Whilst 2021 treated us to many rare birds, this year has been famine like by comparison. I made the decision eighteen months ago to start pursuing my other interests a bit more such as bowling, racing, cricket & photography which has worked well. I'll still go for the rare birds but I wouldn't change plans already in place.
This happened when the Eleonora's Falcon was discovered in Kent. On the weeknd when discovered we were taking in a days racing at Bevelerley & then a day watching Warwickshire. However, this second summer bird continued it's stay at Worth Marsh, Kent. The extended Bank Holiday would give me the perfect opportunity to visit so I agreed to drive the Squire, Dr Cassidy and Mike Wakeman down on Thursday. We played it cool setting out at 7.30am without news of a sighting however news was confirmed before we passed Oxford.
The drive only took 3 hours 30 minutes on the traffic free route and friendly marshalls were on hand to guide us into a well organised field car park. The walk then took around 20 minutes to other side of Great Wood where the bird had been reported.
We saw the bird fairly quickly but not really that well in all honestly and we all wanted much improved views. The bird came and went in the distance over the next 90 minutes until the real show began.....And oh what a show we got. The falcon treated us to amazing viewing for an extended period even allowing us to get some decent record shots.
The Eleonora's Falcon breeds on islands around the Mediterranean and winters in the South indian ocean islands and south east Africa. Whilst there has been eight previous records most were untwitchable so this was a unique opportunity. The bird stood out from the local Hobby's mainly due to it's larger wings and tail notch. The birds acrobatic style was unbelivable at times, it somehow seemed to be able to undertake full 180 degree turns as it pursued the feast of dragon flies available.
Who would have thought we would see an Eleonora's Falcon in 2022. We headed back to the car taking in the young Avocet families before heading back home. I'm not sure we were out of Worth Village before the Squire starting snoring & dreaming of the old glorious days of Aston Villa. It was great to have completed what could have been a difficult twitch without any problems. Many thanks to the lads for their company and banter to keep me going.
