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BIRD TRAIL WITH CHRIS
PACKHAM 2009
A MOST EVENTFUL DAY
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We
know about these things. The walk should not have gone ahead. We were
due for a fall, we knew that. The Bird Trail last year, the size of
which had never been organised anywhere before, was fabulous. The
hottest day of the year up to then, wonderful children, a brilliant day,
finished by a picnic. The New Forest is our most magical area, walks
there have an atmosphere which are unique, with its history, subtle
beauty, and even if no birds of note are seen, as admitted to in 2008,
it is always an experience to prize. Our members are still talking
about the 2009 HOS OPEN DAY, record numbers and worries that it could
never be replicated to that standard. So yes, we knew we were due for a
fall.
The
day started off okay. Dawn Russell, Derek Lister and Pete Hancock laid
out the route – at 6 am –and it was bright and sunny. The event, 160
children led by Dawn Russell, Chris Packham, Derek Lister, HOS and the
RSPB, plus volunteers, was due to kick off at 9 am. At 8.15 our worst
fears, the fear of a bride on her wedding day, was realised. The
heavens opened. It rained and then it poured. Our expressions were
those of an MP awaiting the next Daily Telegraph, and like them, we
could not see any end to the gloom. Those with brollies became our
bestest friends. In the floods, darkness and pouring rain, Chris
Packham summoned everyone forth.
Our
view, the view of sensible mature adults, was to call it off. We know
about these things. We should be respected, looked up to, we have age
and experience, and like bankers and Members of Parliament, kids should
trust us in always doing the right thing. The most important
birdwatching walk for our youngsters would be their first walk, if it
was a miserable experience, it might put them off for life. More
importantly, we, the adults wanted to give it a miss, go home put our
feet up to a warming cup of coffee. The person who was keen to go ahead
was Chris Packham, didn’t he know better, was he not busy enough, but
such is his powers of persuasion, he had his fellow co-conspirators,
the children, roaring approval. Subterfuge. Perfidy. How he did it
mystifies me still, but with sinking hearts, glum expressions, lack of
enthusiasm, mumbling to one another, we prepared our groups from the 104
children who had remained, and we trudged off. The rain began to
lessen, it began to brighten up, and then - the sun displayed. What
followed will remain with us forever.
Thanks to the hard work by the organisers, RSPB and their Wildlife
Explorer group, Watch (Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust) and HOS, plus the
volunteers from all of these groups. The purpose this year was for each
child from the Wildlife Explorer group to bring along a friend.
The
organisers adjusted the walk to just one vantage point, where we set up
telescopes. As we walked there, a Cuckoo, a rare sighting this year,
made itself known, and actually flew to the top of a tree for us to
view, and a few Wood Warblers made themselves known. Already it had
surpassed 2008 for the quality of the birds. And then it happened.
The
minute we stopped, a Tree Pipit began singing, displaying between the
ground and trees. We watched a Stonechat disputing territory with a
Redstart right in front of us, with the perfect backdrop of a blooming
hawthorn. A Woodlark soared into the air, and slowly drifted towards us
coming closer and closer, showing well for several minutes. This was
followed by 3 more. An unexpected Snipe was pointed out to us by Dan
Powell. A possible sighting of distant 3 Hobbies could not be
verified. Also, in the distance a displaying Buzzard was almost
certainly a Honey Buzzard, but it was 3 miles off. Dave Munday’s
impersonation of this was a highlight of the day. A Kestrel,
Great-spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipits, a Skylark all showed from this
one vantage point. All the time the Cuckoo, was being heard, until it
was again seen in the distance. It came closer, and closer, and to our
amazement, landed on the single large tree by us and the group of
excited children; an easy photographic opportunity. It revealed itself
in the sun - - - apart from its head. Never mind.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
John
Eyre, Simon Ingram and their group arrived and we told them, with the
minimum of smugness, what they had missed. We pretended to be overjoyed
to be informed that they had seen 2 male Goshawks, an established male,
and a young one, fly close over their heads. Even Andy Page thought we
were making up these stories.
And
then it happened part 2: A Honey Buzzard came our way, till it glided,
so slowly over our heads against a blue sky; the best view possible.
Had I known what was going to occur today, I would have brought my
appropriate camera equipment, but uncharacteristically, I am not
complaining; much. We gasped at the Buzzard; usually this species is
imagined or a ‘possible’, as we observe it in the distance. As we were
chuckling about our luck, a Peregrine flew over us; and then stayed
there circling. Chris Packham arrived and was astounded at our
stories. Oh yes, the Cuckoo flew back to the tree, a possible Raven was
spotted by John Eyre in the distance.
It is
said that one of the problems with the youth of today is that they are
spoiled. Well, they were today. Not only the best day’s birding in the
New Forest, but patches of mud in all its glory. Next time they venture
out birdwatching they may be bitter in their disappointment if they do
not see flocks of Peregrines, Cuckoos, Goshawks and Honey Buzzards. It
was heartening to see that with all the technology at their fingertips,
with iPods, computers, video games, their sheer unadulterated joy of
sploshing around in the mud; a delight to behold. Perhaps deep down,
given the chance, our childhood priorities do not change. Not a single
mobile went off, and just like last year, not a single moan or argument
from a bunch of happy, wonderfully mannered youngsters.
We
all retuned, had a picnic, related our stories, heard another
stimulating talk by Chris Packham and just as he was finishing, the rain
returned - it’s all in the timing. The day was magical, for the kids
and the adults, an event they will never forget. There will be another
stunning article for Kingfisher about it all by Chris Packham. It’s not
written yet, but it will be stunning. Forget Springwatch, HOS and
enthusing children are the correct priorities; although we do all wish
him well.
So,
if you believe in averages, do not attend next OPEN DAY or the next Bird
Trail. One day, as a confirmed realist, this is all going to go
horribly wrong. We know about these things.
When the heavens opened
we wanted to go home
The day was in
actuality dead
But Chris Packham had
differing views
And with 104 children
the walk went ahead
This was an error from
our point of view
You wouldn’t even make
out a Pheasant
No birds would be seen
on a day like this
This was more than
simply unpleasant
But the mistaken kids
and Chris Packham were raring to go
Had they lost all
commonsense
The rain showed few
signs of relenting
To walk in this would
be an offence
They wouldn’t listen
to experience,
They wouldn’t heed our
fears,
They should all go home
and watch the telly
This was all going to
finish in tears
Unexpectedly, birds
started to show themselves
And then show
themselves some more
Till we couldn’t
believe what we were seeing
Mouths agape, we
watched in awe
There were Goshawks and
Skylarks and Woodlarks too
And a Peregrine
overhead
Wood Warblers,
Stonechats and Tree Pipits revealed themselves
It was as if they were
waiting to be fed
A Cuckoo called
throughout our stay
And a Honey Buzzard was
seen to fly
It came closer - - - -
- - and closer - - - - - till it went overhead
Against an
electric-blue sky
This was better than
Portland Bill
You can give the
Galapagos a miss
This was one of those
special days
It doesn’t get better
than this
We had never seen
anything quite like it
We had forgotten the
earlier woes
Even Redstarts were
becoming boring
‘’We’ve seen quite
enough of those’’
One of the best day’s
birdwatching, was a common remark
A day that we should
always treasure
The views of the birds
were outstanding
The kids should recall
it forever
So to all of those
children who stay indoors
Give birdwatching a try
There are riches to be
enjoyed in our natural world
Riches that money can’t
buy
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