Wednesday 24th August (Raptors)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window into a blue sky with some white fluffy clouds. With rain forecast for the afternoon Mr. Kite was soon taking The Beast towards Long Mountain. The sun was shining and the wind was blowing from the west and blustery at times.

Mr. Kite watched and listened to Common Buzzards and Carrion Crows that were near the road. Just as Mr. Kite reached Westbury he heard a slightly different call from the buzzard; looking up Mr. Kite watched two Red Kites circling together. In the rising warm air they soon disappeared as Mr. Kite cycled west and the kites flew east.

In Westbury Mr. Kite turned off the main road onto the narrower road at the start of Long Mountain. A few ups and down towards Vennington where a family of Raven flew. Past Vron Gate and the long gentle climb with emerging views to the right and the sight of The Breiddons.  A Peregrine Falcon glided into view with a following of House Martins. The powerful bird glided over the hill looking for prey.

The climb flattened gradually and the mast on Heldre Hill came into view. From here it was Corvids, Buzzards and little brown birds in the hedges. Reaching Heldre Hill the wind was chilly and Mr. Kite turned right climbing slightly before going down the steep roads towards Brockton. A Merlin passed low in front before heading towards a bird table in one of the few dwellings on the road down.

Carefully going down this narrow bumpy road with pot-holes Mr. Kite annoyed a wasp that soon sat on Mr. Kites leg before injecting a good sharp sting; bastard. After a few minutes mr. Kite was on the main road at Brockton. From here it was a meandering trip back along known lanes, unknown lanes, known lanes that were unknown and some unknown unknown looking for some known. Eventually Westbury was reached and then it was more lanes to Stoney Stretton and Polemere.

With the rain traveling from the west it was full steam ahead towards Shrewsbury. A good morning trip with some raptors.

In the early evening with the sun popping through the dark clouds Mr. Kite headed towards Venus Pool for a spot of wader watching. Luckily the waders were in front of The Members Hide so Mr. Kite could compare the size, plumage, leg colour and feeding behaviour of Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank with the occasional foray of a Ringed Plover.

With the transformed features of V.P. it is now difficult to decide where the islands are and what is a peninsular. Anyway Cormorants, Mallards and a Little Egret sat about on mud, grass or stones. Rabbits were enjoying places that they never had access to before the water disappeared.

With the sun going down Mr. Kite returned home to celebrate a good day with a Tetley tea. Cheers.