P
peter hayes
Guest
Lee Valley Official Bash 23 February 2003
Location: Lee Valley Country Park
Occasion: Bird Fair
Participants: Paul Rule, Kevin, Dave Smith, Andy Bright, Steve, Green Fields, Peter Hayes plus companion.
Lee Valley is a country park 23 miles long stretching across roads, railway lines and county boundaries involving huge expanses of water and various protected areas and sites of special interest. It also contains the national Bittern Viewing Point which has just been awarded loads of Euro dosh to massively expand the reed beds to encourage Bitterns to breed and boom.
We met up at 10.30 on a calm day, with te weather already making a mockery of the forecasts, it was mild and dry, becoming warmer by the hour.
On the way to the RV point, I immediately saw 2 extremely vocal Robins in the car park, quickly followed by a Wren and a large, extremely healthy looking brown rat, which scrabbled along right in front of us. We also saw a grey squirrel.
The walk alongside the canal was pleasant, with 5 Tufted Duck, 5 pairs of Mallard and 4 Coot on view. To our left, the sailing club lake had approximately 40 Coot, 8 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 4 Wigeon, a further 4 Tufted duck and a rather malevolent looking Great Crested Grebe. In the canal meanwhile, 4 Moorhen were showing together with a further 10 Coot. As we crossed over the canal we saw a female Bullfinch and 2 Magpie.
As we approached 70 Acre Lake we saw many more Coot – too many to count – and the first four of many more Canada Geese. A great Crested Grebe seemed to remain static in the water, looking absolutely magnificent through the scope. We then saw 16 Mute Swans, 10 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck and 10 more Canada Geese.
As my companion and I approached the entrance to the Bird Fair, a Little Owl was pointed out to us on the branch of a nearby tree. An excellent start. We met up with the others and viewed the trade stands in the two marquees. Steve thought the atmosphere was rather better than the fair at Slimbridge, and certainly everyone was extremely friendly as we thrust BF cards at them whether they liked it or not! We got rid of several hundred of them, so expect many more birders to register over the next few days!
Kevin noted that I was improperly dressed, and proceeded to make significant changes to my apparel, including tightening knots, belts, buckles and harnesses, muttering under his breath that things had never been quite the same since the end of National Service. He, of course, was magnificent as usual in full jungle training outfit: everything camouflaged and held in position on his back. Enough hardware, tools and essential supplies to survive for weeks.
We then walked towards the Bittern View Point, noting a Jay, and several Tits (Long Tailed, Great and Blue en route). We took the usual BF group picture in front of a public lavatory (although I post a much more suitable pic below). The Bittern hide was like Fortnum & Mason on a Saturday morning. Our elusive friend the Bittern had not been seen since 08.00 (it was now 11.30) and it was hardly surprising; the noise coming out of the hide from so many people drifted straight out to the reeds in front of us.
As we looked out, we could see many Gulls, Coot and Canada Geese, and we heard the constant refrain from non birding visitors: “Well where is it then?” Meaning the Bittern. Because the hide is clearly labelled ‘Bittern Viewing Point’ they expected one to be on display all day long! They felt cheated when 30 pairs of binoculars failed to spot anything.
Steve was spotted though – surreptitiously pinning BF cards to the official RSPB notice board. Naughty boy. Outside, we regrouped near the lake and spotted a white headed Cormorant, something none of us had seen before. It really was rather startling.
Then a guide pointed out a female Sparrow Hawk. I just managed to get my scope on it for a good look before it flew off. Andy Bright was heard to utter the immortal words: “All I ever get is young males.”
All this walking was too much for our leader, so we carried Steve back to the hospitality tent. Lunch was extremely pleasant for my companion and I: chicken and avocado rolls with spring onion, shredded lettuce and tomato. We washed this down with a fine coffee accompanied by a Geo bar. The entertainment was provided by Kevin, who systematically cleaned his three pipes, one after the other, with military precision.
We had another tour of the trade stands, spraying out cards as we went. And there were some interesting characters there, including David Cottridge, a brilliant bird photographer and author. As a result of us chatting them up, Essex Birders and East London Birders have promised to look in on BF.
We then bade farewell to Steve, Andy Bright, Green Fields and Kevin. Dave Smith went on a hunt for some Waxwings, and Paul Rule and I joined a guided walk led by two Lee Valley rangers. The guide said Lee Valley was nationally known for Coot. That must be why they occupy every single stretch of water, we mused. We also saw Shoveler, Pochard, several more Great Crested Grebe, a Goldcrest, lots more Tits, and Paul located a marvellous Great Spotted Woodpecker attacking an old oak tree with gusto.
Our party of Bird Fair walkers (about 30 people) then crossed paths with Dave, who had successfully found the Waxwings. A small group of us then abandoned the official walk (and Paul Rule, who stayed with them) and went off on in search of the WW’s. Fifteen minutes later, in trees on the edge of a car park, we were rewarded with superb views of four Waxwings. You could clearly see the large crest and reddish colour combined with the narrow eye mask. Also visible: the yellow tail band and yellow and red sections to the feathers.
The perfect end to a great day with good companions. It was good to meet Paul and Dave for the first time, and I hope to meet many more BF members at the next BF trip: KentBash on 30 March.
Location: Lee Valley Country Park
Occasion: Bird Fair
Participants: Paul Rule, Kevin, Dave Smith, Andy Bright, Steve, Green Fields, Peter Hayes plus companion.
Lee Valley is a country park 23 miles long stretching across roads, railway lines and county boundaries involving huge expanses of water and various protected areas and sites of special interest. It also contains the national Bittern Viewing Point which has just been awarded loads of Euro dosh to massively expand the reed beds to encourage Bitterns to breed and boom.
We met up at 10.30 on a calm day, with te weather already making a mockery of the forecasts, it was mild and dry, becoming warmer by the hour.
On the way to the RV point, I immediately saw 2 extremely vocal Robins in the car park, quickly followed by a Wren and a large, extremely healthy looking brown rat, which scrabbled along right in front of us. We also saw a grey squirrel.
The walk alongside the canal was pleasant, with 5 Tufted Duck, 5 pairs of Mallard and 4 Coot on view. To our left, the sailing club lake had approximately 40 Coot, 8 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 4 Wigeon, a further 4 Tufted duck and a rather malevolent looking Great Crested Grebe. In the canal meanwhile, 4 Moorhen were showing together with a further 10 Coot. As we crossed over the canal we saw a female Bullfinch and 2 Magpie.
As we approached 70 Acre Lake we saw many more Coot – too many to count – and the first four of many more Canada Geese. A great Crested Grebe seemed to remain static in the water, looking absolutely magnificent through the scope. We then saw 16 Mute Swans, 10 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck and 10 more Canada Geese.
As my companion and I approached the entrance to the Bird Fair, a Little Owl was pointed out to us on the branch of a nearby tree. An excellent start. We met up with the others and viewed the trade stands in the two marquees. Steve thought the atmosphere was rather better than the fair at Slimbridge, and certainly everyone was extremely friendly as we thrust BF cards at them whether they liked it or not! We got rid of several hundred of them, so expect many more birders to register over the next few days!
Kevin noted that I was improperly dressed, and proceeded to make significant changes to my apparel, including tightening knots, belts, buckles and harnesses, muttering under his breath that things had never been quite the same since the end of National Service. He, of course, was magnificent as usual in full jungle training outfit: everything camouflaged and held in position on his back. Enough hardware, tools and essential supplies to survive for weeks.
We then walked towards the Bittern View Point, noting a Jay, and several Tits (Long Tailed, Great and Blue en route). We took the usual BF group picture in front of a public lavatory (although I post a much more suitable pic below). The Bittern hide was like Fortnum & Mason on a Saturday morning. Our elusive friend the Bittern had not been seen since 08.00 (it was now 11.30) and it was hardly surprising; the noise coming out of the hide from so many people drifted straight out to the reeds in front of us.
As we looked out, we could see many Gulls, Coot and Canada Geese, and we heard the constant refrain from non birding visitors: “Well where is it then?” Meaning the Bittern. Because the hide is clearly labelled ‘Bittern Viewing Point’ they expected one to be on display all day long! They felt cheated when 30 pairs of binoculars failed to spot anything.
Steve was spotted though – surreptitiously pinning BF cards to the official RSPB notice board. Naughty boy. Outside, we regrouped near the lake and spotted a white headed Cormorant, something none of us had seen before. It really was rather startling.
Then a guide pointed out a female Sparrow Hawk. I just managed to get my scope on it for a good look before it flew off. Andy Bright was heard to utter the immortal words: “All I ever get is young males.”
All this walking was too much for our leader, so we carried Steve back to the hospitality tent. Lunch was extremely pleasant for my companion and I: chicken and avocado rolls with spring onion, shredded lettuce and tomato. We washed this down with a fine coffee accompanied by a Geo bar. The entertainment was provided by Kevin, who systematically cleaned his three pipes, one after the other, with military precision.
We had another tour of the trade stands, spraying out cards as we went. And there were some interesting characters there, including David Cottridge, a brilliant bird photographer and author. As a result of us chatting them up, Essex Birders and East London Birders have promised to look in on BF.
We then bade farewell to Steve, Andy Bright, Green Fields and Kevin. Dave Smith went on a hunt for some Waxwings, and Paul Rule and I joined a guided walk led by two Lee Valley rangers. The guide said Lee Valley was nationally known for Coot. That must be why they occupy every single stretch of water, we mused. We also saw Shoveler, Pochard, several more Great Crested Grebe, a Goldcrest, lots more Tits, and Paul located a marvellous Great Spotted Woodpecker attacking an old oak tree with gusto.
Our party of Bird Fair walkers (about 30 people) then crossed paths with Dave, who had successfully found the Waxwings. A small group of us then abandoned the official walk (and Paul Rule, who stayed with them) and went off on in search of the WW’s. Fifteen minutes later, in trees on the edge of a car park, we were rewarded with superb views of four Waxwings. You could clearly see the large crest and reddish colour combined with the narrow eye mask. Also visible: the yellow tail band and yellow and red sections to the feathers.
The perfect end to a great day with good companions. It was good to meet Paul and Dave for the first time, and I hope to meet many more BF members at the next BF trip: KentBash on 30 March.