Waiting for that eureka moment

At the moment my birding time is not, in my opinion, being fairly rewarded, beyond that of being able to see the totally expected. In an ideal world that wouldn't matter, as it should be enough just to be out in the open and accept whatever comes along. However, currently that doesn't work for the ‘spoilt brat’ within me, and I am starting to think that the birding Gods are not on my side. So I plod on, waiting for that eureka moment that is surely getting closer! 

Almost an all-dayer today, split between Epsom Downs and Canons Farm, both sites unrewarding. With a few Mediterranean Gulls being picked up across the county I was on high alert, but few 'smaller' gulls were on show. Apart from a group of Herring Gulls on the race course, most were high and overhead. It is always worth checking anything on the deck here, but nothing warranted a second look. The picture above has, in the foreground, one of the hummocky-strips that contours the race course on the southern flank. These are always worth walking along, often acting as cover for larks, pipits and chats.

As is the way on a slow bird day, attention meandered to other things, in this instance the distant city...

The Shard, Sky-garden, Walkie-talkie, et al. 15.2 miles as the bird flies.

What is normally referred to as 'Canary Wharf'. 16.7 miles as the bird flies.

Comments

Gavin Haig said…
Steve, your post has reminded me of that old saw: 'There's always someone worse off than you'. Which is always true of course...but no comfort! No comfort, that is, until you look closely at what they are having to deal with. If I ever start grumbling about my birding getting a bit tiresome, please tell me off and suggest I reread this post! 😄

Seriously though, I am sure your steady plugging away will yield some thrills soon enough...
13 March 2021 at 14:31
Steve Gale said…
Gav, I read your posts where you wander along empty beaches, silent estuaries and quiet hedgerows, with just Cirl Buntings and Iceland Gulls for company, and think to myself “How does Gav put up with it?”.... ;-)
13 March 2021 at 15:24
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