Met Roger and Pat at the Boardwalk last night and sat outside enjoying the last of the sun. I was surprised how busy it was especially as one needed to take out a mortgage to pay for the drinks! Two glasses of wine and two beers came to a tad over £16! Only had two rounds of drinks deciding to make them last but with such good company it was worth it. Love catching up with old friends especially as it may well be months before we meet again. Such is the life of the boating fraternity.
We had arranged to meet today for coffee and cake but this was cancelled due to us being let down by Midland Chandlers. On Freaky Friday (20% of everything) we were going to buy another starter battery just so I could run my small bait fridge (charged from the engine as well as from a solar panel) and it would save draining our leisure batteries. The one we wanted was sold out so they said they would order the battery at the Freaky Friday price and could collect today. Well it didn't arrive and, after a bit of negotiation, they phoned around and found one at Penkridge so all was not lost. (we should be there by Monday) With this in mind we set off for Branston Water Park where we had arranged for Christine to bring our post. It was whilst we were heading toward the park that I spied the bird. I have never seen anything like it before and it could well be a hybrid blackbird. If anyone has any thoughts I would love to hear your views.
We had a good run up to Branston taking a little over three hours. Loo emptying and rubbish disposal at Willington took some of the time and 2 boats (one being a day boat) at Dallow and Branston lock also hindered our progress. In fact the day boat from Barton Turns got well and truly stuck at one point but even though we offered to help, they waved us past saying they had it all in hand.
We were seen off by a Canadian Goose as well as a feisty Cob sure sign breeding season is upon us. We also spied a tree across the towpath near Burton so a phone call to C&RT alerted them to the fact.
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| And this was why. |
And as we exited Branston Lock a Kestrel hovered overhead, then landed on the power lines staying put as we sailed by. Not long after Branston Water Park came into view and I wondered if any moorings would be available. As you can see in this photo there was!!!
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| We were the only boat. |
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| Water Park |
7 comments:
Ive looked this up on rspb site, its a blackbird with a condition known as albinism, causing the males to have varied coloured feathers x
The bird is a blackbird with albino type markings. Paula
Hi Irene
We had blackbirds like this at home for a few years - it's partial albinism and not uncommon, though quite striking! Here's a link - http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/funfactsandarticles/watchingbirds/identify/abnormal/albinism.aspx
Best wishes
Debby
That Kestrel seems to have made himself at home there. We took a boat out from Aqua a few weeks ago and he was there then hunting and then sitting back in the tree. Fab to watch, so fab I nearly run us into the bank!!
Carol Blog Virgin
Thanks everyone. I knew someone would have the answer. Much appreciated. Xxx
Carol, it's good to know the hunting is so good here for the Kestrels as well as the buzzards. if you look at today's blog you'll see why. Xx
Hi Irene
It wasn't only the Kestrel hunting, we stopped at Branston on the way out and were woken about 6 am on the Sunday morning by a guy shooting the ducks in the fields opposite. He looked absolutely terrified when my friend popped her head out of the hatch and he scurried off with his dog. He was shooting the mallards as they flew away. I am not sure if he was supposed to, he could have easily got distracted and shot through the boat window!!
Carol BV
Hi Carol
There is no excuse for this sort of behavior. Thank goodness your friend frightened him away. Pheasants are also in abundance around Branston so I suppose he was hoping to bag a few of them as well. Xx
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