firstreesjohn
Well-known member
Shore thing
I’m surprised that no-one has commented on my description of THE REDPOLL as having a ‘leonine’ appearance. This was in the mane Norfolk Thread, too. Andy Stoddart is to be applauded for the restraint in his ‘rant’: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2576548&postcount=25. Urbane and genteel that he be, he plainly does not submit himself to perusing some of the more vicious, nay libellous, tirades available to us happy readers- although some of his language is distinctly non-Cantabrigian ("beat . . up"!).
He described to me the wet and bedraggled condition of the poor creature, which he saw for only 5 seconds, before it took flight. Another highly-skilled observer related a similar tale: that, at first, it appeared thin (with its feathers soaked); only taking on a larger guise and fluffing up when dried out. (I am not intimating that it had alcohol-related issues!)
In a vain attempt to connect positively with a member of the pipit race, I went to West Runton. This was a big mistake. Over an hour of tramping from the rough ground to the other side of the beet crop and back, several times, yielded only flight views- without even the weakest schreep. The weather gradually worsened. Carl’s valiant efforts at sign language went right over my head (as did a Red Kite)- my Pooh-like brain uncomprehending of his two-fingered-waggling. (Methought he’d meant that Norwich Cathedral spire was toppling.) When explained later, it all made sense.
A few pages before (in the field guide), and the Salthouse Shorelark was at least (partially) viewable from time to time. Interestingly, and without any visible provocation, it flew off somewhere, with its accompanying Linnets and Pied Wagtails. Perhaps it was that pesky Kite, again.
For once, I agree. I’m told that the BBRC (I’m sure everyone knows what this is an abbreviation of), for instance, does this. I do hope that “trawling”, not “trolling”, was the intended word !
I’m surprised that no-one has commented on my description of THE REDPOLL as having a ‘leonine’ appearance. This was in the mane Norfolk Thread, too. Andy Stoddart is to be applauded for the restraint in his ‘rant’: http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2576548&postcount=25. Urbane and genteel that he be, he plainly does not submit himself to perusing some of the more vicious, nay libellous, tirades available to us happy readers- although some of his language is distinctly non-Cantabrigian ("beat . . up"!).
He described to me the wet and bedraggled condition of the poor creature, which he saw for only 5 seconds, before it took flight. Another highly-skilled observer related a similar tale: that, at first, it appeared thin (with its feathers soaked); only taking on a larger guise and fluffing up when dried out. (I am not intimating that it had alcohol-related issues!)
In a vain attempt to connect positively with a member of the pipit race, I went to West Runton. This was a big mistake. Over an hour of tramping from the rough ground to the other side of the beet crop and back, several times, yielded only flight views- without even the weakest schreep. The weather gradually worsened. Carl’s valiant efforts at sign language went right over my head (as did a Red Kite)- my Pooh-like brain uncomprehending of his two-fingered-waggling. (Methought he’d meant that Norwich Cathedral spire was toppling.) When explained later, it all made sense.
A few pages before (in the field guide), and the Salthouse Shorelark was at least (partially) viewable from time to time. Interestingly, and without any visible provocation, it flew off somewhere, with its accompanying Linnets and Pied Wagtails. Perhaps it was that pesky Kite, again.
you would be surprised the trawling that goes on through forums like this by the powers that be.
For once, I agree. I’m told that the BBRC (I’m sure everyone knows what this is an abbreviation of), for instance, does this. I do hope that “trawling”, not “trolling”, was the intended word !