Portugal, Pallid Harrier in Somerset, and other things?
Been a bit lax.
Down in deepest Somerset, at the weekend, caught up with 34 Common Crane in one glorious sedge. The result of 2 years hard work, and releases, by the Great Crane Project.
http://www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk/
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| 34 Cranes in flight. |
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| The Crane sedge, bad digiscope, settled... |
2 glorious hours scoping them, produced a male Merlin hunting 100+ Goldfinches. A ringtail Hen Harrier showed at distance. And there was a brief passage of Skylark at Aller Moor.
We'd visited in the Spring and failed to find the Cranes. It seemed the pattern was to be repeated - viewing from vantage points across the flat expanse. Then 34 Jewels obscured the sky, and gave an aerobatic display before alighting.
In 5 years from the start of this release programme, it is hoped that at least 100 Cranes will provide a stable breeding stock. And a return of this missing jigsaw-piece to our birdscape.
Yesterday, a female Pied Wheatear was found near to us in fluvial weather. As I write the skies are clear and calm. perfect for migration. This day may provide a connection. It would be a bonus. But I wouldn't blame the bird for moving on.
Promise a Portugal trip report, and a September/October retrospect with, perhaps, some artwork...
In the meantime, some free illos I did for this year's Cambridge Bird Report...
Can you guess what they are?
Happy Birding and Drawing to you all!...
phil
