You may have noticed over time that I have strange views on birding- I referred to birding 'purity' recently in attaching restrictions to what I could tick and couldn't tick at Hogganfield Loch, fr example.
Anyway, my Big Days Out over the past year or so have, sadly, come at the expense of birding in my local patch. By local patch, I mean either CAthkin Marsh SWT or RSPB Baron's Haugh. Both, incidentally, are a 20 minute drive from my house, and I therefore have local patches which need petrol money to get to.
As part of the new year's resolution, I vowed to spend more time at these local patches. Luckily, a trip to The Haugh can coincide with my monthly Wetland Bird Survey that I conduct at the nearby Carbarns pool.
Sunday came, and I stuck to my new tradition of sleeping in. Got to the Haugh at noon (so only 3 hours late) and fortuitously bumped into Gerry Palmer, birding friend and fellow member of Hamilton RSPB. Armed with convivial company, I managed ot only to complete my survey, but actually ENJOY it! Unfortunately, the freezing conditions meant that there was very little to show for it, but you can't have everything.
I was lucky enough to be put onto the Tawny Owl which roosts in the areas- a lifer for me. Added to the various year ticks (great black backed gull, nuthatch, teal, and a few others) meant that I had quite a productive day, despite the absolutely freezing conditions.
There's a lot to be said about quality and value when birding. On paper, a trip to a frozen wetland area doesn't look too exciting. Add decent company, a few year ticks, and your day improves.
Mostly though, the value in the day came by the very fact of visiting the place that I did my first real birding in- in a birding sense I popped home for the day.
Anyway, my Big Days Out over the past year or so have, sadly, come at the expense of birding in my local patch. By local patch, I mean either CAthkin Marsh SWT or RSPB Baron's Haugh. Both, incidentally, are a 20 minute drive from my house, and I therefore have local patches which need petrol money to get to.
As part of the new year's resolution, I vowed to spend more time at these local patches. Luckily, a trip to The Haugh can coincide with my monthly Wetland Bird Survey that I conduct at the nearby Carbarns pool.
Sunday came, and I stuck to my new tradition of sleeping in. Got to the Haugh at noon (so only 3 hours late) and fortuitously bumped into Gerry Palmer, birding friend and fellow member of Hamilton RSPB. Armed with convivial company, I managed ot only to complete my survey, but actually ENJOY it! Unfortunately, the freezing conditions meant that there was very little to show for it, but you can't have everything.
I was lucky enough to be put onto the Tawny Owl which roosts in the areas- a lifer for me. Added to the various year ticks (great black backed gull, nuthatch, teal, and a few others) meant that I had quite a productive day, despite the absolutely freezing conditions.
There's a lot to be said about quality and value when birding. On paper, a trip to a frozen wetland area doesn't look too exciting. Add decent company, a few year ticks, and your day improves.
Mostly though, the value in the day came by the very fact of visiting the place that I did my first real birding in- in a birding sense I popped home for the day.
