Dipped but nice to be out birding again.

Up early to meet up with Brian at 5 am to head to St Osyth for last nights reported Woodchat Shrike.

That is a change of plan as we were going to Oare marsh for the Bonaparte's for a year tick but the St Osyth bird will be a lifer for both Jimmy & myself so that's where we head.

Just a single birder standing on the corner of the bend half way along Wigborowick Lane when we arrive at around 6 am, parking up he tells us that he has not seen the bird but had only been here for a short while.

So full of hope we start to scan all the way along the lane, plenty of Whitethroat, Linnet,Corn Bunting, plus a Yellow Wagtail on the wires above us, later we get to see a Sparrowhawk buzzing around a Buzzard but no sign of the target bird.

By now more birders were arriving & a lot of people that we know so that helped not only to help looking but always nice to catch up with them for a good old talk. The time was getting on now & after about 4 hours & with Brian needing to get home to finish his D I Y we all start to drift off without any sign of the bird.

So how nice to get out with the boys once again I know we dipped but  you don't know how much you miss birding when you have to sit indoors with your leg up for over 7 weeks & it was a nice warm morning & not to long to get home. Even Brian never got the camera out this morning so no hope of a photo of anything from me.

Back birding at last with Common Rosefinch.

Seven long weeks of inactivity on the birding front after having a total Knee replacement on May 19th. Still not ready to go on long trips with long walks but with the Rosefinch only a few miles from home I am glad to give it a go.
Jimmy & I pull into the ice centre car park just after 9 o,clock & walk down the main track & we are now on Walthamstow marsh NR & keep walking down the path till we find the Anchor & Hope Public house, we see a gate opposite & see a birder who looked as if he might have the bird in sight.
On talking to him he tells us that the bird was around but he had lost it for a while, we do not have to wait to long before Jimmy picks the Rosefinch out at the top of a tree behind us, it is sitting out in the open & we get some cracking views in the scope.
I have only seen one Rosefinch before that was a few years ago in Tottenham & the view was only a flight view & was a female, this one being a male it is a nicer bird to see.
By now we have about 20 birders here & some were getting some good photos but I never got close enough to get my camera on the bird but it is just nice to get out birding again, I am still a few weeks away from being able to get out on long walks  but it,s a start.
No bird photos to show so I thought I would show what has keep me away from many new ticks over the last seven weeks.


                                                               

My new knee, hope it takes me to many more bird ticks.