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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JWN Andrewes" data-source="post: 3372507" data-attributes="member: 7131">20th MarchTwo short jaunts today, both successful I'm please to say.First up was Neston, just south of the sewage works, where at least two Water Pipits were quietly creeping round the corner of a soggy field, one beginning to look quite grey and peachy (looked a lot nicer through the scope than it does in the montage below). Then stopped by Burton Mere Wetlands to enjoy the Avocets. Not much else on offer in an admittedly short visit, other than a distant Peregrine on a fence post for the year list.At the other end of the day we hit World’s End for the Shrike. On the way in we checked out the spot by the road where we’d been lucky with Black Grouse on a couple of afternoons last year, but a couple walking their dog along the road put paid to that. Except…. As we set off again I caught sight of a movement off to the left; Grouse in flight! Followed by more, a slew of them bombing down hill, dropping into the heather. Then they’re up again, crossing the road behind us, and landing right out in the open. All I had to do was kill the brakes and steer us into the lay-by as we rolled back down the hill. Sweet! The light was against us, and while I was trying to figure out the best settings for the camera (something I always struggle with) another car pulled up further uphill… and the driver got out, camera in hand. A clatter of wings and it’s game over. Counted 15 as they flew, had only made it 14 on the deck. Had a chat with the fellow afterwards, all friendly, advised him of the dos-and-don’ts of observing the Grouse here, so hopefully he won’t make the same mistake twice. After that it was a mile and a half or so’s yomp along Offa’s Dyke, with occasional scans of the distant clear-fell, one of which  came up with the goods, Great Grey Shrike, distant (see pic with arrow below), but high up enough on a dead tree not to be obliterated by heat haze. All the way back to the car the boys played at being Grouse, flying off down the path whenever they spotted a human.Year list – 124Life list  - 180</blockquote>

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