A Spring Morning around Llangors Lake.
02nd May 2021
Yesterday I was out walking early, strolling around the trees and bushes which surround Llangors Lake which is about three miles from where I live. I was the only one around at this time which is what I wanted – peace and quiet, two of my favourite things. This area is populated with Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Hazel, Birch etc. and it is a magnet for migrating birds. This time of year there are typical birds of this environment - Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Redstarts, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes etc. The reed beds which this environment backs onto is also full of Reed and Sedge Warblers with a smattering of Cetti’s Warblers which also frequent the bushes. As I walked along I could hear the distant scratchy song of a Sedge Warbler, which I thought was coming from the reed beds but as I turned a corner here he was in a Blackthorn thicket singing for all he was worth.
He paid little regard to me he was too preoccupied with finding a mate and I gratefully accepted the image that was on offer. I was looking for Garden Warbler and I could hear one or two but couldn’t get any good views which is typical with these birds. However, as I was making my way back to my vehicle I could hear a song coming from a bramble patch and as I approached closer I could hear a Common Whitethroat. These are another migrant attracted to this type of environment, but these birds can be really awkward to pin down – they like to skulk. I watched for about twenty minutes and finally I could see a dead reed stem moving in the middle of the bramble patch and then for a couple of seconds it appeared half way up the stem and I shot it immediately.
You have no time for messing around - and this was my one and only clear view of the bird. My original target – Garden Warbler didn’t appear, but there were two unexpected alternatives, that’s how it goes sometimes.
He paid little regard to me he was too preoccupied with finding a mate and I gratefully accepted the image that was on offer. I was looking for Garden Warbler and I could hear one or two but couldn’t get any good views which is typical with these birds. However, as I was making my way back to my vehicle I could hear a song coming from a bramble patch and as I approached closer I could hear a Common Whitethroat. These are another migrant attracted to this type of environment, but these birds can be really awkward to pin down – they like to skulk. I watched for about twenty minutes and finally I could see a dead reed stem moving in the middle of the bramble patch and then for a couple of seconds it appeared half way up the stem and I shot it immediately.
You have no time for messing around - and this was my one and only clear view of the bird. My original target – Garden Warbler didn’t appear, but there were two unexpected alternatives, that’s how it goes sometimes.