 Common Terns are now flying around and seem to be digging scrapes on the island

although they are having some serious word with the Canada Goose which is sitting

on eggs just a few feet away

Farmer Nick has moved the fence in the North Field closer to the pond so that hopefully the

cows can churn up a bit of mud to entice some wagtails in.  Although this deer didn't come

any closer and stuck to his well worn path.

Haven't figured this one out yet - Having a leaf  like structure stuck up your bum to act 

as a paddle and a rudder for such an unaerodynamic object is not what I expect to 

happen in nature.  Also no mouth at the front so how is it going to eat although if

you look closely you will see the refuse disposal hole on the top.  This is one that

Alan needs to get his books out for

 A different landscape shot for a change, lots to listen to when you walk through this tunnel

 Daddy Canada getting upset at other greylags coming near his brood.

Did you expert toggers notice how I intentionally slowed the camera

shutter speed down to blur the wings so that the extremely sharp head

would draw your eyes in.  I might just take up togging full time to help

some of you out

 Where are those bloody Civil Enforcement Officers when you need one, mind you they do

bugger all to sort out those throwers (Known as TOSSERS) of plastic bags with dog shit in

instead of taking them to a bin  so you dont really expect them to do anything about this

NOTE the sign above the car in a Nature Reserve

 Mr and Mrs Swan and their offspring having a lazy Sunday morning sleep-in at Little Waters

Well thats it for the day, I have a few bits of video to look at but am hopefully going out Mothing

a bit later so if all you movie buffs want to watch just head for the local UTube Cinema at

John's UTube Videos

Although for those of you who have heard but missed a Gropper this year I can recommend this one that I prepared earlier (OK Keith and Mick)

ps.  Haven't had time to Spellcheck the above for misspellings of mididentifications so........
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