HE2's 2007 Birding Forays (1 Viewer)

[Helenelizabeth2]

Having been branded a bragger by HE2, I guess I shall have to live up to the reputation now gained! HavAfter finishing with a flock of six Smew (two males), I stopped to look at some butterflies today and had an enormous female Goshawk launch a very vocal attack on me (I suppose this buttefly spot might be where she has planned to nest!). At the same time, my first this year, a Woodlark started to sing! What did you say your targets were this day?

'HavAfter'? Are you making up your own words now you've left the old country?

I think I will just have to give in and come and camp in your field. When is the next flight?

 

[turkish van]

When is the next flight?

Helen...

(only joking)

 

[Jos Stratford]

Sorry, I was lying, it was my second Woodlark of the year, first arrived back two weeks ago.

Flying hallucinations, flights daily catering for counters of the said hallucinations

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

Sorry, I was lying, it was my second Woodlark of the year, first arrived back two weeks ago.

Flying hallucinations, flights daily catering for counters of the said hallucinations

You know this has got so bad now that when I look at pictures of Smew I get an actual physical pain. Do I need help?

 

[Jos Stratford]

Do I need help?

Does this help?

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

Does this help?

What have I done to deserve this cruelty? :-C ( )

 

[turkish van]

What have I done to deserve this cruelty? :-C ( )

Friends with the wrong people Helen!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Don't worry Helen, I did dip a Smew myself yesterday - or if not dip, not see one. Thinking specially of you, I sat on the bench in my back garden and scanned the lake beneath repeatedly ...thought getting a Smew on the garden list would be dead cool and quite possibly the death of you )))

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

*prays quietly that Jos never gets Smew on garden list* Please Lord, I am a good mother and give to charity - do not let it happen.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Naturally I will let you know if the good lord deems you otherwise and thus grants me a garden tick

 

[turkish van]

*prays quietly that Jos never gets Smew on garden list* Please Lord, I am a good mother and give to charity - do not let it happen.

Helen, since Jos seems to be in possession of various dwellings and therefore various gardens, you needn't worry - he should be dismissed on grounds of unfair advantage

 

[J Jones]

there was a nice Smew at Baston & Langtoft Pits this evening, Helen

 

[Jos Stratford]

... various dwellings, various gardens

Two! Plus a little bit of land.

PS Bittern is already on the garden list of one and pretty sure it'll be on the other by next week Those common other things that started off this waffle, Goshawk and Woodlark, are naturally also on property list (one breeds)

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

there was a nice Smew at Baston & Langtoft Pits this evening, Helen

I already read it and wept, Josh (South Lincolnshire Patching thread for anyone who doesn't know it - reports on the scene of at least 6 of my Smew dipping adventures).

Seems there is something about men with the letters Jos in their name and abnormal levels of cruelty.

 

[pduxon]

I already read it and wept, Josh (South Lincolnshire Patching thread for anyone who doesn't know it - reports on the scene at least 6 of my Smew dipping adventures).

Seems there is something about men with the letters Jos in their name and abnormal levels of cruelty.

were some in essex yesterday

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

were some in essex yesterday

What? Men with the letters 'Jos' in their name?

 

[Xenospiza]

Well sofar I've dipped Smew this year as well, so I kind of know how you feel. The three times lucky theory fails for Little Owl as well... I need at least 10 tries on average for that one!

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

Well sofar I've dipped Smew this year as well, so I kind of know how you feel. The three times lucky theory fails for Little Owl as well... I need at least 10 tries on average for that one!

Ooh, I know just how you feel. I must have dipped on Little Owl at least 10 times last year and only ever saw them once. Haven't really tried yet this year - I guess I should get on with it if it's going to take another 10 attempts!

 

[pduxon]

Ooh, I know just how you feel. I must have dipped on Little Owl at least 10 times last year and only ever saw them once. Haven't really tried yet this year - I guess I should get on with it if it's going to take another 10 attempts!

if I am seeing you in April I think the Dave and I can get this for you.

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

(Not a) Dipper

*sings loudly* - O flower o Scotland, when will we see your ilk again, that fought and died for, your wee bit hill and glen...

Oh, sorry, didn't see you there. I always come over embarrasingly patriotic when I'm back in the old country.

Misty drive up North today with a detour round Kielder Water and Forest Drive, picking up:

154. Mandarin - on the river just South of the reservoir
155. Merlin - flying off the roadside in the forest (actually could somebody just nip pack through all 8 pages of my list and check I haven't had this already? Waddya mean no? You're all so lazy - it'll just have to stay there till someone checks then)

And this afternoon, a short walk down to the Megget Bridge (3 Redshank - not seen them here before, Oystercatchers back in the fields, Curlew flying over) produced my favourite wee Scottish birdy (yes, I know you get them in England but I've never seen one there - I expect they hang out with the Smew)

156. Dipper

Driving up to Speyside tomorrow - hopefully even better things to come.