Dowitchers & Howitzers

Being what you might call a ‘wader-man’, I took a diversion to Marshside this morning to grab a look at the latest vagrant shorebird from stateside. Nel’s hide was rammed when I arrived, so I had to settle for a back seat until one of the front benches was vacated.

When I finally sat down, the Long-billed Dowitcher could be seen dozing in the middle of a flock of Godwits and Redshank that it had chummed-up with. No more then twenty yards away and affording superb views through the scope, it revealed its wonderful chequered plumage. It reminded me of a Snipe, although considerably more stately – a lovely bird.

Predictably the paparazzi were present and whenever the bird initiated any sort of movement it was blasted with a torrent of semi-automatic shutter; the snipers bring aroused into action by the emergence of its bill and practically orgasmic at the flap of a wing.

A few Pink-footed Geese, a sprinkling of Wigeon and my chilling hands were a few timely reminders of autumn. No doubt the Pinks will be arriving in greater numbers throughout this month and October – let’s hope us denizens of the Dee Estuary are treated to another over-wintering flock this year.

Swans, ducks and waders are all indictors of the onset of winter, but to me it is the large skeins of Geese commuting volubly across the darkening skies that are the true sign that: times, they are a changin’.

Apparently up to ¼ of a million Pink-footed Geese were counted in Iceland a couple of weeks ago, the majority of the world population. It is heartening that in todays over populated earth such magnificent spectacles of nature can still be witnessed. The venal bankers and slippery politicians may play havoc with our material welfare, but providing the birds are back for winter, then everything is okay with me. Amen.

Until later.