I think one of the talking points of this Summer is the lack of it!! And particularly how wet, cold and miserable it has been … considering we have been at home now nearly 4 weeks since our trip to Bali .. I think we have had 3 consecutive days of Sunshine!! Unbelievable !! And when we were away we kept in touch with family and friends and they all remarked how wet and cold June was!!Normally our garden is buzzing with bees .. this summer I have hardly seen any and I think it is no exaggeration we have had two species of butterfly; Holly Blue back in March and a lone Cabbage White on Sunday last!!
12th July….I had a trip down to Wykeham Lakes to stretch the legs; it was cold, miserable and wet!! So a cup of coffee was the order of the day. Fortunately the shower passed but there was still a stiff Northerly breeze … again crazy weather for July!! Had a check of the western lagoon and BOOM !! A very nice Common Tern was feeding in the middle of the lake …. unfortunately it didn’t come very close to the shore. It had that beautiful elastic flight that made it easy to pick out amongst the gulls … Great bird to see … and another Summer migrant to tick off.
I was just about to set back when I bumped into some fellow birders and very kindly they told me about a singing Grasshopper Warbler … WHAT … I hadn’t heard a Grasshopper Warbler for a few years now. So with directions fully understood, it was a mad scramble down to where the ‘Gropper’ was last heard singing…. and I couldn’t believe my luck !!! I could hear it reeling as I approached!! Amazing stuff … now the task was to photograph it …. Well, with more camouflage skills than a Royal Marine Sniper …. I had no chance … Literally it was reeling just feet away and could I see it … more chance of a Marsh Sandpiper landing on the post opposite me !! For nearly an hour I tried to track this little skulker …Not a chance … Still it was great to hear one … Another nice bird added to my Year List.
