Today's lunchtime drive out was to visit the long staying Great Grey Shrike at West Hartford, Cramlington. Although I have been here a couple of times, its not somewhere I know well, so had to get on site directions from Joe Dobinson, who was right on the money. Cheers Joe.
Bearing in mind we are 'shiny shoe' office workers, the boggy terrain underfoot was a bit of a hindrance, but not impassable. After a false start or two a kind chap waved 'Its over there' to us and we headed to a better vantage point. Despite scanning a distant hedgerow in less than good light, there was no sign. Persistence paid off however, when, a few scans later, a white blob appeared in the scrub about half a mile away.
The shrike looked much better in the scope, as it gazed down at the ground and preened its breast, no doubt removing the remains of some hapless vole from its pristine feathers.
After about 10 minutes, it vanished as easily as it appeared, and we headed off back to work.
Oh, this morning, a nice male Brambling was at our bird table at first light, my first this year...
78. Brambling
2 comments:
Very atmospheric painting, Stewart. Love it.
Cheers mate...
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