Went to Baron's Hugh last week, fully intending to tick a Green Sandpiper, hopefully to get a kingfisher. Determined that I wouldn't leave the reserve until i connected with my namesake. Managed it after 5 minutes, then with the pressure off, was able to relax and enjy my birding.
The reserve itself was being prepared for the migrant wader season, with the water level being lowered through a sluice. The famiy of mute swans had successfully reared 5 good- sized cygnets, a great relief after last year's fiasco. Plenty of drab mallard, a heron wandering by slowly, water rail appearing furtively, and snipe wandering about on exposed mud. highlight, and an absolute bonus, a juvenile ruff showed openly out on the mud, offering wonderful views to all. 2 year ticks in the one hide, one of them a good 'un.
Roll on a week, and family duties have put a stop to Green Sandpiper's fun. On the way north to a family wedding, I glanced upward (rather than at the road in front of me) to see a Red kite dsplaying over the motorway. Year tick, and first one for 2 years. Fleeting glimpse before we parted our ways, and despite being a tick, and glad for it, it left me wanting more. I felt cheated that i barely got a look at it.
A red kite, in many ways, is a better tick than a ruff. But, I gained more from the lengthy views of the ruff, the green sand, water rail etc than from the all too brief sight of the red kite. Finally, in a year where I've felt guilty about the time I've spent chasing ticks, I've realised that ticks, no matter how unexpected, just aren't enough.
The reserve itself was being prepared for the migrant wader season, with the water level being lowered through a sluice. The famiy of mute swans had successfully reared 5 good- sized cygnets, a great relief after last year's fiasco. Plenty of drab mallard, a heron wandering by slowly, water rail appearing furtively, and snipe wandering about on exposed mud. highlight, and an absolute bonus, a juvenile ruff showed openly out on the mud, offering wonderful views to all. 2 year ticks in the one hide, one of them a good 'un.
Roll on a week, and family duties have put a stop to Green Sandpiper's fun. On the way north to a family wedding, I glanced upward (rather than at the road in front of me) to see a Red kite dsplaying over the motorway. Year tick, and first one for 2 years. Fleeting glimpse before we parted our ways, and despite being a tick, and glad for it, it left me wanting more. I felt cheated that i barely got a look at it.
A red kite, in many ways, is a better tick than a ruff. But, I gained more from the lengthy views of the ruff, the green sand, water rail etc than from the all too brief sight of the red kite. Finally, in a year where I've felt guilty about the time I've spent chasing ticks, I've realised that ticks, no matter how unexpected, just aren't enough.
