Once again the early morning rain made for a late start, but there was good to come of that. Some years ago my mate Andy Lindsay sent me a present of 2 Jools Holland 'Later With' DVD's which are compilations of mainly New Years Eve studio concerts featuring many of the greats. Included in these line-ups was one Beverley Knight, who's rendition of the Sam Cooke penned 'Change is Gonna Come' more than caught my ear. Now without wishing to sound too pointed to those concerned, what I describe as the 'Squealing Bint' genre ain't my cup of marbles. However, this lady, very much the exception to this rule, was a guest on the BBC Breakfast News while the rain fell outside. Sounding totally unaffected by what must be massive success (apparently you don't get MBE's out of Christmas crackers) this obvious roll model for any of the younger generation, talked us through a couple of her songs and an upcoming UK tour, on this the release day of her new album '100%'. I'm always very interested in meaningful song lyrics, which in this instance came by way of Ms Knight's own composition 'Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda' (the Last Words of a Fool). A message to us all there, who would want to trip this mortal coil knowing those words were true about ourselves. Go Out and Get It!
A walk through Barleycrates, Reap Lane, onward to the Bill, Obs and back to Sweethill produced no migrants at all. There had been a few caught at the PBO, but later at Ferry Bridge Ringed Plover and Dunlin numbers remain much as in recent days, while Sanderling now numbered 8.
A walk through Barleycrates, Reap Lane, onward to the Bill, Obs and back to Sweethill produced no migrants at all. There had been a few caught at the PBO, but later at Ferry Bridge Ringed Plover and Dunlin numbers remain much as in recent days, while Sanderling now numbered 8.
Red-necked Avocet - Alice Springs Sewerage Works, Northern Territory, AustraliaNote This site is arguably the best in Alice and highlighted via Google, a key being held by the local Bird Club. On arrival we asked the hotel receptionist if she had any ideas how we might get access, and she made no fewer than 9 phone calls to suss it out. Eventually, she contacted the club secretary who was dining with friends, but found time to ring us in our room and later deliver the key. The advise was to get a taxi, but found it to be a very short distance by our standards and easily walkable. The place is full of birds, best for me being the bizarre Pink-eared Duck.
American Avocet - Cape Henlopen, Delaware
South American (White-necked) Stilt - Costanera Sur NR, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Black-winged Stilt - Strandfontain Sewerage Works, South Africa
