Thursday 11th August (Waders Waddle In and a Swift Flies Over)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window. The green leaves on the trees were being blown about in the gusty wind and the pale dried fruit dropped to the floor. The sky was grey and the weather forecast was wind and rain.

However after a few days of laziness Mr. Kite has plans of bird-watching. Just after nine o'clock Mr. Kite's birding companion rang to organise a competition. So by ten o'clock The Incapacitants were heading towards Atcham Bridge. Passing a large flock of Canadian Geese they arrived at Atcham. Mallards, Cormorants, Swallows, House Martins and twenty-six Goosander. A good start improved as a Little Egret delicately flew upstream and a Hobby passed by followed by the Swallows and House Martins.

A drive through Attingham Park was a chance to pass close to Jackdaws, Carrion Crows and Rooks with Common Buzzards overhead. Then it was a trespass on The Mire to meet another trespasser with a telescope. So cooperative birder provided the equipment to spot Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover amongst the Mallard, Teal and Shoveler. Then it was a county tick in the book; two Turnstones. A passing Peregrine Falcon provided more aerial spectaculars as Lapwings, waders and lots of little birds took to the air.

With time passing and a curfew it was time for Venus Pool to see Great Crested Grebe, Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover and Pied Wagtail. With forty-four species spotted Mr. Kite won the competition where a celebratory Tetley tea was tippled. Cheers.