The Seeker

Saturday 2nd May 2016

Just like the lyrics of the hit by The Who, I've been searching. And a fat lot of good its done me. Explored some likely new habitat but its been very quiet. The 'circuit' has seen a few more Yellow wagtails a lot more Whitethroats and the odd Lesser Whitethroat. Tree sparrows have been seen again on the Mancetter walk but after the excitement of the previous week there has been little of note. Took a look round Burton Hastings and then news of a Pied Flycatcher saw me heading for Ladywalk where the bird showed well after a frustrating and persistent downpour. In fact the heavy rain was to have a significant impact on my birding in the next few days. Today was a good example. started out with a daily walk around Caldecote. At last there was a Whinchat on the docks in the Anker flood valley. The rain was scheduled for midday so I decided to stay local and check out a report of a White Stork seen earlier flying west over Burbage towards Warwickshire. With the wind strengthening and rain setting in it may not have gone too far. I decided to check out the fields to the west of the A5. As I walked up Hydes Lane the heavens opened. It was then that I glimpsed a 'White Stork' by a pond partially obscured by trees. Not wishing to flush the bird I backed away to the shelter of my car. Soaked to the skin, I went home for a change of clothes and to put out the news. Imagine the horror on returning in bright sunshine of finding the bird was a plastic model. I tried to put out messages but some birders had already arrived. It wasn't a classic Schoolboy error, it was far worst than that. I can only apologise to my friends and fellow birders that did turn up.