The Story so Far

Introduction

Mr. Kite has decided to write a blog about his birding, biking, beer drinking and excursions discovering the sights, sounds and smells of Shropshire. He can be described as a birder on a bike; most of the time. He has an interest in all wildlife and the environment. Cycling along the lanes and tracks of Shropshire, and elsewhere gives him enjoyment and the chance to think, work up a thirst and write.

Now a picture tells a thousand words but Mr. Kite prefers the written word to the digital photo. Partly because he is too mean to buy a camera when his beloved bike is wearing away and will need replacing but also he does not want to be bothered with all that extra equipment. A pen, notebook, Collins Field Bird Guide and a pair of binoculars are enough.

Saturday January 1st ( The White Swan)

Mr. Kite woke up on New Years day feeling worse for wear. You would think a man more than half way to his centenary year would know better and not poison his body with beer on New Years Eve but he did. This is not the first time it has happened, and probably not the last, but I do not think he will learn his lesson unless he joins the Abstention Movement and he does think there are more interesting groups of people to be with.

Anyway Mr. Kite had a late kick off for the new birding year and did not leave the back door till nearly midday. But his timing was perfect because four Mute Swans flew over his garden heading north-east. Now that was a good start to the New Year because normally he looks in his garden and spots a Wood Pigeon or a Collared Dove which is still exciting but not as much as four large majestic swans powering across the sky necked out stretched and the rhythmic beat of their wings.

Mr. Kite then took his bicycle out of the shed in preparation for a few hour birding. Now his bike was his pride and joy but it is now becoming a bit of a beast. The front and rear wheels were replaced in the last six months but they are now showing sign of wear with stretched spokes and 'untrue wheels' and the bearing on the crank are loose and need replacing. However Mr. Kite headed towards Berrington Pool along the country lanes and then onto Venus Pool. To cut a long story short both pools were icy and fairly devoid of bird life although Venus Pool had more bird watchers than birds.

So now for the interesting part. White Swans have now become a feature in a field near the Riverside Inn, formerly the Cound Lodge, on the Cressage Road. In this field there were not just Mute Swans but more Bewicks Swan than the two Whooper Swans showing their heads. This is a great spectacle three species of White Swan on display giving Mr. Kite the opportunity to compare and contrast them; better than any book. So that was a highlight for Mr. Kite.

Other bird-watchers appeared and marveled at the sight but as with all good things it must come to an end. Mr. Kite then set off for Atcham Bridge via the muddy, slushy and wet lanes of Shropshire as the drizzle started to descend on a damp cyclist.

On reaching Atcham Bridge the cool drizzle was turning to cold rain and the dank cloud were darkening and the light was fading. But there was another highlight for Mr. Kite; a European Treecreeper. This little bird was clearly on view walking up a completely dead tree so that it's whitish underside and slight curved bill were clear along with it's streaky plumage.

With the cold intensifying and clothing becoming wetter it was time to drop in on the lagoon at Monkmoor as a final visit. Mr. Kite has visited this hide most New Year's day but today it was covered in ice and the only bird on display was a Grey Heron; although the log book recorded a Bittern. Well Mr. Kite braved the cold but did not see it. Never mind.

Mr. Kites count for the day 34 species.

Mr. Kite returned home for a well deserved tipple of Ridgeways Thames Valley Ale and a Bulmers Pear with a couple of Becks thrown in for good measure.

Sunday 2nd January (Problems with the Beast)

Mr. Kite did learn something about alcohol consumption because he was up bright and early and cycling towards Polemere by nine o'clock without a poorly head. Cycling through the Quarry there were Goosander diving down for food and a Raven of the Sea joining in. The Quarry was full of people enjoying the cool clear air. Although Mr. Kite kept on eye in the trees and on the river for birds no one was run over or upset by a cyclist more keen on the surroundings rather than the road.

To cut a long story short Mr. Kite reached Polemere and believe it or not it was mostly covered in ice. But there grazing on the grass and whistling gently was a company of Wigeon. These birds are a wonderful colour with pinkish plumage and the male has a yellow streak on their head. Mr. Kite will let you into a secret; Polemere has a clean hide, picnic table and and views over a pool fields so a wide variety of habitat is visible.

Mr. Kite then headed towards Lyth Hill stopping at Lea Cross to watch four Buzzards feeding on the football pitch. Now these birds kept their distance from each other and were obviously enjoying the pickings.

Now this is where the day went downhill; the beast had a puncture. Mr. Kite does not mind fixing punctures but when the wheels are cold and muddy it is not pleasant. Hands become dirty, cold and covered in oil. A big thorn was extracted painlessly from the tyre, the hole covered with a patch and Bob's your uncle; Mr. Kite was gliding along the country lanes again until a few miles further on when another thorn punctured the tyre. So the process was repeated and more dirty hands.

At the end of last year thousands of Waxwings arrived to enjoy the numerous red and orange berries that grow in the trees around supermarkets. So Mr. Kite went to Sainsbury's car park and the Park and Ride in search of these fabulous visitors but none could be found.

Lastly it was to the frozen lagoon to find a Bittern; the Bittern was too well camouflaged in the brown and gold reeds.

Mr. Kite returned home to enjoy a glass of Old Speckled Hen and Fullers London Pride.

Monday 3rd January (Forgive my Trespasses, but where are the Birds)

Mr. Kite did a few shabby repairs to the deteriorating beast before setting out towards Atcham Bridge following the river along the A5. A large flock of Canada Geese were swimming close to the river bank stopping at interval to graze. Then it was onto Attingham Park to watch a small flock of Siskins. An attractive bird to see. Males are lime-green and yellow with a black cap. The trees in the park are mixed and a good place to see Nuthatch and Woodpeckers.

The park attracts cars all year round and today was typical, car after car after car. But still a good place to cycle amongst some cows with long horns and the sights and sounds of Rooks and Jackdaws.

Mr. Kite cycled past Berwick Wharf stopping to watch a small flock of Linnets and a large flock of Chaffinch flying from the bushes to the ground and back again. The white wings of the Chaffinch make them easily identified in flight.

Then it was down a bridleway over to Tern to trespass. Mr. Kite does not trespass very often but there is a pool not a millions miles away that often has lots of duck, geese and gulls. Today trespassers were not rewarded; when Mr. Kite got there, the pool was bare. When he says bare he means bare, not a sausage, not a bird, only pigeons flying overhead.

After the excitement of the trespass it was time for Mr. Kite to amble along the narrow lanes around Isombridge looking for birds. These lanes are relatively traffic free and the low hedge line gives good views over the fields. Todays highlight was a very spotty Mistle Thrush.

Then it was Rodington, Upton Magna and Uffington and to the lagoon to spot the Bittern. Instead Mr. Kite had the pleasure of watching two Grey Herons skating around on a frozen pool as the ice made fishing impossible and learning to skate is something they cannot do very often.

Here are some of Mr. Kites statistics. During the past three days he has noted 48 species of bird and cycled 74 miles. That is 0.64 birds per mile. How useless is that.

One more statistic. Zero alcohol units consumed. Mr. Kite is not ill but looking after his liver.