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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FXM" data-source="post: 1640796" data-attributes="member: 48286">Hi Mark,"This pollution problem evidently and expectedly on the increase, bloody S. Westerly's are a death knell. Sounds like this year even greater problem, especially if 'the legend' feels ill!"You are dead right. SW are terrible. And I felt terrible too. Cranes apart though it's been good for lots of other birds... except bustards of course."I reckon 25th onwards optimum, always going to be a cold year early soon surely? Problem with this date is that the WNC's can't be assessed as they start around the second week traditionally. I'm looking at starting around this date but suggesting the crane and stork fest' perhaps slightly later, in early November to maximise the potential and highlight the 'flagship species and agree, the count is going to have to extend until at least the 15th Nov."Sounds about right to me. Need the ground to freeze for the Sibes to move big time and that has only just happened this year by the sounds of things."Despite HI officially being closed, we should push for a late allocation, the mudflats, as you've witnessed Frank, are of significant importance. I'm sure the owner can be persuaded to help, JW can have a 'magic' touch when needed."HI and surrounding mudflats are undoubtedly very important and I'm sure Jean can weave her magic. I've already got half a team with Orkney Paul or the 'Vireo Kid' as he's now known. One or two others have also shown an interest."From what I can find Frank, the big numbers still appear to be north of you, presumably with more juveniles in tow, as in last year. How cold does it really need to be to get them moving. Hooded should now be on their major push also but the weather to the north of you doesn't appear good for movement, they're getting later and later."Ditto. It was very cold here today in the wind and the forecast is for it to get colder tomorrow. Despite feeling freezing cold I still stuck it out until the incredibly bitter end at the Windmill today you'll be pleased to hear. For no reason as it turns out. Although I did have a very nice 1st Winter Saunder's Gull and 16 Ruddy Shelduck."Don't understand what's happened to Mr Diao, especially as he's funded by the ICF for the season, maybe they've had a rethink ?"Don't know how true this is but I'd heard a rumour that they did not fund him this year.CheersFrank<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>

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