Friday 14th January (A Trio of Sparrows)

Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window and saw some sunshine. That inspired him not to go back to bed but to prepare himself for a days birding with his birding companion. So he made some coffee ate some toast and took the beast from the shed. If the beast was a creature Mr. Kite would be in court for neglect but as it is only a bicycle it can be left covered in mud and uncared for.

At half past eight Mr. Kite was on the road heading towards Meole Village. A few familiar bird song could be heard but these were back ground music. When Mr. Kite arrived at Meole Village his birding companion was drinking a large mug of tea and putting on some warm clothes. Now Mr. Kite and his birding companion have a competition on their expeditions to guestimate the number of species spotted. Today Mr. Kite's guestimate was forty-three and his companion was thirty-seven.

So it was game on. The usual common birds were ticked off and counted as they headed towards Sharpstone Quarry. Some rather smart Stock Doves fed on the ground and looked stunningly blue-grey in the winter sunshine. Sharpstone Quarry was disappointing as the workers planting trees had scared the birds away.

As the two old birders sped along their clothes became more covered in Shropshire mud from the spray off their unguarded wheels. Their mottled backsides and backs looked unsightly but this is birding on a bike. Pressing on they reached Atcham Bridge where a flock of Canada Geese grazed on the grass. At this point the plans changed as the rain poured down the clouds lowered and the light dimmed. The two old men sheltered under the old bridge at Atcham talking about beer and cider and working up a thirst but the cool breeze stopped them nipping into the Mytton and Mermaid for a pint.

After half an hour the cloud lifted and the skies cleared and the set out towards Venus Pool along the wet, watery and muddy country lanes. A Pheasant was the highlight as the mud and spray enveloped them. After about fifteen minuted they arrived at Venus Pool; a Mecca of Shropshire birders. The pool had the usual ducks and geese that entertained them as they ticked them off and the bird count increased.

Walking to the members hide at Venus Pool Mr. Kite noticed a tiny dark brown streaked bird with a black chin and red crown sitting in a bush near an alder tree; this was a Lesser Redpoll. Soon after this bird flew into the Alder tree and was joined by two more Redpolls. All three then hung acrobatically upside down feeding on tiny seeds. In the sunshine the husks could be seen falling to earth. This was a spot of the day so far; three feeding Redpolls showing their delicate and striking plumage.

The members hide offered nothing special for the price of membership and its exclusivity only a shelter from the increasing breeze. Then it was onto the top field for a walk along the hedge towards the Trout Pool. Mr. Kite and his birding companion looked at the clear blue sky and wished they had put their shorts on as the temperature rose. Now three species of birds sat in the hedgerow and summarised the winter meadow. The first was a yellow slim and long tailed bunting. The second a richly coloured bunting with rufous brown, cream and black and a broadly white-sided tail. Lastly a bird with a brownish cap, black bib white cheeks, and a black beauty spot and a sparrow. These birds feeding in the field and perching in the hedge were the Yellow Hammer, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow. The name sparrow suggest a common bird but Tree Sparrows are not easy to find so the two old birders were pleased to come across these unsung heroes.

If this was a football match you would want to know the score and know who was winning. At this stage Mr. Kited birding companion had lost the competition as they had spotted forty species so Mr. Kite was nearly there. A Raven put Mr. Kite in the frame with forty-one. Remember his guess forty-three: plus or minus two. With time passing and wives expecting the return of the bread winners the two birder set out towards home. To make the competition a draw five more species were needed so that the number of species reached forty-six.

A stop at an artificial pool produced two Goosander. Some Lapwings in a field closed the gap. A bobbing Greater Spotted Woodpecker flying across the road brought on more excitement. Two more birds were needed for the draw. Tension increased as they approached Condover with a ride up and down the village as a Pied Wagtail was heard. The wagtail was elusive so they set off to Bayston Hill for the down hill trip towards Meole Village. Just before Bayston Hill a Pied Wagtail was spotted. One more bird was needed for a draw. Approaching the top of the incline at Bayston Hill the game was over a Long Tailed Tit flew across the road and into the hedge.

A good days birding was coming to an end. Within a mile Mr. Kite and his birding companion parted.

Birding is a funny old game. You win some; you lose others. All birds are worth watching but today a few rather special birds were watched; that is bird watching. Acrobatic Redpoll, scarce and unassuming Tree Sparrows and yellow canary like Yellowhammers. A pretty good day.

To finish off a good day Mr. Kite's tipple of the day was Finchley's Golden Pale Ale. Cheers to a good birding, good companions,  and good finches including Goldfinch, Bullfinch. Chaffinch, Greenfinch.