Golden Plovers on a cold winter's afternoon.
12th January 2020
Birding has been very difficult in the Brecon Beacons during the autumn of 2019 because of a period of quite appalling weather. From October onwards we have had long spells of very wet weather resulting in flooding in many areas and this has been compounded with heavy grey skies, some days descending into a stygian gloom. At the end of December and into the first week of January the weather perked up a little with a short brighter spell but the weather has again become unsettled and yesterday was a dismal day with heavy drizzle and blustery winds all day.
However, in the middle of the aforementioned ‘Brighter’ spell I paid a couple of visits to a local upland to try and see a traditional Golden Plover roost that is established there. Unfortunately this area is plagued with dog walkers and my first efforts were ruined by a stupid and thoughtless woman letting her dog run straight through the roost of about eighty birds. I was amazed that she couldn’t see the roosting birds that were about thirty yards in front of her and also me standing there with a lens on a tripod, it’s not difficult to make an association that there might just be something there - but she probably didn’t care anyway because their dogs take precedence over everything - I despair at these people, they haven’t got a clue!
On my second attempt the following day it looked much more promising, there were none of the dreaded dog walkers around and more importantly the birds were in the same place - and of course they would be, it’s their roosting spot. A bitterly cold wind swept across the open upland as I walked in a wide arc to get the sun behind me and then I slowly inched closer taking shots every five yards. A few birds started to move around as I got nearer, (this is the sign that all birders and photographers should recognize) – if the birds are becoming restless you are too close! I took my last shots and retraced my steps and the birds settled back down again. If you go too close they will fly and you have disturbed them and made things more difficult in what is already a difficult situation for them, trying to find shelter on a cold winter’s afternoon. I made my way back to the warmth of my vehicle for a cup of coffee and then packed up and left for home with the light fading as the clouds rolled in once more.
Pretty little birds.
However, in the middle of the aforementioned ‘Brighter’ spell I paid a couple of visits to a local upland to try and see a traditional Golden Plover roost that is established there. Unfortunately this area is plagued with dog walkers and my first efforts were ruined by a stupid and thoughtless woman letting her dog run straight through the roost of about eighty birds. I was amazed that she couldn’t see the roosting birds that were about thirty yards in front of her and also me standing there with a lens on a tripod, it’s not difficult to make an association that there might just be something there - but she probably didn’t care anyway because their dogs take precedence over everything - I despair at these people, they haven’t got a clue!
On my second attempt the following day it looked much more promising, there were none of the dreaded dog walkers around and more importantly the birds were in the same place - and of course they would be, it’s their roosting spot. A bitterly cold wind swept across the open upland as I walked in a wide arc to get the sun behind me and then I slowly inched closer taking shots every five yards. A few birds started to move around as I got nearer, (this is the sign that all birders and photographers should recognize) – if the birds are becoming restless you are too close! I took my last shots and retraced my steps and the birds settled back down again. If you go too close they will fly and you have disturbed them and made things more difficult in what is already a difficult situation for them, trying to find shelter on a cold winter’s afternoon. I made my way back to the warmth of my vehicle for a cup of coffee and then packed up and left for home with the light fading as the clouds rolled in once more.
Pretty little birds.